DAT Done!! 7/3

[oral09]

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I got the ethic version. Here is my score
PAT: 20 88.1%
QR: 20 87.3
RC: 14 4.5
Biol: 24 98.7
GC: 23 94.5
OC: 23 93.7
Total Science: 24 99.3
Average: 21 91.3

Science GPA: 3.97
Overall GPA: 3.93

English is my second language but this is not a good excuse for student wanna go to school in the US. I understand what the passage is talking about, but I have a problem in solving the question. So that is my score for reading.

I'd like to ask if anybody know someone with low RC can get an interview. And what schools overlook the individual score. I am really appreciated if someone could tell me which schools care about the Total science and average.

Here is how I study for the DAT.
I had been studying for 6 weeks. I have a B.S in Biol so I took alot of biol classes. Basically, I just reviewed my notes and the textbooks. I barely used kaplan though. I had Destroyer (4/21 version) and I went over it one time only. pretty much for the Chemistry, I read over the whole text book (gen chem + ochem).

I used topscore and achiever. I think topscore is enough to give you a taste of the real DAT.

 

[Neuro178]

Those are really nice scores! Most people seem to have one low score somewhere, so you probably still have a shot. Talk to your pre-health advisor, and/or call the schools you are looking at to see if they have a cut-off for DAT scores. I wonder if they are more lenient with foreign student when it comes to RC... no idea!

But good luck!

 

[TeamGuo]

ahhhhhhhhhh I hate to see such a great score with 14 on RC. You have awesome scores on the other sections, I would call and ask the schools that you are interested to check if that 14 will be a problem. But otherwise, you did well!

 

[Dmitry Malayev]

Pretty good scores. RC could have been better but damn, the other scores are really nice.

 

[osimsDDS]

i say they will over look the RC, i mean your TS is really really great and the other scores are as well, the only thing is RC and I dont think schools will not take you because of it, they will give you a chance with your high GPA and other DAT scores

 

[Bruinlove]

Great Job! 👍 I don't know about other schools, but UCLA specifically states that they will focus on RC for those with English as a second language. Seriously though, I don't think you have to worry too much with those scores.

 

[DCRedskinsRule]

Awesome job...esp on the sciences! wow!

But definitely ask the schools you're planning on applying to about not just their cutoff for a section, but their RC cutoff. SOME schools put a HUGE emphasis on the RC whereas others will easily look over the section. It all depends on the type of school...and if the school puts a huge emphasis on the RC...you probably don't want to apply there anyway because that may be a good indication of the type of tests you might experience while at the school.

Basically....congrats. You did great.

 

[gogobruin]

U did a such good job, and I know that eng is hard especially for second language learner....Since I am too. Good luck on ur application ^^

 

[seaweed719]

There are ways to make up for the low RC score. For example, you really need to do well on the interviews to demonstrate your English competency. And if you haven't sent out your application yet, make sure your personal statement is rhetorically and concisely written and absolutely free of grammar errors.

 

[supraman]

What is your first language?

 

[oral09]

thanks for your input. my first language is Vietnamese, and I have been learning E for 4.5 years.

 

[doc3232]

Great job on everything else.
Can someone give him some input on schools he won't have a chance at?
I know on of the UC's have a 17 cutoff for RC, for example.
GOOD LUCK

 

[ProHeartBreaker]

Excellent performance. I would suggest you call each school and ask if they have strict cutt-offs. You have a high GPA, which should compensate for your RC score. I mean, if a person can't read, how could he or she achieve such a high GPA. Don't let it discourage you too much. Vietnam ran len!

 

[pistolpete007]

i rally wish they would avg every1's score the same some people get a 23.3333 and round it up to 24....where as others who get 23.3333 round down to a 23....

but great job regaurdless u did really well

 

[dent2009]

i rally wish they would avg every1's score the same some people get a 23.3333 and round it up to 24....where as others who get 23.3333 round down to a 23....

but great job regaurdless u did really well

Not true. What you say will never happen. Remember, total science score is NOT the average of the science scores but is a scaled score based on the total number of questions you got right in all the sciences (this is probably where you saw the average of 23.3333 rounded up to 24. For example someone with science scores of 24,23,23 Bio, gen, orgo, respectively would probably have a TS score of 24 whereas another who scores 23,23,24 could have a TS score of 23 although both averages out to be 23.333). Whereas the academic average IS indeed the average of the five sections (where you saw 23.333 rounded down to 23).

