DAT exam changes in January 2016

[flossit]

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Hi guys, does anyone know when is DAT changing: Bio and Math section as far as i know. Also i think they are testing the problems on those who are taking it right now, just to see how the crowd is doing - do you know if it is true? and if yes, how to recognize those problems? and if we answer them wrong do we get points? maybe if we can recognize them (if we get points if wrong) and just guess, saving time for the important once?

 

[flossit]

Anyone has any information on that?

 

[Incis0r]

Hmm...not sure, but I know plenty of experts who do know.

@orgoman22 @Ari Rezaei @FeralisExtremum

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Hi guys, does anyone know when is DAT changing: Bio and Math section as far as i know. Also i think they are testing the problems on those who are taking it right now, just to see how the crowd is doing - do you k, now if it is true? and if yes, how to recognize those problems? and if we answer them wrong do we get points? maybe if we can recognize them (if we get points if wrong) and just guess, saving time for the important once?

Hi Flossit,

I work with students that take the test year round and students that have even posted on SDN that have taken the test in recent weeks and as of now everything remains the same. It has been my belief that the ADA adds and removes questions without anyone being aware. That is why I constantly remind students the DAT is a challenging test and study accordingly, there is no easy way to achieve a high DAT score. The ADA has not indicated any changes for 2016 but I am in close contact and will post immediately should any changes occur.

I would keep studying according to the 2015 ADA Guide for now.

http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dental-admission-test/dat-guide

Take care and good luck to you

Nancy

 

[FeralisExtremum]

If they give you experimental questions to test material for future versions of the DAT, they won't count towards your grade. But you won't necessarily know it's an experimental question, so your approach to preparing for (and taking) the exam should be the same regardless.

 

[flossit]

So does that mean I will have 41 questions instead of 40 for the same amount of time?

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Nope, you'll still just get 40 questions. The scale for grading is adjusted to compensate for the experimental question by essentially discarding it.

 

[sjv]

http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education and Careers/Files/adea_update_dat_adat_2015.ashx

Most recent info (I believe) starts on Slide #10.

 

[flossit]

So that means if I can identify the experimental question and simply guess and maybe get it wrong I will get the full points, if I understand it right, correct me if I'm wrong. And I understand and study meticulously and hard for the dat, without questions. I'm just trying to understand the logic behind it.