DAT done- 9/18/08

[jakey]

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I just took the DAT for my first time on 9/18. I only used Kaplan's review book for studying, and my old class notes from Organic chemistry.

Perceptual Ability- 19
Quantitative Reasoning- 16
Reading Comprehension- 30
Biology- 19
General Chemistry- 21
Organic Chemistry- 20
Total Science- 20
Academic Average- 21

Overall, I was pretty pleased with my scores. I was going to take the DAT earlier in June and get my application in earlier, but I wasn't feeling as well prepared as I wanted to at that point so I pushed the exam to the end of summer.

I had a really hard time with the PAT part of the test, compared to all the Kaplan practice tests I took. I felt it was much more difficult than any of the Kaplan stuff, but I still am pretty happy with my score, I was just hoping for at least a 20.

I was somewhat dissapointed with my Quantitative reasoning score. I didn't know all the formulas as well as I should have, and just didn't have quite enough practice. As a reasult, I went through fairly slowly and ran out of time towards the end, so I could have done a little better had I budgeted my time better. I'd never done the QR practice tests while timing myself, so that would have been helpful just to get a feel for the time constraints.

I was extremely happy with my reading comprehension score.

My science scores I was overall happy with, I feel like I should have done better on the bio, but was very pleased with my chemistry scores.


So there it is, I'm submitting my application in the next few days, I know it's late but I figure its better than not submitting it at all this year. I may decide to take the DAT again next spring and try to improve my scores a little, particularly the QR.

How do most schools look at multiple DAT scores? Average, highest, most recent? I'm just trying to decide whether its worth it to take the DAT again.

How important is the QR and the RC part of the test to dental schools?

I'm just looking for any comments about how I did, or what people think about applying so late. Is it worth it to apply this year? Some deadlines are coming up already, and I know most schools have rolling admissions.

Thanks!

 

[Rubber Dam Man]

I wouldn't stress too much because those are pretty good scores in my opinion. That 30 in RC is ridiculous! - Congrats! 👍 As for the QR section, adcoms generally allow some slack on that so long as you do well in every other section (which you clearly did). Your scores look good and with a solid gpa and a smart selection on schools to which you are applying, I think you should get a few interviews and some acceptances.

September is not that late for applying... you will probably miss the 1st round of interviews and possibly even the 2nd, but it's worth the shot. Yes, it's best to apply early, but that doesn't mean you will not be considered because you are applying a little later than most people. I say get your app complete asap and let the interviews come to you. 😀

Once again... congrats on that 30! I know there are many schools that look heavily upon RC - do some research and make sure they are on your list! good luck

 

[glk2101]

wow nice scores...
please give us tips in the reading. what techniques and how were you doing in practice rc in kaplan???

 

[keliao]

wow......AMAZING 30!!!!!!.........what was the first thing you did when you got the reading passage.!!!!!!????

 

[enamelgirl]

congrats! awesome scores. what strategy did you use for the reading?

 

[jakey]

I didn't do any practice tests whatsoever for the reading portion. I figured they wouldn't really help me, and just decided to wing it. Reading speed and comprehension has always been a strong point of mine as well.

What I did and worked really well for me, I skimmed through the passage first. As I went through each paragraph, I would write down a few key words that summarized that paragraph.

Then, as I went through the questions, I could approximate where in the passage the answers would be. Sometimes I could look at my keywords and I knew exactly what paragraph had the answer, sometimes I had to read 2-3 paragraphs to find the answer. But I could always tell what general area the answer was in.

This method worked extremely well for me and I was able to find every answer with 100% confidence, and a few minutes to spare. Just read fast and summarize each paragraph with a few short notes.

I probably got lucky with easy passages as well

 

[ZenoVT]

Wow that RC score is amazing! I'm Jealous!

 

[AlBran]

hey great job on the reading-very impressive. overall i think you did rather well.i can only hope for such luck on oct. 3!!!how'd you do it?!

 

[klutzy1987]

Great job on the RC. and sciences too considering you only used Kaplans. Which passages did you get on the RC. Floating Bridges??

 

[gentile1225]

nice scores, congrats! what did you use to study with? only kaplan?

 

[gentile1225]

ignore what i said, i didnt read your post fully, i just looked at the scores at first.