Dat done 1/8/12!

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My scores:

PA: 27
QR: 21
RC: 28
BIO: 22
GC: 23
OC: 21
TS: 22
AA: 23

So glad it's done.

I took it right after my first semester senior year... started my bio major late so I had just finished Ochem 2 and a few different Bio classes... DEFINITELY helped. After my last final in Dec. I took ~3 days to play around and do nothing, and then I studied until test day, with breaks on Christmas and New Years. I feel like studying would have been A LOT more difficult if I had graduated, taken a year break, and then decided to take the DAT. While my Ochem score isn't perfect, I'm super happy with it. I studied the least for that section, having just taken my OC2 final exam was enough. Bleugh.

I read kaplan BB the summer before.. didn't remember much though.

I also took a Kaplan online class during the semester... I didn't think it helped much at all. I'd really only recommend a Kaplan course if you have already graduated and needed a review of the basics. If you are in school at the moment, you probably already have a pretty good idea of anything they would teach you.

On the other hand, DAT destroyer helped me a TON with GC. It was overkill, of course, but just the amount of overkill I needed to be able to actually figure out how to work the problems properly.

I ended up doing a bunch more practice than studying... I memorized a ton of random bio facts, and only one of the random facts that I memorized ended up on the DAT 😛 All the Kaplan practice tests helped a lot, as well as Topscore, Destroyer, and Crack Math DAT. Practice practice practice. And once you do practice problems, REVIEW WHAT YOU GOT WRONG. Honestly that is the thing that helped the most.

Also, my Topscore scores were kind of awful compared to what I got on the actual test... I don't remember them really, but I do remember that on the 3rd test I got 20 Bio, 17 GC, and 17 OC. So, if you are worried due to your Topscore scores, I'll reiterate what I've read a few times on these forums: your score will go up a few points on the real test compared to Topscore pro.

EDIT: OH, and I deff used Chad's videos for GC. They are awesome.


Yay! It's done. ^___________^
 
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Oh my goooooooooooooooooooooood!

Killer PAT and RC! I don't think I scored that high on even the easiest of practice tests! Absolutely perfect scores in everything else so a hearty congratulations is in order.

"REVIEW WHAT YOU GOT WRONG. Honestly that is the thing that helped the most."

Second it!
 
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taur said:
My scores:

PA: 27
QR: 21
RC: 28
BIO: 22
GC: 23
OC: 21
TS: 22
AA: 23

So glad it's done.

I took it right after my first semester senior year... started my bio major late so I had just finished Ochem 2 and a few different Bio classes... DEFINITELY helped. After my last final in Dec. I took ~3 days to play around and do nothing, and then I studied until test day, with breaks on Christmas and New Years. I feel like studying would have been A LOT more difficult if I had graduated, taken a year break, and then decided to take the DAT. While my Ochem score isn't perfect, I'm super happy with it. I studied the least for that section, having just taken my OC2 final exam was enough. Bleugh.

I read kaplan BB the summer before.. didn't remember much though.

I also took a Kaplan online class during the semester... I didn't think it helped much at all. I'd really only recommend a Kaplan course if you have already graduated and needed a review of the basics. If you are in school at the moment, you probably already have a pretty good idea of anything they would teach you.

On the other hand, DAT destroyer helped me a TON with GC. It was overkill, of course, but just the amount of overkill I needed to be able to actually figure out how to work the problems properly.

I ended up doing a bunch more practice than studying... I memorized a ton of random bio facts, and only one of the random facts that I memorized ended up on the DAT 😛 All the Kaplan practice tests helped a lot, as well as Topscore, Destroyer, and Crack Math DAT. Practice practice practice. And once you do practice problems, REVIEW WHAT YOU GOT WRONG. Honestly that is the thing that helped the most.

Also, my Topscore scores were kind of awful compared to what I got on the actual test... I don't remember them really, but I do remember that on the 3rd test I got 20 Bio, 17 GC, and 17 OC. So, if you are worried due to your Topscore scores, I'll reiterate what I've read a few times on these forums: your score will go up a few points on the real test compared to Topscore pro.


