DAT Done on 5/18/2009

[yqjcyxx]

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Hi everybody,

Just finished the DAT today. Thanks for everyone's advice on SDN. It was really helpful. I'm finally done! Here are my scores and review:

Bio 18
GC 22
OC 22
PAT 20
QR 21
RC 24
TS 21
AA 22

Unfortunately my GPA's on the low end (3.4) and I'm wondering if I have any chance into a good school. Does anyone know of schools that accept applicants in this range?

I'm considering retaking the test but I also heard applying at the right time counts. Which is better - applying early or retaking to try to get a better score?

Okay, so review of the test:

I was so afraid of getting the piano passage but of course with my kind of luck, that's what I ended up with. And thank god, for some reason I lucked out and did alright.

I'm disappointed with my PAT score b/c on CDP, I always got above 20s so I have no idea what happened here. I had 9 minutes left and reviewed all my marked questions so I was positive I was going to get above a 20. A 20 means you missed around 20 questions and I highly doubt I missed that many. Here's an important question. Did anyone who took the test (specifically the piano version) thought they should've gotten a higher score on the actual PAT? I'm really wondering if my computer messed up or if ADA has wrong answers. Overall I'd say CDP is the best source for this section although practicing anything you can get your hands on will be helpful.

Biology - I went in expecting random things so when they did have some, I wasn't surprised. There were questiosns that I just didn't know and I feel like even if I had studied more, it wouldn't have helped so I'd say stick with the consensus and review Cliffs Bio & Kaplan

GC & OC - DAT Destroyer for sure. Btw, I'm selling this so let me know if you're interested. Mine's don't have any markings so it's like brand new. I used text books for references since I've forgotten most of this stuff but practice with Destroyer is really helpful.

QR - Hard! I didn't finish and had to guess on a whole bunch of them so it's a miracle I actually did okay. I really thought I was going to bomb this section.

Overall, the test was okay. Nothing I didn't expect accept for my PAT score. I was so positive I'd get a high score so if anyone who got the piano passage feel the way I do about PAT, please let me know! I'm really thinking about asking ADA to look into this.

And oh yes, get a good night sleep and make sure you bring a snack. I don't know about you guys but I got so hungry during breaktime and I was so happy I had a chocolate bar with me. I don't think I could've gotten through with the second half if it wasn't for that Hershey's.

Please advise me what you all think about my situation: What are my chances. Should I retake or apply early? Any advice will help. Going to go chill now...

Good lucy everyone who is going to take DAT soon.

 

[pbure9]

Awesome scores man and thanks for the studying pointers. I think a 20 on the PAT is still a great score if you were scoring 20's or so on CDP.
I'd have to say you're only downfall is in bio (even tho thats not that low), but if you look around it's pretty much the lowest out of the sciences at least for a lot of applicants.
Great job on the rest of the sections. The 21 is impressive in QR and those 22's looks really good.
Those are all solid scores dude. An AA of 22, I think you'll def get looked at. What's your science gpa like?

 

[DrKumar43210]

Hi everybody,

Just finished the DAT today. Thanks for everyone's advice on SDN. It was really helpful. I'm finally done! Here are my scores and review:

Bio 18
GC 22
OC 22
PAT 20
QR 21
RC 24
TS 21
AA 22

Unfortunately my GPA's on the low end (3.4) and I'm wondering if I have any chance into a good school. Does anyone know of schools that accept applicants in this range?

I'm considering retaking the test but I also heard applying at the right time counts. Which is better - applying early or retaking to try to get a better score?

Okay, so review of the test:

I was so afraid of getting the piano passage but of course with my kind of luck, that's what I ended up with. And thank god, for some reason I lucked out and did alright.

I'm disappointed with my PAT score b/c on CDP, I always got above 20s so I have no idea what happened here. I had 9 minutes left and reviewed all my marked questions so I was positive I was going to get above a 20. A 20 means you missed around 20 questions and I highly doubt I missed that many. Here's an important question. Did anyone who took the test (specifically the piano version) thought they should've gotten a higher score on the actual PAT? I'm really wondering if my computer messed up or if ADA has wrong answers. Overall I'd say CDP is the best source for this section although practicing anything you can get your hands on will be helpful.

Biology - I went in expecting random things so when they did have some, I wasn't surprised. There were questiosns that I just didn't know and I feel like even if I had studied more, it wouldn't have helped so I'd say stick with the consensus and review Cliffs Bio & Kaplan

GC & OC - DAT Destroyer for sure. Btw, I'm selling this so let me know if you're interested. Mine's don't have any markings so it's like brand new. I used text books for references since I've forgotten most of this stuff but practice with Destroyer is really helpful.

QR - Hard! I didn't finish and had to guess on a whole bunch of them so it's a miracle I actually did okay. I really thought I was going to bomb this section.

