DAT Done 6/03/11

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PrinceJ

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Thanks to all the helpful posters on SDN. My entire strategy and resource list came from these forums basically. I had to cram a majority of my studying into the three weeks between the end of Spring classes and my summer classes which just started last week.

PAT 18 55.3 👎
QR 21 97.6
RC 20 78.5
Bio 19 83.5
GC 29 99.9
OC 28 99.5
TS 22 98.3
AA 23 99.7

Resources Used: Crack DAT (Royal Flush I believe (10 PAT tests)), DAT Destroyer, Math Destroyer, Cliff's AP Bio, Kaplan Blue Book, Chad's Videos

PAT: To me, easily the most difficult section. I had done about 8 or 9 of the Crack DAT PAT tests, and I had averaged 20-21, so I was a little disappointed with 18 in this section. I think I became somewhat discouraged after it being more difficult than expected, but oh well.

QR: Practice any and every word problem you can find. If you know how to set up the problems, they really aren't that difficult. The hardest part is being able to recognize what kind of problem it is and make an equation to work for it. I used Math Destroyer (did one test every other day, untimed) and Crack DAT Math (about a test every other day, timed though).

RC: All I did for this was 4 of the 5 practice tests on Crack DAT Reading. I was averaging 20-21, so I was more than happy with my score on this section. Didn't get piano'd, but I also didn't use Search and Destroy. I felt it wasn't that time-consuming, so I read the whole passages and skimmed for key words after reading the questions.

Bio: Read all you can. I mostly depended on my decent Biology background and read through my rough spots in Cliff's. It is very time consuming to study this to make a good score, which is why I concentrated much more time in the chemistries. Cliff's did seem to be a good resource though, but it is just such a broad section.

GC: Chad's and DAT Destroyer.... I did what I had read on this site and put a large majority of my effort into Gen Chem and OChem, and it paid off big time. The DAT Destroyer problems seemed very representative (although harder) of the types of questions you might get asked. I went through the Gen Chem section 3 times, doing 30 problems a day, grading myself, and making notecards over my mistakes.

OC: Same as Gen Chem, Chad's and DAT Destroyer seem irreplaceable. The OChem was much harder on the DAT Destroyer, but so helpful in enforcing concepts and showing a variety of problems you may be asked.

As you can see, my scores in Gen Chem and Organic were the sole reason my AA is so high. I read someone post on here a couple months ago that they recommend you put about 80% of your science studying into these two and only about 20% into bio. I did this, and it was the best method in my opinion. I studied hard for about ~25 days, 8-10 hours a day. If you have the resources and mental stamina, it is possible to do this in a short period of time. If anyone has any other questions, I would be more than happy to answer, best of luck to those still studying.
 
Thanks to all the helpful posters on SDN. My entire strategy and resource list came from these forums basically. I had to cram a majority of my studying into the three weeks between the end of Spring classes and my summer classes which just started last week.

PAT 18 55.3 👎
QR 21 97.6
RC 20 78.5
Bio 19 83.5
GC 29 99.9
OC 28 99.5
TS 22 98.3
AA 23 99.7

Resources Used: Crack DAT (Royal Flush I believe (10 PAT tests)), DAT Destroyer, Math Destroyer, Cliff's AP Bio, Kaplan Blue Book, Chad's Videos

PAT: To me, easily the most difficult section. I had done about 8 or 9 of the Crack DAT PAT tests, and I had averaged 20-21, so I was a little disappointed with 18 in this section. I think I became somewhat discouraged after it being more difficult than expected, but oh well.

QR: Practice any and every word problem you can find. If you know how to set up the problems, they really aren't that difficult. The hardest part is being able to recognize what kind of problem it is and make an equation to work for it. I used Math Destroyer (did one test every other day, untimed) and Crack DAT Math (about a test every other day, timed though).

RC: All I did for this was 4 of the 5 practice tests on Crack DAT Reading. I was averaging 20-21, so I was more than happy with my score on this section. Didn't get piano'd, but I also didn't use Search and Destroy. I felt it wasn't that time-consuming, so I read the whole passages and skimmed for key words after reading the questions.

Bio: Read all you can. I mostly depended on my decent Biology background and read through my rough spots in Cliff's. It is very time consuming to study this to make a good score, which is why I concentrated much more time in the chemistries. Cliff's did seem to be a good resource though, but it is just such a broad section.

GC: Chad's and DAT Destroyer.... I did what I had read on this site and put a large majority of my effort into Gen Chem and OChem, and it paid off big time. The DAT Destroyer problems seemed very representative (although harder) of the types of questions you might get asked. I went through the Gen Chem section 3 times, doing 30 problems a day, grading myself, and making notecards over my mistakes.

