DAT Prep questions - Can't think of an interesting title

[ushaseos]

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Hi Everyone,

This is probably a question you SDN familiars have all seen a million times but I might as well ask again and hope for an answer.

I was pre-med until I shadowed several doctors at UCSF and decided the life-style isn't to my liking and found Dental to be a great alternative...so I have a LOT of MCAT books (Exam Krackers, 1001 series, Gold Standard, Osmosis etc. etc. etc.) should I still pick up DAT Destroyer?

I am going to pick up the Blue Book, Top Score, Crack the DAT PAT for sure since they will help me with the practice tests portion, but with all these really good (read expensive) MCAT material can I justify spending what little money a college grad like me has on shiny DAT Books? I have about 3 months before I take the exam and I think even if I bought more stuff I'd be inundated.

In any case let me know what you guys think. Also are there any other "MUST-HAVEs" that I am unaware of?

Thanks in advance for your replies!

P.S. I do know the DAT has no Physics portion so I'll just skip the MCAT physics review stuff and I might pick up the Math Destroyer if I feel it is necessary.

 

[ushaseos]

No suggestions for a newbie?

 

[Kahr]

Considering Destroyer is geared towards the DAT, and is chock full of only practice problems, I'd definitely get it. If you feel you need the extra practice, then get math destroyer as well.

On the other hand, I wouldn't bother getting KBB at all. I got much more out of Cliff's and Barron's AP bio, Khan academy, and my bio textbook for the bio section -- I didn't buy Barron's, just read it at Barnes and noble (which you could do with KBB too if you wanted to, at least for RC/PAT/practice test), and my bio text I bought for like $15. For chem I used Chad's, after which I did the chem problems in Destroyer and found them very manageable. The PAT section in KBB is pretty pitiful, I think Crack PAT is more than enough by itself, not to mention you'll be doing Topscore as well. I haven't started orgo studying yet, but I have the 2nd language books (used these during the classes, very helpful), and Chad's videos, as well as destroyer for that.

If you forgo getting Destroyer because of cost, then I'd still recommend doing something DAT directed, like Chad's videos, then just make notes, and practice the problems available to you in your MCAT stuff. So bare minimum: Chad's videos+bio material+practice tests(topscore, ADA, etc).

In the end, what I think most people would say is: if you cheap out on your resources now, you could pay a heavier price later if you end up having to retake the exam.

 

[Phish]

I would definitely get the Destroyer. Personally I can say that it played the most significant role in my DAT prep, and also my DAT score. If price is an issue, it is possible to buy it, not write in it, and sell it on SDN which would probably get a good chunk of your money back.

 

[ushaseos]

You guys are 100% right. Price shouldn't be an issue because one ruined DAT attempt is going to be very stressful and another 190 gone. Might as well give Romano the benefit of the doubt. I have been searching the forums and pretty much everyone thinks Destoryer is a must so I am going to pick it up for sure.

As for the individual subjects review. I have Berkeley Review, Exam Krackers, Gold Standard, Kaplan MCAT books, Osmosis, Silver bullet etc. etc. etc. so I am going to run through all of that then decide if I need any more review. Destroyer, TS, Achiever and Kaplan Subject tests will be my main practice. Enough planning for now, time for action.

Thank you again for your responses though, I sincerely appreciate the help!