QC - I got the piano passage which is not as bad as I expected.

Overall, the test was okay. Nothing I didn't expect accept for my PAT score. I was so positive I'd get a high score so if anyone who got the piano passage feel the way I do about PAT, please let me know! I'm really thinking about asking ADA to look into this.

And oh yes, get a good night sleep and make sure you bring a snack. I don't know about you guys but I got so hungry during breaktime and I was so happy I had a chocolate bar with me. I don't think I could've gotten through with the second half if it wasn't for that Hershey's.

Please advise me what you all think about my situation: What are my chances. Should I retake or apply early? Any advice will help. Going to go chill now...

Good lucy everyone who is going to take DAT soon.

I got the piano passage too...i just wanted to sleep through it...

 

[yqjcyxx]

Awesome scores man and thanks for the studying pointers. I think a 20 on the PAT is still a great score if you were scoring 20's or so on CDP.
I'd have to say you're only downfall is in bio (even tho thats not that low), but if you look around it's pretty much the lowest out of the sciences at least for a lot of applicants.
Great job on the rest of the sections. The 21 is impressive in QR and those 22's looks really good.
Those are all solid scores dude. An AA of 22, I think you'll def get looked at. What's your science gpa like?

Okay, this is a dumb question but how do I know what my science GPA is. It's not stated in my transcript so do I calculate it myself? If so, I'm guessing I count all the basic sciences like GC, orgo, and bio but what about higher science classes and math?

 

[yqjcyxx]

I got the piano passage too...i just wanted to sleep through it...

Yeah, me too dude. Not fun at all...

 

[purplepanda]

Okay, this is a dumb question but how do I know what my science GPA is. It's not stated in my transcript so do I calculate it myself? If so, I'm guessing I count all the basic sciences like GC, orgo, and bio but what about higher science classes and math?

Yeah just do Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math grades. Higher sciences Yes as long as they have science pre-fixes.

There are many different GPAs that AADSAS calculates (or so I've heard). Like there is one GPA without your math grades, etc...So yeah it can get confusing.

Oh yeah and a A+ is a 4.33 I heard. Sweet!

 

[yqjcyxx]

Yeah just do Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Math grades. Higher sciences Yes as long as they have science pre-fixes.

There are many different GPAs that AADSAS calculates (or so I've heard). Like there is one GPA without your math grades, etc...So yeah it can get confusing.

Oh yeah and a A+ is a 4.33 I heard. Sweet!

Thanks purplepanda! Okay, bad news is my science GPA comes out to be around 3.15 which is pretty low. I've been out of school for awhile so I don't know if taking more classes is a possiblity. I'm really wondering if I should retake my DAT. How much of a difference would it make? Apply early or retake? Any advice will help. Thanks!

 

[purplepanda]

Thanks purplepanda! Okay, bad news is my science GPA comes out to be around 3.15 which is pretty low. I've been out of school for awhile so I don't know if taking more classes is a possiblity. I'm really wondering if I should retake my DAT. How much of a difference would it make? Apply early or retake? Any advice will help. Thanks!

If I were you I would apply with what you have since you did very well on the DAT. If you do not get accepted, then you should do a one year master's program. Actually, since your out of school now..I would apply for a master's program that starts in Spring of 2010 (If there is one that's a yr). Don't put that in your application though. Because you will have a fair idea of what's up by december 1st.

So my plan if I was you:

*Apply to a one yr master's program that starts in Spring 2010.
*Apply to D-Schools this summer *early!* With your good DAT scores
*---Don't tell them you are planning on doing a master's because this is your backup plan.
*Then if you don't get in this yr, it may be because of your low science GPA.
*If worst comes to worst, you will makeup that sGPA by getting a post-bacc one yr master's.

Basically I do not know for sure (since I'm not an advisor/nor a dschool student)..but I do think that the only thing seriously hurting your app is your GPA. The most common way to makeup for it would be a masters. The sooner you start the masters, the better. That's exactly what I would do in your position.

 

[nze82]

What the hell dude?! Why would you even start thinking about retaking the DAT? You have great scores!!! Your GPA may be a little on the lower side, but not all dental schools require 3.60+
So, yea! Perhaps you wouldn't get into one of the Nation's top dental schools, but you'll definitely get into some school. Apply to schools that don't mind a lower GPA, and I don't see why you shouldn't get in this year.
Stop freaking out! Send out your application early, sit back, and wait for interviews.

 

[superd]

how much are you selling the DAT destroyer and CDP for?

 

[yqjcyxx]

how much are you selling the DAT destroyer and CDP for?

I'm selling the DAT Destroyer for $100. CDP can't be bought from people since it's a computer software that the company allows you to install only on your computer. So you have to buy it from CDP company. Just FYI, I bought the 10 exam set and it was definitely enough. Let me know if you're interested.