DAT is killing me :(

[BabaBlackSheep]

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Hi,

I just registered today, but i visit SDN often to read the posts. I am a 3rd year pre-dental. I really wanted to get the DAT out of the way this summer, but all i have done is slacked.

I realized that summer vacation is almost over. School starts again in a little over than a month. I really want to get the DAT over. I am so frustrated right now. I was looking at the DAT conversion chart and i realized to get a 20 in bio means getting a 34/40 on the real thing. It seems like you cant miss more than 5 questions in the sections to get a 20.

So far, I am studying Kaplans, and doing a chapter a day in every science section. I have done 3 chapters in each science section so far. I havent even touched the PAT, QR or RC. 🙁 I am just not sure if i will get it all done. I dont know how to be able to do so good in all the sections.

How did you guys break apart all these sections with your time? Please help me. I think organization is my biggest problem. What did you guys do?

I have only flipped through the other portions of the test and realizing that there are no calculators allowed on the test, it just frustrates me even more on how i will go through it all. Please advise!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙁

 

[sinned]

for me I just finished the biology and chemistry, I read 10 chapters of bio in just two days...and I just started going over all the review problems at the end of the chapter and stuff...once you have read everything, just keep going over stuff...its all about familiarity...

 

[Sprgrover]

To the OP: welcome! 👍 When I started to study for the DAT I went to the library and read through the Kaplan book cover to cover. It took several hours, but I wanted to survey the field and get a feel for areas that I might need to concentrate on. I knew that general chemistry was going to give me grief, so I established a regiment in which I would read that Kaplan section, go over my flash cards, and so on. After a couple of days I would take a practice exam. Yes, I did get miserably low scores, but I would go back and work through the problems that I missed so as to better understand those concepts. Studying for the DAT can be overwhelming and if you want to do well you might have to give up your social life for a while and just dedicate yourself to it.

Are you planning on applying this cycle? If not, then I advise you to take it sometime next year. Just start studying now, study on the weekends during the semester, hammer the books over christmas break and then take it sometime in late December or early January. Getting into dental school is not a race and don't feel like you have to get in 'or else.' Personally, I think taking a year off between undergrad and dental school is a good idea. My advice is to take the DAT when you are good and ready and feel confident that you can perform well on it. Being nervous is a good thing - but don't let it bring you down! Best of luck and keep posting your questions.