This is my first post and only post - I felt SDN was a great resource for me so I figured I'd 'pay it forward' a bit. Everyone writes about what to study but I want my post to focus on different aspects that helped me prepare for the big day. That way, people can gain insight on some other things that are talked about less on here. First I'll post my DAT scores:
Real DAT:
PAT - 21 (89.2%)
QR - 19 (92.9%)
RC - 19 (67.6%)
BIO - 20 (91.8%)
GC - 23 (97.3%)
OC - 23 (97.1%)
TS - 21 (96.2%)
AA - 21 (97.2%)
The scores feel low for how high the percentages represent, especially in QR. I guess certain tests are harder than others so the percentages represent how I did relative to others that took my test? Can anyone elaborate?
I felt these scores would be a pipe-dream to reach since I consistently scored so low on many practice DAT's. I studied constantly for close to 2 1/2 months and I couldn't break a 17 TS until a few weeks before the test. Keep in mind that the impossible just takes a little longer. Dig deep, work hard and do not give up.
I want to talk about specifics leading up to the test the way I wish others wrote about them. I am incredibly neurotic about being in control and not encountering surprises on test day. Here's a list of some particulars that helped me stay in control on test day:
1) Show up 30-45 minutes early. I showed up at about 8:20 for my 9:00 test. That beat the rush of people that came in 30 minutes before. I was the 2nd person in line to check-in and by the time I did check-in, the line had grown to about 5 or 6 people. I was seated near immediately.
2) Start waking up around your anticipated wake up time about a week early. I had a 9 AM test so I started waking up about 7:15 and doing what I expected to do on test day. Showered, made breakfast, watched a little SportsCenter, took my medicines about 8:00 then out the door to study. This was important because by test day, I was in a routine and felt wide awake and in control as I drove to the test center.
3) Carb load the day before and eat a good breakfast the morning of the test. I ate lasagna, spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, two sandwiches for lunch and a turkey bagel for breakfast the day before. I made a turkey melt bagel for breakfast on test day. Brought a protein shake for my snack during break.
4) STOP FREAKING OUT!! I could not sleep Monday night because of nerves for my exam that was still 5 days away! In hindsight, how ridiculous! The best move I made was making the decision Thursday to stop studying and relax Friday. I played a round of golf with 3 buddies (told them ahead of time not to mention the DAT), went to prayer services with my Mom, then watched a funny movie with the 'rents before a 9:30 bed time. I slept like a baby for the first time in a week.
5) Don't Drink too much water the morning of the test or during break. If you've never taken a practice test and had to pee terribly during it, it sucks.
I liked when others posted their scores so I could compare my practice scores to theirs and try and gauge how I was going to do on the real DAT's so I will post those now:
TopScore Pro (TSP) BIO/GC/OC/PAT/RC/QR/TS/AA
7/15 Test 1: 16/18/19/20/21/22/-/-
7/15 Test 2: 18/17/21/20/21/20/19/19
7/18 Test 3: 16/19/19/21/25/21/18/20
I don't really want to say much about these scores except that they are good practice to give yourself endurance for the real day. These test simulations really exposed certain extreme weaknesses that I needed to address (e.g. density calculations for GC). Treating the DAT like a normal test like every other one you have taken up until this point is key. Don't be scared of the test! Embrace the challenge!
Number one most important advice: Be as arrogant and cocky as possible on test day! Go into that test knowing you are going to dominate. I like to think of all the hard work I put in for the test as 'building a paycheck' and test day means payday! Just be positive and expect to do your best. The rest will fall into place.
I will list the study materials by the order I found them most effective and if you have specific questions, PM me.
Biology (20): 1. Baron's AP Bio, 2. DAT Destroyer, 3. Kaplan Section Tests, 4. KBB, 5. Biology for Dummies (lol)
Gen Chem (23): 1. Chad's Videos, 2. Chad's Quizzes, 3. DAT Destroyer, 4. Kaplan Subject Tests
O-Chem (23): 1. Chad's Videos, 2. Chad's Quizzes, 3. Kaplan Subject Tests, 4. Organic Chemistry as a Second Language I
PAT (21): 1. Crack DAT PAT, 2. Friends who have done well
RC (19): 1. Topscore Pro
QR (19): 1. Topscore Pro
Again, if anyone has questions about anything just PM me and I'd be glad to help.
Also, my gpa is about a 3.1 and my science gpa should be below a 3.0. I graduated from one of the so-called 'Public Ivy's'. Do you think my DAT's are strong enough to save me and get me some interviews and possible admission? Which schools seem best to apply to for a candidate like me (Low GPA, High DAT)?
