DAT without Kaplan???

[super marz]

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Couple of people (who have taken the DAT) has told me that it is impossible to score high without taking the Kaplan course. Maybe that is true for certain ones but hopefully it is not for everyone?

Either way, there is no way in heck i can afford it...so what is the best way to study for it? 😕 I am starting to get worried....

^^:;;

 

[ItsGavinC]

That's a completely ridiculous statement. I scored high without taking the course, as have MANY other people.

The key for me, however, WAS the Kaplan review book. I got mine from somebody who had taken the Kaplan course, but the one you can buy in the stores is essentially the same.

If you memorize that book frontwards and backwards you'll get scores in the 20s on every section. I promise.

 

[osushi gurl]

Originally posted by super marz
Couple of people (who have taken the DAT) has told me that it is impossible to score high without taking the Kaplan course. Maybe that is true for certain ones but hopefully it is not for everyone?

Either way, there is no way in heck i can afford it...so what is the best way to study for it? 😕 I am starting to get worried....

^^:;;

it IS POSSIBLE to score high without taking the kaplan course. Make sure you buy Kaplan study material (that big blue book) to help you. I took kaplan and bascally the teacher teaches out of that same book. Kaplan is NOT useful unless you put your own study time into it, anyway. Its about how much dedication you put into studying. other study materials might be topscore cd, barrons for PAT because Kaplan is weak in that area. Good luck!

 

[koobpheej]

I did not take the course. I bought the book and did nothing but study for about two weeks. I got a 24.

 

[NewNameForGoogleBot]

Don't throw away $1000 - you'll need it for applying. I used the Kaplan book and a few others and got a 28/20. How well you do on the DAT depends on your studying, not an overpriced class. Kaplan does have sample tests available, but that's not reason enough to spend the money. The Kaplan book has 2 tests, Barrons- 2 tests, Topscore-3 tests, plus all the questions in AP Bio and Chem books, etc. The list goes on and on. All availabe for free at your public library or for a few bucks on Amazon.

 

[dr_benj]

Just echoing my esteemed colleagues.....course is a waste of money, got a 20/22 using the Kaplan book studying for 3 weeks.

 

[ShawnOne]

It certainly CAN be done without Kaplan, but Kaplan certainly does help. Its not throwing money away. Your spending money ($1,000) for help. Some people need help, some dont.

Its really up to you and your needs.

 

[BingDent]

In my opinion, don't be stingy, go for kaplan. I haven't and wished I've taken it. Kaplan just makes istudying more effective with their resources.

 

[saman1]

I have not yet taken the DAT and I don't think I will enroll in the Kaplan course.
From what I hear the Kaplan course is like a personal trainer that simply gets you into the gym and tells you to workout (and what to do). You still have to do a lot of the work yourself and put a lot of effort into it.

 

[grettlin2]

In my opinion, Kaplan lecture class itself would waste your money. However, the test materials, like subject tests, midterms, and practice exams, do help me a lot to clearify many questions.
So, if you can buy the test materials from someone, then don't take Kaplan's course. If you can't, you might consider to take it if you still think you do not prepare well enough.

Ask the Pre-Professional Club or Professional Health Office at your school for discount to Kaplan course. In my school, I got 10% off discount.

 

[PBR95]

If Kaplan is offering a free diagnostic test in your area, take it. Although it is a pencil and paper exam it's good practice. And when I took it they gave me $200 bucks off the course fee.

 

[NewNameForGoogleBot]

Originally posted by PBR95
If Kaplan is offering a free diagnostic test in your area, take it. Although it is a pencil and paper exam it's good practice. And when I took it they gave me $200 bucks off the course fee.

That does sound good for free!

 

[Sam Spade]

Don't bother. I discovered my interest in Dentistry in August, learned of AADSAS and the DAT a few days later, borrowed some example tests from a friend (topscore) and took the DAT a week later - no regrets.

The Kaplan course is a ripoff, especially if you know that you study best independently. They publish a book [available for far less than 1k] that includes essentially the same information that is "assigned" in the course. I'd recommend topscore because it follows the same computerized format as the DAT - being familiar with format can save you some precious time on the actual test. Also, take some time to master the perceptual ability section.. it's probably the most common problem area on the DAT, and is not so much difficult as unfamiliar. Can be picked up easily with some practice.

 

[zimaad]

I think a lot of people here will agree that Kaplan is more a motivational studying tool than anything. What I mean is that some people have a hard time with time management and setting aside time to study for the DAT's and sticking to it (this is not everyone though...but generally speaking). If you spend $1000 on a help class, your a lot more motivated to get your butt in gear and study. There are plenty of study materials out there that everyone has mentioned and if you put the time in, you don't need the kaplan class. ~ just my $.02 worth.

 

[Balki]

I agree with the previous poster. Kaplan (so I heard) motivates you to do stuff, they assign you homework and you can monitor your progress. This however depends on what type of a person you are. All I did was set up a plan to study for a span of 2 month only about 2-3 hours a day on weekdays. Then set up times when you take the tests,(as realistic) as possible. Check this website , the DAT section, you'll find plenty of help there and samle problems solutions. And go get them tiger. Myself I wouldn't spend money on the course, I think I did ok without it 21/17 (Not as high as many people on this site. BUT remember the scores you see on this site are among the highest in the application cycle. I heard people get interviews with 17/17 and below). Good luck to you and you can always post questions, you'll be surprised how fast someone will answer it 🙂

Balki