DAT review 6.28.08

[DrReo]

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I completed the DAT today and it is a major relief. For those who are taking the DAT soon, I'll try and sum up my experiences and what I wish/knew, etc without violating any rules. I have a post of my chances with all my information, etc. please feel to comment here. http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=537940

I'll include practice scores, stuff used, etc.


PAT-22: This section has always treated me nice. My crack DAT PAT scores initially started at 17/17/17/19/21/22/23. I thought it was somewhat representitive. The TFE were more difficult, in my opinion. If I had to redo this section, I'd prepare more on the angles between 45-80 degrees. These have always been tough. I assume I had several dumb mistakes. I couldn't get in the groove like I have. Didn't practice much for this section.

QR-17: This section took me by surprise. I am a few courses short of a math minor and this portion was tough. Destroyer did a poor job representing this section, in my opinion. There was a lot of word problems. pace yourself, I guess.

RC-18: I had mixed feelings on this section. There were a lot of questions that were tone/opinion questions. I try to used about 15-17/ passage and after that time, move to the next. That'll leave some time at the end to answer in incomplete. My practice test scores were usually about 19-21 on TS/ACH.

Bio-18: I was really scared for this section. Every practice test, except for one Kaplan one, I did horrible. Scores ranged from 12-16 usually (TS/ACH). I achieved a 19, once- Kaplan. The section was so random. I spent a lot of time worrying about it, which was useless.

Chem-19: Section was pretty easy and straight forward. As everyone has stated, Kaplan and Destroyer works well.

O. Chem-18: This section isn't too difficult. You're fresh from organic, you're set. Wish I investigated a few more reactions.

TS-18
AA-18
Wanted an average and TS of 19 so I can qualify for U of Minnesota's EDP program.

For those who are scoring poorly on TS and Achiever tests, don't let it bug you. Honestly, they are useless except for learning how to time yourself. The layout is far from the DAT with respect to the A, A and B, A, B and C type of questions. Destroyer and Kaplan were good. Crack DAT PAT is an amazing product. The pattern folds were extremely easy on the actual test.

I'm participating in a REU program in New York. So I have been working 40 hr/wk and studying at night. Usually 4-5 hrs 7 days a week. The weekend before I took almost completely off. Best thing you can do. A few days before the exam, DO NOT cram. The test is completely random and the extra few hours are useless, IMO. Go for a run or a walk and enjoy.

If anyone has questions, granted I don't have the best scores, ask away- more than willing to help.

 

[polarmolar]

do you recommend destroyer, achiever or topscore as a way of reviewing weak areas?

also, how long did you study for?

 

[sl2obel2ts]

wondering the same. did destroyer help you in any way? How was RC compared to topscore, achiever and Kaplan?

 

[DrReo]

I thought Kaplan was more representative of RC because it asked a few tone/infering questions. I like destroyer. It helped me understand and pinpoint where I need to work on. To be honest, the only benefit, for me, using topscore and achiever was to learn the timing. Yes, I did learn from the exams but the questions asked are SO random, I thought. If I was to redo, I'd only purchase one of them- Topscore. Achievers PAT isn't even relevant- waste of an hour, IMO

 

[sks2286]

Ive been going through Achiever and the PAT is really hard. Would you say its too hard thus being a waste of time? Ive been scoring well on Crack PAT. Is that more representative of the test?

 

[trixie2126]

.

 

[allstardentist]

good work

 

[eilrahcmi]

lookin good 👍

 

[DrReo]

Personally, I thought Crack PAT did a fairly good job. I know that I could have done better but wasn't in the groove, so to speak. This isn't an excuse but was mentally thrown of track I had to redo all the angle questions at the end. I studied in my dorm, many places at the library and some louder areas by the door when I took practice tests. The sound cancelers I had were really uncomfortable. So when I periodically removed them, the loud noises from the computer wern't a distraction. I'd recommend studying/practice testing in as many environments as possible.

The best bets of advice I'd offer is:
-Don't cram, it's useless. Go out to eat, relax, hang out with some buddies.
-Study in relatively noisy, different environemnts. There were people walking behind me during some parts of the exam.
- What ever happens in Bio, Chem, or whatever section. Let it go. This is crucial!

Syracuse chemistry REU program.