Day before the DAT!!!

[LSN]

Hey guys...
Just wanted to know your advice on what to do the day before I take the DAT? I know people usually say not to even touch your books but it makes me a little nervous not to review the day before. Any ideas of what to do instead?

Thanks

 

[ShawnOne]

I reviewed and I dont feel that it "hurt" me in any way. In fact, I scheduled my test in the afternoon and spent the morning "warming up" on topscore.

Good luck on the test! 😉

 

[Literati81]

Everyone is different. So what helped me may not help you (wait...that sounds weird...anyways...).

The DAT is mostly memorization (especially Biology). Unfortunately, I have a short-term memory. I scheduled my DAT for the butt-crack of dawn (8:00 AM) on a Saturday. I studied till 11 PM Friday night by reviewing QR. Since that was the 3rd time I cracked open a QR section in the past 3 months (I kid you not), I figured I should stay up late and start memorizing equations (Note, in the background, my bf kept telling me to reschedule the DAT. And, of course, I shouted back "I can't! It's too late!", "Yes, I know I'm screwed!" and, of course, the usual 4-letter profanities).

At 4:30 AM (the day of the DAT), I woke up and went for a jog (I test better after some O2 has reached the brain). I came back after noticing a few shady-looking people lurking in the street, got ready, took a 15 minute practice PAT and drove to the test center. At the test center, I broke out my flashcards after seeing another girl reviewing her color-coded, laminated flashcards with seemingly alphabetized tabs.

During the break, I was still studying. I tried to memorize a ton of math formulas in 10 minutes. All I could remember was the volume of a cylinder. Luckily, that wasn't on the test.

So that's my story. If you feel totally prepared, definitely go hit the beach and relax. But if you're neurotic like me, do what you have to do. Because in the end, I can't say that I didn't ever stop trying. Wow, that was cheesy...

Good luck!

 

[hockeydentist]

" you can do it"


man that rob schneider is hilarious. He was even funnier in 50 first dates as the native hawaiian.

Hilarious

I study the day befor the exam till about 5 pm. Then watched kill bill and kill bill 2.

I was relaxed for the exam.

good luck

HD

 

[JavadiCavity]

You'll be fine. I actually took my Ochem final the day before the test. Then I went to the library and read through (quickly) the entire Ochem section in the Kaplan book (took me about an hour or two). That night, I ran through some math problems, and looked over some acid-base/titrations chemistry. I also tried to run through all of my flash cards one more time, but there were so many that I only made it through about half. The next morning I woke up around 6am. I looked over math one more time, ate some breakfast, said my prayers, and then I headed for the testing center. I got there about 9am (1/2 hour before I needed to be there) and I just relaxed. I figured if I didn't know it by then . . . well, I didn't want to think about it. I was pretty excited. I got into the testing center and I took the tutorial. During the tutorial, I jotted down all of my math, chemistry and bio formulas/info that I thought I'd need. I finished the tutorial, and the rest was history.

I think you should do what will make you feel the most confident on test day. Good luck!

 

[xxdakinexx]

I did half a full length and went over kaplan notecards. GOod luck.

 

[jk5177]

Yeah it really depends on what work for you. Because if you know what works for you then, you can do something that you feel the most confident and happy about. These standardized test is really more a measure of maturity and discipline.

Sometimes people say not to touch the book before hand, but I just feel like that is not me. Others will say to touch the book beforehand. You will get answers all across the board. Choose the one preparation you will be most happy with, and that will lead to the highest score. EVEN IF YOU BOTCHER YOUR STUDY/RESTING PLAN THE NIGHT BEFORE, I WON'T BEAT MYSELF OVER IT. THERE ARE BOUND TO BE SURPRISES THAT NONE OF US CAN PREPARE OR CONTROL. THE ONLY WAY TO PREPARE FOR THEM IS TO KNOW THAT THEY MAY HAPPEN.

JK

 

[NDGummy]

I reread the Biology section for a few hours the night before the exam (with Seinfeld in the background to relax me) and then went out with my brother and his wife for a drink (although I only had about a third of it). Anyways, I got a 22 on the Bio section, I think because I ignored the rule of not touching the book the day before. If you can find a way to stay calm and review the day/night before I say do it, it can really make a difference. Other than that, a good night's sleep and a good breakfast with plenty of protein are important. Most importantly, relax and realize your hard work is about to pay off! Good luck!

 

[busupshot83]

Hey guys...
Just wanted to know your advice on what to do the day before I take the DAT? I know people usually say not to even touch your books but it makes me a little nervous not to review the day before. Any ideas of what to do instead?

