DAT Study Schedule for a non-student - Suggestions?

[Massael]

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Hi All,

I'm a little older than the average student here, (24) , and graduated a couple of years ago. During my undergrad I took the Canadian DAT twice, the second time scoring 23 carving, 21 pat, 23 rc, 19 academic avg, 18 sci total (I didn't study Science at all tbh). My science GPA is 3.58, non-sci about 3.7.

So here's my problem, I have to refresh myself on all my science knowledge, and ensure I get good scores in order to maximize my chance of acceptance. I am able to apply with the Canadian scores this year I believe (2006 was when I took them in Nov'), however, I'm not convinced those will get me in - so it's time to prepare to retake the DAT.

As of last year I was married, and I work full time to pay the bills, support my wife and myself, and also to save up as much as I can before dental school. I am now preparing to take the DAT, and am trying to work up a realistic study schedule given how much I have going on.

A lot of posts here on SDN indicate a couple of months at 3-6 hours a day. Given my work schedule I can probably study 1.5 hours on a weeknight, and 4-6 on weekends during the day. How long (in months) would you guess I'd need to prepare?

I have Destroyer, Cliffs AP Bio, Kaplan DAT '05.


Thanks for your advice.

 

[nze82]

Hi All,

I'm a little older than the average student here, (24) , and graduated a couple of years ago. During my undergrad I took the Canadian DAT twice, the second time scoring 23 carving, 21 pat, 23 rc, 19 academic avg, 18 sci total (I didn't study Science at all tbh). My science GPA is 3.58, non-sci about 3.7.

So here's my problem, I have to refresh myself on all my science knowledge, and ensure I get good scores in order to maximize my chance of acceptance. I am able to apply with the Canadian scores this year I believe (2006 was when I took them in Nov'), however, I'm not convinced those will get me in - so it's time to prepare to retake the DAT.

As of last year I was married, and I work full time to pay the bills, support my wife and myself, and also to save up as much as I can before dental school. I am now preparing to take the DAT, and am trying to work up a realistic study schedule given how much I have going on.

A lot of posts here on SDN indicate a couple of months at 3-6 hours a day. Given my work schedule I can probably study 1.5 hours on a weeknight, and 4-6 on weekends during the day. How long (in months) would you guess I'd need to prepare?

I have Destroyer, Cliffs AP Bio, Kaplan DAT '05.


Thanks for your advice.

I don't think anyone can answer this question better than yourself. You know your schedule, your weak areas, and your determination better than anyone else here. So, I suggest you start studying as soon as possible. I can assure you that after a week or two you'll get a very clear idea of how long and how hard you need to study per day in order to succeed on the DAT.

 

[ohdearhopeipass]

hey i was in the SAME situation w/ the canadian dat with almost identical scores (carving rocks!!) i didn't study for sciences either. but after taking the cDAT you know the format pretty well and its a lot easier to know what type of information to focus on i suggest like 4 months for you... unless you remember your sciences well. organic alone took me like 3 weeks to relearn with 4-5 hrs a day, so just give yourself a week to read through kaplan, casually, and then assess what needs work. good luck!

 

[datprep12]

hey Massael,with those scores of your undergrad (23 carving, 21 pat, 23 rc, 19 academic avg, 18 sci total ) you didnt get in dental school in Canada??