Took the DAT this morning.. and here's what I did.
haven't seen anyone upload the actual unoffical score report, so here it is. lol
First of all, about my background. I graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice in Dec. 2007 in Texas. I moved to NYC　after graduation to work for the NYPD. I enrolled in graduate to get master's in criminal justice. Then, a series of events led me to reconsider my career choice, and after a deep self evaluation, I chose to pursue dentistry. I dropped everything I was going, and completely changed direction. IMO, A cop and a dentist both help people and have a direct impact on people's lives. I realized my personality makes me a better doctor than a cop.
I volunteered at hospital clinics, and shadowed to ensure that this is what I want to do. I could definately picture myself being a competent and caring dentist.
The only prereqs I had to take were Organic I,II and Physicis II. I had taken basic sciences since I briefly considered majoring forensic science while undergrad.
I struggled to survive in NYC and supported myself working at restaurants and bars at night. I finished orgo II in July 2009. As soon as the grade was posted, I submitted AADSAS application. This was mid August.
The only thing the schools are waiting for is my DAT score.
I got a full time job offer with the federal government in August. I started the job, and at the same time, I started to study for DAT.
Due to the new job, I couldn't dedicate much time and energy to studying. I postponed twice.
So the materials I used:
-Bio: Very straightforward, was surprised. Nothing detailed. Understand the BIG PICTURE. My score is not that great for this section. Nonetheless, I decided to read Campbell's bio cover to cover, one chapter per day. Obviously, this did not work out. The most helpful resource for this section was this website: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_gbio/default.htm#ok
This website will HELP you tremendously. This covers EVERY topic you need to know for the DAT. Every major concept is shown in diagrams and pictures, so you can visualize everything. THis website makes your studying very INTERACTIVE, with quizzes and tests that give you instant feedback! Kaplan and Cliffs are good, but they are explained in texts. This website makes you visualize everything.! You will save a lot of time. This webstie is much more effective than Cliffs. Please check it out.
-CHEM: Very straightforward, basic stuff. Watched Chad's video, took notes, and read them about 3 times. For my exam, EVERY topic you need to know was covered by his videos. I did Destroyer once, but repeated the problems I got wrong 2 times.
If you understand Chad's video and can do problem in destroyer, you should be good. I did not even look at Kaplan Blue book. Kaplan blue book made things more confusing for me.
-OCHEM: Again, fundamentals. DId not read Kaplan blue book. Fortunately, I finished my orgo sequence in the summer, so things were pretty fresh in my mind. DId destroyer once. Memorized the roadmaps.
-PAT: did 4 full length crack dat pat. First time I did pat, my score was 16, fourth time it was 18. I did not improve, since I had no time to review things I got wrong.
-Math: I used most of the time studying the sciences, and had no time to study for math. I just memorized formulas (surface area, volume), from Kaplan bb, did Destroyer problem once from 1-90. Did not have time.
-Reading: Nothing. I felt this section, you cannot prepare for. English is my second language. I came to the U.S. when I came to the U.S. at 14, I didn't know any English.
When I studied, I ate blueberries, as I heard they improve memory.
Night before the test, I couldn't sleep. Got 4 hours of zzzzz.
In the morning, ate rice, whole grilled salmon steak, blueberries, nuts, and cereal and milk. Before the test, ate 80% cacao dark chocolate. Chocolate keeps me sharp and alert.
Finaly words. This test is NOT hard. I mean I was a criminal justice major, took only bio I,II, Gen chem I, II, and orgo I, II. THAT"'s it. Contrary to what people bellieve, I don't think taking advance sciences will help you for the DAT. Look at the ADA guideline. Focus on the fundaments, and master them. If I can do it, all you science majors sure can.
Thanks for reading my long break down. Don't give up hope.
