DAT Done; Thoughts and Help?

[IFMB22]

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So I took my first DAT today:

PAT: 23
BIO: 20
GCHEM: 21
OCHEM: 27
RC: 23
QR: 19
AA; 22
TS: 22

My reactions:

PAT: Maybe just me, but I though the TFE and keyholes were harder than those on CPD. Angles and Patten Folding seemed much easier and Hole-Punching was just as simple as CPD. Did about 15 CDP prac-tests to prepare; by my 10th test I was getting consistant 22's/ 23's and once got a 25. CDP is the best tool and I think we all know that.

Bio: First, I gotta say that I studied for bio the longest and with the most study material (Barron's, Kaplan, Ap Cliffs), nevertheless it felt like some of the questions I saw were on topics not covered by either texts. I would suggest you just study as much as you can from Barron's and AP Cliffs because those do indeed help and a will boost your score. If you have taken classes like embryology, histology, physiology, ecology, evolutionary bio, those are probably your best way of fine tuning details and getting an edge.

GCHEM: Took it over the summer freshman year, forgot literally everything. Sorta learned it all back in maybe a 7 day-long cramming stretch. Destroyer is good to fine tune your skills and confidence with formulas but I thought Kaplan was useless at first due to little to no examples or details illustrated. The only reason why I scored above a 20 was probably because of Destroyer practice. Absolutley suprised by the results. I hate GC.

OCHEM: Read/skimmed/outlined old text first. First time I went through Destroyer I got around 40% right of the questions. By the third time, I got most of them right. I think the actual DAT doesnt go into as much detail as Destroyer, but I can say that if you conquer the Destroyer, DAT Ochem will look like a joke.

RC: Didnt study at all for this. I'm pretty sure the only reason why I did well on it was due to my ability to scroll and skim for the answers. I didnt read a single passige from beginning to end: there is no way to absorb all the info they will quiz you on. Skimming for right answers a few times will give you a good idea of what its about it anyway. I think the only reason why I didnt score higher was due to lack of time. I attribute my time surfing the internet reading the news and articles as the primary reason why I did well.

QR: Speed is key. If your not fast and fluid with setting up what exactly your trying to solve, your going to waste time and end up like me. First time I did the problems in a practice test I receieved 100% right, when I timed myself, I could only complete 25/40 problems in the time given. If you want to get a good QR score you should just time yourself during practice. Another thing: sometimes the answers in the answer key were so obvious that I didnt even have to solve the problem. Sometimes common sense can do that for you.


Also......

I recently graduated with a major in Cell Bio with approx a 3.1/3.2. I used to be an English major but changed to Bio my junior year (when I realized I wanted to pursue dental school). My science GPA is probably around a 3.1 as well.

Im wondering what your thoughts on how viable I am as a applicant to some schools. I have a modest GPA, but I am wondering if my DAT scores can compensate for that. If you have any idea of how I would fair in an application pool, I would very much want to hear!

 

[jay47]

You should be in decent shape man. Solid DAT scores, even though your GPA is a little low. Had a friend get in with similiar and a 21 (and NO, I'm not referring to myself) , although all of his acceptances came later than most of us, but he got in.

 

[vlct0ria]

Nice scores and breakdown! What were your study habits- how many hours/day, how many days?

 

[joonkimdds]

Seriously incredible.

 

[IFMB22]

Nice scores and breakdown! What were your study habits- how many hours/day, how many days?

Started to study hard during spring break, so I would say around 2 months before the DAT. I also had a 3 week stretch that I couldnt study due to graduation/finals/tests. Other than bio, I doubt it really takes too much time to get ready for it. I would say Bio is a crapshoot anyway, so theres a higher probably of improving your Ochem, Gchem, QC and PAT score if you put the work in.

I pretty much donated a few days to each subject at a time and didnt jump around daily (ie taking 3 days to only outline a 1000 page Ochm text, then taking the next couple days to outline Kaplan for Gchem...) I also did a CPD practice test everyday after studying each subject. If your a month away and do this, you'll have gone through nearly 30 tests and you will be vastly better at the PAT. I would say that when you are one month away you should really start dedicating as much study time per day as possible so you keep formulas/eqns/rxns as fresh in your mind. Cramming pays off with details like these.

But then again, I've always crammed before tests so maybe I'm just used to studying in high volumes prior to an exam. I think that this is a pretty good way of knowing bio facts/ ochem rxns/ formulas very well before walking into the testing center because, at least for me. When I studied bio two months ago I couldnt remember those small details after I learned them- I think if you have a strong foundation in all subjects, cramming the week before the test will help you out.