De-Generation X, Break it down!!!
Ok, here goes the re-write. Here is what I thought about each of the sections
BIO: Ok, these questions were all over the place, but hey, its the nature of the subject, of course the questions are going to be random!!! I got lots of DNA technology questions, the dreaded FRAP Q, and a good mix of everything else. Well, the Destroyer was good for its wealth of knowledge and practice, btu it WASNT on on par like a lot of people have said. I used Schaums which was way too detailed and put me to sleep, Kaplan course, and TopScore. I gotta say, none of these prep materials were all that great individually, but they did contribute a little bit to help me gain a general understanding of biology. I found that the questions tested your application of concepts rather than your ability to memorize certain facts. I did like how Kaplan made you memorize anatomy anf human phys stuff, and how TopScore tested you on concepts from Campbells biology and how Detroyer asked u tons of Qs. However, to be successful, u have to be able to apply the knowledge.
GCHEM: Kaplan here is enough. Master Kaplan and u are good to go. The Destroyer was overkill on the calculations, (my test was mostly conceptual with only 2-3 calculations) so if you are short on time, just do kaplan. However, u gotta be prepared for anything so I would highly recommend supplementing with Destroyer.
OCHEM: Again, Destroyer was overkill BUT it definitely helps u drill the reagents and products of all of the different reaction types. The Kaplan flashcards are very good, but I would just understand kaplan if you are short on time. Lots of the Qs were predicting products.
PAT: This was by far my worst section. I dunno what to say, Im a donkey when it comes to PAT. HOWEVER, Crack is $$$ for this section. So the first time I took the DAT, I got a 14 on PAT. I know big mistake for only using Kaplan. Kaplan and TopScore PAT are way TOO EASY!!!. I found CRACK to be very challenging and more like the real thing.
Keyholes: More like Crack but Kaplan and TopScore are ok (I didnt use Achiever cuz I DONT like to be pummelled by ANY test).
T/F/E: The line counting method doesnt work here. You gotta use perceptual ability of which Im a donkey (eee aww).
Angles: More like Crack, Kaplan too easy, TopScore is ok. After doing CRACK, this section isnt so bad.
Hole Punch: Pretty easy. Easier than Crack, more like TopScore, Kaplain is too easy.
Cubes: Easiest section by far. More like Kaplan and NOT like Crack which has illusions, what I liked the most here is that the cubes are blown up HUGE on the computer screen which makes it obvious to count and tally. Should get 15/15
Patterns: Again, ee aww!!! I never did good on pattern folding and could narrow down to two. The good thing is, is that there wasnt a whole lot of following shades and stripes like there was on Crack but more on seeing what shape the overall pattern made.
RC: So I got the dreaded ethics passage. Timing is key here and none of the prep materials are good for this section cuz the real DAT has tone and inference Qs. I suggest getting the MCAT verbal book and also supplementing with kaplan/TopScore cuz there are some search and destroy Qs.
QR: I can see why people have been getting hammered on this section, it is definitely challenging! Im not gonna complain cuz a lot of people would gladly take my score BUT practice canceling factors, dividing fractions, guesstimating values, and doing lots of word problems. Kaplan subject tests are good here.
So here is my story. I took the DAT in July 07 only having studied Kaplan materials (blue book and online). What a BIG mistake!!! The PAT owned me as u have seen so this time around, I took the actualy in class course (which is good for forcing u to study and to memorize what they want u to memorize) but I also used the Destroyer, bought TopScore and Crack the DAT PAT 10 tests. Last year I studied hardcore for 4 months, but this year was different. I had my 11 month old daughter to take care, a full-time job at MD Anderson, and a wife who was studying for her PhD candidacy exam (shes an MD/PhD student). So I studied sporadically from late May 08-early Sept 08. I studied all of the kaplan materials, did the Destroyer, did ALL of the Kaplan subject tests, and then re-did the destroyer and took 4 kaplan full lengths and 3 topscore tests.
My best advice is u really REALLY have to want it BAD and force yourself to study. Do whatever u need to do to pump yourself up. If you will, act like the DAT just bi*&^ slapped your mom and whizzed on your dad and u want revenge, of if pink daffodils works for u, well so be it.
I am a texas applicant who interviewed at San Antonio and Houston last yr and was waitlisted at Houston with a 19/19/14 DAT. This time, I am eyeing on houston, but if I dont get in again, I am going to apply out of state. I am 27 years old and Ive been around and have seen almost everything. I LOVE helping undergrads so please hit me up with Qs. I have a BS in Microbio, an MPH in Epidemiology and an MA in Biochem with TA experience in cell biology and metabolism in Biochemistry, authored two papers, and taught undergrads in the lab at Rice Univ.
I would like any and ALL opinions. Do I need to re-take again? Im really worried since Im such a borderline applicant, Im asian by the way so I know I need to step it up. What do yall think????
