Nightmare, Great scores! I'd definitely be happy with those. Alright so I've got some questions for you that i'd REALLLLLY appreciate if you answered because it looks like we've got really similar scenarios according to topscore. I have taken the 1st and 2nd TS tests with almost identical results (my sciences a lil higher and reading a little lower, but almost identical for the most part). Like you, I ALSO will be taking my 3rd TS test tomorrow, 2 days before MY test on Sat. I'm starting to get nervous because of these lower-than-desired TS tests, so it's awesome to see that you're real DAT scores improved so much!
Specifically, here are a few Q's:
1) Which sections (PAT too) of TS would you say were most compatible to real DAT, which were easier, and which were harder?
2) Also, since we both taking TS#3 two days before real DAT, what did you do those 2 days before your test.
3) Did you finish all your TS tests in roughly the right amt. of time? (I am finding myself guessing for like the last 10 in a lot of sections bc I'm not managing my time well yet).
4) Lastly, what did you think of the TS tests? For me, I feel like they aren't that hard, yet my scores are low. I know I'm reaching out here but I feel like I know all the info I just don't realize it when they ask some of these Q's. Cause everytime I look over the answers I feel like an idiot because I actually knew ALL the info behind why the answer was correct, the question just didn't provoke it out of me for lack of time or whatever reason.
Anyways, sorry for the essay but I really think that your input will help because our preparation is very similar, and I would REALLLLLLY appreciate any answers/advice you can throw my way. Thanks and hope to hear soon!
ps did you take TS#1?
I took the bio part of topscore 1 and got a 14. Didn't take the rest of it though.
First of all, good luck on your test! The real DAT is layed out JUST like topscore which i felt was very helpful. My topscore results were really low though. Biology had alot to do with plants, chem and ochem i have no idea why i did bad, and the math and pat was easy...
The only section that i felt was similar to my DAT was the reading. I had 3 passages that were set up similar to that of TS. The DAT made you think more though, you really had to interperate each answer to the question to find the correct one.
I am mad about the QR section, i did not pace myself and had to rush through the last 5. I guessed on about 10 questions as well. This is funny because i have all A's and one B- in math, its usually the one area that i excell in!
The biology on the DAT was MUCH easier for me. Only two questions on plants (i have yet to take bio2) and i had a bunch of questions based on anatomy/physiology/embryology (all classes i have taken and loved learning about).
I honestly want to say that i got lucky that i did so well... the last days before my exam, i watched the last 4 chem videos from chad, and looked over problems. I did not work my brain by actually doing the problem, i just looked at the problem and tried to set up my plan of attack, then see if it was correct. I also studied my notecards of ALL of the math and gchem formulas. Ran through those a few hundred times, id say at least 5 times an hour. Drill those into your head and youll be able to figure anything out, given enough time haha.
These links also helped me out a bit..
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=143377
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=755719
I got to my testing center 3 1/2 hours early to review, and just looked at problems throughout Destroyer. Everything in chem and ochem, as well as some bio. I also looked at the "Wicked sick pat tutorial" about 30 min before my exam, just to make sure i understood everything.
Tutorial-
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=528643
I was getting low angle ranking scores everytime i took CDP so i feel that the angles are what brought my PAT score down. (only getting 6/15 right on CDP)
Sorry for getting a little off topic. I finished TS with plenty of time left for each section. On the DAT i finished with minutes to spare, usually spent looking over marked questions or taking a quick rest. I ran out of time on QR as stated above though. I would definitly reccomend looking over TS to see where you are making your errors, and try to learn from them!
Best of luck, i hope this was helpful!