OC: Same as Gen Chem, Chad's and DAT Destroyer seem irreplaceable. The OChem was much harder on the DAT Destroyer, but so helpful in enforcing concepts and showing a variety of problems you may be asked.

As you can see, my scores in Gen Chem and Organic were the sole reason my AA is so high. I read someone post on here a couple months ago that they recommend you put about 80% of your science studying into these two and only about 20% into bio. I did this, and it was the best method in my opinion. I studied hard for about ~25 days, 8-10 hours a day. If you have the resources and mental stamina, it is possible to do this in a short period of time. If anyone has any other questions, I would be more than happy to answer, best of luck to those still studying.

I believe you and I had the same test version! Hahahaha.
Your RC a lot on genetics/genes? Something on telomeres?
But... congrats on your scores! I had more or less the same scores with a 23 AA that was 99.7% and same GC and OC % and score!
 
I believe you and I had the same test version! Hahahaha.
Your RC a lot on genetics/genes? Something on telomeres?

Hahaha wow yeah actually it was. Did you post a breakdown or do you plan too? I think we got lucky with our chemistry sections, it wasn't as difficult I was first expecting.
 
Just curious, but how many times did you read over Cliffs? I'm using the same resources (minus KBB) and I'm almost done with my second run through with Chad's Video Notes/Quizzes and GC/OC Destroyer.

Also, which one was more similar to DAT QR?
 
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Just curious, but how many times did you read over Cliffs? I'm using the same resources (minus KBB) and I'm almost done with my second run through with Chad's Video Notes/Quizzes and GC/OC Destroyer.

Well, I took genetics last semester and evolution this semester, so I mainly read through: Biological Diversity, Animal Form and Function, Animal Reproduction and Development. I read through these each 2-3 times, highlighting and taking the quizzes at the end. I also read through the ecology once, but it's fairly simple and straight-forward.

I went through Chad's once with the exceptions of a couple that I have trouble with (acids and bases for example). I went through Destroyer three times. It got old and monotonous, but well worth it.
 
How about QR? Did you find it to be more similar to Math Destroyer or CDM?

Reason why I'm asking is because I'm considering towards changing my studies a bit to focus more on perfecting Destroyer (for OC, GC and QR) to make up for the immense material for BIO.
 
How about QR? Did you find it to be more similar to Math Destroyer or CDM?

Reason why I'm asking is because I'm considering towards changing my studies a bit to focus more on perfecting Destroyer (for OC, GC and QR) to make up for the immense material for BIO.

Congrats man...nice scores...

I too would like to know this...Strag, when do you take the test...
 
Hahaha wow yeah actually it was. Did you post a breakdown or do you plan too? I think we got lucky with our chemistry sections, it wasn't as difficult I was first expecting.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=790067
But I completely agree with your comment with RC. I did fine in TS but no S&D applicable for our exam! I was totally bummed and on top of that, I had a fever!! But I also didn't study for QR and RC 🙁

I wouldn't necessarily say we were completely lucky? I was stuck on some gen chem questions but it was really awkward but turned out okay. I know the only question I got wrong for orgo was the naming 🙁 I would say our biology section was hard because it had a lot of conceptual questions. Wouldn't you say so?

Well, I took genetics last semester and evolution this semester, so I mainly read through: Biological Diversity, Animal Form and Function, Animal Reproduction and Development. I read through these each 2-3 times, highlighting and taking the quizzes at the end. I also read through the ecology once, but it's fairly simple and straight-forward.

I went through Chad's once with the exceptions of a couple that I have trouble with (acids and bases for example). I went through Destroyer three times. It got old and monotonous, but well worth it.

👍
Didn't take any upper level biology course and did horrendous in intro class but I was pleased with my 22 in biology.
I also did destroyer three times.
 
As you can see, my scores in Gen Chem and Organic were the sole reason my AA is so high. I read someone post on here a couple months ago that they recommend you put about 80% of your science studying into these two and only about 20% into bio. I did this, and it was the best method in my opinion. I studied hard for about ~25 days, 8-10 hours a day. If you have the resources and mental stamina, it is possible to do this in a short period of time. If anyone has any other questions, I would be more than happy to answer, best of luck to those still studying.

that...was....ME!!!! THAT WAS ME!!!! :laugh:

Congrats pal, whats ur GPA?
 
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Congrats man...nice scores...

I too would like to know this...Strag, when do you take the test...

Uhh I would say the Math Destroyer is a little more representative all in all. If you don't have the time to do both you can stick to just that. I did Crack DAT Math a lot simply because it is timed and on the computer, so in that aspect it is more representative and grades and times it for me haha but the more math you see the better you'll do.
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=790067
But I completely agree with your comment with RC. I did fine in TS but no S&D applicable for our exam! I was totally bummed and on top of that, I had a fever!! But I also didn't study for QR and RC 🙁

I wouldn't necessarily say we were completely lucky? I was stuck on some gen chem questions but it was really awkward but turned out okay. I know the only question I got wrong for orgo was the naming 🙁 I would say our biology section was hard because it had a lot of conceptual questions. Wouldn't you say so?



