DAT DONE! Do I need to retake??

[Dent44]

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I'm really happy about most of my numbers, but I'm concerned about QR. I'd hate to have to take it again... does anyone know anything about school minimum cutoffs? Any specific cutoffs at any schools? Where I'd be able to find them? Thoughts? Thanks!

AA: 20
TS: 23
PAT: 21
QR: 15
RC: 19
Bio: 23
GC: 23
OC: 22

GPA undergrad: 3.5 (Majors: Communications and Political Science)
GPA post bac: 3.4 (Postbac Pre-dental)
Pretty strong extracurriculars

 

[pbure]

I'm really happy about most of my numbers, but I'm concerned about QR. I'd hate to have to take it again... does anyone know anything about school minimum cutoffs? Any specific cutoffs at any schools? Where I'd be able to find them? Thoughts? Thanks!

AA: 20
TS: 23
PAT: 21
QR: 15
RC: 19
Bio: 23
GC: 23
OC: 22

GPA undergrad: 3.5 (Majors: Communications and Political Science)
GPA post bac: 3.4 (Postbac Pre-dental)
Pretty strong extracurriculars

dont worry about it. you're money with a 23 TS

 

[klutzy1987]

Nah the QR is not important in schools eyes. Every place else you did pretty well so I dont think you will have a problem.

 

[supraman]

Great Job in the sciences

 

[bigstix808]

if i can get in with a RC of 16 (yea, born and raised right here in the states too 😀), then im sure you can get in with a QR of 15. no worries man.

 

[eldirty]

I think youre in great shape ... I would do a quick check with the schools you intend to apply and find out about minimum requirements ... some schools require a minimum for each section and a 15 might be close

 

[achilles2]

I feel like a 17 is a safe score on QR.....a 15 might be riding into the danger zone just a bit. And your so close to a 21 AA which is the big psycological number.


If your confident you can do better then put in the effort and retake 👍

If your unsure then I'd say let the chips fall where they may.

 

[JamesOSU]

Wow, really impressive scores, but that QR... oh man - you might need to retake it just to bring that up. How did you study for math? Maybe you should get crackdat or whatever the math program is and take it again, but at the same time making sure those other numbers don't slip... tough

Maybe call the schools admissions office and talk to a counselor, ask how much the 15QR will affect you when considering the other scores. Most adcom counselors are more than willing to answer questions like this

 

[supraman]

I don't know why everyone is telling him to retake a 15 in QR, it's the lowest priority. He clearly knocked down all the sciences, I would suggest not to retake. You should be fine with those scores and GPA.

 

[JamesOSU]

Because a lot of schools have cutoffs in the sections... and some of them might be a 16 in QR

He/She should call the schools they're interested in and ask, don't want to find out too late that you were denied because of one lousy score on the DAT

 

[supraman]

True, I got a 16 in QR, got a few interviews, I guess the conditions may change year to year, good call

 

[gentile1225]

I wouldn't retake, I think you'll be fine. You cleaned house on the sciences, and if you apply early you should be money. Best of luck rest of the way. What did you use for sciences?

 

[Dent44]

Hey everyone, thanks for your responses!

As for my science studying...

Bio - Destroyer, Kaplan BB, EK, Cliffs AP Bio.
(I took detailed notes on Kaplan and memorized them. Anything I wasnt clear on I went over in EK. I then went through Cliffs to get any details I had been missing... I found that really helpful. Lastly, the three days leading up to the exam I memorized Destroyer.)

GChem - Destroyer, class notes
(I went through my class notes, and then destroyer, rewriting most of the questions. I went over that packet once a week leading up to the exam, just making sure I knew how to do every problem and any exceptions or tricks to look out for. As I went through, I made another list of equations, concepts, and tips for myself... I memorized that too.)

Orgo - Destroyer, class notes
(I memorized my class notes from Orgo. Rewriting any reactions, rules, and names I didnt know well. I memorized that, and then went through destroyer adding to that list anything that I hadnt learned or seen before. Memorized the final list and then reviewed it again right before the exam.)

I used CDP and CDM. I found them both to be really helpful - especially the practice in front of the computer. Unfortunately, I was so busy studying for the sciences that I only gave myself a week or two to go over math. It was a time management problem, I completely underestimated how much practice I'd really need.

Anyway, thanks again. I'm so frustrated about that one score and your suggestions are really helpful. I've already started calling schools but it seems that many of them are reluctant to give me any official (or unofficial) answer about cutoffs. If anyone else has any info that might be helpful, definitely keep responding.


PS - I'm a she 😉

 

[Dotoday]

These are awesome score, you should get interview. Congrads.

 

[TexasDDS]

Congrats on the great score, I am not too sure about the QR, but I have heard the QR in the past has been low so they don't always judge it too hard depending on the cycle though.

Also my question to you was for exam crack is it reading (like a review) or is it bunch of questions with answers in the back, cause i thought thats what it was more?

Also how long did you study for, and how many hours a day approx?

 

[shinbone86]

Besides the QR, those are some sexy-a## scores. You are applying to dental school, not engineering, so you should get accepted to multiple schools.

 

[eldirty]

just be ready to answer the question "What happened with the 15 in QR?"

 

[supraman]

just be ready to answer the question "What happened with the 15 in QR?"

Saying this from experience? (What happened with the 17 in QR)

 

[Dent44]

Yea, I've already started working on that one.

If anyone on here was asked a similar question and wouldnt mind posting, I'd definitely love to hear what you answered.

As for EK, they have reading material, audio CDs (audio osmosis) and also questions (1001 questions series). I used the reading material and the audio CD (mainly bio and really only bec I commute 45 to work and back). Everything is available for sale on their website but I would talk to someone who used the 1001 questions before you buy it - just to make sure it isnt all MCAT style reading passages.

I studied 3-6 hours a day for a good three months, and then all day every day (minus the 25 hours a week I was at work) for the three weeks leading up to the test. I definitely kissed goodbye to my social life for a little while.