DAT - June 2016

[stella239]

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Hey everyone, I took the DAT in June 2015 and I didn't score very well. I was very discouraged and wasn't sure if I would be able to make it to the next level. Nonetheless, I rescheduled my exam and took the test again in June 2016, I am very pleased with my results.

PAT - 21
QR - 20
RC - 22
BIO - 22
GC - 19
OCHM - 23
TS - 21
AA - 21

What I used. Kaplan DAT Test Prep Course (Online).

Considering that my scores were not up to standards in 2015, I decided to take the Kaplan DAT course. I was a full time student so I figured that the structured course would work best for me.

Pros:

• Runs you through all of the material
• 5 Full-Length practice exams
• Countless quizzes and supplemental information
• Kaplan flash cards, Review Book, Lecture guides

Cons:

• Expensive ($1300)
• Would recommend taking the course close to your test date
• Can be challenging while in school

Let me know if you have any questions about the Kaplan course or the exam.

 

[Samin23]

How did you study the first time? Great scores btw

 

[Likkriue]

Congrats! You did great, very consistent!!!

 

[schmoob]

Haha! I read your post wrong at first. I read: "I took the DAT in June...and I didn't score very well".... (jump to scores).... (immediately judge you and think you're pompous and arrogant)....(reread entire post).... (immediately judge myself for being a judgemental jerk).

Anyway, great scores! Congratulations on doing well. Good luck on your application!

 

[Charles_Darwin]

Congrats! I'm taking one of the free kaplan practice DATs tomorrow night. I know they're shorter than the full DAT, but do you have any input regarding how well they represent the actual DAT?

 

[schmoob]

Congrats! I'm taking one of the free kaplan practice DATs tomorrow night. I know they're shorter than the full DAT, but do you have any input regarding how well they represent the actual DAT?

I took it and did not like it. Honestly, OP is the first person I have ever seen recommend Kaplan.
Their free stuff is (IMO) just a marketing tool. I feel like it's sort of made to demoralize you to convince you that you need their product.
I believe that the other DAT materials out there are far superior and far cheaper. Get Chad, Bootcamp, Destroyer, feralis notes, and the 2007 & 2009 exams. Those should be bare minimum. But knowing all of that material VERY well will prepare you for success. (Disregard 2009 QR though, I almost cried).

 

[Charles_Darwin]

I took it and did not like it. Honestly, OP is the first person I have ever seen recommend Kaplan.
Their free stuff is (IMO) just a marketing tool. I feel like it's sort of made to demoralize you to convince you that you need their product.
I believe that the other DAT materials out there are far superior and far cheaper. Get Chad, Bootcamp, Destroyer, feralis notes, and the 2007 & 2009 exams. Those should be bare minimum. But knowing all of that material VERY well will prepare you for success. (Disregard 2009 QR though, I almost cried).

I've got those materials and more, just taking kaplan as a benchmark. But that's a good point that they'd make it harder to get you in, I'll remember that!

 

[stella239]

How did you study the first time? Great scores btw

Samin23, I winged it the first time. I was eager to get an application in without adequate time put into studying/preparing for the exam. I found that if you are not fully prepared, you will get your cookies tossed.

 

[stella239]

Congrats! I'm taking one of the free kaplan practice DATs tomorrow night. I know they're shorter than the full DAT, but do you have any input regarding how well they represent the actual DAT?[/QUOTE

AintNobodyGotTimeForDAT, I would take it with a grain of salt. The Kaplan test give you a very similar test taking experience. I would recommend full-length practice exams whenever you get the chance. The QR is graded differently on the Kaplan tests, I never received higher than a 16 on my practice exams and took away a 20 on the DAT. In general, practice exams are graded tougher than the actual exam.

 

[Samin23]

Samin23, I winged it the first time. I was eager to get an application in without adequate time put into studying/preparing for the exam. I found that if you are not fully prepared, you will get your cookies tossed.

Ah, okay. I've been trying to juggle DAT prep and a physics2 course for the last 4 weeks and it's been kinda tough. Luckily, I haven't registered for a DAT test date, as I feel I might not be ready by August, which is when I originally planned to take it. Congrats on your improvements, though!