DAT done (thank God)

[yuppers]

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Hey, I have been reading sdn for awhile. I was planning to start an account, but decided to wait until the dat was done (so I wouldnt be checking this constantly).
Well, I will start by saying this was my first time and I was very nervous. But I am a good test taker; I do best with the pressure on.

The scores:
PAT: 24 (99.3%) 😎 I find this stuff fun.
QR: 18 (73.3%) Time flys for this.
RC: 20 (66.2%) 😀 Seek and destroy works.
Bio: 20 (85.5%)
Gen chem: 22 (88.7%) Oh yeah.... that all I can say.
Org chem: 26 (97.7%) 😀
TS: 22 (95.3%)
AA: 21 (91%)

Quick breakdown
PAT: Use Barron's DAT for this; that will set you up for success on this. This section is either you get it or you dont. I think if you do good on this in the beginning then focus your studies on other things. However, if are having troubles then practice a lot so you can atleast train your brain to better at visualizing these things.
QR: Do lots of practice problems so you get accustomed to thinking quickly through the the math. If you see something you are not sure of guess and continue. Do NOT dwell on it since time is your worst enemy.
RC: Seek and destroy works wonders. The way I see it you dont read to learn the stuff on the dat, but you read to answer the questions only. So again seek and destroy is the way. But I did have an entire tone passage (did not expect that.)
Bio: Just look at everything you can. I felt that I was not tested on much of what I studied. I think being a bio major helped.
Gen chem: Study like it is all calculations and you will be set for any calculations and all conceptual stuff. Just do lots of practice.
Org chem: If you did well in organic class then just refresh on your reactions, bp, pkas, and other stuff like this.

Used:
Kaplan BB (know it like the back of your hand)
Barron's DAT (for PAT mainly)
Kaplan MCAT flashcards (very helpful for quick review before bed)
Topscore (good for pacing yourself and is good at determining how you will do on the real thing)

Topscore scores:
Test# 1 2 3
PAT: 23 22 23
QR: 20 19 19
RC: 19 skipped (one is enough)
Bio: 22 20 19
Gen chem: 21 21 19
Org chem: 18 20 21
TS: 20 21 20
My Barron's PAT scores where 19.

Hope it helps. I hope you all do well. If you have any questions ask away.

 

[pbure]

very impressive scores. especially since you didn't even use Destroyer.

 

[BDC27]

wow nice scores.... You didn't use the destroyer??

 

[adizzle87]

haha same scores as me. job well done, and for not using Destroyer or Crack you did exceptional. Congratulations!

 

[winterhot]

is studying organic part from kaplan bb good enough for the test? what do you suggest? i'm not good at organic chemistry at all. is it similiar to the practice test at ada?

 

[MrJeff]

great scores, nice job

 

[yuppers]

very impressive scores. especially since you didn't even use Destroyer.

Thanks.
No Destroyer. I just really understand organic not to mention an insanely hard professor that expected to understand the chemistry involved not just memorize.

Also no CDP even though I orginally thought I was going to get this. But after going through some practice tests I realized that I didnt need it.

 

[yuppers]

haha same scores as me. job well done, and for not using Destroyer or Crack you did exceptional. Congratulations!

Yeah, I saw that also. Congrats to you too. 👍

 

[yuppers]

is studying organic part from kaplan bb good enough for the test? what do you suggest? i'm not good at organic chemistry at all. is it similiar to the practice test at ada?

I would know BB well especially the rxns. ADA practice test is easier, but it is still good practice. If you are having trouble, you should definity look into you old organic book to grasp the major conceptual topics. Also many people say destroyer is good, even though it was a too bit pricey for me to get. Good luck.

 

[doc3232]

very impressive scores. especially since you didn't even use Destroyer.

wow nice scores.... You didn't use the destroyer??

Are you guys joking?

 

[Svart Aske]

You don't absolutely need Destroyer to do well. It's really only good for providing direction during your studies.

 

[fishstalker73]

RC: Seek and destroy works wonders.

I am plannning on taking the DAT in early May. I am concerned with the verbal reasoning part of the test. Please give advise on what practice material to get for that praticular section. Thanks!

 

[yuppers]

I am plannning on taking the DAT in early May. I am concerned with the verbal reasoning part of the test. Please give advise on what practice material to get for that praticular section. Thanks!

Well first off the DAT has reading comprehension not verbral reasoning. Verbral reasoning is much tougher (no point of denying it) because you have to infer what the author might say. RC is just testing your ability to understand and find what the facts need. But beware there may be tone questions which I was not expecting. I really did not do much for this section because I thought it would be a waste of my time and energy to do so. So I just did a few of the reading tests and figured I was ready to do at least somewhat good. I would say try to find a technique that works for you like seek and destroy, note taking, etc. I think this would be more helpful than reading endless passages.

 

[klutzy1987]

Well first off the DAT has reading comprehension not verbral reasoning. Verbral reasoning is much tougher (no point of denying it) because you have to infer what the author might say. RC is just testing your ability to understand and find what the facts need. But beware there may be tone questions which I was not expecting. I really did not do much for this section because I thought it would be a waste of my time and energy to do so. So I just did a few of the reading tests and figured I was ready to do at least somewhat good. I would say try to find a technique that works for you like seek and destroy, note taking, etc. I think this would be more helpful than reading endless passages.

Just because there is no verbal reasoning on the DAT doesnt mean that you do not have to infer. You should see the piano passage, wow. That was all ionference and I tried using search and destroy for it when I got it. Heres the problem with that, you will search all day and never find the info you are looking for. Its not there, you need to infer like more than half the questions from the passage. A word of advise, if you get piano, read the passage.

 

[eldirty]

very nice ... good luck!

 

[yuppers]

Just because there is no verbal reasoning on the DAT doesnt mean that you do not have to infer. You should see the piano passage, wow. That was all ionference and I tried using search and destroy for it when I got it. Heres the problem with that, you will search all day and never find the info you are looking for. Its not there, you need to infer like more than half the questions from the passage. A word of advise, if you get piano, read the passage.

You completely right about the the tone passages (which I lucky enough to find out on the test day ), but I was trying to refer to how most passages are or expected to be.

 

[JamesOSU]

Congratulations! Assuming a GPA >3.5 and some volunteering ... Welcome to dental school!

 

[yuppers]

Congratulations! Assuming a GPA >3.5 and some volunteering ... Welcome to dental school!

Thanks and nice job on getting in yourself. GPA is good so no worries there, but how much volunteering would you guys say is a good amount. I have some, but I have been quite busy lately and it is a 30 mile drive for me to volunteer.