DAT friday 5/13, need advice...

[claisenkew]

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okay,

i took my DAT today, and i'm disappointed on my results.

PAT 21
QR 13
RC 15
Bio 18
Chem 18
Org 22
TS 19
AA 17

Any suggestions about improving the math and reading section?

For math, i prepared using all of the Kaplan practice tests from the online course. When i took the DAT math section i didn't end up finishing the last 12 problems. I had to guess because i ran out of time.

Reading Comp, i also used the Kaplan method of jotting down topic phrase and keywords which led me scrambling for time as well. I didn't make it to the third passage. I'm wondering if the "search and destroy" method could have given me a few more points on this section.

I thought i would have gotten somewhere in the 20's for bio. I bought the DAT destroyer but went over about 100 problems for bio and ochem. Maybe i should have finished up using destroyer... Any suggestions on Destroyer? I thought most of the questions from destroyer were way too complex at times. Especially from the general chemistry section.

 

[fishstalker73]

.

 

[purplepanda]

Definitely retake. Use Topscore AND Achiever to improve on your reading. Use WAY more sources for your math. You need to be studying for math and reading just as hard as you are studying for the sciences.

 

[brightsmiles9]

Nice PAT score, I think you should still retake. This time, you should definitely finish up the questions in DAT destroyer. Do all the questions in the sections, and understand the explanations in the back, why the answer is correct and why the others are wrong. Also, try using topscore to help you with timing. Good luck!

 

[claisenkew]

I have an older topscore CD from about 3 years ago. should i update my topscore version, or just use the same one?

I didn't really use the topscore CD when i prepared...

 

[nze82]

First of all, relax and don't freak out! This is extremely important as you prepare to retake your DAT.

The math section is really about time management rather than your ability to solve problems. When you're practicing KAPLAN problems, take note of the amount of time that it takes for you to solve different types of prblems. For example, solving equations usually aren't that time consuming, whereas word problems tend to require more time. On the real exam, don't waste your precious time trying to solve a word problem that you know it requires you to spend more than a minute. Choose an answer, so that you won't leave anything blank, mark the question, and move on!! Try to solve the questions that won't take as much time first. Then come back and solve the marked ones. Remember that you have 40 math questions, which means even if you miss 6-7 questions you'll still get a score in the 80th percentile.

About the RC section! KAPLAN's method simply doesn't work!! KAPLAN suggests that you write down the important phrases, figures, etc. as you read along. But how can you be sure that they will ask you a question about what you're writting down? So, many times, you'll end up wasting time trying to write down stuff that won't help you answer any questions. For me, the "seek and destroy" method worked quite nicely!

Regarding destroyer...
You need to do every single problem in that book at least twice, if not more! Do this, and you'll see the difference!
Every single question in destroyer is there for a reason. There are useful details associated with every single question. So if you've only done 100/200 questions, it means you haven't learned half of these details!

Hope this helped.

Best of luck👍

 

[joonkimdds]

I hope destroyer had RC too. We can't destroy DAT without destroying RC 🙂

 

[nze82]

Unfortunately, it doesn't! That's what sucks about RC. There aren't many sample questions out there!

 

[oviedolion]

You should def. retake. i had 20's in every section and a 13 in math with an average gpa and every school told me to retake or rejected me so you should retake.

 

[BiomajorPreDent]

First off, you're brave for taking the DAT on a friday the 13th..I would never do that

Ok, for reading, def do not use kaplans method, use search and destroy. Alot of people are afraid to use it on the big day, but it works, ive done it on 2 real DATs (22 and a 20) and like 10 practice tests (20's and 19's).

The math, like was said, is really a race against the clock. You should look at every question for 10 seconds or less

if you know how to do it right away, do it, if not, mark it and come back.

go through the ENTIRE math section that way, and then go back and look at the questions you marked, and keep going back until you either finish them all or the time runs out

I went from getting 15's and 16's on the math section to 18s just by changing my math time strategy

 

[nze82]

First off, you're brave for taking the DAT on a friday the 13th..I would never do that

Ok, for reading, def do not use kaplans method, use search and destroy. Alot of people are afraid to use it on the big day, but it works, ive done it on 2 real DATs (22 and a 20) and like 10 practice tests (20's and 19's).

The math, like was said, is really a race against the clock. You should look at every question for 10 seconds or less

if you know how to do it right away, do it, if not, mark it and come back.

go through the ENTIRE math section that way, and then go back and look at the questions you marked, and keep going back until you either finish them all or the time runs out

I went from getting 15's and 16's on the math section to 18s just by changing my math time strategy

That's funny! I was actually thinking about that too! It takes a brave soul to take the DAT on Friday the 13th.

 

[adizzle87]

Crack DAT Math will help with QR. Wish you the best of luck with studying, like nze82 no need to fret, you still have time to take your DAT in July which isn't late at all! Just study study study!

 

[Gbrando2]

The 13th was a Wednesday...

 

[eldirty]

Im going to have to recommend a retake