DAT Finally Done! Thoughts/Comments?
- Thread starter ddslove789
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rock solid scores. good job!
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The percentages next to those nice numbers should tell the story! Good work!
I take it at the end of the month and was wondering if there was a strike through feature? For example, it would be nice during the PAT section to "strike through" answers that were obviously wrong instead of using the dry erase board. I still haven't gotten a solid answer to this!
How was the calc on the QR?
Looking forward to a full breakdown!
I take it at the end of the month and was wondering if there was a strike through feature? For example, it would be nice during the PAT section to "strike through" answers that were obviously wrong instead of using the dry erase board. I still haven't gotten a solid answer to this!
How was the calc on the QR?
Looking forward to a full breakdown!
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Hey Jumpin,
I was also curious about this going in to the test -- I noticed that DAT Achiever (I think) had that strike-out function, whereas TopScore and CDP did not (correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's how it went). Anyway I just took my DAT two days ago, and I distinctly remember that there was NOT any strike-out feature. Bummer, I know. 🙄
Good luck!
3
321931
Yep sir. If you have a 3.3-3.4+, you're gonna be in great shape. Apply broadly just in case. I have similar scores to you. So gl with next cycle!
JumpinIn - There's definitely no strike through feature on the real thing (unfortunately), so definitely practice using the scratch paper if needed! My best advice is, for the sake of time, to try to mentally mark the obviously wrong ones instead of writing them down.
As per request, here is my full DAT breakdown:
- Bio: my section was heavy on molecular bio and genetics, relatively light on EEB, physio, and cell bio. I had lots of questions on Punnett squares, HWE, forms of genetic inheritance, chromosomal mutations. I have heard, however, that it is usually heavier on cell bio and EEB (specifically hormones, human excretion, taxonomy, and evolutionary forces).
- GC: heavy on solution equilibria, colligative properties, acids and bases, and le chatlier's principles. I only had a few questions regarding periodic properties and nuclear decay.
- OC: KNOW YOUR BASIC MECHANISMS! Pretty much all of my questions were asking about the aspects of reaction mechanisms (products formed, solvents used, SN1/E1 vs. SN2/E2, and mechanism sequences. There were relatively few questions on stereochemistry, spectroscopy, and nomenclature).
- PAT: I did most of my PAT practice with CDP. In my opinion, most of their practice tests were much harder than the actual exam (especially in hole-punching, cube-counting, and pattern folding). Keyholes, TFE, and angle-ranking between CDP and the real thing were pretty equal. My best advice for the PAT is to start with the section that you are most comfortable with (since you can move forward or backwards as you like). That way, you start off on a good note and feel good about the section. I skipped ahead to angle-ranking, then proceeded through the rest of the section and did keyholes and TFE last.
- RC: basically all detail questions. I had a few questions about tone and a few where I had to choose the best concluding sentence, but pretty much everything else was just being able to find it in the passage. I used Kaplan's "mapping" technique (briefly skimming the passage and writing down key words for later navigation through the passage). I ended up having five minutes leftover after rechecking all of my marked answers and was then able to take a much-needed breather break before I started QR.
- QR: I had a lot of unit conversions, work problems, and algebra word problems; there were also a few questions on trig, geometry, and straight number operation calculations. With regards to the calculator, it's just like the basic calc from windows' accessories. In my first pass through the section, I didn't use it at all and either quickly made the calculations myself or made my best estimate. I then marked the questions that I could later check with the calc and moved on to ensure that I would get through the whole section (time was always an issue for me when practicing). I ended up having 10 minutes of extra time and was able to go back and check all of my marked answers with the calculator.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. Best of luck to you in your studying!
As per request, here is my full DAT breakdown:
- Bio: my section was heavy on molecular bio and genetics, relatively light on EEB, physio, and cell bio. I had lots of questions on Punnett squares, HWE, forms of genetic inheritance, chromosomal mutations. I have heard, however, that it is usually heavier on cell bio and EEB (specifically hormones, human excretion, taxonomy, and evolutionary forces).
- GC: heavy on solution equilibria, colligative properties, acids and bases, and le chatlier's principles. I only had a few questions regarding periodic properties and nuclear decay.
- OC: KNOW YOUR BASIC MECHANISMS! Pretty much all of my questions were asking about the aspects of reaction mechanisms (products formed, solvents used, SN1/E1 vs. SN2/E2, and mechanism sequences. There were relatively few questions on stereochemistry, spectroscopy, and nomenclature).
- PAT: I did most of my PAT practice with CDP. In my opinion, most of their practice tests were much harder than the actual exam (especially in hole-punching, cube-counting, and pattern folding). Keyholes, TFE, and angle-ranking between CDP and the real thing were pretty equal. My best advice for the PAT is to start with the section that you are most comfortable with (since you can move forward or backwards as you like). That way, you start off on a good note and feel good about the section. I skipped ahead to angle-ranking, then proceeded through the rest of the section and did keyholes and TFE last.
- RC: basically all detail questions. I had a few questions about tone and a few where I had to choose the best concluding sentence, but pretty much everything else was just being able to find it in the passage. I used Kaplan's "mapping" technique (briefly skimming the passage and writing down key words for later navigation through the passage). I ended up having five minutes leftover after rechecking all of my marked answers and was then able to take a much-needed breather break before I started QR.
- QR: I had a lot of unit conversions, work problems, and algebra word problems; there were also a few questions on trig, geometry, and straight number operation calculations. With regards to the calculator, it's just like the basic calc from windows' accessories. In my first pass through the section, I didn't use it at all and either quickly made the calculations myself or made my best estimate. I then marked the questions that I could later check with the calc and moved on to ensure that I would get through the whole section (time was always an issue for me when practicing). I ended up having 10 minutes of extra time and was able to go back and check all of my marked answers with the calculator.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. Best of luck to you in your studying!
Rainee - good luck to you too! 🙂
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