DAT Done!

[Double Bonded]

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There are so many threads floating around with people telling us how they killed the DAT. I wanted to make a thread where all of the info could be in the same place.

 

[thewobblytooth]

mmm...okay I'll bite. I'm copying this straight from a previous thread!

Hey everyone!

I wanted to thank everyone on here that gave such great advice on studying tips. This has been an emotional experience for me and I'm glad to see it over and done with. I just wanted to reiterate how important it is to study over the summer and take it before school starts.

Background:
I've been studying for the DAT since June 2010. However, my gf had to undergo a major surgery that summer and it totally threw off my study schedule! I'm happy to say that she's recovered and is doing great now, but in terms of studying for the DAT, i've never had to experience that type of stress ever! I had to postpone my exam several times until Dec. 30, 2010. These past few months were incredibly difficult for me and I was fortunate enough to have family and friends support me and my gf 100% of the way. All in all, everyone that has contributed to the forums and board were spot on in how to approach the DAT.

My Scores:
PAT - 19 (73.7%)
QR - 17 (65.7%)
RC - 18 (44.0%)
BIO - 22 (95.7%)
GC - 23 (95.0%)
OC - 26 (98.1%)
TS - 24 (99.3%)
AA - 21 (93.0%)

Study Material:
1. DAT Destroyer 2010
2. OChem Oddysey
3. Math Destroyer (i suck at math, didn't help me at all, but that's just me)
4. DAT Achiever
5. Topscore
6. Chad's Videos (best 30$ ever)
7. Crack DAT PAT (I should have done better on this section)
8. Anki (over 2500 preloaded science questions i made myself)
9. Kaplan Exams (super helpful for the sciences!)

Breakdown:
1. Relearning everything from GChem and OChem was a breeze with Chad's Videos. If you have 30$ to spend on food, spend it on this instead and it will guarantee you a score within the 95% of those sections! I only used Chad's videos to learn the material before I approached the exams. It took me 2 weeks to make good, detailed notes on these videos.

2. I literally input all my DAT knowledge into ANKI. I also bought the app for my ipod touch and continually looked at questions whenever I could. I think I spent the most time making these flashcards, but it was worth it . I forget who mentioned this the first time, but I love you. It's also free on the computer, so GET IT! RAWR~!

3. DAT destroyer is incredibly helpful for Bio, GChem, OChem. However, Math Destroyer and the math portion of the destroyer didn't help me at all. It wasn't that they weren't good study material, it was because I am incredibly horrible at math and i got super owned in the face on the real deal. My advice to you for the math: get a tutor. Khan Academy was really helpful for the math, but I just really suck at math.

4. Reading comp: I didn't study for this at all, I didn't do that well either to boot. OH WELL! I'm not taking my DAT again because I'm very happy with my scores! I didn't really know how to approach this, but i didn't really listen to anyone on the forums. I just winged it on the real deal. Bad decision on my part.

5. The goodies: I did incredibly well for my TS score. Once again, GChem and OChem is totally kudos to Chad, as all of you already know. There was one poster on the forums that mentioned the Teaching Company - Biology audio files, I bought those and I listened to them whenever I had free time and I probably listened to all of it...3 times over... Honestly though, the middle portions of those audio files were great, the rest were so so. I had 10 minutes to go after I finished THE SCIENCES section, so what did any normal person do? I went to the bathroom to take a dump, and I must say it was a fine one. I was ready to go for the rest of the sections!

6. Let's be honest here. I took one test from the DAT Achiever and said screw it. I took one test from the Topscore and said screw it. I just focused on my science material and math material from Chads, Destroyer, and my audio files. I got like 18 and 17 AA on those exams and they are just discouraging. It will help you get the timing down, but it's too discouraging, so I didn't get my money's worth there.

7. PAT. I'm really disappointed here because I scored high on my practice PATs. I would get 20, 21, 22, 22, etc...I got a 19 on the real deal. Oh well! Crack DAT PAT is super worth it and you would be mistaken not to get it. Also, don't get the super expensive edition. Get the CHEAPEST ONE YOU CAN GET! I got the really expensive one and i ended up using only 4 exams anyways.

Conclusion:
Overall, this DAT was killer, and I'm glad it's over. I hope all of you that haven't taken it yet, don't give up hope! Once it's over you'll be glad you locked yourself up in a cave in the middle of nowhere to get the studying done. I was supposed to go to Costa Rica on a dental humanitarian trip, but my gf's surgery and recovery came first so I dropped everything and took care of her first. So overall, I studied for ~5 months total (2.5 months of hardcore studying and 2.5 or a few hours a week; the last 3 weeks I studied 8 hour days) and I probably didn't need to, but I had other priorities and I'm glad to finish.

Any questions or comments please let me know. I'm being as honest as I can be .

Oh and P.S. I'm a Psychology Major.

 

[jonishere5]

Nice Scores Good Job!

 

[wired202808]

a2n. any way to get my hands on ur anki deck? because it would save me a ton of time and this would be your way of helping your fellow SDNers. please let me know. thanks.

 

[thewobblytooth]

I'll say this once, I won't give anything of mine. It's mine. The point of the thread is to compile the study strategies of those that have finished the DAT!😀 contribute please