Btw, day before the test my topscore score was
17 bio
19 chem
21 o chem
20 math
18 pat
20 reading
dont be discouraged by your toscore score, and study smart. 🙂
haven't seen anyone upload the actual unoffical score report, so here it is. lol
First of all, about my background. I graduated with a B.S. in Criminal Justice in Dec. 2007 in Texas. I moved to NYC　after graduation to work for the NYPD. I enrolled in graduate to get master's in criminal justice. Then, a series of events led me to reconsider my career choice, and after a deep self evaluation, I chose to pursue dentistry. I dropped everything I was going, and completely changed direction. IMO, A cop and a dentist both help people and have a direct impact on people's lives. I realized my personality makes me a better doctor than a cop.
I volunteered at hospital clinics, and shadowed to ensure that this is what I want to do. I could definately picture myself being a competent and caring dentist.
The only prereqs I had to take were Organic I,II and Physicis II. I had taken basic sciences since I briefly considered majoring forensic science while undergrad.
I struggled to survive in NYC and supported myself working at restaurants and bars at night. I finished orgo II in July 2009. As soon as the grade was posted, I submitted AADSAS application. This was mid August.
The only thing the schools are waiting for is my DAT score.
I got a full time job offer with the federal government in August. I started the job, and at the same time, I started to study for DAT.
Due to the new job, I couldn't dedicate much time and energy to studying. I postponed twice.
So the materials I used:
-Bio: Very straightforward, was surprised. Nothing detailed. Understand the BIG PICTURE. My score is not that great for this section. Nonetheless, I decided to read Campbell's bio cover to cover, one chapter per day. Obviously, this did not work out. The most helpful resource for this section was this website: http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_gbio/default.htm#ok
This website will HELP you tremendously. This covers EVERY topic you need to know for the DAT. Every major concept is shown in diagrams and pictures, so you can visualize everything. THis website makes your studying very INTERACTIVE, with quizzes and tests that give you instant feedback! Kaplan and Cliffs are good, but they are explained in texts. This website makes you visualize everything.! You will save a lot of time. This webstie is much more effective than Cliffs. Please check it out.
-CHEM: Very straightforward, basic stuff. Watched Chad's video, took notes, and read them about 3 times. For my exam, EVERY topic you need to know was covered by his videos. I did Destroyer once, but repeated the problems I got wrong 2 times.
If you understand Chad's video and can do problem in destroyer, you should be good. I did not even look at Kaplan Blue book. Kaplan blue book made things more confusing for me.
-OCHEM: Again, fundamentals. DId not read Kaplan blue book. Fortunately, I finished my orgo sequence in the summer, so things were pretty fresh in my mind. DId destroyer once. Memorized the roadmaps.
-PAT: did 4 full length crack dat pat. First time I did pat, my score was 16, fourth time it was 18. I did not improve, since I had no time to review things I got wrong.
-Math: I used most of the time studying the sciences, and had no time to study for math. I just memorized formulas (surface area, volume), from Kaplan bb, did Destroyer problem once from 1-90. Did not have time.
-Reading: Nothing. I felt this section, you cannot prepare for. English is my second language. I came to the U.S. when I came to the U.S. at 14, I didn't know any English.
When I studied, I ate blueberries, as I heard they improve memory.
Night before the test, I couldn't sleep. Got 4 hours of zzzzz.
In the morning, ate rice, whole grilled salmon steak, blueberries, nuts, and cereal and milk. Before the test, ate 80% cacao dark chocolate. Chocolate keeps me sharp and alert.
Finaly words. This test is NOT hard. I mean I was a criminal justice major, took only bio I,II, Gen chem I, II, and orgo I, II. THAT"'s it. Contrary to what people bellieve, I don't think taking advance sciences will help you for the DAT. Look at the ADA guideline. Focus on the fundaments, and master them. If I can do it, all you science majors sure can.
Thanks for reading my long break down. Don't give up hope.
Btw, day before the test my topscore score was
17 bio
19 chem
21 o chem
20 math
18 pat
20 reading
dont be discouraged by your toscore score, and study smart. 🙂
