Destroyer + CDP = brain melt?

[TXpredent]

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Hi folks,

I'm roughly following the second half of dentalwork's study schedule and it's killing me. In one day I can only finish about 3/4 sections (usually leave QR out) and if it's a day where I do a CDP my brain starts melting. I've noticed that I do particularly poor on my last section of the day. I always start out trying to do all 4 sections but by the start of the last section my brain becomes useless and I don't absorb anything and make tons of silly errors. So I usually just don't do that last section (usually QR). Yesterday I did QR first and Bio last and again just couldnt get to Bio. It takes me an extremely LONG time to get through GC (3-4 hours) bc I'm doing my best to look up my mistakes in my notes and learn everything. Same with OC actually. Bio is by far the fastest section for me.

What do yall recommend I do to deal with this? My goal is to finish on his timeline so that I can do some Achiever tests before my May 13th DAT.

Also, CDP is really hard for me 🙁 first score was a 15, second a 17... am I going to be okay??? I'm having particular trouble on the cube counting and hole punches.

A lot of yall are pretty experienced with using both Destroyer and CDP, any advice??

 

[biomolecmed]

Try to focus on one section at a time. For example, if you think you need more work on chem do chem that day, but chem only, nxt day move on to Bio, and do Bio only, then only QC and so on. That way you are actually studying and not just burning yourself out doing all the sections. Good luck on your exam.

 

[Salmoides]

I'm doing the same thing and having similar problems. I just finished the 2012 version today. The first couple days where really tough. It seemed to get a little easier as I went. I start my day by looking over the last section that I did (usually qr) that seems to help reinforce concepts that I should of gotten but didn't (because my brain was melted) and also clues me into mistakes that I am prone to make when I am tired. I'm planning on taking a few days to review bio, gen chem, and orgo before I go back through.
But I'm really writing to tell you don't treat the PAT as a less important part of the DAT! I'm retaking because of a low PAT score. Last year I started CDP making 16s and worked up to averaging 19s, but made a 17 on the real thing! I sacrificed studying for the pat and focused on the survey of natural sciences (which I did well on). There is a lot of great advice on this forum, there is a cube counting technique somewhere on here( I can't find it) that really works well for me. I would consider doing a few CDP tests while you're still pretty fresh to help you get the hang of things. Good luck on your test man! I'm taking mine on may 18th and I know its hard to put in ten hour + days when it is so beautiful outside.

 

[asdfray]

hey,

PAT is definitely one of those things that can be mastered through practice and patients =).

I started with a 18 and now I'm averaging 21 (which I'm ok with 😀). When I started, I did 2 test a day and reviewed after each.
Keep it up and work though the problems. You got time so work hard.

btw I suck at cube counting too (11-12/15 correct) Good thing to hear that the cubes on CDP is easier than actual.

 

[TXpredent]

thanks for the words of encouragement guys, I've been a little busier these couple of days so I've only been able to do 2 sections a day. I did a Bio refresher though yesterday bc the Destroyer identified some weak points and I had to go back. I'm on Day 5 of the Destroyer and I'm halfway through O Chem and Gen Chem. Slightly behind on Bio and QR though unfortunately. I'm going to work back up to all 4 sections a day though soon, probably after this weekend.

the hole punches on CDP are ridiculous IMO. Anyone know how they compare to the real DAT? My brain hurts just trying to figure them out. I always have to skip half the section so I can get equal practice on everything. I'm going to try doing more PAT each day instead of Dentalwork's plan of skipping a few days. I'm too stressed out about it lol.

 

[fuqele]

I drew grid for hole punches. It helped me keep track of things.

Taking some time off is always a good idea. Don't get overwhelmed!

 

[njohns24]

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[gman3]

New member, I want to prepare for the dat this summer. I have material to review but I was wondering what would be best, study daily different material or run and finish each material at a time.

 

[Dotoday]

Try to do the section that you are best at at the end of the day. That will build up your endurance for the test and let you know how well you would do on the real test at the end when you are exhausted. However, start your day with the hardest section, the one that gives you most problems. That will give you more times to learn and understand what you did wrong. Hope this helps. Good luck.

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