Thanks

Fly a kite
Walk the dog
Hit the clubs or bars (just dont get ****faced)
Go swimming
Stay home with the girl *or guy*... I'm sure you can think of things to make time pass 😎

 

[msf41]

I went for a short run the morning of the test (don't over do it). I think exercise keeps you awake. Then I reviewed a few things that I knew well (chemistry for me) because it just allowed my brain to get into the swing of things. I reviewed things that I knew because I didn't want to be freaking out thinking "oh crap I can't remember the formula for the surface area of a sphere!!!"

Focus on your strengths before the test, because focusing on your weaknesses (the day before the test) will be completely non-productive. 👍

 

[jheidenr]

Anyways, I got a 22 on the Bio section, I think because I ignored the rule of not touching the book the day before.

Yeah, I studied OCHEM probably 5 hours the day before. My wife was really upset about this because she wanted me to relax the whole day. I ended up getting a 25 on OCHEM and averaged 21's in everything else. So I guess the no studying thing isn't true for everyone.

I also had a real hard time sleeping the night before. I was anticipating this so I got a lot of rest the two nights before. I tried to go to bed around 9:30pm, it took 5 hours of tossing and turning and finally a sleeping pill for me to finally fall asleep. I'm glad I never have to do that again!

 

[LSN]

Thanks for your replies, they really helped! I especially liked the idea of taking a jog the morning of ....thanks msf41! I will definitely run on the treadmill the morning of to get me pumped and start fresh.

It looks like a lot of you DID review the day before, so now I feel a little more comfortable about studying the day before, if I feel I need to.

My only problem right now is getting prepared. I have scheduled my date for another few weeks, but I just don't feel ready for that date. I haven't even done any practice tests yet! I keep pushing it back 😱

 

[busdriver]

My only problem right now is getting prepared. I have scheduled my date for another few weeks, but I just don't feel ready for that date. I haven't even done any practice tests yet! I keep pushing it back 😱

it's all good...i kept pushing mine back so many times that i had the prometric center phone number on my cell phone!!! 😛

 

[jk5177]

I agree with msf41 about studying the strengths the day before. And really, by that time, you shouldn't have any significant weaknesses. What I mean is that there shouldn't be any significant area (say anything from the KAPLAN DAT book) that you haven't reviewes. I just use my last days to jog my memory on the things that need to be reviewed as oppose to trying to analyze or understand something.

Jogging memory is good, learning and understanding something is bad - on the last days that is.

 

[mg777]

Hey guys...
Just wanted to know your advice on what to do the day before I take the DAT?
Thanks

Invest in an adult diaper. . seriously, youre going to be fine good luck to you!

 

[HangOnSloopy]

there are so many little things on the DAT that always seem bound to show up. Like for example, on the bio section, theres always at least 1-2 questions about a specific tissue and whether it developed from ectoderm, endoderm, or mesoderm. Or on Organic, theres always 2-3 questions about picking out which compound is or is not aromatic. Or on QR, theres always one question about "Joe can do the job in 5 hours, Jane can do it in 2 hours, how long does it take them to work together?" As I was going along studying and I noticed these patterns in my practice exams, that every exam had these same type of questions, I made a list of these topics, and the day before the exam (hell even on the car ride to the exam) I reviewed through them, and I honestly think it boosted my score by 5-10 questions. Just a thought, what works for me won't work for everybody but good luck!

 

[LSN]

there are so many little things on the DAT that always seem bound to show up. Like for example, on the bio section, theres always at least 1-2 questions about a specific tissue and whether it developed from ectoderm, endoderm, or mesoderm. Or on Organic, theres always 2-3 questions about picking out which compound is or is not aromatic. Or on QR, theres always one question about "Joe can do the job in 5 hours, Jane can do it in 2 hours, how long does it take them to work together?" As I was going along studying and I noticed these patterns in my practice exams, that every exam had these same type of questions, I made a list of these topics, and the day before the exam (hell even on the car ride to the exam) I reviewed through them, and I honestly think it boosted my score by 5-10 questions. Just a thought, what works for me won't work for everybody but good luck!

Thats a great idea!! Thanks!! As I study in these next few weeks, I will make a list of things that I know for sure will be asked...the typical expected questions...and review those the day before.

By the way.... to Busdriver: I totally agree! Prometric and AADSAS are my new best friends now!! I practically recognize everyone's voice at AADSAS when I call....seems like there is only 3 people that work there... (Figures why my application took about 7 weeks to process). 🙄

 

[toothpixie]

these are all such great suggestions! i also compiled some of the more frequent types of questions in a little notebook i could whip out whenever i had some down time...

LSN, all the best to you! i'm rooting for ya!

Take Care,
Sincerely, Sujain