DAT results in....07/20/2005

[Generallee]

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Hello fellow SDNers,

Well, I suddenly find myself with alot of time on my hand for the next month or so until Fall semester. I'm happy it's over with. Overall, I'm content with my scores however with so many SDNer's getting 20's and above, I feel a little incompetent. Anyways, here is what I did to prepare and the scores I got.

Preparation:

Studied for about a month and a half straight. About 5+ hours a day. I used Kaplan review book, GRE Biology, Kaplan subject tests, Topscore, KSF review, and the Kaplan CD.

DAT Scores:

Perceptual Ability: 18
Quantitative Reasoning: 15 (oops) 😳
Reading Comprehension: 19
Biology: 18
General Chemistry: 21
Organic Chemistry: 19
Total Science: 19
Academic Average: 18 (This hurts alittle because it is actually 18.4, which if I got 18.5, it would have been a 19 since they round to the nearest whole #)

Thoughts:

PAT: I don't know what to think. It was lower than what I was getting on Topscore. I was getting low 20's on Topscore. I actually skipped all the way to the angle ranking section. This section was tough even with the "paper" ruler. I don't see how anyone can do this without it. Same with hole punching....it made my life ALOT easier using a square piece of paper to actually fold the patterns. The cube counting is the easiest IMO. I thought the pattern folding was fair. The key hole was fair as well. Top Front End were difficult. Overall, expect 2-3 points lower than Topscore...just like everyone says.

QR: I didn't study for this section except for 1 day. This was a big mistake because if I would have gone just 1 more point higher, I could have had a 19 AA instead of an 18 AA. I knew it would come bite me later. I was surprised how straight forward the questions were. They all looked familiar and easy to do but I quickly ran out of time and had to guess on the last 5 questions. If you put any time and effort into this section, you'll do fine. It's unfortunate I didn't take advantage of this section. Oh well....

RC: This was definitely tougher than Topscore. I don't even remember what topics I had because I used the method where I look at the questions first and then try and find the answer. I used this method for Topscore and worked great. I got above 20's on Topscore. I don't see how anyone could read the whole passage and then answer the questions. Time goes really fast.

Biology: Just like everyone says, this was tougher than any Kaplan material. I knew the Kaplan stuff in/out. However, there still were at least 10 questions that were like.....WHAT??? I did have the sea urchin question and was like WHAT??? I would suggest using another source for this section. I scored the same on Topscore as I did on the real thing. I was getting 18s and 19s on Topscore.

Gen Chem: Again, just like everyone says, this was MUCH easier than any Kaplan subject tests or even Topscore. It was really easy calculations and very straight forward questions. Kaplan review book is all you need. It's funny because I was really really worried about this section because I felt least prepared for this section and it was my best... Shows you that it is no lie....this is really straight forward.

Org Chem: Again, just like everyone says, this was MUCH easier than any Kaplan subject test or Topscore. Very straight forward questions and you can easily pick the right answer from the choices. I'm actually surprised I didn't break a 20 in this section. On Topscore I was getting 17s and 18s.

Overall, I wished I would have done better but hey, I'm satisfied with my scores and don't think I will retake it (too much stress!!). I've gained much respect for those who pulled out 20s or above across the board. I hope I am still competitive enough to gain admission to at least one of my choices: UW, UOP, Arizona, Ohio State, CWR, UMich, UMaryland, Temple, UPitt, Tufts, and Boston U.

 

[786mine]

you've scores are average. does that mean you are out of the game, no. it will prob get you an interview. be strong and confident. you will hopefully get in. i will be taking the DAT in a few weeks time myself. thanks for the detailed analysis.

 

[ddsnp]

you're done. enjoy and celebrate!

 

[Lostinbul]

Congrats on being done! As far as your scores go, you did good! QR is a good section to bomb if your going to bomb a section because most schools don't place as much emphasis on that section. 18 is not average, but I don't need to tell you that, just look at your percentile and you'll see that in most of your sections you were above average which is a great place to be. Hang in there and good luck.

 

[tiny2533]

I have pretty much the same scores you have even a 15 on QR which sucks but hey what can you do now. Nice job and I hope you get into the schools of your choice. You should get in somewhere. Also since your a wa resident like I am what do you think your chances of getting into UW are? I know its a stretch but its worth a try dont you think.

 

[mochafreak]

Relax, it's over...(wish I could say the same). Your scores are the average scores that you see posted for about every dental school in the country, that can't be a bad thing...SDN certainly doesn't represent the average score. Have fun with the rest of your summer and start going over all those generic interview questions in your head.

 

[I AM SARA]

you've scores are average. does that mean you are out of the game, no. it will prob get you an interview. be strong and confident. you will hopefully get in. i will be taking the DAT in a few weeks time myself. thanks for the detailed analysis.

Its so funny to me when I read peoples replies:

you will prob get an interview?

Thats hilarious. like they even know.

You dont even know what state this guy is in. Some interview all in-state candidates.

People please quit being 'know it alls' when you dont know all the facts.

 

[Darby_O'Gill]

Its so funny to me when I read peoples replies:

you will prob get an interview?

Thats hilarious. like they even know.

You dont even know what state this guy is in. Some interview all in-state candidates.

People please quit being 'know it alls' when you dont know all the facts.

👍

 

[Generallee]

I have pretty much the same scores you have even a 15 on QR which sucks but hey what can you do now. Nice job and I hope you get into the schools of your choice. You should get in somewhere. Also since your a wa resident like I am what do you think your chances of getting into UW are? I know its a stretch but its worth a try dont you think.

Well, honestly, my chances at UW are zero in my books. (Which is too bad because I love Seattle and can't wait to get back) You still have a chance because of your high GPA. Unless, they look at just my last three years of college courses (3.75 gpa), I don't have a chance. I screwed up my first year of college and am suffering from it now. I moved to Ohio last year and kept all my residency status for UW so I could apply there as my #1 choice. However, since my DAT scores are just about average for most private schools, I'll have to look into them instead. Also, I'm quickly changing my residency status to Ohio since now I've lived here over a year. So, now I might have a chance at Ohio State. IMO, If you really want to go to UW, you have a okay chance. But, it would be a great chance if you retook your DATs and got in the 20s. I know....I don't want to take it again either....So, I'm not!!! 😀 You should have no problem getting in somewhere. Good luck to you!