DAT Kaplan Prep. Does it really work?

[jubi8888]

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Hello Everyone,
I recently applied to eight schools and Buffalo is the only one that still has me under review. I contacted the schools and they say my application is very competitive. I have four years of dental experience as a EFDA. I worked so hard to get through under grad in three years and keep a 3.55 overall and a 3.4 in the sciences. The problem is my DAT score (14.2). YUK. I was so devastated, but I still applied. I am planning on trying to correct this problem through the Kaplan prep courses. I am contemplating doing the one-on-one prep. It is so expensive, but if it helps me move up to an 18 or 19 then it’s worth it. Has anyone been here? Is the prep really helpful and is it possible for me to improve that much? I felt like I ran out of time in every section, except reading. Please I am desperate for advice.

 

[jigabodo]

Are you sure that schools told you your application is very competitive?

I think you've god a nice, solid GPA. But like you've said, you really need to work on that DAT.

Imo, Kaplan does help - I took the class and I can attest that. However, 1,300 is just too much in my opinion.

Try to get a copy of BB, Destroyer, Achiever, TS, Crack the PAT altogether for half the prize. They will work wonders.

 

[predental1984]

The only thing Kaplan did not prepare me for is the PAT. Take the online version, you save money. The lectures suck,and are the same thing online. No need to go to the site to learn. I think the online stuff is 800, I highly recommend.

 

[haisha ni narou]

It works but like the chicken warrior said, it's kind of a waist of dinero. There are several other products out there for a heck of a lot less and very good. Try to get the big Kaplan book though, it's good review. Dental school is an investment and like any financial guy would tell you, diversify your portfolio. I'd get the Kap book, achiever, destroyer, topscore etc and buy a few cases of red bull and lock yourself in a room for about 2 months and then barf it all out when you take the DAT. Good luck.

 

[jubi8888]

Yeah but does anyone feel that their secound time with the DAT using the KAP prep really work? Did you improve greatly?

 

[UCSF2012]

It's not a waste of money if you have a 14AA. You have the absolute most to gain from.

PS, the kaplan blue book IS the same as the DAT review book given in class.

 

[tigertooth08]

I only took the DAT once, but the ONLY study guide that I used was the Kaplan blue book. I studied for a week and a half before the test. I'm a procrastinator/crammer by habit but I do NOT suggest it. I spent my spring break studying 14 hours/day.... The only section that I felt Kaplan did not prepare me for adequately is the organic chem section.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Only good thing about kaplan course is the online material.

 

[SHC1984]

agreed! the online material helped alot and so did their books but the class itself was completely USELESS! My instructor really sucked. 👎

Only good thing about kaplan course is the online material.

 

[therealsquat]

.

 

[SspeedyS]

I completely agree. By taking the online course, you can basically go at your own pace and spend more time on the materials that you are struggling with. The online practice exams will give you a report immediately at the end that tells you what areas you need to improve.

agreed! the online material helped alot and so did their books but the class itself was completely USELESS! My instructor really sucked. 👎

 

[belmont]

Don't even waste your money on the Kaplan course, online or classroom. Buy the Kaplan book, destroyer, topscore and achiever and save 700 dollars. I took the course, and think it's the biggest waste of money. I should have bought aftermarket car parts.

 

[TheDrewYouKnew]

What is your major? And did you prepare for the DAT at all or just show up?

Hello Everyone,
I recently applied to eight schools and Buffalo is the only one that still has me under review. I contacted the schools and they say my application is very competitive. I have four years of dental experience as a EFDA. I worked so hard to get through under grad in three years and keep a 3.55 overall and a 3.4 in the sciences. The problem is my DAT score (14.2). YUK. I was so devastated, but I still applied. I am planning on trying to correct this problem through the Kaplan prep courses. I am contemplating doing the one-on-one prep. It is so expensive, but if it helps me move up to an 18 or 19 then it’s worth it. Has anyone been here? Is the prep really helpful and is it possible for me to improve that much? I felt like I ran out of time in every section, except reading. Please I am desperate for advice.

 

[jdoc04]

Kaplan is a good review giving you a good place to start but is not close to the entire scope covered on the actual DAT. Kaplan classroom really depends on your instructor. It can help if your instructor is really knowledgeable. You would most likely be better off getting the online tests and quizzes than paying for the classroom course.

Browse the DAT forum for other materials to add to your repertoire. You can never have enough material.

Good luck!

 

[Dan3223]

I took the Kaplan course and I thought it was very helpful.

