DAT trouble

[ilstudds]

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Hello,

I have recently taken the DAT about a month ago, my scores were a complete shock to me with the amount of time i have spent studying, my major weaknesses are in General Chemistry in which i scored a (15) and Biology a (16). I have been using the Kaplan test prep DAT review notes book you get from taking the kaplan online class for the DAT, i have also used crack the DAT software, i have used the Barron's DAT prep and also McGraw Hill DAT prep books. I am a bio major and know a vast majority of the information, but when it came time to the DAT the questions were nothing like what i have been studying there seems to be an emphasis on smaller organisms (invertebrates) and these questions seem to be vary in depth. Also for General Chemistry section, i do have a somewhat strong foundation on this subject i just cant seem to grasp it when it comes time to take the DAT. I'm just looking for some advice or get pointed in the right direction to be as successful as possible on the DAT, i feel like i am just studying all the wrong stuff and it seems like my efforts are not paying off, any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[NLP26]

Definitely read around for what study materials you should use next time around instead of what you used. From what I've heard, Kaplan is not well recommended. On the other hand, using Cliff's AP Bio/Feralis Bio. notes/Chad's videos for Orgo. and GC/DAT Destroyer/Math Destroyer seems to be the top picks for everyone. If you don't mind me asking, what were your scores on the other sections?

 

[scrambledgreggs]

Watch Chad's videos for gen chem and o-chem.

Get QVault and do all the tests.

Get DAT Bootcamp and do Bio/Chem/Orgo/PAT.

For bio, in addition to QVault and bootcamp, read cliffnotes AP bio 3rd edition and baron's AP bio.

 

[ilstudds]

Thanks i plan to try out some new material this time around! my overall was OC(21) RC(17) PAT(21) QR(14) AA (16) TS(17). For my QR section i know its horrible but i was so exhausted from my exam i just couldn't focus and i fell into the DAT trap and i started to panic!

 

[TheEpicFruitCake]

Well part of the problem was that your material was crap lol. The consensus here is that Kaplan is a waste of money and you should get Barrons AP bio and not the DAT version. CDP is also considered a waste of money for sciences.

Bio - Barrons Ap/Feralis/Cliffs Ap 3rd edition/Qvault/destroyer
GChem - Chad's/bootcamp
OChem - Chads/bootcamp
PAT - CDP/bootcamp
Reading
QR - Destroyer

 

[NLP26]

Thanks i plan to try out some new material this time around! my overall was OC(21) RC(17) PAT(21) QR(14) AA (16) TS(17). For my QR section i know its horrible but i was so exhausted from my exam i just couldn't focus and i fell into the DAT trap and i started to panic!

Defintely use Math Destroyer next time around. It's been 4+ years since I've done any legit math (not just plugging into equations or calculations) and I've always hated the subject in general, but going through the practice tests has given me a lot of confidence... which I think is key for not panicking when you get to the section

 

[shyfox9p]

Most of the students here have used: Bootcamp, Chad's video, Destroyer, Crack the DAT, QVAULT, Baron's 3rd ed., Cliff's 3rd ed., Kaplan blue book, Feralis' notes, and TopScore. These sources have resulted in students getting over a 20. Kaplan is a waste of money. It is not as effective as it should be. However, the blue book is useful for bio.

 

[dawg289]

I don't want to sound critical, but this statement could be part of the issue.
"Also for General Chemistry section, i do have a somewhat strong foundation on this subject i just cant seem to grasp it when it comes time to take the DAT. "
Figure out why you don't understand a question. Is it because of how it's worded, or do you not understand the concepts well enough to apply it to a problem? If the resources you used were "too easy", you might have been misled to think that you were "prepared" for Gen chem. When it came time for the DAT, you realized questions on the exam were a lot harder. I think most people agree that you may have been using the wrong resources. You seemed to put in a lot of effort in studying.
Understand why you miss questions. It's the questions that you miss where you learn the most. Don't give up!