DAT vs. MCAT vs. PCAT

[Migvin]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Guys & gals - I am in the beginning stages of exploring the field of dentistry, but to be very honest, standardized tests like the DAT or MCAT have always scared the heck out of me. The SAT in high school was a nightmare for me. However, in math and science, I have always been a terrific student grade-wise. I have taken all the bio and chem courses except for orgo so far, and have taken math up to Differential Equations (yes, not required - but I enjoyed it!).

On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult would you rate the DAT? How does it compare to the MCATs and PCAT for pharmacy? Which is the most difficult? From what I gather, the DAT is in between the PCAT (least hardest) and the MCAT (most hardest). Am I correct?

 

[sajjy]

Guys & gals - I am in the beginning stages of exploring the field of dentistry, but to be very honest, standardized tests like the DAT or MCAT have always scared the heck out of me. The SAT in high school was a nightmare for me. However, in math and science, I have always been a terrific student grade-wise. I have taken all the bio and chem courses except for orgo so far, and have taken math up to Differential Equations (yes, not required - but I enjoyed it!).

On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult would you rate the DAT? How does it compare to the MCATs and PCAT for pharmacy? Which is the most difficult? From what I gather, the DAT is in between the PCAT (least hardest) and the MCAT (most hardest). Am I correct?

Why not add OAT as well...LOL😉
Jokes apart, what do you want to do? Medicine, Dental or Pharmacy?

 

[Migvin]

Why not add OAT as well...LOL😉
Jokes apart, what do you want to do? Medicine, Dental or Pharmacy?

I am more interested in Dental than anything else. But the standardized tests is what always nails me.

 

[DrReo]

I am more interested in Dental than anything else. But the standardized tests is what always nails me.

Do well in your classes now, understand concepts and you shouldn't need to worry.

 

[shoombol tallah]

If your truly passionate about dentistry dont let a standardize test determine the rest of your life. Suck it up and work your butt off and do what you want in life.

 

[Ghettob1aster]

Just take the LSAT; you don't even have to study.

 

[water88]

The vast majority of the DAT is regurgitation of facts (with the exception of PAT and QR). The MCAT is more about applying said facts and using critical/analytical reasoning to arrive at the answer.

Don't know much about the PCAT.

 

[sajjy]

I am more interested in Dental than anything else. But the standardized tests is what always nails me.

With a above average gpa in CS major, you definitely have a shot given u do above average in DAT also.

 

[Migvin]

Just take the LSAT; you don't even have to study.

Is all the joking just due to it being a weekend or something? Sheesh. Yeah, maybe I don't have to study because someone on here doesn't know how to spell his alias.

 

[Migvin]

The vast majority of the DAT is regurgitation of facts (with the exception of PAT and QR). The MCAT is more about applying said facts and using critical/analytical reasoning to arrive at the answer.

Don't know much about the PCAT.

Thanks! I can probably deal with that especially since I'm strong in math and science. English/reading as well.

 

[yakuza]

If you're strong with science, than the science section should not be hard. Keep in mind the DAT is a very simple/basic test. Don't underestimate the math section though..I've known some people very good at math do horribly on the math section. It's different from calculus, and all that advanced bs.

If MCAT science was 100%, I'd rank DAT at ~80%. But I've only taken one practice MCAT fyi

 

[Cat8788]

If your truly passionate about dentistry dont let a standardize test determine the rest of your life. Suck it up and work your butt off and do what you want in life.

i agree completely.

 

[doc toothache]

Apples, orange and bananas.

 

[DDSguyLA]

take the police officer test... pull people over with sirens...
that's what I would have done. but then again, i did okay on the DAT, PO test was gonna be next

 

[UCSF2012]

Guys & gals - I am in the beginning stages of exploring the field of dentistry, but to be very honest, standardized tests like the DAT or MCAT have always scared the heck out of me. The SAT in high school was a nightmare for me. However, in math and science, I have always been a terrific student grade-wise. I have taken all the bio and chem courses except for orgo so far, and have taken math up to Differential Equations (yes, not required - but I enjoyed it!).

On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult would you rate the DAT? How does it compare to the MCATs and PCAT for pharmacy? Which is the most difficult? From what I gather, the DAT is in between the PCAT (least hardest) and the MCAT (most hardest). Am I correct?

Sciences - MCAT - 8, Dat - 7.5, PCAT - 7.0

Math - MCAT - N/A, DAT - 8.5, PCAT - 6.5

Verbal/RC - MCAT - 8, DAT - 6, PCAT - 8.5 (I hate analogies, and vocab words. The RC is comparable on the MCAT/PCAT, but the MCAT has a more stringent grading scale. Can't miss many at all. The DAT RC is sweet b/c it requires virtually no reasoning.)