Hi, I do not normally post on sdn, but I was almost always on it daily during the weeks leading up to the DATS. I loved reading other people's breakdowns because it helped me A LOT, so I thought I should share my own experiences just in case there's someone out there who was like me a few weeks back 🙂.
So I just finished taking my DATs around literally 2 hours ago (I've always imagined the moment to come for my post) so here are my scores:
PAT - 23
QR - 17
RC - 23 😛
Bio - 21
GChem - 23
OChem - 23
TS - 23 😍
AA - 21
So, here's a breakdown of how I see the DATs and how I prepared now that I'm doooone!!!
I personally think that the level of difficulty of the actual DATs was a mixture of the easiness of the ada sample test, tougher questions similar to topscore, and not many, but a few harder ones like the Destroyer.
I only used topscore for practice tests and the one on the ada website. I accidently deleted my topscore scores, so here's from what I remember:
Topscore:
PAT - 22, 24, 26
QR - 15, 17, 20
RC - 19, 20
Bio - 18, 22, 19
GChem - 20, 21, 19
OChem - 19, 20, 20
TS - ?
AA - ?
--all of these are around the range, give or take one or two points
So for practice, I DEFINITELY recommend topscore, I believe that it really was worth the money. I took the first test about two weeks before the test (I took a month to study, so it started right after partying for the holidays haha,) and I used that feedback to see where I was standing and what I needed to do to study more efficiently. I then took the 2nd one about a week prior and the last one 2 days before.
So my study materials:
GChem/OChem: Destroyer ('08 ed., and a must for me personally,) Chad's videos (for ochem and gchem,) KBB, & KWB
- so i got the KWB from a friend, and it's just like the KBB and I personally think that the kaplan books are kind of like an overview just so u know where u need to refresh your memory. I didn't really use them much actually, they were just there so I felt more prepared haha
- Destroyer is definitely overkill, and now looking back I think knowing it was essential for my confidence if nothing else; however, I don't know what I'd do without it, it's wealth of information and prepares you well in all subjects (btw, I didn't get it until 2 weeks before the test and I'm glad I did!!)
- CHAD. 😍 Chad knows all, Chad is the best, and I would marry Chad in a heartbeat (not just because he's cute but also because he simplifies all of the concepts really well and does a thorough job) The videos are from alanan84, so just search on SDN..now if alanan84 could also get me his number, haha, jk 😛
Bio: Cliff's AP, alanan84's bio notes (search sdn for them, you should find it easily)
- I read through Cliff's once, so I didn't really memorize it, but I did memorize the note packet (highly recommend the notes, so major thanks to whoever wrote them!) Cliff's was great though, it covered 90% of what you needed to know
- I also happen to be a bio major, so I pretty much knew the main stuff, just polished up on the details (which proved to be unnecessary haha)
PAT: God's blessing. haha, I'm blessed that I love art and this stuff is somehow fun for me.
QR: I hate math. Anyways, I just used destroyer, topscore, KBB...just did the practice problems and tried to learn from them. Oh, I also learned from questions other people posted on SDN!! I was pretty nervous about this section so I'm happy 😀
- I was actually pretty decent at math test time but the wording for a few questions caught me off guard, so watch out! so yea, B was my answer for the last 10 questions haha
RC: I also happen to hate RC. Topscore.
- It definitely does not come naturally for me, so I still can't believe what I got (honestly I was praying for a 19.) I used SnD and I also generally remembered what each area of the article was about. I thought the RC on the real DAT was a bit more simple bc the wording is simpler than what I've been exposed to (I do research) and easier than topscore. I also happened to know quite a few of the questions because of my biology background.
Techniques:
I believe that this is just a matter of knowing how you study, which hopefully you have figured out by now.
By nature I'm a procrastinator and lack major discipline and focus, so I forced (and everyone around me, haha) myself to set out "goals of the day" (realistic ones of course.) During this time, no movies, parties, etc. It was just me, DAT, and youtube (beware of youtube!) I know this sounds boorring, but it was well worth it (party later haha) I probably averaged around 5-6 hrs a day and definitely w breaks
I always study best simply by practice questions and I learn from my mistakes!! This was where destroyer and topscore came in (my main study materials.) I read ALL answers choices, whether I got it right OR wrong, and wrote down all facts I didn't know or wasn't well versed in (which I looked up to reinforce.)
Um, lastly, I'm a picture person so I try to use charts, etc. (ex. when I study about filtration, I picture ADH pulling H2O out, etc.)
So day before the test, I tried to relax and play some tennis or whatever, but I was so nervous I didn't calm down until I opened the book. I also tried to study an hour before the test (honestly I think I just held the paper but too nervous for anything to go in.) My biggest setback was my nerves, so I personally use deep breaths, texting, and prayer to calm myself, but everyone's different. My poor friends had to help me get through my daily hyperventilating week before the test, so social networks are good.
So yeah, that's what I used and what I did. Simple, short, and sweet..not, hhaha. A little detailed, but I remembering loving the detailed breakdowns, so I hope this helps someone else out like how everyone of this forum helped me. I would like to thank alanan84, VCUdental, doctoothache, the guy with the fishing pole, and much much more (sorry if I butchered anyone's names!!) Honestly, I was praying for 20s (I got 2 19's on topscore two days before!!) so needless to say I'm floating on a cloud right now 😛. I'm a TX girl and hope to stay that way so wish me luck!!! And good luck to everyone who's planning to take it!!!!
