Almost exactly one year ago I took the dat with what I thought was a reasonable amount of prep of 6ish weeks of BC, destroyer, cliffs, etc. I was disappointed with my scores of bio/gc/oc/rc/qr/Pat 20/19/15/23/18/20 but I applied to my 3 top schools anyway despite the shockingly low oc score. After I was only waitlisted last cycle, I started to prepare to retake the test at the middle of May using basically the same materials.
This time around definitely seemed to cement more but there was still a lot of worry leading up to it. I focused on the sciences, with minimal PAT prep and almost no QR prep. Last night I took a BC QR with a score of 17 and had taken a BC PAT earlier this week with a score of 19 but figured I was prepared enough as long as I kept drilling the sciences. I was consistently getting 19-20s on bio, gc, and orgo on BC and qvualt bio but not any higher except for one 23 oc practice test last night.
Anyway, I just got out and couldn't be happier with my scores!
21 bio, 21 gc, 26 (!!!) oc, 21 pat, 21 RC, 20 qr
During the test I felt pretty good, but certainly not expecting a 26 in orgo. I'll post a more detailed breakdown later but am so ecstatic with my scores! Sdn was a huge help with my prep so super happy it paid off!
Breakdown:
Graduated with my bachelors in 2015 with a degree in Biotech - pretty heavy bio/chem background but hadn't taken GC/orgo since 2011-2012. Although I took the DAT a year ago, I started studying this time around from scratch essentially. A lot of it was repetitive however as I had already watched all of Chad's videos, read Cliff's bio/Feralis notes, and done the first 4 practice tests of BC (very happy there were 6 new tests on each science section so I started with those as I hadn't seen any of the questions yet) I studied from the end of May until the second week of July but had plenty of days/weekends off (probably more than I should have, haha). I was working about 20 hours a week and went away for the 4th of July weekend/random days away so on average spent about 6 hours, 5 days/week studying.
Biology: (20 Qvualt/BC average; 21 on 2017 DAT; 20 2016 DAT)
Prep: Ferali's notes were essentially the main source of my studying. I spent about 2 weeks retyping and condensing his notes into a ~25 page document. Read through Cliff's for clarification. After I did that, I started taking practice BC tests starting from test 10 and working my way to test 1. When I would get bored with BC, I would also take Qvualt bio tests. For every wrong question (or a question that I got right, but sort of guessed on/didn't know anything about the other question options) I would google up information on it/watch youtube videos on any processes related to it then fill out my Ferali document with any supplemental information/make a flash card of it. Also the last week I did about 100 bio destroyer questions. Any time a question popped up that I wasn't clear on, even if I could get the right answer, I would research more information on that topic. The first 4 weeks were essentially assembling the information, and the last 2 weeks were taking many practice tests and studying every single wrong question. I started out with 19s on my practice tests, and ended with 20/21s and a few 22s the last three days before the test.
Ferali's/Cliffs are perfect for a general bio outline, BC/Qvualt were great for practice and for highlighting weak areas, destroyer was good for random facts. Youtube is your friend!
Test: The bio section basically felt just like any other Qvualt/BC test with perhaps a few more easier questions. I was quite happy with my bio score because it really could go either way since there are so many possible questions on it. There were maybe 3-5 questions that I wasn't completely confident in my answer but taxonomy was pretty light thankfully and were mostly general knowledge focused.
GC/OC: (20 BC average; 21/26 on 2017 DAT; 19/15 on 2016 DAT)
I first spent about 2 weeks watching all of Chad's videos for a second time. I didn't do any of his questions, but then spent the next 2 weeks or so doing all of BC Mike's quizzes and associated answer videos and only a few of the regular videos on reactions or calculations I had difficulty with. I then did about 150 Destroyer questions and made up flash cards of important formulas and OC reactions. I actually did really well in orgo during my undergrad, so I do think my 15 oc score last year was some strange fluke. The DAT just asks different questions than a what a college course focuses on I guess so I adjusted accordingly this time around for studying by truly understanding most acidic Hs on a molecule, correct intermediates, nomenclature, etc.
Test: GC was an easy section, definitely easier than any BC test so I'm honestly surprised I didn't get a higher score - it may be scaled differently because of the easiness. Simple calculations and I never once wished I had a calculator as anything more complicated than 0.1*0.1 dilutions was answered just as an equation structure with no math needed.
OC was also easier than any BC test and actually had an almost identical Destroyer question that I recognized. (Know your Dieckmann condensation product because the only place I've seen it referenced in my studies was in destroyer!) I probably got 2 questions wrong which earned me the 26 score which I'm very happy with after a 15 last time! Know which reactions are syn/anti addition as I had several questions with varied stereo configuration product options and felt like I must have had some lucky guesses.
