Dumb Questions About The DAT....

[Double Bonded]

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I've got some stupid questions that I want to get cleared up before I take the DAT and I don't really have any place that I can ask. Feel free to add your own or answer a stupid question if you want. 😀


How large are the monitors that the Prometric center uses?

I took a class offered by Kaplan and they gave me a sample dry-erase sheet, after I erase writing on it, it becomes hard to write new stuff and there is all this debris left over. Does this happen with the dry-erase sheets on the actual DAT?

Do we have to know basic logarithms for pH calculation for Gchem?

 

[dentalWorks]

I've got some stupid questions that I want to get cleared up before I take the DAT and I don't really have any place that I can ask. Feel free to add your own or answer a stupid question if you want. 😀


How large are the monitors that the Prometric center uses?

I took a class offered by Kaplan and they gave me a sample dry-erase sheet, after I erase writing on it, it becomes hard to write new stuff and there is all this debris left over. Does this happen with the dry-erase sheets on the actual DAT?

Do we have to know basic logarithms for pH calculation for Gchem?

My testing center, if I remember correctly, they were LCD monitors, I think 19". Pretty nice set up I thought

The Dry-erase sucks. The girl upfront (before I started the test) was really nice, she gave me like 3 brand new markers. The eraser, it does an "okay" job but you have to press hard and erase, this isn't going to be much of an issue because when the exam-anxiety kicks in, you will be erasing hard and fast ~ without even trying

the ONLY time you will REALLY be using the dry-erase paper is when you get to the math. General chemistry, I think I used it for like 15 of the 30, so not as extensive, and most of it, was just setting up the equations properly.

And there is no logarithmic scale, its usually VERY easy conversions, you can do them in your head

 

[Double Bonded]

thanks DW


Do we need to know anything about the integrated rate laws?

my gchem class emphasized them a lot and I haven't seen anything about them in my DAT prep stuff..

 

[dentalWorks]

thanks DW


Do we need to know anything about the integrated rate laws?

my gchem class emphasized them a lot and I haven't seen anything about them in my DAT prep stuff..

Its been awhile for me
But yeh you should know rate laws and how they are implemented, but I don't remember how in depth you need to know the integrated version

 

[Double Bonded]

What about the Nernst equation or the (many) equations for delta G which require several variables and constants?

 

[wall1two]

id say know the E= Enot - .0592/n * log(Q) version of the nerst but mostly just to realize that if you increase the concentration of the reactants( thus moving the equilibrium to the reactant favored side) your emf decreases or the more moles of electrons you are transferring the lower your emf. Good looks on the Ksp problem too db

i also havnt used the -2.3RT lnK version of the gibbs equation yet, but the G= Gnot + RTln Q and the G= H- deltaS*T have been good to me so far

 

[Kahr]

I've got some stupid questions that I want to get cleared up before I take the DAT and I don't really have any place that I can ask. Feel free to add your own or answer a stupid question if you want. 😀


How large are the monitors that the Prometric center uses? The ones I had were probably 17" LCDs.

I took a class offered by Kaplan and they gave me a sample dry-erase sheet, after I erase writing on it, it becomes hard to write new stuff and there is all this debris left over. Does this happen with the dry-erase sheets on the actual DAT? My markers were kinda crappy, but the eraser was new and worked well, very easy to erase (no debris either). The sheets they gave me were yellow laminated with one side graph one side blank. Oddly enough, at the end of the exam I tried erasing the calculations I'd written during the tutorial in the beginning and it was almost impossible to erase them.

Do we have to know basic logarithms for pH calculation for Gchem?
I certainly didn't encounter any. Since people are advising equations here, I'd definitely advise knowing the ideal gas equation and the revised version that includes density.

Regarding rate laws, I'd suggest knowing what affects the different parts of rate (e.g. what can affect the rate constant) and how to setup the rate equations from various given data, all very basic stuff.

 

[seunglim87]

so they do not give out scrap paper??

 

[ALffreyDO]

so they do not give out scrap paper??

No you get two laminated sheets, mine were pink haha, and you get three dry-erase markers. So I would suggest studying with those as opposed to scratch paper just to get used to it.

I just took the test on Wednesday and the people at the prometric center were really nice, it was kinda hard to erase so they exchanged my sheets for brand new ones during the break. They also gave me brand new markers. I'm sure if you talk to them about it they should have no problem doing that.

 

[Double Bonded]

Should I be using a calculator for DAT Destroyer?

Can I bring my own ear plugs to the testing center?

 

[wall1two]

do destroyer with no calculator, all the numbers in there can be rounded or white boarded, and they have construction zone headphones at the place. they are the dome kind so they echo noise(like a seashell to your ear), so get some to try em out first to see if you like it.

 

[Kahr]

Should I be using a calculator for DAT Destroyer?