 

[dsharp]

I am in the same boat as you. I took the DAT twice. The first time I didn't study. The second time I studied for two months for four hours a day using the Kaplan Book, Schaums, and Top Score. On all the practice tests, I was scoring 23+ but bombed the science sections on the real thing. I don't know why but I think it's how I prepared. The Kaplan Book is a good overview but not nearly in depth enough. The other two resources are good. I think I'll try the online Kaplan course along with destroyer and achiever for my next attempt.

I applied to 9 schools, have been rejected from 3, am still underconsideration at two, and haven't heard from the other 4.

 

[DrSmiles12]

I took the online course. It was worth it because I got access to so many computer practice tests that made me get used to taking the DAT. It helped me build stamina for the real test. I thought the BIO/Math portion sucked. Everything else helped me sufficiently to get ready. The online materials were def worth it so that I could prep for the test. They give you a mor disciplined route, so if your lazy like me it helps to keep you going rather than be lazy.

 

[poppajac]

Whatever you do, do not go into the course thinking that it is going to prepare you. You have to prepare yourself. Too many go in thinking that simply by showing up to the course, you are going to get an awesome score. I took the course and the classes were not very helpful but the structure, flashcards, practice tests, and online stuff made the process of studying much more efficient and effective. I used three different brands of materials and the Kaplan stuff was by far the best. If you do it, I would just opt for the online stuff and the materials rather then enrolling in the classroom course. That way you get all the materials you need but you do not go and listen to a bunch of useless lectures.

 

[Chuda2008]

It depends on who you are. I tried to study on my own with the Kaplan book and a few other test books but really just goofed off the entire summer. I ended up paying the $1,300 for the Kaplan classroom and for me it was worth it because it provided a good schedule to follow and I also studied at the test center which provided a distraction free atmosphere. I agree that the classes (except for Chem and OChem) were worthless, but all of the practice test and material were great. I felt that Kaplan didn't prepare me for bio, so I would study that on my own. If you are a procrastinator that needs a schedule the Kaplan class is worth it... but you can definitely do well on the test by studying on your own.

 

[mut9ya]

All you need is the online practice exams. Don't waste money for the class if you can understand the book.
Good luck.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

Jubi,
Your grades are strong; therefore, the only thing that is holding you back from multiple interviews and acceptances is your low DAT score.

I'm assuming that you have a AA of 14. If that is the case, that means that you only got about 45% of all the questions correct. Whatever method you used to study for this test didn't work.

Also, to move a TS of 14 to 19 requires you to move your percentage of correct answers from 45% to 78%. THAT IS A HUGE JUMP.

Ask yourself this question:
Is it worth paying $2400 to raise your score from 14 to 19?

IMO, it is totally worth it.

For that price, Kaplan will give 15 hours of 1-on-1 tutoring, online materials, 10 3-hour lectures, printed course materials, and 3 full practice tests. The 15 hours of tutoring will make a big difference on your scores.

If you take the materials, the classes, and the tutoring seriously, your scores WILL improve dramatically. This course will also give you a steady pace.

The biggest risk you can take right now is to study on your own hoping to make a massive improvement on your scores, ESPECIALLY on QR and PAT.

$2400 will be about 1% of the total cost of your dental education. But, it can make a difference if you will accepted to d-school.

Good luck

 

[Doctor PJ]

about how many kaplan subject tests do they give in the online course?

 

[musl85]

6 if i recall. Diagnostic, midterm, final, then tests 1-3.

Also do all the subject tests and workshops. Very good practice.

 

[jigabodo]

about how many kaplan subject tests do they give in the online course?

Around 4-6 per subject.

 

[will9631]

Kaplan did wonders for me. I did the 15 hours tutoring (which includes classroom and online for free) and my scores went from 18qr, 18gc, 19 oc, 20 bio, 21 rc, 19 pat, 19 aa, 19 ts in 2006 to 17 qr, 21 oc, 22 gc, 23 bio, 24 pat, 25 rc, 22 aa, 22ts in 2007. It was alot of money, but I felt I needed the tutoring to relearn general chemistry, and to me its just a drop in the bucket in the long run anyway. I know alot of people here recommend topscore and destroyer though, so my personal opinion is to do it all. Anything you can do to increase your DAT's is worth it to me.

 

[dr bojangles]

hey, i would recommend kaplan classroom course. the online one is $100 less, so go that route if you want. the one thing kaplan taught me the best besides refresher on all this undergrad material i didn't have in years was time management. plus, the practice tests really get you comfortable with taking the actual DAT. again, if you pay for it, make the most of it......use all the materials, ask as many questions.
if you want, you can still review with schaum's outlines, destroyer, topscore, other books, etc.
good luck.

 

[musl85]

I think it should also be mentioned, that while the online material is good, it is not enough. Especially for the bio, PAT sections. Get schaums for Bio and Crack the DAT for the PAT. The bio in kaplan is way too basic, and PAT is way too easy.