DAT is over! FREEDOM!

[AFlo1770]

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Hey SDN! I just finished my DAT and am so pumped it's over! Here are my scores:

Standard Score
Perceptual Ability 20
Quantitative Reasoning 19
Reading Comprehension 19
Biology 21
General Chemistry 20
Organic Chemistry 18
Total Science 19
AA 19

I'm thankful for all of SDN members adding their input towards preparing for the DAT, and I'd be glad to answer any questions you have about my experience (now that I'm on the other side of taking the test)! Hard work and determination pays off!

 

[Blake1e]

Nice! Sure feels good to be finished dont it.

Are you applying this june?

 

[free99]

Nice scores & congrats on being done! AA19?

 

[EpicDentist]

Nice scores. Howd you handle studying for the sciences?

 

[hl4jn]

Good job on the DAT! There is nothing better than that feeling you get when you know the DAT is over 😀 enjoy the win and good luck with your applications! Are you applying this cycle?

 

[AFlo1770]

It feels so good! Yes AA 19...

I studied the sciences from Chad's to start and once I had a good grasp of what it all entailed I jumped into DAT Destroyer. I would say that the inorganic chemistry is exactly like the real thing, but the Organic chemistry section was much simpler than the DAT destroyer. I'd suggest reviewing Chad's notes you take while watching his video lectures a few times the week before the test. Just read through the reaction maps on DAT destroyer and remember the basic mechanisms. I only took Ochem 1 (I'm taking the second semester now), so I had to work hard to understand the second semester topics like Aldol condensation and benzene ring reactions. It is ironic that my lowest score (Ochem) was the easiest for me and that the hardest (PAT) ended up quite high. A good example of why you should stay confident during the whole test!

Biology was a pleasant surprise for me! I read through Cliffs once and took notes on the chapters I didn't understand completely (Cell respiration and Photosynthesis). I then did DAT Destroyer BIO which was awesome for cramming information that may not be covered in Cliffs. Two weeks before the test, I read Cliffs one more time (skimmed) and read Alan's notes a couple times. BIO isn't necessarily about memorizing as much as it is understanding a general concept.

 

[biomolecmed]

Nicely done. Congrats.

 

[Dotoday]

Solid scores. Congratulations.

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

Hey nice job! The worst part is over, congrats.

Also I agree about Destroyers bio Q's, some people blow it off as being too random and not representative. I beg to differ.

 

[ttrinh8]

Congrats, I just started studying a week ago, so I have a long way to go.

Since you mentioned photosynthesis and cellular respiration, I was wondering what level of detail the questions go into? Are the questions they ask more detailed (i.e. steps and intermediates involved in the biosynthetic pathways) or general?

 

[AFlo1770]

Think overall products instead of individual intermediates.

 

[Msmouth]

Congrats! Job well done!

 

[drumontherun19]

What did you use for practice exams and what were you scoring on the practice exams you took?

 

[AFlo1770]

I eased into my practice tests. I started the Kaplan test from the book and did it without any time restriction. Then I went on to do the 2007 DAT sample test the same way. I only took two Topscore tests and then the 2009 DAT (online version), which I scored the highest on. My first Topscore was all around 15-16 for sciences and 17-19 on everything else. After that my scores increased.

The main thing here is that none of my practice scores were as high as my real DAT. I think the practice tests should be used to find your weaknesses and not necessarily to see how you will do on the real DAT.

 

[drumontherun19]

Your answer gives me much needed relief. I am scoring just the same and am aiming for around where you actually scored. I have heard some horror stories recently (from those taking the exam since the start of the year). I am glad to hear that my mentality about practice tests is shared by others. Thanks!

 

[free99]

Your answer gives me much needed relief. I am scoring just the same and am aiming for around where you actually scored. I have heard some horror stories recently (from those taking the exam since the start of the year). I am glad to hear that my mentality about practice tests is shared by others. Thanks!

Would you mind elaborating?

 

[AFlo1770]

Your answer gives me much needed relief. I am scoring just the same and am aiming for around where you actually scored. I have heard some horror stories recently (from those taking the exam since the start of the year). I am glad to hear that my mentality about practice tests is shared by others. Thanks!

Glad to help! Just stay confident! 🙂