DAT - how early is too early?

[Neuro178]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I'm considering taking the Kaplan DAT online course over the summer because it's cheaper than the classroom-based course in the spring, and it allows me to take more classes in the spring of my junior year. I'm a sophomore now, and would take the DAT probably during September/October of my junior year. Is that too early? I've taken all the courses required to take the DAT and have a science and cumulative GPA of 3.8.

Also, if I take it early during my junior year, would that make re-taking it (if needed) easier time-wise?

Give me any advice you have!! Thanks! 🙂

 

[Stilts]

If you've taken all of the necessary science courses then psych yourself up and bang out the DAT. I'd say it's a lot better to take it while the info is pretty fresh in your mind from school so you don't have to re-learn everything...that's what I had to do. Kaplan is fine but it's no substitute for really just grinding out the studying on your own. Make sure you give yourself enough time to study for it...I promise that you won't want to study for it it twice.

 

[caffeinehigh]

If you've taken all of the necessary science courses then psych yourself up and bang out the DAT. I'd say it's a lot better to take it while the info is pretty fresh in your mind from school so you don't have to re-learn everything...that's what I had to do. Kaplan is fine but it's no substitute for really just grinding out the studying on your own. Make sure you give yourself enough time to study for it...I promise that you won't want to study for it it twice.

I took all the pre-reqs frosh/soph year. Studied for the DAT during the summer, and took the DAT the summer between my soph and junior year. Pretty nice to know you have plenty of time if you want to re-take the test, and also very nice to have that aspect out of the way well in advance. I would for sure do this all over again if I had the choice.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

It's only too early if you don't get in on the first try. Then it might expire for the 2 year limit schools. Still it's a good idea to do it early though. Don't wait too long after your Kaplan course to take it, maybe within a week or two. You probably don't need to hear this since you have a 3.8 gpa, but regardless, put in far more extra hours than it takes to do Kaplan's workshops, quizes, etc. Read that book they give you, front to back, multiple times. I had mine chopped into individual subjects and then spiral bound at Kinkos. That made carrying around what I needed much easier.

 

[Neuro178]

Thank you for all of the advice!! I definitely feel more confident about taking it over the summer. Just a little terrified that it's coming up so much sooner than I had planned! 😳

I like the idea of cutting up the Kaplan book. So they give you that very thick book if you buy the online course? I still have to figure out how long that course should take me...

 

[ummjoey]

I took all the pre-reqs frosh/soph year. Studied for the DAT during the summer, and took the DAT the summer between my soph and junior year. Pretty nice to know you have plenty of time if you want to re-take the test, and also very nice to have that aspect out of the way well in advance. I would for sure do this all over again if I had the choice.

i did the same thing as caffeinehigh. i just wanted to get my DAT out of the way cuz i knew i would be super busy my junior year and wont have time to study the DAT efficently.

just study like crazy over summer for like 3 months and destory it.

i also agree with the others. you only want to take the DAT once.

 

[Neuro178]

I'm doing summer research as well in a neuroscience lab. The prof said he thought I'd be fine for study time, so I'm thinking 3-4 hours per week night and more on the weekends for studying...?

Also, how long does the Kaplan online DAT course take? It says it is 14 three-hour courses (plus assignments, I hope).

 

[ummjoey]

^ that sounds good. research + DAT for this summer.

im not sure about the kaplan online course. it is just what you said 14 three hour courses. just depends on how often are these courses? its not on their website?

 

[catch15yanks]

It's only too early if you don't get in on the first try. Then it might expire for the 2 year limit schools. Still it's a good idea to do it early though. Don't wait too long after your Kaplan course to take it, maybe within a week or two. You probably don't need to hear this since you have a 3.8 gpa, but regardless, put in far more extra hours than it takes to do Kaplan's workshops, quizes, etc. Read that book they give you, front to back, multiple times. I had mine chopped into individual subjects and then spiral bound at Kinkos. That made carrying around what I needed much easier.

I've been accepted this cycle (2007). I took my DAT in Summer 05 and got accepted to schools where they said it expired after 2 years. So I think it could still be acceptable if there is a one year gap between test date and application cycle. If i didn't get in this time no way would it be good in 08 cycle.

 

[Neuro178]

^ that sounds good. research + DAT for this summer.

im not sure about the kaplan online course. it is just what you said 14 three hour courses. just depends on how often are these courses? its not on their website?

No, it didn't really say how often the courses were offered. I think I'll have to call them. I'm researching for about 10 weeks, so I hope it won't take too much longer than that.

 

[tinman831]

Moving to DAT.

 

[JOODiFF]

what are the classes you hsould take before taking the DATs? I am also considering taking it in the summer, probablyJune or July. I am a sophomore becoming a junior in the fall 2008. After this semester, I will have taken a year of Organic, General CHEM, and BIOLOGy. is that enough? should i wait till i take more science classes?

 

[sushi320]

Dude! Don't take the kaplan online course!!!!! Just buy yourself their big purple review book and get yourself a load of practice tests. The online course was such a waste of time and MONEY. I learned everything from their review book. They make you do readings and questions from the review book (the big purple one) before you "attend" the online lectures. The lectures just reinforce what you are to read in the review book, but do it in such a basic and benign level, that its a waste of 90mins per lecture to sit through.

 

[Neuro178]

what are the classes you hsould take before taking the DATs? I am also considering taking it in the summer, probablyJune or July. I am a sophomore becoming a junior in the fall 2008. After this semester, I will have taken a year of Organic, General CHEM, and BIOLOGy. is that enough? should i wait till i take more science classes?

That's exactly where I am -- rising junior. Those are the classes I've taken so far, plus Calc 1 & 2, but I think ochem, gen chem, and bio are all you need for the DAT.