DAT Score - Advice?

[eventualOMFS]

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Hey Everyone,
I took the DATs for the first time on Monday, 01/14. My scores are as follows:

Bio 19
Gen Chem 23
Organic Chem 19
Quant. Reasoning 18
Reading Comp. 27
Perceptual Ability 16

(Academic Avg) 21
(Total Science) 20

I was disappointed in my quantitative reasoning score. I'm decent at math, but I just worked WAY too slowly. I could definitely improve that score.

I obviously struggled with the PAT. I didn't prepare enough for it. I only used Kaplan, and I found out the hard way that the Kaplan questions are much easier than the real PAT questions. Admittedly, this section is really tough for me.

Do you guys have any suggestions? I will be applying this coming cycle (entering class of fall 2009). My GPA is about a 3.30 (science: 3.10) - a rough sophomore year dropped my GPA considerably. I am a senior and will be graduating in May. I wanted to take a year off before entering dental school because I am getting married in August and want to focus first on that.

For what it is worth, I have worked well over 1,000 hours as a surgical assistant in a full-scope oral & maxillofacial surgery practice. I will also most likely be working as a surgical assistant during my year off.

I am assuming I should retake the DAT to improve my PAT score. But I would certainly appreciate any advice that you guys could give me. I have learned a lot from SDN and have been very encouraged by all of you and your hard work.

Thanks and best of luck to all of you!

 

[jigabodo]

You've got a nice AA. Maybe try to get more PAT practice via Crack the PAT? Achiever would help a lot also.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Nice job, your DAT should be fine. Get to work on your personal statement, it is extremely important part of your application.

I wouldn't retake it if I were you. By the way, that's a killer RC score!

 

[PreDentK21]

EventualOMFS- how did you prepare for the DAT? Are there any good review books you'd recommend! I think thats a great DAT score!! I'm taking mine sometime in June and very nervous about how to study!

Thanks!🙁

 

[washingtonDAT]

don't retake the test, your scores are great. apply early and your good!!!!

 

[Bizznet]

hey, i think you're good to go. Your QR, although you think its bad, is really good compared to the rest of the population this cycle.

Next, my buddy just got into Nova with a 14 pat, and had more than 5 interviews this cycle already. He got so many interviews he couldn't afford to go to all of them.

He had a 19AA 19TS and a 14 PAT I believe.

Good luck, when you get your interviews i'm sure you will no doubt be able to show them you know what you're doing.

 

[eventualOMFS]

PreDentK21 -Kaplan was the only resource that I used. I thought it was decent, but not great. In my opinion, the Kaplan PAT section is far too easy. The real PAT was more difficult. A lot of people complain about the bio in Kaplan. While it isn't great, it was enough for me.

So you guys don't think my PAT will keep me from being interviewed? I automatically assumed that I would need to re-take the DAT. I only had about 10 days to study, so I know that I could do better with more prep time the second time around.

I really appreciate the advice. Keep it coming!

 

[Aceofspades]

I always wondered why people count how many hours they spent shadowing. Months/years seems much more relevant if you are talking about a high number of hours like 1,000+.

 

[eventualOMFS]

AceofSpades - That is how the time spent is typically recorded. It is more descriptive than just saying the number of years; some people could work 45 hour weeks, others might work 12 hour weeks. I have spent 2 full summers and 2 Christmas breaks working at that practice. I started in the summer after my freshman year (2001), didn't work there the next summer, and then worked there this past summer, after my junior year. So I have been working there since 2001, but off and on. I suppose the best way for me to put it would be ">1,000 hours spent working since summer 2001."


Does anyone else have any advice about my PAT score? I really need to get accepted this cycle, so I don't want to be taking a huge risk with my score....but it would be GREAT to not have to retake the test! How much do dental schools care about PAT scores? Are there any schools that are known for not caring as much as others?

 

[Shjfr]

You only studied Kaplan Blue Book or the items from the class?

And you only studied 10 days?

I'd say those are really good scores for studying 10 days studying the kaplan book. You must have studied 24/7 those 10 days...

 

[PlanningtoApply]

I had a very bad experience w/ Kaplan. I need some advice.

Here are my numbers.

Bio 18
Gen Chem 17
Organic Chem 17
Quant. Reasoning 16
Reading Comp. 18
Perceptual Ability 16

(Academic Avg) 17
(Total Science) 17


I graduated from UVA with a 3.06. I got a D+ in Physics, retook it at Mason and got an A. I did the MCV/VCU post-bacc program, and graduated with a 4.0. Unfortunately, my DAT score is holding me back. I'm planning on taking the DAT again August 7th. I'm registered for Kaplan, but the books clearly didn't help me much considering my scores are so low. What advice can you guys give me? Please recommend any books, and where I can find them for the cheapest price.

ALSO

Everyone says to apply EARLY. But I'm afraid that before my second DAT score comes in, they'll already put me on the hold or reject pile. Should I hold off esubmitting my application until after I take my DATs? I was thinking of submitting my application late-June. Taking my DATs a week after and faxing my scores to the schools?
😕

 

[jigabodo]

I had a very bad experience w/ Kaplan. I need some advice.

Here are my numbers.

Bio 18
Gen Chem 17
Organic Chem 17
Quant. Reasoning 16
Reading Comp. 18
Perceptual Ability 16

(Academic Avg) 17
(Total Science) 17


I graduated from UVA with a 3.06. I got a D+ in Physics, retook it at Mason and got an A. I did the MCV/VCU post-bacc program, and graduated with a 4.0. Unfortunately, my DAT score is holding me back. I'm planning on taking the DAT again August 7th. I'm registered for Kaplan, but the books clearly didn't help me much considering my scores are so low. What advice can you guys give me? Please recommend any books, and where I can find them for the cheapest price.

ALSO

Everyone says to apply EARLY. But I'm afraid that before my second DAT score comes in, they'll already put me on the hold or reject pile. Should I hold off esubmitting my application until after I take my DATs? I was thinking of submitting my application late-June. Taking my DATs a week after and faxing my scores to the schools?
😕

Schaum's and Cliff's are both nice biology resources. You can probably ge used ones for cheap off amazon.com.