DAT score improve with second try?

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How many times did you take the DAT?

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helprosie

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Do people usually take the DAT only once? If you have taken the DAT a second time, did your score improve?

If you take the DAT more than once, do dental schools take the best score out of each section or the most recent test scores?
 
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Statistically people's DAT scores decrease on all sections except PAT on second try. This is ADEA given figures so take it how you will. Of course individuals to individuals differ on performance.
 
I took the DAT 3 times; most scores improved the 2nd time and all scores improved the 3rd. I got a 20 the first time. If you know you can do better, then do it; if you're unsure then I guess you'll have to think about it.
 
If you get 20's across the board I think retaking is a waste of energy. It'll be significantly more beneficial to focus on other areas of your application... in my honest opinion. This is especially the case of you have a nice gpa
 
Most people's scores decline on every section except the PAT because students fallaciously believe that they do not need to exert as much effort studying the second time around.

The PAT consists mostly of what mathematicians who specialize in factor analysis refer to as "specificity," which means it measures very little other than how well one can take the PAT; as a result, improving one's score on the PAT is primarily the result of accumulated practice.
 
Frank22 said:
Most people's scores decline on every section except the PAT because students fallaciously believe that they do not need to exert as much effort studying the second time around.

The PAT consists mostly of what mathematicians who specialize in factor analysis refer to as "specificity," which means it measures very little other than how well one can take the PAT; as a result, improving one's score on the PAT is primarily the result of accumulated practice.
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Lol you don't think it's a measure of ones spatial awareness and reasoning?
 
PocketRocket said:
Lol you don't think it's a measure of ones spatial awareness and reasoning?
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It would probably correlate moderately or poorly with some sort of broad visual-spatial factor if it were administered to all test-takers once and they weren't allowed to practice beforehand. By the time students actually take the PAT, they are primarily acquiring the correct solutions by utilizing tricks and tidbits acquired over weeks or months of practice.

This is confirmed by the rapid rate at which students improve on the PAT through practice; if the PAT did load to any significant degree on a broad factor as defined by the Cattell-Horn-Carroll three stratum hierarchy of mental abilities, one would not expect such a steep improvement of scores via practice. On the other hand, rapid improvement is characteristic of tests that consist primarily of specificity.

An example of a test that correlates highly with visual-spatial processing would be "block design" on the Wechsler intelligence tests.
 
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helprosie said:
Do people usually take the DAT only once? If you have taken the DAT a second time, did your score improve?

If you take the DAT more than once, do dental schools take the best score out of each section or the most recent test scores?
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Dental schools take the most recent score, so make your decision to retake or not carefully.
 
pffft, im planning to retake it again next year. Before I found this site, i was studying with just a kaplan blue book, my bio book, and CRACK the DAT software. I don't remember my score very well but i remember i did horribly on my gen chem and organic chem. I think i got like 18 and 17 respectively. I got 21 on bio. And 26 on PAT. QR was no problem but forgot my score.
This time around i got the right tools for studying so im expecting my scores to go up.

I think it just matters on how you think you did the first time and how well you think you prepared for it. For me, i don't think i prepared well enough to get a good score.
 
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pgex2t said:
Dental schools take the most recent score, so make your decision to retake or not carefully.
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Not all dental schools take the most recent score. Also, even if they take the recent score, they will question why it took two or multiple times to get it right. Personal experience.
 
Rambunctious said:
Not all dental schools take the most recent score. Also, even if they take the recent score, they will question why it took two or multiple times to get it right. Personal experience.
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Ya but the reason they question you isn't to see you falter, but to give you a chance to explain how you learned from the mistake. A higher DAT score the second time around is proof in the pudding that you did learn from the first time
 
nucshuc said:
Ya but the reason they question you isn't to see you falter, but to give you a chance to explain how you learned from the mistake. A higher DAT score the second time around is proof in the pudding that you did learn from the first time
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Good point! I do believe it's probably a mixture of both. To see what you learned and to also gauge your study habits and how it translates to your success on exams in dental school
 
Frank22 said:
It would probably correlate moderately or poorly with some sort of broad visual-spatial factor if it were administered to all test-takers once and they weren't allowed to practice beforehand. By the time students actually take the PAT, they are primarily acquiring the correct solutions by utilizing tricks and tidbits acquired over weeks or months of practice.

This is confirmed by the rapid rate at which students improve on the PAT through practice; if the PAT did load to any significant degree on a broad factor as defined by the Cattell-Horn-Carroll three stratum hierarchy of mental abilities, one would not expect such a steep improvement of scores via practice. On the other hand, rapid improvement is characteristic of tests that consist primarily of specificity.

An example of a test that correlates highly with visual-spatial processing would be "block design" on the Wechsler intelligence tests.
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You just said a bunch of bull**** using big words and fancy test names.
 
Rambunctious said:
Not all dental schools take the most recent score. Also, even if they take the recent score, they will question why it took two or multiple times to get it right. Personal experience.
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My mistake, it seems a handful will take the highest of each section (i.e. Pittsburgh)
 
cacajuate said:
You just said a bunch of bull**** using big words and fancy test names.
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Why do dumb people always assume whatever they don't immediately understand is BS?

Here is a table showing the correlations between one's PAT score and his or her GPA, and grades for operative dentistry, fixed prosthodontics, endodontics, removable prosthodontics, and periodontics, sweetheart. Note that none of the correlations are higher than r = 0.30. This means that the PAT doesn't even explain 9% of the variance in grades in any of these courses or overall GPA. As I've already mentioned, the vast majority of the test's variance is explained by specificity, meaning that it has little to no predictive validity.
 

