DAT- Please Help

[Dental407]

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Hello everyone, I was hoping to get some advise from anyone. I submitted my application for the 2007-2008 cycle early and my application has been received by all the schools I applied to along with all my secondary applications.
I originally was going to take the DAT next week, but after taking practice exams, I feel that I could use some extra time studying for the science sections and I feel that I can truly benefit from using Destroyer. Rather than taking the test next week and getting a score that I am not happy with, I feel that it would be better to postpone my test by a few weeks despite the fact that it will be in October. Rather than taking a test and not feeling ready, and waiting for 90 days for a retake, I feel that it will be better to take the extra weeks to study even if I am late. I am happy with my scores in the other sections, so I figured I should take an extra few weeks to focus on my science weaknesses. I was just wondering what anyone thought about this? I figure having a score arrive later that is better would be overall better than calling dental schools and letting them know I need a retake, let alone a retake in late December? Any comments?

I know taking the DAT that late in the application process is not an ideal situation, but I was just wondering if anyone from previous application cycles was in a similar situation as me and still receieved an interview/acceptance? I have really strong EC's, work and research experience (hopefully this will help).



Thanks in advance for any help/comments that you can offer through this thread or a message. I appreciate your time.

 

[Altimeter88]

I have been studying since August but not heavily until about 4 weeks ago, since then it has been at least 12hrs/day 7 days a week and my test is scheduled for Oct. 1. That was pushing it as far out as I could in hopes I will still be OK for this cycle. I would love to have 2 more weeks (or months actually) at this study rate I am at now but I think pushing it out to the end of Oct. is too late, at least for me. Keep in mind interviews start in October for a lot of schools and most places unless you have some sort of connection will not look at your application until they get "official" DAT scores from the ADA, which I think is a week or two at least. Some will allow a faxed copy but some will not.

There are people however that take the DAT in the middle of Oct. and get in, generally the odds are against you though. You need to look at your application strength, the schools you are applying to, and if you have connections anywhere.

Also consider how much you can realistically improve in two weeks, only you can make that decision.

If I don't do well on Oct. 1, I will just plan to retake as soon as possible (90 days) but acknowledge that barring an act of God, I will be getting ready for the 2009 cycle.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

The decision to postpone your DAT test should depend on your practice test scores. Because the science ave is the most important score on the DAT for some schools, that number should be as high as possible. Therefore, if you are already scoring 19 or above on science, and the rest of your numbers look good (gpa, PAT, AA, etc), then go take the test. Raising the science score from 19 to 21 may be a stretch goal in just two weeks, but only you know what your capabilities are.

On the other hand, if you are consistently getting 15's and 16's on science, then definitely give yourself another two weeks and do everything you can to try to hit at least a 19. Jumping from 15 to 18-19 is very obtainable in two weeks if you're committed.