DAT test format - timing

[predentlove]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello,

I am using TopScore now and I have a few questions about the real DAT--

On the REAL DAT, am i allowed to go in this order > biology > skip through all gen chem > orgo questions > go all the way back to gen chem -- finish?

Do you guys recommend this?

Also... is it a bad idea to study the day before the exam?
Because I have no choice... but to review!!

Thanks 🙂

 

[menouski]

While I don't remember exactly what order the science comes in (I want to say bio, gen chem, then ochem, but don't trust me on that), you are allowed to skip around on the real test. That being said, I'm not sure if i recommend it because you see one question at a time, and I think it would be easy to lose track of time not realizing how many questions you have skipped.

As far as studying the night before goes, I'd say that depends on your personal habits. If it's going to stress you out, then definitely don't. What I did was just review everything briefly just to read everything one last time, but didn't try to learn anything new.

Hope this is helpful. The best advice I can give is to relax. Good luck!

 

[Tunaman]

Hello,

I am using TopScore now and I have a few questions about the real DAT--

On the REAL DAT, am i allowed to go in this order > biology > skip through all gen chem > orgo questions > go all the way back to gen chem -- finish?

Do you guys recommend this?

Also... is it a bad idea to study the day before the exam?
Because I have no choice... but to review!!

Thanks 🙂

I don't recommend skipping an entire section on the real exam. God forbid a few questions trip you up in orgo, you may run the risk of bombing the entire GC section. As far as studying up until the exam, I don't recommend it, you'll stress yourself out. Just keep taking practice tests and review as many problems as humanly possibly, making sure you understand the wrong ones. Come test day, you will laugh your way through it. Good luck

 

[datdental]

Hello,

I am using TopScore now and I have a few questions about the real DAT--

On the REAL DAT, am i allowed to go in this order > biology > skip through all gen chem > orgo questions > go all the way back to gen chem -- finish?

Do you guys recommend this?

Also... is it a bad idea to study the day before the exam?
Because I have no choice... but to review!!

Thanks 🙂

Very bad idea. If I remember correctly, you're going to have to waste precious time skipping through every general chemistry question until you get to orgo and back. I absolutely do not recommend it.

Also another word of advice - do NOT study the day before the exam...or take at least half the day off if you must.

Good Luck!

 

[predentlove]

Thanks guys!

Btw, were there any sections that took longer than usual? How did you combat that issue?

Thanks.. Last minute advice 🙂

 

[menouski]

I'm not sure if you're asking if any section took longer out of the science's you started the thread about or if you mean the whole test, but the reading comprehension section took much longer than I thought it would.

If you're just talking about science, organic took less time than I thought it would. Don't base your studying off of this though, because it all depends on what questions they ask. If you happen to get a bunch of questions know well, then you'll move pretty quick. That can go both ways though.

 

[predentlove]

That is true - Thanks!

How early should I arrive at the test center? Is 30 minutes earlier ok?