strawberrywatermeloncig
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2025
- Messages
- 1
- Reaction score
- 0
Hi all, I've been a long-time lurker on these DAT forums and thought it would be nice to write a breakdown since it helped me a lot.
Scores:
Materials Used:
I started studying on January 26, 2025, and initially planned to take the test on May 27, 2025. However, due to a noticeable decline in my physical and mental well-being, coupled with a pre-existing nerve issue in my legs that made extended sitting difficult, I decided to pull my test date forward by taking it on May 23, 2025.
My study approach was largely guided by the DAT Booster study guide. While I diligently followed the "material learning" schedule, I opted to create my own schedule for the "solving questions" and "reviewing questions" sections. This flexibility was crucial, as some sections within each subject were denser than others, and I needed to accommodate my full-time work schedule. I tracked my study and review progress on a Google Sheet, using a color-coding system: green for completion, orange for partial completion, and red for incomplete tasks.
The initial few weeks of studying were challenging. Having been out of college for a few years, it was difficult to focus and retain information. However, once my body adjusted, it became a matter of discipline and consistency. As an extrovert, limiting my social outings to once a week was a necessary sacrifice for more study time, but it also prevented me from going insane, as hanging out with friends truly helped me destress. However, for the last two months leading up to the exam, I essentially lived like a hermit, with no social interaction outside of church. My advice to others is to honestly assess what sacrifices you are willing to make to achieve your goals, and equally important, to figure out how you will allow yourself breaks to de-stress.
In the beginning, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information I needed to memorize and understand. However, DAT Booster did an excellent job of breaking down the material into digestible chunks. I constantly reminded myself that "if I get over this hill, it will get easier." I also adopted the mindset, suggested by someone else, of genuinely being interested in the subjects, which significantly helped me stay motivated.
Study Methods:
I used Prometrics for my exam, and it's worth noting that they check individuals one by one. I arrived 15 minutes before my scheduled test time but didn't start until 45 minutes after, as they have to check each person to ensure no unauthorized materials are brought in and that examinees receive the correct allowed materials (e.g., we weren't allowed our own calculators, unlike some other test-takers). Therefore, I strongly advise arriving early.
Other Advice:
Scores:
- QR - 530
- RC - 450
- Bio - 510
- GC - 470
- OC - 450
- PAT - 460
- AA- 480
Materials Used:
- DAT Booster - I exclusively used DAT Booster for my DAT preparation, having read many positive reviews on Reddit about its effectiveness. I'm very happy with my scores and would highly recommend to others.
I started studying on January 26, 2025, and initially planned to take the test on May 27, 2025. However, due to a noticeable decline in my physical and mental well-being, coupled with a pre-existing nerve issue in my legs that made extended sitting difficult, I decided to pull my test date forward by taking it on May 23, 2025.
My study approach was largely guided by the DAT Booster study guide. While I diligently followed the "material learning" schedule, I opted to create my own schedule for the "solving questions" and "reviewing questions" sections. This flexibility was crucial, as some sections within each subject were denser than others, and I needed to accommodate my full-time work schedule. I tracked my study and review progress on a Google Sheet, using a color-coding system: green for completion, orange for partial completion, and red for incomplete tasks.
The initial few weeks of studying were challenging. Having been out of college for a few years, it was difficult to focus and retain information. However, once my body adjusted, it became a matter of discipline and consistency. As an extrovert, limiting my social outings to once a week was a necessary sacrifice for more study time, but it also prevented me from going insane, as hanging out with friends truly helped me destress. However, for the last two months leading up to the exam, I essentially lived like a hermit, with no social interaction outside of church. My advice to others is to honestly assess what sacrifices you are willing to make to achieve your goals, and equally important, to figure out how you will allow yourself breaks to de-stress.
In the beginning, I felt overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information I needed to memorize and understand. However, DAT Booster did an excellent job of breaking down the material into digestible chunks. I constantly reminded myself that "if I get over this hill, it will get easier." I also adopted the mindset, suggested by someone else, of genuinely being interested in the subjects, which significantly helped me stay motivated.
Study Methods:
- Biology: This section is all about memorization, memorization, and more memorization. However, the DAT doesn't delve into excessive detail. For instance, I didn't memorize the names of all the bones presented in the biology textbook. If the textbook content seemed too extensive, I focused on the lectures and DAT Booster cheat sheets. I highly recommend solving all Biobits questions, as you will invariably encounter questions you initially can't answer.
- General Chemistry: The DAT Booster instructor for General Chemistry was incredibly engaging, and this was honestly my favorite subject to study. Once you grasp the core concepts, you'll find that many question formats repeat with different numbers.
- Organic Chemistry: A thorough understanding of reaction mechanisms and their characteristics is paramount. If a reaction can be reversed, know that. If multiple reagents yield the same product, be familiar with all of them.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Focus on questions that require you to read a scenario, translate it into equations, and then solve. I believe these types of problems constituted the majority of my actual exam.
- Perceptual Ability: Practice, practice, practice! You'll encounter many questions involving proportions, so become comfortable estimating and choosing an answer even if the lengths appear slightly off.
I used Prometrics for my exam, and it's worth noting that they check individuals one by one. I arrived 15 minutes before my scheduled test time but didn't start until 45 minutes after, as they have to check each person to ensure no unauthorized materials are brought in and that examinees receive the correct allowed materials (e.g., we weren't allowed our own calculators, unlike some other test-takers). Therefore, I strongly advise arriving early.
Other Advice:
- I maintained a Google Sheet to track my daily study progress, organizing it by subject and incorporating color-coding (green, orange, red) to denote completion status. This method helped me stay organized and aware of my progress.
- I truly believe that consistency and discipline are key to success on the DAT, especially for non-traditional students balancing other commitments. Don't be afraid to adjust your study schedule as needed to accommodate your well-being. Remember to take breaks to de-stress, as burnout can significantly hinder your progress. The DAT is a challenging exam, but with dedication and the right resources, you can achieve your goals. Be proud of the hard work and sacrifices you make along the way.
