Dat Done:)

[nashfan3213]

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I have been a lurker on this site for over a year and just retook my DAT. I am so glad to be done.

Anyway here are my scores:

BIO: 17
GCHEM: 16 😡
OCHEM: 17
PA: 20
RC: 21
QR: 17
TS: 17 😡
AA: 18

I am not too happy with the TS (really nervous when I started), but I am hoping that having a 3.87 GPA and an solid application will get me some interviews. I used Kaplan, Destroyer, and Topscore for studying. Here's a little run down on the sections.

BIO: really look over destroyer. I wish that I had spent more time using it, because many of the questions were really similar. No really off the wall questions pretty general.

GCHEM: Alot of conceptual questions. Maybe 2 or 3 calculations most of the stuff is set up for you.

OCHEM: This section was a lot harder than the first time I took it. Lots of lab techniques and NMR/ IR.

PA: I was using topscore and I never got above 19. So I was really surprised when I saw this score, and I will definitely take it. I basically just went with my first instinct and didn't debate too hard. I find that I do best when I don't second guess myself. I always spend the most time on key hole, because there are 5 answers instead of 4.

RC: I think that I lucked out on this section as well. My sections were somewhat interesting: fungi, alligators, and sensory receptors. Last time I had an ethics passage and it killed my score. The only advice I can give is that if you get to a passage that you don't find too interesting just go to the next passage and save the boring one to the end.

QR: Its all about time! Get those easy questions. I had some crazy word problems as well as some crazy trig.

Anyway thats about it. I am so glad to be done this summer has been really rough, and its been really hard to study. So I guess I got what I deserved, and I am hoping that it will be good enough. If you got any thoughts or questions feel free.

 

[paul510psu]

I'm sorry to say it but I think that you'll probably have to re-take to be considered among the top applicants at most schools.

Your GPA is really solid, but I'm afraid a 16 and three 17s is kinda low for such a competitive application cycle.

Whether you do or do not decide to retake, good luck with the process!

 

[sl2obel2ts]

Did u apply already? if so, i think that score will get you somewhere with ur high gpa.

 

[Daydream46]

I am not too happy with the TS (really nervous when I started), but I am hoping that having a 3.87 GPA and an solid application will get me some interviews.

When talking to an admissions adviser they told me there are 2 ways to look at someone with a high GPA and low DAT...

1. They had a bad day...
2. Their class was easier or there was grade inflation... this test is used to standardize things (i mean a C at a hard school could actually be a B at an easier school, so GPA can only mean so much)...

So I think its really up in the air.... just hope they think #1 when they view your app. (which they may if your school has a good/hard reputation)

 

[nashfan3213]

Well, then I think that I might have a decent chance. The last 2 people from my college that have graduated from the dental school that I am applying to finished number one and number two in their classes; neither of them had killer DAT scores either (I think that they both had about 19 AAs and their PAs weren't as good as mine one of them even had a 15 in BIO lol, and he just finished top of his class). Also, I was wondering if they looked at your old DAT. I scored a point higher on both of the Chems on my last exam, but the rest of the scores were bad. Could I say something like its been a while since I took those classes, and I just had a bad CHEM day? I had both of those former students write me letters as well. So, hopefully, the reputation of my school will be to my advantage. Thanks for your thoughts.