DAT unofficial scores...today...

[heyay]

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So my unofficial score report:
Perceptual ability 20
QR 20
Reading 17
Bio 19
GenChem 23
Organic chem 16
Total science 19
AA 19

Yup I did terrible....i need some encouragement

 

[eldmd_32]

You only did terrible on 2 sections! There are lots of reading tips out there that can easily help you raise that score. 2 days before I took the DAT over the summer, I finally got around to practicing for reading. Scored a 17 on a couple of practice tests and I was devastated. Tried a couple methods that were listed on datbootcamp and 2 days later scored a 23. With orgo, I failed the course in undergrad (6 years ago) and got a 15 the first time I took the DAT (3 years ago). Over the summer I scored a 20. Don't let those 2 scores discourage you. Regroup, understand where you went wrong, and go hard to remedy your weaknesses. You'll knock the DAT out next time, I'm sure 🙂.

 

[O Gaúcho]

The good news is you still have plenty of time to study and take the DAT again. You now have experience with the DAT and are ready to Destroy it next time!

 

[blablabla1]

So my unofficial score report:
Perceptual ability 20
QR 20
Reading 17
Bio 19
GenChem 23
Organic chem 16
Total science 19
AA 19

Yup I did terrible....i need some encouragement

Unless English is truly a secondary language for you, I find that the reading section is the easiest section to improve upon with practice (it is also one of the most important sections, so I would retake).

There's multiple strategies out there, id just do a practice test with a different strategy each time and see which fits best for you. I started out scoring 18's on Bootcamp, and by the time I was going to take the real deal, I was only missing a few questions on the practice exams.


Orgo is very much one of those subjects that is super conceptual when taking it in a traditional university section, but on the DAT it's a lot more memorization and recognition. I highly recommend Destroyer for this section. If you can explain the answer to every Destroyer question (after looking at their own explanations), I guarantee atleast a 21 on that section if not higher.

Bio is just pure memorization and some luck. I forgot the name of the guy who made the notes but use them and just go through sections daily.

Everything else seems okay. Your scores are really not bad at all, and it's going to take just a little more practice and memorization to get yourself to a 21+ AA!

 

[Toothout]

If your GPA is 3.7+ and you have outstanding ECs, apply.

 

[ivysaur]

Your score is not terrible! I got interviews the first time round when I took my first DAT and got similar scores. Have you tried using DAT Bootcamp? They have great (realistic) online practice exams for reading, biology, and gen chem.

I think the people that do well on reading usually have strong writing skills and can read analytically. If they are able to decipher scientific literature (like, you're a chem/bio major and have to read published articles for class or research), the better off they are. There are some strategies for the reading section. The main part being that you do not actually have to fully understand or read the article to answer the question. One technique is "search and destroy" where you can read the questions and quickly scan the passage for similar phrases and find the answer (answers are usually verbatim). I do a combination where I lightly read 3/4 of the passage quickly to get the general idea, then I move on to questions and scan quickly through the passage again to remember where the answer should be (the highlight option on the test is very helpful in marking down spots where you THINK will be important for answer questions). Practicing (speed, comprehension, understanding research techniques, etc.) by reading research articles also helps a great deal. There's a bunch of tactics to the reading section! Please message me on this if you need further advice, there's a lot to say.

As for Bio, CliffsNotes was really golden for me (along with DAT Bootcamp for practice). It really helps if you've taken physiology as well (it's where the body systems/hormones/etc. come up).

For Orgo, I revised using Chads videos/coursesaver.org. I was completely and utterly terrible at understanding orgo in class, but the sooner you realize the DAT doesn't ask about mechanisms and only asks pretty straightforward questions, then you'll be less stressed about studying for it. I printed out an outline for orgo (from the coursesaver website) and just remembered all the reactions, you can group up the reactions as well to better memorize them.

 

[MrBoneless]

I strongly recommend O-Chem Odyssey (by the same guy as DAT Destroyer) to help you with that particular section. I did the entire thing twice and ended up with a 29 on that section after getting a 15 two weeks before. I've also heard great things about Chad's videos, but I don't have personal experience with them.