PAT: (2 BC tests - 19 & 17, last year I studied more for the PAT and was consistently getting 19-20s; 21 on 2017 DAT; 20 on 2016 DAT)
Did some BC generators with angles and hole punching as they were my weakest areas. Took one practice BC a few weeks ago and got a 19, took another practice test a few days before my test and got a 17. Basically didn't do anymore than that as I was more concerned about the sciences.
Test: It was basically the same as BC with angles slightly easier. Some of the hole punches were pretty complicated (my least favorite type of question), but the keyholes/TFE/cube counting were fun and straightforward. I'm super happy with this score because I really didn't study for this section! I definitely feel like it's one section where once you "get" it, you won't lose your skills on it.
RC: (One 21 BC test; 21 on 2017 DAT; 23 on 2016 DAT)
I'm a very good reader and had many other things to worry than reading so did zero prep other than the one practice test.
Test: This is the score I'm most disappointed on as I know I have the potential to get in the mid 20s for it. Not really sure how many I got wrong but I felt decent on it as I was doing it although I was going slightly crossed eyed after staring a computer screen for 3 hours at that point. Wish I had gotten another 23 like last time, but at least a 21 isn't a horrible score.
QR: (One 17 BC test; 20 on 2017 DAT; 18 on 2016 DAT)
I generally dislike math and hadn't taken math like this since high school as I only took calc during college. I was dreading this section, but comforted myself with the fact that I did pretty decently last year with not a ton of prep either, and that it's the least important section. Did a little BC math and definitely appreciated that they had a good selection of questions in the new QR style.
Test: Honestly, I probably did better this time because they changed this section to have these new types of GRE-esque questions. I'm pretty good at estimating answers and figuring out those types of word problems so very happy I had a good portion of those questions. I can't remember having any annoying trig question which was also very nice!
Summary: Bootcamp is a MUST! It's amazing and incredibly useful for identifying weak areas and cementing core knowledge. I believe all subjects in Bootcamp/Qvualt bio have slightly harder questions and definitely a more strict scoring scale. Destroyer is a must for GC/OC questions as the more you do it, the easier and quicker it will be on the test. I didn't even finish halfway through the questions, but they still were a big help.
Overall, quite satisfied with my scores and hope it's enough to get into Tufts/BU/UNE as those are my top choices!
This time around definitely seemed to cement more but there was still a lot of worry leading up to it. I focused on the sciences, with minimal PAT prep and almost no QR prep. Last night I took a BC QR with a score of 17 and had taken a BC PAT earlier this week with a score of 19 but figured I was prepared enough as long as I kept drilling the sciences. I was consistently getting 19-20s on bio, gc, and orgo on BC and qvualt bio but not any higher except for one 23 oc practice test last night.
Anyway, I just got out and couldn't be happier with my scores!
21 bio, 21 gc, 26 (!!!) oc, 21 pat, 21 RC, 20 qr
During the test I felt pretty good, but certainly not expecting a 26 in orgo. I'll post a more detailed breakdown later but am so ecstatic with my scores! Sdn was a huge help with my prep so super happy it paid off!
Breakdown:
Graduated with my bachelors in 2015 with a degree in Biotech - pretty heavy bio/chem background but hadn't taken GC/orgo since 2011-2012. Although I took the DAT a year ago, I started studying this time around from scratch essentially. A lot of it was repetitive however as I had already watched all of Chad's videos, read Cliff's bio/Feralis notes, and done the first 4 practice tests of BC (very happy there were 6 new tests on each science section so I started with those as I hadn't seen any of the questions yet) I studied from the end of May until the second week of July but had plenty of days/weekends off (probably more than I should have, haha). I was working about 20 hours a week and went away for the 4th of July weekend/random days away so on average spent about 6 hours, 5 days/week studying.
Biology: (20 Qvualt/BC average; 21 on 2017 DAT; 20 2016 DAT)
Prep: Ferali's notes were essentially the main source of my studying. I spent about 2 weeks retyping and condensing his notes into a ~25 page document. Read through Cliff's for clarification. After I did that, I started taking practice BC tests starting from test 10 and working my way to test 1. When I would get bored with BC, I would also take Qvualt bio tests. For every wrong question (or a question that I got right, but sort of guessed on/didn't know anything about the other question options) I would google up information on it/watch youtube videos on any processes related to it then fill out my Ferali document with any supplemental information/make a flash card of it. Also the last week I did about 100 bio destroyer questions. Any time a question popped up that I wasn't clear on, even if I could get the right answer, I would research more information on that topic. The first 4 weeks were essentially assembling the information, and the last 2 weeks were taking many practice tests and studying every single wrong question. I started out with 19s on my practice tests, and ended with 20/21s and a few 22s the last three days before the test.