 

[oral09]

Awesome job...esp on the sciences! wow!

But definitely ask the schools you're planning on applying to about not just their cutoff for a section, but their RC cutoff. SOME schools put a HUGE emphasis on the RC whereas others will easily look over the section. It all depends on the type of school...and if the school puts a huge emphasis on the RC...you probably don't want to apply there anyway because that may be a good indication of the type of tests you might experience while at the school.

Basically....congrats. You did great.

Thank you for your reply. I am looking for those schools that dont pay much attention on the RC, do you know where can I find this info?

Thank you

 

[Dmitry Malayev]

Congrats! Pretty good scores. And hell of a GPA!

 

[dent2009]

Thank you for your reply. I am looking for those schools that dont pay much attention on the RC, do you know where can I find this info?

Thank you

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm pretty sure that RC score is one of the most important on the DAT. The schools in the northeast, where I'm from, emphasize it the most and TS is, of course, a very close second. I'm not saying that your RC score of 14 will shut you out for an interview, BUT there are plenty of others who get competitive scores ie. 19s or 20s across the board that will potentially have a better chance for an interview invite. However, as everyone knows, that's not all the schools look at... you did great in every other section and your GPA is also outstanding so you definitely make it up in those aspects. If you decide to apply with these scores, I agree with seaweed719 in that now you have no choice but to knock them out with your personal statement and if invited to the interview, make sure you ace that as well. English is also my second language and I too have struggled like many other immigrants so don't worry, I FEEL YOU!!! But dental schools aren't as sympathetic and forgiving as they were, say 15 years ago, hell even 5, 6 years ago (unless you're truly a minority in the medical field like African Americans/Hispanics/Native Americans). Temple's dean said they struggled to find qualified applicants back then...now it seems as though they have too many well-rounded and extremely competitive applicants. What i'm saying is, the margin for errors nowadays is much much smaller. So I second whomever said to call the schools for cut off scores. If your score doesn't make it through then unfortunately, you'll have to retake the DATs and repeat your performance with a drastic improvement in that one area. Good luck and keep your head up.

You know i gotta give you props though for landing a 14 after learning english for only 4.5 years!

 

[oral09]

I don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm pretty sure that RC score is one of the most important on the DAT. The schools in the northeast, where I'm from, emphasize it the most and TS is, of course, a very close second. I'm not saying that your RC score of 14 will shut you out for an interview, BUT there are plenty of others who get competitive scores ie. 19s or 20s across the board that will potentially have a better chance for an interview invite. However, as everyone knows, that's not all the schools look at... you did great in every other section and your GPA is also outstanding so you definitely make it up in those aspects. If you decide to apply with these scores, I agree with seaweed719 in that now you have no choice but to knock them out with your personal statement and if invited to the interview, make sure you ace that as well. English is also my second language and I too have struggled like many other immigrants so don't worry, I FEEL YOU!!! But dental schools aren't as sympathetic and forgiving as they were, say 15 years ago, hell even 5, 6 years ago (unless you're truly a minority in the medical field like African Americans/Hispanics/Native Americans). Temple's dean said they struggled to find qualified applicants back then...now it seems as though they have too many well-rounded and extremely competitive applicants. What i'm saying is, the margin for errors nowadays is much much smaller. So I second whomever said to call the schools for cut off scores. If your score doesn't make it through then unfortunately, you'll have to retake the DATs and repeat your performance with a drastic improvement in that one area. Good luck and keep your head up.

You know i gotta give you props though for landing a 14 after learning english for only 4.5 years!

Thanks for your input. I think I did not use the right technique for the reading comprehensive. I did understand the passage but i had problem in solving the questions. I practice topscore and achiever, i only made 18 one time and the rest were 19. 18 and 19 were what i aim to get in this section. But it did not turned out so well

 

[Jammanisback]

great job those scores are nice