DAT PAT - Please help!!!

[dentaldreams2021]

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Hey everyone,

I've been using Bootcamp for the PAT and thus far the Top Front End section is slaying me. By far, it's my worst section on the PAT.

I took the Kaplan course before and for Top Front End they really emphasized the line counting method (if you guys know what I'm talking about. However, the Bootcamp PAT practice test questions can't be solved using the line counting strategy. It's confusing because the Bootcamp Top Front End generators can be solved using line counting but the practice tests cannot. Can any recent test takers give me advice? Is it true that line counting can't be used anymore? Bootcamp said the following about line counting:

"The line counting method was a popular strategy that worked well on past versions of the DAT for the Top Front End section. However, the DAT has caught on and now makes many of their problems line-counting “proof”.

Currently, the best way to beat the Top Front End section is to just visualize the 3D object. I know, nothing revolutionary. You don’t have to visualize the entire 3D object though, you only have to visualize a part of the question and compare it to the answer choices. Eliminate answer choices that don’t match. Rinse and repeat until only the correct answer remains. With practice you’ll slowly start to understand how to envision the 2D images into 3D shapes."

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I'm having a lot of trouble with Top Front End so if anyone could give their input/recent experience/tips it would be great! Thanks!

 

[Dmitry]

Look at my other post in the reply to KristenD77. The current method you've found is the only way to do way on this section. DAT Achiever has very good solutions set for the TFE, some with 2D to 3D viewer, some with stand alone models, and some with transparent figures that you could actually see the hidden lines as you rotate the models.

 

[Denizen]

I am in the same boat as you; I was using the TFE visualizer on DBC and just started counting and comparing the lines. The first time I did a full-length PAT test, though, I was out of luck. I have had to revise my strategy. I don't have any great advice yet, I'm still working on it, but I think trying to get good at flipping between the three views mentally and then checking to see what should be dotted lines and what should be solid lines works. It's tough to explain. I still use the TFE visualizer but I just refrain from ever counting lines now. The subject-specific practice section gives good questions that can't be "cheated" on.