Can I bring my own ear plugs to the testing center?

Sound advice from wall1two. Though I would familiarize yourself at some point with using the windows basic calculator and only doing it with the mouse as you can't use the 10-keypad during the exam.

About the ear plugs, no, personal ear plugs are prohibited, your only option are those ones wall1two described, at least those were the ones I saw.

 

[Double Bonded]

oh...that's a shame (I always using earplugs to study). Thanks guys, I'll check them out.


I really hate the digital timer for "general" timekeeping. Can I at least wear a watch during the test?

 

[Kahr]

oh...that's a shame (I always using earplugs to study). Thanks guys, I'll check them out.


I really hate the digital timer for "general" timekeeping. Can I at least wear a watch during the test?

According to the DAT FAQ, no. But on this one, I'd try it anyway, ask them at the desk if it's okay, they may be cool with it (they let me wear my livestrong yellow wrist band thing when I asked, didn't even ask to look at it or anything). And here, just so you can answer any other questions yourself 😉

What can I bring with me into the test center? No personal belongings are permitted in the secure testing area. Any personal belongings brought to the test center must be stored in a locker provided by the testing center. Items prohibited from the secure testing area include, but are not limited to:
a. Books, notes, study materials, scratch paper, tissues, or markers not provided by the testing center.
b. Dental instruments, models or materials.
c. Slide rules, paper, calculating devices, rulers or other measuring devices (a calculator will be provided on the computer screen during the Quantitative Reasoning Test).
d. Electronic devices, such as telephones, pagers, recording devices, iPods, personal digital assistants (PDAs), radios or stereos with headsets; personal earplugs or headphones.
e. Tote bags; purses, wallets, backpacks, briefcases.
f. Highlighters, pens, erasers, mechanical pencils, dictionaries, and translators.
g. Food, candy, gum, water or other beverages.
h. Outerwear, such as coats, jackets, gloves, or head coverings (except for religious purposes).
i. Good luck charms, statues, religious or superstitious talismans.
j. Medicinal items (except as approved under testing accommodations).
k. Watches (digital or analog) or timing devices (a timer is provided on the computer screen during testing).

 

[Double Bonded]

According to the DAT FAQ, no. But on this one, I'd try it anyway, ask them at the desk if it's okay, they may be cool with it (they let me wear my livestrong yellow wrist band thing when I asked, didn't even ask to look at it or anything). And here, just so you can answer any other questions yourself 😉

Thanks Kahr! I'll probably bring it and ask the person at the desk like you suggested.


How much attention should I be paying to Carbohydrate, proteins/peptides, and laboratory techniques chem for organic chem?
My KBB's last three chapters are on those subjects and I'm not sure how much time to spend on it.


Did you guys skip a lot of questions during the exam?
I've heard the "Review All Marked" button is slow and unpredictable but when taking exams on paper, I usually skip questions that I don't know and come back to them at the end (or if I remember).

 

[Double Bonded]

My Kaplan quizes and tests are going to expire next week and I'm not going to be able to get through some of them. Should I get Achiever, Crack DAT PAT, and TopScore together? or should I buy one, complete it and get the next?

 

[NCPreDent]

Try calling Kaplan; they might extend it for free.

 

[Double Bonded]

Try calling Kaplan; they might extend it for free.

I'll try for sure, but if i remember correctly when I signed up, they said that I'll have to pay some money to renew it. If it's no too much, I might do it.

Can someone tell me how much I should be reading into my Kaplan test scores? How good of a reflection are they of a persons preparation?
(not the diagnostic...the full length midterm, final, and practice exam 1-3)

 

[Teeth12345]

I know in the Destroyer and in Kaplan, there are a lot of "None of the above" and "Two of the above" answer choices. Do they show up quite frequently on the actual exam?
I really don't like two of the above questions!

Thanks!

 

[Double Bonded]

I know in the Destroyer and in Kaplan, there are a lot of "None of the above" and "Two of the above" answer choices. Do they show up quite frequently on the actual exam?
I really don't like two of the above questions!

Thanks!

I'm curious about this as well.


I know this is a broad question, but how much emphasis should I be putting on the immune system and memorizing all of the components?

 

[FairytaleDMD]

Kaplan's really good about extending your service til your exam. I've had to do that a couple times X)

Really pedantic question -- are we allowed to resize the reading window during RC? I can read much faster with a narrower window (actually, this is something reading/speech experts advise is helpful).

Thanks!

 

[wall1two]

From what I remember the passage that is under the questions has a big font and was more narrow than the full passage. Easy reading

 

[Double Bonded]

I've taken 3 full length CDP tests out of ten and I saw that I can practice any subject if I want (keyholes, TFE, CC, etc) but I don't want to preemptively do them in case they're just taken from the actual practice exams and I end up seeing problems before hand that taint my scores. Are they they different from the full length tests?