DAT Material

[dentluv1]

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Hello everyone,

I have bugged many of you on here, seeking advice.. but please help me out one last time (hopefully).

I’m getting ready to take the DAT for the 3rd time (I know, I suck)..
In the previous years, I’ve watched Chad, done datbootcamp, read APcliff and Feralis notes. I have the destroyer but I honestly have avoided it as much as possible which is not a good idea and I’m aware of that.
Any advice on what else I should use to conquer the DAT for the 3rd and LAST time? I’m honestly terrified but I can’t mess up this time. Timing was a big concern on my exam day, and I just kept 2nd questing myself.

Please give me all the advice, because I clearly need it.

Thank you all so very much.

 

[dentluv1]

Any good practice websites? I’m going to use the datdestroyer 2016 edition but are there any other good ones out there? I think not practicing enough was also another big failure on my part.

 

[testtest123]

What were your previous scores?

If they are consistently low, the problem isn't the material or how its presented, but issue is likely the method of studying. Take more time on making flashcards, writing notes, or whatever. Make sure to spend 4-8 hours a day over a couple months to really hammer everything home.

Be able to knock out Gchem/Ochem questions consistently. Read scientific articles to maintain good reading techniques.

The real difference comes down to when you are feeling exhausted and mentally drained. Make sure to stick to whatever plan you have. Plan out your study for the next couple months extensively so you are able to absorb all the relevant material in a timely manner.

 

[dentluv1]

What were your previous scores?

If they are consistently low, the problem isn't the material or how its presented, but issue is likely the method of studying. Take more time on making flashcards, writing notes, or whatever. Make sure to spend 4-8 hours a day over a couple months to really hammer everything home.

Be able to knock out Gchem/Ochem questions consistently. Read scientific articles to maintain good reading techniques.

The real difference comes down to when you are feeling exhausted and mentally drained. Make sure to stick to whatever plan you have. Plan out your study for the next couple months extensively so you are able to absorb all the relevant material in a timely manner.

I got 17AA first time and 16AA the second time 🙁

Do you think I would be able to do it in 2 months? I’m supposed to take it by Jan 15th but I’m afraid I won’t be able to

 

[Don Kim]

Honestly you have all the resources you need to do well. Do you think you study better under direct guidance? If so, then maybe enrolling in a DAT course might not be a bad idea. Don't be bogged down by your previous history, and just start fresh with a plan and stick to it. I've seen people turn it around big time, so I'm sure you can do it too. Since its your third time taking it, its obviously very very important to you. So make DAT your top focus/priority in life for the next 2 months, buckle down, and just work like hell. Whenever you lose motivation, just think about the 2 times you failed, and think about how terrible it would be if you fail for the 3rd time. Good luck!

 

[dentluv1]

Honestly you have all the resources you need to do well. Do you think you study better under direct guidance? If so, then maybe enrolling in a DAT course might not be a bad idea. Don't be bogged down by your previous history, and just start fresh with a plan and stick to it. I've seen people turn it around big time, so I'm sure you can do it too. Since its your third time taking it, its obviously very very important to you. So make DAT your top focus/priority in life for the next 2 months, buckle down, and just work like hell. Whenever you lose motivation, just think about the 2 times you failed, and think about how terrible it would be if you fail for the 3rd time. Good luck!

I think it was just not practicing enough. I just kept reviewing but not using it which is ironic because I learn the best by practicing. And I also didn’t have a good schedule.
Thank you so much for the encouragement 🙂

 

[jttzz112]

I think it was just not practicing enough. I just kept reviewing but not using it which is ironic because I learn the best by practicing. And I also didn’t have a good schedule.
Thank you so much for the encouragement 🙂

For me personally Bootcamp, destroyer, and feralis are must haves. A study method that has helped me was really asking myself if I understood the concept/topic rather than memorize a specific problem or question. The DAT can really be broken down into certain types of problems and just make sure you actually understand them!

 

[MLC45]

I got 17AA first time and 16AA the second time 🙁

Do you think I would be able to do it in 2 months? I’m supposed to take it by Jan 15th but I’m afraid I won’t be able to

Have you taken all of the prerequisites yet? Or taken them a long time ago? I got a 17AA because I either hadn’t taken Ochem yet and another time because I had biology years earlier. If that’s the case you may need to either retake the class or get a tutor to help refresh your memory.

 

[Medin2017]

Have you taken all of the prerequisites yet? Or taken them a long time ago? I got a 17AA because I either hadn’t taken Ochem yet and another time because I had biology years earlier. If that’s the case you may need to either retake the class or get a tutor to help refresh your memory.

Even without prereqs chad + destroyer + ap clifs (not even feralis) is enough for a 21 minimum after a month or 2 unless you're just "reviewing" without any active learning at all

 

[MLC45]

Even without prereqs chad + destroyer + ap clifs (not even feralis) is enough for a 21 minimum after a month or 2 unless you're just "reviewing" without any active learning at all

For some yes, but not for all. I can read something over and over again, but I learn things better by having someone teach and explain it to me. This person may be the same way.

 

[dentluv1]

For some yes, but not for all. I can read something over and over again, but I learn things better by having someone teach and explain it to me. This person may be the same way.

No. It hasn’t been that long. I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of all of the material in sciences. If you ask me anything right now, I’d be able to tell you the answer. As I mentioned, I didn’t practice enough at all the 2nd time around which is why my scores dropped.
Thank you for the feedback 🙂

 

[Medin2017]

For some yes, but not for all. I can read something over and over again, but I learn things better by having someone teach and explain it to me. This person may be the same way.

Active learning is still essential. I can learn by having someone teaching to me or rereading, but it's pretty much been proven it's more efficient to test yourself through teaching to others, drawing out pathways, doing practice problems, and making/running through flash cards. There are some geniuses in this world that can read things twice and understand it, but for 99% of the population the above things I mentioned are enough to easily get you into dental school and excel there (not to mention top students at medical schools use those same methods).

 

[mapetite]

I studied for one month and was happy with my score. I think the key is taking tons of practice tests and thoroughly reviewing them. The destroyer books helped me A LOT. not sure why you're avoiding them. I basically followed this study schedule with a few tweaks.
Good luck!

 

[dentluv1]

Thank you all for the reply.
Does anyone suggest Qvault?
I am going to repurchase datbootcamp but I feel like I need another source to practice with since I kinda am familiar with all datbootcamp questions at this point?

 

[sobertiger]

Thank you all for the reply.
Does anyone suggest Qvault?
I am going to repurchase datbootcamp but I feel like I need another source to practice with since I kinda am familiar with all datbootcamp questions at this point?

I recommend Qvault. I didn't use it personally but if I were to take the DAT again that is one thing I would do on top of what I did. For tests like the DAT, honing test-taking skills is as important as learning the material. You need to practice in a timed, simulated environment again and again until you feel comfortable. DAT Bootcamp is great for this, but it has a limited number of questions and you're already so familiar with them so Qvault would be perfect for you.

 

[dentluv1]

I recommend Qvault. I didn't use it personally but if I were to take the DAT again that is one thing I would do on top of what I did. For tests like the DAT, honing test-taking skills is as important as learning the material. You need to practice in a timed, simulated environment again and again until you feel comfortable. DAT Bootcamp is great for this, but it has a limited number of questions and you're already so familiar with them so Qvault would be perfect for you.

Do you think I should purchase all sections of QVAULT?

 

[sobertiger]

Do you think I should purchase all sections of QVAULT?

I don't know which sections you need to work on so I'm not sure, but one can always use more practice, and purchasing everything is the best deal.

Just be sure to make use of it.