For DAT pros out there

[taptapgrind]

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So seriously folks,
1. Did any of you had inadequate knowledge of Campbell's Biology before deciding to sit for the test and still scored 22+ on that section?
2. Did you study only from Cliff AP Biology? And Destroyer?
I have read Cliff 3x sofar and still have to go through my notes many times to remember all the mechanisms, terminology, etc. Yes, I should "know it cold" 😉.
I have been trying some of the questions after the Campbell's chapters, but I am still missing a LOT of them.
3. How did you do on those?
I had my Biology class 5 years ago and on top of it at a community college - -don't remember much... I do not have the time to read it, except go through Destroyer (a couple of times).
Thanks.

 

[a1pha]

Never even seen Campbell's or Cliffs AP. Just need to know Kaplan BB front to back, get your hands on Kaplan's online material if you can, and take topscore/achiever.

 

[dleodyddlek]

I should've but I didn't get to use all those great sources and scored 20.

never used cambell. I actually didn't even buy the book for my bio classes.
I never used topscore either altho i bought the program. and it just expired before i actually take any of their practice exams.
No cliff either. I have destroyer but I could only go thru answer keys once. Couldn't even do all the questions since i didn't have enough time.
I studied mostly based on Kaplan BB and Barons and whenever somethings not so clear, I looked them up online. Made my own notes whenever i encountered something not so clear or new.

 

[taptapgrind]

Thanks for the reply. It made me wonder how doable is it if you do not read Campbell but get the knowledge from other sources. I would read the bio textbook if I only had time... I think it would take me about a month and I need to study the other subjects too.
I would like to have (buy) the Kaplan subject tests if you have those. Anyone?

 

[KappaSig]

taptagrind, when you taking your test? have you only been studying biology?

 

[taptapgrind]

KappaSig, I plan to take my test around the second week of August. My intentions are to spend a month in each subject and leave a month for testing - - Topscore, Achiever... My background is not that strong, my Chemistries are weak (but got good grades). Took the classes about 3.5 years ago. And you?

 

[KappaSig]

i'm thinking early april.. damn you got lots of time..

i want to be really prepared, all next month is going over questions.. i am starting to do that for chem though...

what cycle are you applying for?

 

[taptapgrind]

Will apply for 2010. I hope it will not be too late. I want to make sure I am ready. There is chance I will try the DAT perhaps in July, but I do not know how well studing will go. I need to do a little research of what is the trend for August applicants, plus I have to do some volunteering/shadowing....
Good luck with the questions.
Let me know how it goes (especially the Bio part😉)

 

[achilles2]

I got a 29 in bio you might want to check out my DAT thread from a while back

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=555343


Materials I used:
Kaplans white book
Cliffs AP Bio
Destroyer
Bio Textbook
Wikipedia

everytime you get a question wrong in a section go wiki that section print and read. Odds are if you got something wrong your weak in the area. 👍

 

[taptapgrind]

Thanks achilles2 for the great link. I have read it before but it was great to read again. Question for u; I will take the test in 2009 at about the same time u took it last year. Where were u accepted? And how does taking the the test at this time influences your application? In other words, is it late?
Absolutely great scores!
Thanks.

 

[achilles2]

Thanks achilles2 for the great link. I have read it before but it was great to read again. Question for u; I will take the test in 2009 at about the same time u took it last year. Where were u accepted? And how does taking the the test at this time influences your application? In other words, is it late?
Absolutely great scores!
Thanks.

I got accepted to a few schools recently and am still waiting to hear back from others. However I believe my lower GPA is what held me up a bit. UConn rejected me pretty quickly in Nov I think.

My advice is to take the test a bit earlier so you can apply earlier then I did. Aim for July, that should give you plenty of time. Get your app ready to rock before hand and make sure you have your letters of recommendation and official transcripts sent already so you can just send your DAT scores and have your app off by early august. If AADSAS gets your stuff my early july it takes them about a month to fire off your app to schools.


Online practice tests are key I like kaplan because they give you a bunch of full practice tests AND full subject tests. So you can really do a ton of practice questions. Thats the most important thing just raw number of questions this will help point out weak areas. Then use wiki + textbook to fill in the areas your missing. The kaplan white book and cliffs are a great overall souce to learn before hand. After that tho its just practice questions.