Finished the DAT. Mixed feelings.

[jhmcknight]

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This was my second attempt, and I was honestly disappointed. I didn't really study extensively for the first time (last year) because I just didn't realize the scope and importance of this test, and I was taking lots of classes and working. This time, I really cracked down, but my score don't reflect it as much as I wanted. Here she is...

PAT: 23
QR: 17
RC: 16
Bio: 20
GC: 18
OC: 20
TS: 19
AA: 18

RC and QR are killing me. I was doing way better in my practice tests of MATH destroyer but somehow blew it. I relied on the calculator too much and it was slow and terrible. Worse than any study program I used. You literally had to hit each button twice for it to register. That wasted so much time. The questions weren't hard (nothing harder than destroyer), but I worked too long on some to where time became an issue. Advice: skip hard ones, knock out easy ones, then go back to hard ones.

RC was just annoying. I knew that going into it, and I should have rescheduled my test just to practice this section more! I used Achiever as my primary study tool for this section, and it actually hurt me. The Achiever passages are stupid hard, so I practiced a certain method on those (scoring 15-16s). I read lots of SDNers saying that was normal. Then on the real DAT, it was almost exclusively S&D. I kept flip flipping my strategy to the point of just losing time. I wish I had known it was going to be easier. Achiever made things too hard. I should have practiced with Crack DAT reading or DATqvault for this section.

BIO wasn't so much random as the confusing way they asked questions. I would read the question a few times to really understand what they were asking. Then was like "ohhh, THAT's what they means..." Pleased with my score. Wished I had done better but thought I did worse.

GC and OC were about what I expected. Destroyer and Chad helped for both. Lots of bond questions for GC. I just should have studied more destroyer and watched Chad again closer to my exam time to bring everything to the surface. Emphasis on the second.

PAT was easier/on par with CRACK DAT PAT. Honestly thought I did better than 23. This has always been my strong point. I scored 20+ on all CDP and Achiever. Finished with 8 minutes to spare. Angles were WAY easier than CDP/Achiever, everything else about the same. 4x4 method for hole punching was a life saver.

Not happy and contemplating yet another attempt with more studying in reading and timing myself in math. Brush up on the rest for sure. I knew the info pretty well (I thought), but it truly takes knowing it backward and forward to get 20+ across the board. That was what I was shooting for since my GPA isn't too competitive. I have been encouraged by reading other posts where the third attempt they blew it out of the water. I have already applied this cycle, but maybe in a few month with a higher DAT score, my app will be a little happier.🙂

Sources: KBB, Chad's, Dat Destroyer, Achiever 👎, CDP, Cliffs AP Bio
Additional sources if I retake: DATqvault, CDR, Topscore.

The only reason I liked achiever is because you could simulate an entire test in one sitting. Other than that, it was too hard (esp. bio and RC). Good tool overall I suppose. Will try topscore instead.

Summary of my feelings when the scores popped up on the screen....

 

[Jab1113]

Don't sweat it, you did great overall in your sciences and PAT. Call up the dental schools that you want to apply to and talk to their admissions office about what they think. I think thats the best advice anyone on this forum can give you.

Good luck and dont give up, this is my second time too! 👍

 

[jhc83]

Did you take any practice tests? Achiever, DATqvault?? 2007/2009 ADA sample tests???
What were your scores like?

 

[jhmcknight]

Did you take any practice tests? Achiever, DATqvault?? 2007/2009 ADA sample tests???
What were your scores like?

I took 5 Achiever practice tests in consecutive days a few days before my actual test. Not recommended in a row. They were demoralizing. My scores were consistently 15-19, except PAT 20s. I would use Achiever as the last line of defense. I should have burned through topscore, ADA, DATqvault first...then Achiever. And I should have gotten a hold of as many RC practice tests as possible. I used Achiever as my only gauge and now I am paying for it!

 

[biomolecmed]

You did not do that bad. I think you should try and apply. You could always retake later. I think you have a chance of getting in. Get your recommendations and experience in order.