Glad to be done and good luck to everyone that will take it in the future!
Real DAT:
PAT - 21 (89.2%)
QR - 19 (92.9%)
RC - 19 (67.6%)
BIO - 20 (91.8%)
GC - 23 (97.3%)
OC - 23 (97.1%)
TS - 21 (96.2%)
AA - 21 (97.2%)
The scores feel low for how high the percentages represent, especially in QR. I guess certain tests are harder than others so the percentages represent how I did relative to others that took my test? Can anyone elaborate?
I felt these scores would be a pipe-dream to reach since I consistently scored so low on many practice DAT's. I studied constantly for close to 2 1/2 months and I couldn't break a 17 TS until a few weeks before the test. Keep in mind that the impossible just takes a little longer. Dig deep, work hard and do not give up.
I want to talk about specifics leading up to the test the way I wish others wrote about them. I am incredibly neurotic about being in control and not encountering surprises on test day. Here's a list of some particulars that helped me stay in control on test day:
1) Show up 30-45 minutes early. I showed up at about 8:20 for my 9:00 test. That beat the rush of people that came in 30 minutes before. I was the 2nd person in line to check-in and by the time I did check-in, the line had grown to about 5 or 6 people. I was seated near immediately.
2) Start waking up around your anticipated wake up time about a week early. I had a 9 AM test so I started waking up about 7:15 and doing what I expected to do on test day. Showered, made breakfast, watched a little SportsCenter, took my medicines about 8:00 then out the door to study. This was important because by test day, I was in a routine and felt wide awake and in control as I drove to the test center.
3) Carb load the day before and eat a good breakfast the morning of the test. I ate lasagna, spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner, two sandwiches for lunch and a turkey bagel for breakfast the day before. I made a turkey melt bagel for breakfast on test day. Brought a protein shake for my snack during break.
4) STOP FREAKING OUT!! I could not sleep Monday night because of nerves for my exam that was still 5 days away! In hindsight, how ridiculous! The best move I made was making the decision Thursday to stop studying and relax Friday. I played a round of golf with 3 buddies (told them ahead of time not to mention the DAT), went to prayer services with my Mom, then watched a funny movie with the 'rents before a 9:30 bed time. I slept like a baby for the first time in a week.
5) Don't Drink too much water the morning of the test or during break. If you've never taken a practice test and had to pee terribly during it, it sucks.
I liked when others posted their scores so I could compare my practice scores to theirs and try and gauge how I was going to do on the real DAT's so I will post those now:
TopScore Pro (TSP) BIO/GC/OC/PAT/RC/QR/TS/AA
7/15 Test 1: 16/18/19/20/21/22/-/-
7/15 Test 2: 18/17/21/20/21/20/19/19
7/18 Test 3: 16/19/19/21/25/21/18/20
I don't really want to say much about these scores except that they are good practice to give yourself endurance for the real day. These test simulations really exposed certain extreme weaknesses that I needed to address (e.g. density calculations for GC). Treating the DAT like a normal test like every other one you have taken up until this point is key. Don't be scared of the test! Embrace the challenge!
Number one most important advice: Be as arrogant and cocky as possible on test day! Go into that test knowing you are going to dominate. I like to think of all the hard work I put in for the test as 'building a paycheck' and test day means payday! Just be positive and expect to do your best. The rest will fall into place.
I will list the study materials by the order I found them most effective and if you have specific questions, PM me.
Biology (20): 1. Baron's AP Bio, 2. DAT Destroyer, 3. Kaplan Section Tests, 4. KBB, 5. Biology for Dummies (lol)
Gen Chem (23): 1. Chad's Videos, 2. Chad's Quizzes, 3. DAT Destroyer, 4. Kaplan Subject Tests
O-Chem (23): 1. Chad's Videos, 2. Chad's Quizzes, 3. Kaplan Subject Tests, 4. Organic Chemistry as a Second Language I
PAT (21): 1. Crack DAT PAT, 2. Friends who have done well
RC (19): 1. Topscore Pro
QR (19): 1. Topscore Pro
Again, if anyone has questions about anything just PM me and I'd be glad to help.
Also, my gpa is about a 3.1 and my science gpa should be below a 3.0. I graduated from one of the so-called 'Public Ivy's'. Do you think my DAT's are strong enough to save me and get me some interviews and possible admission? Which schools seem best to apply to for a candidate like me (Low GPA, High DAT)?
Glad to be done and good luck to everyone that will take it in the future!
