DAT Reading Section

[zriceman]

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I ve noticed recently that the real DAT Reading require much more in depth knowledge than the simple scanning for keywords and answer technique.

Anyone here who scored reasonable well on Achiever or Topscore RC's (19 and above) but did not do so well on the real test recently?

I ve done the 2 practice RC sections in the Kaplan Blue Book. Is real DAT Reading similar to the ones in Kaplan Blue?

 

[john9192]

I ve noticed recently that the real DAT Reading require much more in depth knowledge than the simple scanning for keywords and answer technique.

Anyone here who scored reasonable well on Achiever or Topscore RC's (19 and above) but did not do so well on the real test recently?

I ve done the 2 practice RC sections in the Kaplan Blue Book. Is real DAT Reading similar to the ones in Kaplan Blue?

I scored 19-21 on my topscore and achiever but ended up getting a 16 on the real one. I would say it is more difficult than those two.

 

[UNR.Grad]

I only used Kaplan, I really liked their method of scanning for and recording keywords and then going back with the questions; I had never used it before but it was very easy to use w/o mush practice. I thought the real thing was easier than Kaplan's practice tests, on Kaplan I would normally get about a 20 and have to guess on the last 5 or so questions because of time, but on the real thing I had a couple minutes to spare and was able to look back on a few hazy questions (I scored a 22). I never did any of the exercises for the reading, just the 4 practice test RC sections for practice. Good luck 🙂

 

[armorshell]

Not sure what Kaplan's "method" is, but if it's the one where you take notes on the reading and then go through and answer all the questions off your notes I'd suggest that you try skipping the note taking step all together and just go headlong straight into answering questions.

This is a particularly easy section, considering they give you all the answers, you just have to find them. I didn't even read the writing samples (just looked for answers in them) when I took my real test and got a 27.

 

[G20t99]

i had enough time to check 95% on my answers on the DAT.

those i did not check were questions concerning overall topics.

i did not practice this section b4 the test, really how could you anyway.

RC:20

 

[Fonz]

Well from my experince I would say don't use the Kaplan method. With the Kaplan methos I would always run out of time. I found that the real thing, at least for me, was much easier and the readings were simple and questions were straight forward. It a lot different and easier taking it on the computer and having a scroll box to see the passage for each question. I got a 25

 

[UNR.Grad]

Take a few practice tests and see whats best for you. Looking back on it now, I think I would have done as well with just looking for the answers in the passage, especially with the science passages.

 

[jigabodo]

Depending on the size of the marker, using the Kaplan method of writing down keywords and summaries maybe difficult if you were given a marker with fat tip. In addition, I found kaplan method pretty useless when it comes to answering tone questions.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[zriceman]

So, question for those had have had recently taken the DAT, is skimming the passage still a better strategy than "actually reading the passage for understanding?"

Recently, I have noticed that lots of test takers complained about increase in tone/inference questions, and I don't see how one can answer these questions by simply skimming the passages.

 

[Regmata]

I pretty much did what armor did and got a 25...

 

[quikag1]

I got at least a 21 on all of my practice tests and only scored a 16 on the exam. On the test I used the kaplan method and flat out ran outta time. I would test what is best for you and im gonna work on a new strategy for my retake. Make sure to take into account what year ppl took their exam bc it looks like this past year was harder than others judging by the scores posted on the board.
good luck😀