DAT DONE !!!!! Need your advice plz !?!

[Kilerfornia]

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I just took the DAT on monday may 3rd and i have a dilemma im going through right now that i need some advice on. I had a problem with my calculator in the QR section and i filled a complaint to the ADA along with a report from Prometric and i was offered a retake free of charge within the next 30 days. I do not know if i should do the retake or stick with my scores?? Please let me know what you think. THANKS

PAT 21
QR 15 ......
RC 21
BIO 22
CHEM 18
OCHEM 19

GPA 3.2
Science GPA 3.5

 

[sfoksn]

Retake of course! 15 is too low

You will most likely do well. You are lucky that they approved the retake 🙂

 

[Kilerfornia]

I know this might aound stupid but im scared i wont do as well in the other sections the second time around ..... 🙁

 

[sfoksn]

Don't worry, if you studied, you should be able to do better than those scores.

Seems like you made many silly mistakes, I don't think you would have missed them because you didn't know it 🙂

Also, you've already seen the questions that they throw at you, just memorize whatever stumped you on the first test, you DEFINITELY have a big advantage over everyone.

Good luck

 

[peanutb123]

Dont listen to people who has never been thought he process or matter a fact who has never taken the DAT. Call some schools. Pm other users who has applied and gone thought the process..for advice
mater a fact at one of the east coast school the dean of one dental school has told me that QR score for their school is a 16 avg. but he said anything like <14 needs a retake for QR only and they dont really care about. BTW your science scores are good.

 

[Astros1fan]

Retake of course! 15 is too low

You will most likely do well. You are lucky that they approved the retake 🙂

I'm not so sure! If you feel you can improve on that score and either maintain the same scores in the other sections or maybe even do better then by all means retake it. I had a 15 on my QR and the low score in that section was never brought up during my interviews. But only you can determine if retaking it would be beneficial. Good luck.

 

[Kilerfornia]

I know i can definately improve on my QR score but the problem is that i dunno if i can do well again in the BIO, PAT and RC. Another thing is that my mind set is that i took it and im done (i even sold all my books and study material 😛)

I read a couple forums and went to some school websites and need some explaination.

For example: Howard university says that they have a minimum of 16 on each section. Does this mean that they will not even look at my application due to that 15 on my QR ?

 

[whale86]

I would stick to these scores unless you know of a school that you would like to apply to that flat out says retake it because of that QR.

Btw, could you let us know how you studied for BIO, OCHEM and GCHEM?

Thanks! 🙂

 

[sfoksn]

Peanuts, no need to be directly attacking me.
I was just trying to give him an insight to a choice that I would definitely take.

If you do decide on retaking, Good luck. I just think it's worth a try because one must miss quite a bit to reach 15, and most likely he'll do better next time.

Also 18 Chem can definitely improve, I am assuming that it's mostly due to careless mistakes (as I always make) rather than due to actual lack of knowledge.

Dont listen to people who has never been thought he process or matter a fact who has never taken the DAT. Call some schools. Pm other users who has applied and gone thought the process..for advice
mater a fact at one of the east coast school the dean of one dental school has told me that QR score for their school is a 16 avg. but he said anything like <14 needs a retake for QR only and they dont really care about. BTW your science scores are good.

 

[peanutb123]

Peanuts, no need to be directly attacking me.
I was just trying to give him an insight to a choice that I would definitely take.

If you do decide on retaking, Good luck. I just think it's worth a try because one must miss quite a bit to reach 15, and most likely he'll do better next time.

Also 18 Chem can definitely improve, I am assuming that it's mostly due to careless mistakes (as I always make) rather than due to actual lack of knowledge.

lol i am not trying to attack you. Yeah math is purely simple mistake sort of thing and less allotted time.
i am just saying that if op were to get non responses that he should consult all the resources that he can.
also op i remember when you said that you other scores might go down. i was talking to the dean. He said yeah people try to improve their scores when they score little low in a section and their other scores go down and in the end they end up with the same score.
lol hopefully more wise people should shed light on this for you. also call ur state school and set up an appointment before june 3 to talk to them.

 

[Kilerfornia]

Thanks for all your advice. The only problem is that the ADA only gave me to monday to decide weather to accept the retake or they will release me score so i dont have much time .... 😡

 

[peanutb123]

Thanks for all your advice. The only problem is that the ADA only gave me to monday to decide weather to accept the retake or they will release me score so i dont have much time .... 😡

you sure about this? b/c i thought once they score your dat its recorded

 

[dentalWorks]

please people, post your AA, Im too lazy to get my calculator

Don't even think about a retake.... QR section is not a big deal. You got great overall numbers everywhere else. I think your all set👍

 

[Kilerfornia]

peanutb123:

The reason i did so bad in the QR section is that the onscreen calculator was malfunctioning. The test administrator and supervisor where my witnesses so i filled an appeal to ADA. They told me the only thing they can do for me is grant me a retake free of charge within the nxt thirty days and they would not release my score until i take the retake.


dentalWorks:

I hope what your saying is true. I'd really hate to have to do a retake but you gotta do wat you gotta do 😎

 

[peanutb123]

um...... tough call.
in any choice you make wish you good luck.

 

[RCT PC CRN]

I wouldn't bother retaking it. The score you have is stone written. No one can change what you have. If you retake the exam whether you will do better or worst it's all probability..chance..luck..blah..blah. It's FUTURE.

About the application process, first I would try to get some kind of confirmation letter stating "there was a technical error during my DAT exam" from the DAT administration. Have I done this before or do I know anyone who has gone through this? Of course not. There is so many things in life you would do which no has done it before. Anyways, if they don't listen to you on the phone I will write a letter to ADA and the DAT administration. We are paying $$$ to take the exam. We have every single rights to have an error free enviornment for the exam. IMO, you won't be asking too much. All you will be asking is written confirmation for what happened during your test. As you said Prometric has agreed that there was an error. All you will be asking the same thing in written statement. I would explain what you are planning to do and may be BS that you have called specific school regarding the issue and they want something in written.

Second, try to get that letter to all schools you are interested in. Basically make it part of your application. Don't wait until interview. i.e don't think like "oh if they ask anything about my low score in QR then I will show them the letter". No, they need to know before hand in order for you to get the interview.

Now this seems like bit of work. How will that work? Whom should I call? Blah ..blah.

Is it possible? Yeah, of course.

Decision is your, my friend. People can only say what they think. Would I do the same thing if that ACTUALLY happened to me..answer is 'I don't know'. It's all depends on circumtances.

I feel sorry that things have put you on spot. I wish you all the best. Hope things work out for you. Good luck.

 

[Kilerfornia]

Thank you all sooo much for all the help but i think i will stick with these scores even tho they are not the best and instead of worrying about a retake and my scores, i will concentrate on the rest of my app and on applying early 😀

Good Luck to us ALL !!