Ferali's/Cliffs are perfect for a general bio outline, BC/Qvualt were great for practice and for highlighting weak areas, destroyer was good for random facts. Youtube is your friend!
Test: The bio section basically felt just like any other Qvualt/BC test with perhaps a few more easier questions. I was quite happy with my bio score because it really could go either way since there are so many possible questions on it. There were maybe 3-5 questions that I wasn't completely confident in my answer but taxonomy was pretty light thankfully and were mostly general knowledge focused.
GC/OC: (20 BC average; 21/26 on 2017 DAT; 19/15 on 2016 DAT)
I first spent about 2 weeks watching all of Chad's videos for a second time. I didn't do any of his questions, but then spent the next 2 weeks or so doing all of BC Mike's quizzes and associated answer videos and only a few of the regular videos on reactions or calculations I had difficulty with. I then did about 150 Destroyer questions and made up flash cards of important formulas and OC reactions. I actually did really well in orgo during my undergrad, so I do think my 15 oc score last year was some strange fluke. The DAT just asks different questions than a what a college course focuses on I guess so I adjusted accordingly this time around for studying by truly understanding most acidic Hs on a molecule, correct intermediates, nomenclature, etc.
Test: GC was an easy section, definitely easier than any BC test so I'm honestly surprised I didn't get a higher score - it may be scaled differently because of the easiness. Simple calculations and I never once wished I had a calculator as anything more complicated than 0.1*0.1 dilutions was answered just as an equation structure with no math needed.
OC was also easier than any BC test and actually had an almost identical Destroyer question that I recognized. (Know your Dieckmann condensation product because the only place I've seen it referenced in my studies was in destroyer!) I probably got 2 questions wrong which earned me the 26 score which I'm very happy with after a 15 last time! Know which reactions are syn/anti addition as I had several questions with varied stereo configuration product options and felt like I must have had some lucky guesses.
PAT: (2 BC tests - 19 & 17, last year I studied more for the PAT and was consistently getting 19-20s; 21 on 2017 DAT; 20 on 2016 DAT)
Did some BC generators with angles and hole punching as they were my weakest areas. Took one practice BC a few weeks ago and got a 19, took another practice test a few days before my test and got a 17. Basically didn't do anymore than that as I was more concerned about the sciences.
Test: It was basically the same as BC with angles slightly easier. Some of the hole punches were pretty complicated (my least favorite type of question), but the keyholes/TFE/cube counting were fun and straightforward. I'm super happy with this score because I really didn't study for this section! I definitely feel like it's one section where once you "get" it, you won't lose your skills on it.
RC: (One 21 BC test; 21 on 2017 DAT; 23 on 2016 DAT)
I'm a very good reader and had many other things to worry than reading so did zero prep other than the one practice test.
Test: This is the score I'm most disappointed on as I know I have the potential to get in the mid 20s for it. Not really sure how many I got wrong but I felt decent on it as I was doing it although I was going slightly crossed eyed after staring a computer screen for 3 hours at that point. Wish I had gotten another 23 like last time, but at least a 21 isn't a horrible score.
QR: (One 17 BC test; 20 on 2017 DAT; 18 on 2016 DAT)
I generally dislike math and hadn't taken math like this since high school as I only took calc during college. I was dreading this section, but comforted myself with the fact that I did pretty decently last year with not a ton of prep either, and that it's the least important section. Did a little BC math and definitely appreciated that they had a good selection of questions in the new QR style.
Test: Honestly, I probably did better this time because they changed this section to have these new types of GRE-esque questions. I'm pretty good at estimating answers and figuring out those types of word problems so very happy I had a good portion of those questions. I can't remember having any annoying trig question which was also very nice!
Summary: Bootcamp is a MUST! It's amazing and incredibly useful for identifying weak areas and cementing core knowledge. I believe all subjects in Bootcamp/Qvualt bio have slightly harder questions and definitely a more strict scoring scale. Destroyer is a must for GC/OC questions as the more you do it, the easier and quicker it will be on the test. I didn't even finish halfway through the questions, but they still were a big help.
Overall, quite satisfied with my scores and hope it's enough to get into Tufts/BU/UNE as those are my top choices!
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