Yay! It's done. ^___________^
Click to expand...

god damn awesome scores... especially RC....
How was RC, level of hardness? Easier than Kaplan online? on par with CDR?
I'm kinda pissing my pants about GC now because I have been focusing on RC and Bio..
 
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Yeah, GC is easily my hardest subject. I worked really hard on it and was pretty much frusterated the entire time I was studying... but it ended up being easier on the DAT than any other practice test I had done. Probably partly because the practice tests helped me, well, practice, but I also thought the questions weren't as difficultly worded as Topscore for example.

I though the RC was pretty easy, maybe around the difficulty of Topscore. I didn't do CDR, so I couldn't tell you 🙁 I have always loved to read, so RC is the area that comes most naturally. I think it's definitely a better idea to read the question first and then scan the passage for your answer, rather than to read the passage intensely and try to remember facts. Scan it at first so you have an idea of what idea is presented in each paragraph, then when you get to a question, go looking for the answer. I had to work pretty hard at GC and QR to figure that stuff out. Ugh.
 
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I didn't really do anything other than take Kaplan and Topscore practice full-lengths :/ I really like to read and the PAT stuff just makes sense to me.. I'm sorry I can't be more of a help 🙁

I spent the majority of my time freaking out over GC and QR. The first few practice tests I took I got 15 s on those sections. Destroyer, Chad, and CDM ftw.
 
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wow congratulations!!!!
im very impressed with your scores.
I am curious to know how the PAT makes so much sense to you. I look at it and am just flabberghasted.
i currently am studying from the Dat Destroyer! i also plan on getting crack the PAT...any other help you can suggest that you may have heard from your friends regarding the PAT that helped them succeed? how did you find the math section?
also how did you do compared to some of your colleagues?
 
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I used to build lots of models as a kid, I did ceramics for a while in high school, I really love graphic design, etc. I can visualize the shapes and structures in my head pretty easily.

I thought the math section was so-so.. some problems were harder than I expected and some were easier, it was a jumble. I actually ran out of time and had to up and guess on like 4 or 5 problems.

The only other person from my school applying to DS that I know of took the DAT like 6 months ago and got a 22AA. I don't personally know anyone else who is studying / applying 🙁
 
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so how much of a difference did you think those 4-5 questions affected your score?
also was the reading tough/dense? what exactly made it easy in your eyes. you said you enjoy reading but what does that mean? how does that help? if i read books occasionally does that make it easier?
 
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No idea, my math score was incredibly surprising. My heart definitely sank when the time ran out.

Reading wasn't too touch / dense I didn't think, it was long though. Reading tons of novels has definitely made me into a fast reader, that's for sure. The more you read, the faster you get at reading!
 
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When are you planning to start Dental school in the fall 2012? Have you heard from any schools?

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
 
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Oh, you want to start 2013? What are your schools of choice?

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
 
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You are right. Those schools are very good and mostly cheaper than NYC schools

Sent from my MB855 using Tapatalk
 
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If you're a Texas resident, I'm sure you'll get in as long as you don't call patients your customers during the interview =]
 
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That's a respectable score man. Congrats on being in dental school! Because you are definitely getting in.

EDIT: Your GPA is cutting it close. 3.5 is usually the cut off, but if they see your DAT that should put you in the pool. You should be fine. Good luck man!
 
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Don't be discouraged! Your scores rock, and they will definitely look at that in addition to your GPA!

And for those people worried about the RC section, I took the DAT for the first time last week, and I though that the readings were easier than the majority of the practice tests I did. One of the passages was pretty technical, but overall they weren't bad. I was nervous about this section, and ended up with a 25, so keep your heads up!!
 
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Amazing scores. No need to worry about the GPA. It's still solid. Along with your DAT scores you are definitely in. Good luck on the rest.
 
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taur said:
Blegh.. it's almost impossible to get a high GPA as a Bio or Chem major at my school 🙁
Click to expand...

Same at Berkeley, my major's average GPA was 2.6. In my Cell bio class I was 1.5 SD above mean and still only got an A-. Think about it: top 10% and still only A-. I know in med school applications etc. they'll pay attention to schools (i.e. look for grade inflation etc.).

Regardless though, in the more standardized medium of the DAT, you've more than proved your mettle so most sensible schools will look past your GPA (not that it is low by any means)
 
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