DAT question

[Tortue]

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Hi all! I am new to the forum..so...I was wondering if someone could help me with this question: a friend of mine gave me her MCAT 2008 prep books and I was wondering if that is something that could help me prepare for the DAT. Also, at the moment I can't afford paying $1300 for a Kaplan course, so I was wondering if taking a GRE prep course at my local community college would help me with the quantitave part of the test? I appreciate any comments or suggestions on how to prepare for the DAT. I am planning on applying this year.

Thank you

 

[xdianaax]

Moving to DAT Discussions.

 

[dentaldentist]

Hi all! I am new to the forum..so...I was wondering if someone could help me with this question: a friend of mine gave me her MCAT 2008 prep books and I was wondering if that is something that could help me prepare for the DAT. Also, at the moment I can't afford paying $1300 for a Kaplan course, so I was wondering if taking a GRE prep course at my local community college would help me with the quantitave part of the test? I appreciate any comments or suggestions on how to prepare for the DAT. I am planning on applying this year.

Thank you

The MCAT prep books can be helpful, but in some ways the DAT is a very different test. For example, on the MCAT the bio section is passage based, while on the DAT it is more straight forward. Also, the DAT does not have a physics section to the test, but does have a math section and a perceptual ability section (PAT). The MCAT books will help with your studying for the Bio, Chem and OChem sections, but you definitly need to pick up some DAT specific material. I would suggest starting with the Kaplan DAT book - it gives you a lot of the materials you get from the classroom course at 1/20 the cost. Kaplan is a little weak on biology so I would pick up seperate bio review book like Schaum's ouline of bio or Cliff's AP bio - or maybe your MCAT biology materials will be sufficient. To complete your studying I would then get one or more of the following: Topscore DAT (computer practice tests), DAT Achiever (computer practice tests), or DAT Destroyer (practice questions with detailed answers). I'm not sure about taking a GRE practice class to help with the QR section. The DAT QR section is very similar to the math section on the regular GRE, so if you are struggling with math, then I guess take the class. Otherwise, if the QR review material in the kaplan book isn't good enough for you, then pick up a seperate GRE math book. Anyway, I hope this info helps - I put some links to these items below. Good luck.

Kaplan DAT book
Schaum's outline of biology
Topscore DAT
DAT Achiever
DAT Destroyer

 

[Tortue]

Hi Dentaldentist! Thank you very much for your reply. I have another question if you don't mind...Do these books cover the PAT section too? or what is the best way to prepare for it. I've heard is really hard.

Thanks

The MCAT prep books can be helpful, but in some ways the DAT is a very different test. For example, on the MCAT the bio section is passage based, while on the DAT it is more straight forward. Also, the DAT does not have a physics section to the test, but does have a math section and a perceptual ability section (PAT). The MCAT books will help with your studying for the Bio, Chem and OChem sections, but you definitly need to pick up some DAT specific material. I would suggest starting with the Kaplan DAT book - it gives you a lot of the materials you get from the classroom course at 1/20 the cost. Kaplan is a little weak on biology so I would pick up seperate bio review book like Schaum's ouline of bio or Cliff's AP bio - or maybe your MCAT biology materials will be sufficient. To complete your studying I would then get one or more of the following: Topscore DAT (computer practice tests), DAT Achiever (computer practice tests), or DAT Destroyer (practice questions with detailed answers). I'm not sure about taking a GRE practice class to help with the QR section. The DAT QR section is very similar to the math section on the regular GRE, so if you are struggling with math, then I guess take the class. Otherwise, if the QR review material in the kaplan book isn't good enough for you, then pick up a seperate GRE math book. Anyway, I hope this info helps - I put some links to these items below. Good luck.

Kaplan DAT book
Schaum's outline of biology
Topscore DAT
DAT Achiever
DAT Destroyer

 

[jigabodo]

Hi Dentaldentist! Thank you very much for your reply. I have another question if you don't mind...Do these books cover the PAT section too? or what is the best way to prepare for it. I've heard is really hard.

Thanks

Only TS and Achiever have sameple PAT questions out of the ones you mentioned. I think the best way to prepare for PAT is to get as much practice as possible. Look into Crack the DAT for additional PAT problems.

 

[dentaldentist]

Hi Dentaldentist! Thank you very much for your reply. I have another question if you don't mind...Do these books cover the PAT section too? or what is the best way to prepare for it. I've heard is really hard.

Thanks

Kaplan covers the PAT, although it is basic and their practice problems are much easier than the real thing. Topscore and Achiever both have practice problems that are pretty true to the real test. Another book that has some good help for the PAT section is Barron's DAT guide - overall the book is not helpful for the other sections of the DAT, but it is great for the PAT section alone. For some people, the PAT section comes naturally and they can figure out the problems quickly, while for others it is really difficult.