(I know how you feel!)
So I just finished taking my DATs around literally 2 hours ago (I've always imagined the moment to come for my post) so here are my scores:
PAT - 23
QR - 17
RC - 23 😛
Bio - 21
GChem - 23
OChem - 23
TS - 23 😍
AA - 21
So, here's a breakdown of how I see the DATs and how I prepared now that I'm doooone!!!
I personally think that the level of difficulty of the actual DATs was a mixture of the easiness of the ada sample test, tougher questions similar to topscore, and not many, but a few harder ones like the Destroyer.
I only used topscore for practice tests and the one on the ada website. I accidently deleted my topscore scores, so here's from what I remember:
Topscore:
PAT - 22, 24, 26
QR - 15, 17, 20
RC - 19, 20
Bio - 18, 22, 19
GChem - 20, 21, 19
OChem - 19, 20, 20
TS - ?
AA - ?
--all of these are around the range, give or take one or two points
So for practice, I DEFINITELY recommend topscore, I believe that it really was worth the money. I took the first test about two weeks before the test (I took a month to study, so it started right after partying for the holidays haha,) and I used that feedback to see where I was standing and what I needed to do to study more efficiently. I then took the 2nd one about a week prior and the last one 2 days before.
So my study materials:
GChem/OChem: Destroyer ('08 ed., and a must for me personally,) Chad's videos (for ochem and gchem,) KBB, & KWB
- so i got the KWB from a friend, and it's just like the KBB and I personally think that the kaplan books are kind of like an overview just so u know where u need to refresh your memory. I didn't really use them much actually, they were just there so I felt more prepared haha
- Destroyer is definitely overkill, and now looking back I think knowing it was essential for my confidence if nothing else; however, I don't know what I'd do without it, it's wealth of information and prepares you well in all subjects (btw, I didn't get it until 2 weeks before the test and I'm glad I did!!)
- CHAD. 😍 Chad knows all, Chad is the best, and I would marry Chad in a heartbeat (not just because he's cute but also because he simplifies all of the concepts really well and does a thorough job) The videos are from alanan84, so just search on SDN..now if alanan84 could also get me his number, haha, jk 😛
Bio: Cliff's AP, alanan84's bio notes (search sdn for them, you should find it easily)
- I read through Cliff's once, so I didn't really memorize it, but I did memorize the note packet (highly recommend the notes, so major thanks to whoever wrote them!) Cliff's was great though, it covered 90% of what you needed to know
- I also happen to be a bio major, so I pretty much knew the main stuff, just polished up on the details (which proved to be unnecessary haha)
PAT: God's blessing. haha, I'm blessed that I love art and this stuff is somehow fun for me.
QR: I hate math. Anyways, I just used destroyer, topscore, KBB...just did the practice problems and tried to learn from them. Oh, I also learned from questions other people posted on SDN!! I was pretty nervous about this section so I'm happy 😀
- I was actually pretty decent at math test time but the wording for a few questions caught me off guard, so watch out! so yea, B was my answer for the last 10 questions haha
RC: I also happen to hate RC. Topscore.
- It definitely does not come naturally for me, so I still can't believe what I got (honestly I was praying for a 19.) I used SnD and I also generally remembered what each area of the article was about. I thought the RC on the real DAT was a bit more simple bc the wording is simpler than what I've been exposed to (I do research) and easier than topscore. I also happened to know quite a few of the questions because of my biology background.
Techniques:
I believe that this is just a matter of knowing how you study, which hopefully you have figured out by now.
By nature I'm a procrastinator and lack major discipline and focus, so I forced (and everyone around me, haha) myself to set out "goals of the day" (realistic ones of course.) During this time, no movies, parties, etc. It was just me, DAT, and youtube (beware of youtube!) I know this sounds boorring, but it was well worth it (party later haha) I probably averaged around 5-6 hrs a day and definitely w breaks
I always study best simply by practice questions and I learn from my mistakes!! This was where destroyer and topscore came in (my main study materials.) I read ALL answers choices, whether I got it right OR wrong, and wrote down all facts I didn't know or wasn't well versed in (which I looked up to reinforce.)
Um, lastly, I'm a picture person so I try to use charts, etc. (ex. when I study about filtration, I picture ADH pulling H2O out, etc.)
So day before the test, I tried to relax and play some tennis or whatever, but I was so nervous I didn't calm down until I opened the book. I also tried to study an hour before the test (honestly I think I just held the paper but too nervous for anything to go in.) My biggest setback was my nerves, so I personally use deep breaths, texting, and prayer to calm myself, but everyone's different. My poor friends had to help me get through my daily hyperventilating week before the test, so social networks are good.
So yeah, that's what I used and what I did. Simple, short, and sweet..not, hhaha. A little detailed, but I remembering loving the detailed breakdowns, so I hope this helps someone else out like how everyone of this forum helped me. I would like to thank alanan84, VCUdental, doctoothache, the guy with the fishing pole, and much much more (sorry if I butchered anyone's names!!) Honestly, I was praying for 20s (I got 2 19's on topscore two days before!!) so needless to say I'm floating on a cloud right now 😛. I'm a TX girl and hope to stay that way so wish me luck!!! And good luck to everyone who's planning to take it!!!!
(I know how you feel!)
