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- Aug 7, 2011
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So I took the DAT last year and got these scores:
PAT - 25
QR - 16
RC - 18
BIO - 18
GC - 23
OC - 20
TS - 20
AA - 19
I retook today and scored:
PAT - 23 (-2)
QR - 21 (+5)
RC - 20 (+2)
BIO - 20 (+2)
GC - 17 (-6)
OC - 22 (+2)
TS - 20 (same)
AA - 20 (+1)
Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with my scores. Obviously I'm really disappointed in my Gen Chem score. I'm not sure what happened there. Do y'all think schools will consider my previous score (23) when looking at my file? I'd HATE to have to take this test again because of one section. Anyway, I studied for about 2 months straight so it's nice to finally be done. I want to thank the SDN community for all the tips and advice I've gotten. I'll try to return the favor by telling you what methods and materials I used to study.
BREAKDOWN
The main resources I used were Destroyer, Math Destroyer, CDP, DAT Qvault, DAT Bootcamp, and Chad's Videos.
PAT (23)
I'm just naturally pretty good at this. It was the only section I wasn't really nervous for. I almost exclusively used CDP (Crack the DAT PAT - I used the 10 test version). It's hands down the best resource. I also used DAT Qvault to a much lesser extent. I thought Qvault was pretty good, but if you're only using one thing, definitely use CDP.
QR (21)
I was really proud myself for pulling this up 5 points. I used Math Destroyer this time and I think it made a big difference. If nothing else it increases your speed, which is vital if you're like me and struggle finishing in time. I finished the section today with 10 minutes left! I was able to review all my answers and actually made a few corrections. I think the timing is everything on this part.
RC (20)
I only used Qvault for RC. I feel like most people don't even study for this part. I only took a few practice tests the week before to get my timing down. Like the math, RC is all about speed. My passages weren't too bad. Two science and one non-science, maybe 15-17 paragraphs on average. I managed to finish with about 5 minutes left.
BIO (20)
This section is frustrating because it's so broad. I don't think I had any rediculously random questions. I did have a Taxonomy question that I had to guess on (which is frustrating because I studied a good bit for that). Anyway, It's been said that KBB is a good place to start for Biology. But I remembered a lot from studying last year and from my college classes, so went straight to Destroyer. It's great for showing your weaknesses. I'd always do 10 or 20 questions, see what I missed (or what I guessed on), and make flashcard. After finishing Destroyer, I started Qvault and Bootcamp. It was nice to be answering questions on a computer screen (since that's how you take the real thing). I liked both programs.
GC (17)
I'm sick over this. I don't understand how I did so poorly. I'm actually a Chemistry TA at my school so I felt confident going in. The worst I did on Bootcamp and Qvault was a 19. I asked earlier in the post, but does anyone know if schools consider multiple scores? I went from 23 to 17 in this section so maybe they'll average the two or something?? I'd really hate to have to retake.
Anyway, Chad's Videos were fantastic. Hands down the best resource. I took Chem in college and work as a TA and I still learned things from his lectures. Destroyer was good for showing weaknesses. Qvault and Bootcamp were also really useful.
OC (22)
I'm a bit disappointed with this score, even though I pulled it up 2 points from last time. I was consistently scoring 24-26 on Qvault and Bootcamp. First place, again, goes to Chad. I made A's in my OChem classes, but still learned things from Chad's lectures. I had 2 Lab Technique questions on my test and knew the answers just from watching Chad. Destroyer is also great. I had a few questions that seemed to come straight from there. Qvault and Bootcamp were also good resources.
So that's it. I hope this is helpful to people. Let me know what y'all think about my scores! Do need to retake due to the low GC?? I'm applying this cycle and my top school is MUSC. Will they look at my previous attempt? I'd really appreciate some feedback!
PAT - 25
QR - 16
RC - 18
BIO - 18
GC - 23
OC - 20
TS - 20
AA - 19
I retook today and scored:
PAT - 23 (-2)
QR - 21 (+5)
RC - 20 (+2)
BIO - 20 (+2)
GC - 17 (-6)
OC - 22 (+2)
TS - 20 (same)
AA - 20 (+1)
Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with my scores. Obviously I'm really disappointed in my Gen Chem score. I'm not sure what happened there. Do y'all think schools will consider my previous score (23) when looking at my file? I'd HATE to have to take this test again because of one section. Anyway, I studied for about 2 months straight so it's nice to finally be done. I want to thank the SDN community for all the tips and advice I've gotten. I'll try to return the favor by telling you what methods and materials I used to study.
BREAKDOWN
The main resources I used were Destroyer, Math Destroyer, CDP, DAT Qvault, DAT Bootcamp, and Chad's Videos.
PAT (23)
I'm just naturally pretty good at this. It was the only section I wasn't really nervous for. I almost exclusively used CDP (Crack the DAT PAT - I used the 10 test version). It's hands down the best resource. I also used DAT Qvault to a much lesser extent. I thought Qvault was pretty good, but if you're only using one thing, definitely use CDP.
QR (21)
I was really proud myself for pulling this up 5 points. I used Math Destroyer this time and I think it made a big difference. If nothing else it increases your speed, which is vital if you're like me and struggle finishing in time. I finished the section today with 10 minutes left! I was able to review all my answers and actually made a few corrections. I think the timing is everything on this part.
RC (20)
I only used Qvault for RC. I feel like most people don't even study for this part. I only took a few practice tests the week before to get my timing down. Like the math, RC is all about speed. My passages weren't too bad. Two science and one non-science, maybe 15-17 paragraphs on average. I managed to finish with about 5 minutes left.
BIO (20)
This section is frustrating because it's so broad. I don't think I had any rediculously random questions. I did have a Taxonomy question that I had to guess on (which is frustrating because I studied a good bit for that). Anyway, It's been said that KBB is a good place to start for Biology. But I remembered a lot from studying last year and from my college classes, so went straight to Destroyer. It's great for showing your weaknesses. I'd always do 10 or 20 questions, see what I missed (or what I guessed on), and make flashcard. After finishing Destroyer, I started Qvault and Bootcamp. It was nice to be answering questions on a computer screen (since that's how you take the real thing). I liked both programs.
GC (17)
I'm sick over this. I don't understand how I did so poorly. I'm actually a Chemistry TA at my school so I felt confident going in. The worst I did on Bootcamp and Qvault was a 19. I asked earlier in the post, but does anyone know if schools consider multiple scores? I went from 23 to 17 in this section so maybe they'll average the two or something?? I'd really hate to have to retake.
Anyway, Chad's Videos were fantastic. Hands down the best resource. I took Chem in college and work as a TA and I still learned things from his lectures. Destroyer was good for showing weaknesses. Qvault and Bootcamp were also really useful.
OC (22)
I'm a bit disappointed with this score, even though I pulled it up 2 points from last time. I was consistently scoring 24-26 on Qvault and Bootcamp. First place, again, goes to Chad. I made A's in my OChem classes, but still learned things from Chad's lectures. I had 2 Lab Technique questions on my test and knew the answers just from watching Chad. Destroyer is also great. I had a few questions that seemed to come straight from there. Qvault and Bootcamp were also good resources.
So that's it. I hope this is helpful to people. Let me know what y'all think about my scores! Do need to retake due to the low GC?? I'm applying this cycle and my top school is MUSC. Will they look at my previous attempt? I'd really appreciate some feedback!
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