DAT Scheduling

[greenbean4606]

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I am a senior and will be applying next may for the 2008 cycle and have a question about scheduling my DAT. I haven't taken it yet and had the idea of studying full time (8ish hours/day) over my Christmas break and taking it in january. I've only recently started studying for the test so I am not sure if it would be possible for me to get a competitive score in only 4 weeks of studying. I thought that this way I could retake it again in may or june if I do not do well enough the first time around, but I would like to get it out of the way so I don't have to worry about applying and studying all at the same time. I have kaplan, destroyer, achiever, and topscore so I thought if I put a lot of time in during the 3 weeks I can be ok. I would greatly appreciate any thoughts and advice you all could give me.

 

[DDSABeach]

How good are you in studying? I have all those and then some. I plan on applying for 2008 cycle. Taking the DAT in July 2007 was going to take it in April but, want to make sure I have plenty of time to get great scores, and have time to retake the DAT if needed to. I will apply to dental schools too. I want to make sure I get above 20's. Your skills must be better than mine.

 

[Jo07]

Greenbean and DDSABeach:

I am also in the same boat. I am a senior graduating in May, and I am applying for 2008. I have had big plans of studying hardcore over break, but its not happening! So I still haven't started studying. I'm wondering when you guys are planning on taking the DAT and when you will start applying. I want to get my application in as soon as possible to have the best chances of getting in somewhere. So I'm wondering how late this year I can take the DAT for 2008 and how many times a year I can take it.

Thanks for your help!

 

[DMD to Be]

In my opinion, as long as you take it before August you will be fine. Only take it when you feel ready. Get Kaplan blue book, topscore, achiever, and DAT destroyer. I took mine late August and got in this cycle. Good luck to you all.

 

[uvaGirL07]

hey! i'm also a senior and planning on applying for the 2008 cycle. nice to meet some peers! 😀

i've been studying the barron's book for about a week now and it's a nice little book for refreshing your memory on concepts you learned in your predent classes.

i've set aside about 3 hours a day for the spring semester that will be devoted solely to studying the DAT material. i'm planning to completely exhaust the topscore cd thingy i bought, and debating right now... whether to study kaplan next.. or dat destroyer. sort of planning on taking the DAT for the first time maybe around march after spring break? then maybe again later in april or may after some more cramming.

i'm planning on submitting my aadsas around mid-july as i would like to get some more things packed into my resume hehe.... i hope that's not too late? is that considered late?

 

[slashnroses19]

you must wait 90 days after taking a dat to retake it. i'm taking mine march 5th prospectively, then again if i need to on june 5th.

 

[VenusFlyTrap]

I too am in the same boat. I just got off the phone with prometric. I sch my exam for Feb 10th. I figured this way I'll have enough time to retake it if I need to and not be a late applicant. I am using kaplan, topscore, destroyer, and barron so far. I plan on buying Acheiver pretty soon. Incase u guys care....Cliff just came out with a DAT book. (Jan 2007) I ordered it but haven't recieved it yet. I am using Cliffs AP bio and it is amazing. I found cliff to be much more student friendly than schaums. But thats just my opinion. I am sure sum ppl will disagree. I will let u know how the Cliffs DAT book is once I get it. Good luck to us all. 👍

 

[uvaGirL07]

you must wait 90 days after taking a dat to retake it. i'm taking mine march 5th prospectively, then again if i need to on june 5th.

oh wow thanks i had no clue! hahaha i'm a new predent so this whole process has been somewhat rushed. thank you so much for mentioning that!! 😀

 

[denttiger]

Hey! Let us know how the Cliffs DAT book is for sure!! Their bio book has gotten good reviews on here! Thanks!

 

[uvaGirL07]

studied barron's DAT book for about two weeks now... but it's kind of annoying because sometimes i'm SO sure I'M right and the book is wrong. 😡

just ordered dat destroyer, so hopefully that will be error-free. i'm sooooo excited to start studying from the dat destroyer books. hahaha i feel like such a nerd. i think i'm just happy to be getting books with a good reputation. haha 😀

 

[Law0830]

In my opinion dont take the DAT twice unless you really need to, which if you do it is also okay to. Personally i woudl study for it completely meaning i would know everythign and when i felt ready then i would take the DAT. Their is no need to rush it since the application only coems out on May 15 and then it takes 8 weeks to process it before the schools receive it. Good Luck and take it nice and easy because it covers a lot of information.