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Frank22 said:
Why do dumb people always assume whatever they don't immediately understand is BS?

Here is a table showing the correlations between one's PAT score and his or her GPA, and grades for operative dentistry, fixed prosthodontics, endodontics, removable prosthodontics, and periodontics, sweetheart. Note that none of the correlations are higher than r = 0.30. This means that the PAT doesn't even explain 9% of the variance in grades in any of these courses or overall GPA. As I've already mentioned, the vast majority of the test's variance is explained by specificity, meaning that it has little to no predictive validity.
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I've been around multiple threads and wherever you go there's always either a fight, or someone going against you.
Does that ring a bell?
I guess people really don't like you....
 
NavyDDS1990 said:
I've been around multiple threads and wherever you go there's always either a fight, or someone going against you.
Does that ring a bell?
I guess people really don't like you....
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That makes sense; when people have genuine beliefs that they're willing to defend via reasoning and data, there is bound to be disagreements. Where there are a bunch of children yelling "G3tFr@nkL@!D#2015," there is not much room for disagreement.

As for people not liking me; you don't have to like me. I like me; what I think is more important than what you think.
 

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PlasmaMembrane said:
Have you forgotten you're entering a field with patient interaction and that presenting yourself in a likable or at the very least non-combative way is important?
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Right; so when my patients ask me what periodontal disease is, I'm not going to tell them "you're just asking BS questions so you won't pay for the procedure!!" The general populace loves those who are indifferent and wholly nonchalant. I have yet to see @virtualmaster999 make a post that isn't a joke. There is nothing wrong with that; I find him likable and helpful, but I tend to be more willing to defend my views, for example.

Now, had @cacajuate said, "Frank, I don't think I follow some of the things you said. Can you explain what so and so means so we can be on the same terms..." I would have happily elaborated on whatever he wanted. Instead, he ignorantly and belligerently attacked me, and he is supposed to expect a gentle response?
 
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It is very easy to just not respond to something an anonymous person says on the internet lol you guys need to relax. For the sake of staying relevant, @helprosie I would strongly suggest preparing for the DAT as if it is your only take. You don't want to spend an extra $385 and take more time delaying your application to find out you did worse the second time. All statistics and numbers aside, you should prepare for everything assuming you won't get a do-over. You'll do much better that way. Good luck studying, and check out the DAT forum for advice, there are plenty of people on here willing to help.
 
Scumbag_Steve said:
It is very easy to just not respond to something an anonymous person says on the internet lol you guys need to relax. For the sake of staying relevant, @helprosie I would strongly suggest preparing for the DAT as if it is your only take. You don't want to spend an extra $385 and take more time delaying your application to find out you did worse the second time. All statistics and numbers aside, you should prepare for everything assuming you won't get a do-over. You'll do much better that way. Good luck studying, and check out the DAT forum for advice, there are plenty of people on here willing to help.
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Although I did say I did increasingly better, this guy's advice is on point. Aim to ace it in one go. Saves you time, money, and hassle.
 
@helprosie Like @rxdmx372 said, only take it when you're ready! It's not worth the money, stress, or time to invest in another retake. Even if it takes you a little bit more time than others, thats fine! Make a schedule, and have a clear idea of when you will study what so you have everything organized. If you stick to it, prepare well, and work hard, you will succeed! 🙂
 
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Scumbag_Steve said:
It is very easy to just not respond to something an anonymous person says on the internet lol you guys need to relax.
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Yeah they do need to relax and quit hijacking a thread anytime one of the members of their little group feels insulted. That includes @PlasmaMembrane, @sexylife, @ReptileDisfunction, and any of the other little girls who form little cliques on the internet then have the audacity to make fun of other peoples social lives.
 
If it makes some people feel better, I won't post here anymore until I apply to dental school around the time Summer comes around if I need help.
 
I scored significantly better on my second try. 17 vs 21 for PAT, 15 vs 21 for QR, 17 vs 18 on RC, 17 vs 20 for BIO, 20 vs 20 on gen chem, 21 vs 18 on organic ( was so furious about this as I felt pretty confident about organic). My total score only increased by 1 however
 
I think if you try harder, you should receive a better score. However, I don't like the idea that take it the first time to see what it looks like then take it the second time for real. You should alway try for the best every time. Don't retake too much because I don't think dental school will like it. Second is okay.
 
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Frank22 said:
lol must be blind not to see how passive-aggressive these little kids are; the only difference between me is that I'm not a coward and don't hide it behind #G3tFr@nKl@!d2015
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I'm sorry Frank, but I'm having a little trouble figuring out what I have said to make you feel offended.
I can obviously tell that you are being very defensive and getting easily offended by anyone on SDN.
 
NavyDDS1990 said:
I'm sorry Frank, but I'm having a little trouble figuring out what I have said to make you feel offended.
I can obviously tell that you are being very defensive and getting easily offended by anyone on SDN.
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You're having trouble finding it because you don't want to see it; it is a telling sign of a coward to initiate a controversy, then back off and say "what's the big deal?" I've seen it done, truly, hundreds of times now, and it gets old.
 
PlasmaMembrane said:
It's a Jekyll/Hyde transformation that causes me to regain my virginity, do worse on the DAT, and become twice as argumentative at the cost of half my social skill.
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You mean a bum and a clown who spends his time telling stories on the internet about going down on his ex and hoping people will be impressed by his DAT score.
 
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