👍
Didn't take any upper level biology course and did horrendous in intro class but I was pleased with my 22 in biology.
I also did destroyer three times.

Wow, you went into beast-mode on that test, what schools are you looking into?
 
that...was....ME!!!! THAT WAS ME!!!! :laugh:

Congrats pal, whats ur GPA?

Haha I should have known it was you, thank you for the advice in that case! Both my cGPA and sGPA are right about 3.9.

On a side note, I know scholarships are few and far between for professional school (outside of military-based), but does anyone know if many schools have scholarships or offer in-state tuition to out-of-state students? Just something I have always been curious about.
 
Prince, congrats for you great scores!

I'm having trouble allocating my study time for this test - I don't know which way is best. what what was your study schedule like on a daily basis? Did you do bio for an hour then g chem etc, did you practice problems while reading etc? I have all these books and programs and I don't know which way to get through them all. This is giving me a hard time..would be grateful for your advice.
 
👍

Not only are you a smart guy, but you are a smart test taker. OC and GC is the easiest sections to ace and it will bump your AA/TS so high its not even funny. GJ
 
Wow, you went into beast-mode on that test, what schools are you looking into?

Yeah, hahah. I went into beast-mode for 3.5 weeks for that test and took it. I wish I had a little bit more time but I can't complain--that was my fault.

Currently in the process of applying. Haven't completed the application yet! I'm applying to 8 schools and it sort of worries me because a lot of people on SDN keep saying to apply to more [not personally to me but to other users]. I'm an east-coaster so I'm applying to NYU and Columbia for sure and schools within the tristate vicinity.

Where are you looking into?
 
Prince, congrats for you great scores!

I'm having trouble allocating my study time for this test - I don't know which way is best. what what was your study schedule like on a daily basis? Did you do bio for an hour then g chem etc, did you practice problems while reading etc? I have all these books and programs and I don't know which way to get through them all. This is giving me a hard time..would be grateful for your advice.

Sure, I will try to give you the best idea of my daily schedule. It would overall be an 8-10 hour day if I could force myself (would have been more like 6 hours if I had longer to study). I am just giving you times to estimate how much time I spent, these were very lenient based on if I was burnt out, had errands, etc.
Also, these were after I had went through Chad's Videos. If you are doing that as well, you may want to substitute it in somewhere.
9-9:30: Wake up, eat, make some coffee
9:30-10:30: Do 30 Organic and 30 General Chemistry problems out of DAT Destroyer, go through and quickly grade yourself with an estimated DAT score
1030-1130: Slowly (not timed) work through a Math Destroyer test, making sure you know how to set up each problem, checking yourself along the way
1130-130: Go back through the DAT Destroyer problems you did earlier, making sure you know why you missed each one, AND why you got the ones right that you did. Make notecards when necessary for concepts/reactions
130-3: Eat lunch, go to the gym, relax
3-4: Do a Crack DAT MATH test (timed, graded)
4-5: Do a Crack PAT Test (timed, graded)
5-6: Eat, take another break
6-730: Read a chapter in Cliff's, slow and use highlighters, notecards, etc.
730-830: Maybe do a practice reading test
830-whenever: Go over notecards, relax and read over some notes

Honestly, I didn't start looking at Bio really seriously until about 10 days before, and I would often substitute more Gen Chem/OChem for the bio at night.

👍

Not only are you a smart guy, but you are a smart test taker. OC and GC is the easiest sections to ace and it will bump your AA/TS so high its not even funny. GJ

Thanks man, my thoughts/study plan exactly. From what I had read, the bio is so random that it's very difficult to score much above 20/21, while it is much more plausible to really excel in the chemistries. Also, I had seen many people get brought down by Math since the word problems can be tricky if you haven't seen them, so I would often do 1-2 math tests a day, and it ended up being one of my best sections.
 
Haha I should have known it was you, thank you for the advice in that case! Both my cGPA and sGPA are right about 3.9.

On a side note, I know scholarships are few and far between for professional school (outside of military-based), but does anyone know if many schools have scholarships or offer in-state tuition to out-of-state students? Just something I have always been curious about.

lolz... 3.9s and 23AA... your gonna get an interview at pretty much any reasonable school you apply to

As far as scholarships go... some do that. Like for example, Temple will offer anywhere from 10k-20k+ per year for the top 25 students they accept each year (they base it on interview skills, GPA, DAT, LORs, etc)

There are a few schools which will allow you to change your state residency to that state (and granting you in-state tuition)... Buffalo is an excellent example ~ first year you will be OOS, but after that, its in-state for next 3 years
 
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