1st DAT: August 30, 1999
Academic Average: 17 (63.1%)
Perceptual Ability: 24 (99.8)
Quantitive Reasoning: 18 (74.3)
Reading Comp: 19 (75.4)
Biology: 16 (51.4)
General Chem: 16 (52.3)
Organic Chen: 18 (74.9)
Total Science: 17 (67.0)
2nd DAT: January 2, 2002
Academic Average: 20 (92.4%)
Perceptual Ability: 23 (99.5)
Quant. Reasoning: 17 (62.6)
Reading Comp: 23 (98.2)
Biology: 22 (98.2)
Gen. Chem: 18 (68.9)
Org. Chem: 21 (93)
Total Science: 20 (93.9)
For the first DAT, I took it right after my Kaplan course. I must say, I didn't study my hardest and use all the resources of the Kaplan course fully. Needless to say, I did very average (below average comparing to today's admissions statistics).
Believe me, I did not want to retake the DAT again, but due to my low cumulative undergraduate GPA (please reference the UNDER 3.0 CLUB thread), I knew I had to if I wanted the admissions committees to see that I was determined for my dental education.
For the second time around, I reused all my Kaplan course studying materials, specifically the SCIENCE REVIEW book. I did not study the Quantitive Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Perceptual Ability sections at all for the second time. I concentrated on sciences of the DAT.
For the Biology, Gen. Chem, and Org. Chem, I used the Kaplan's Science Review book and READ EVERY SINGLE PAGE AND WORD! I would take notes on EVERY chapter and jot down all the important concepts. At the end of every chapter I would end up with a page of notes. At the end of every section (Biology, Gen. Chem., etc.), I would have a packet of hand written notes on that section. I, then, would use these note packets for review every time I sit on the toilet, before bed, and/or while I eat breakfast, dinner, etc.
I strongly believe that if you know the Kaplan's Science Review book cold, you'd score well on the DAT!
In addition, the TOPSCORE CD is a very useful tool. Instead of taking the mock tests on computer, I printed every single question out and made every single section into a packet. By doing this, I end up with 3 packets of General Chemistry mock tests, 3 Org. chem. mocks tests, and 3 mock Biology tests in paper form. Then I would go through them and answer why the incorrect choices are incorrect and what would make them correct!
It's nice to what the correct answer is, but it's even better if you know why the incorrect answers are incorrect and what will make them correct! This really reinforces the concepts and makes you learn.
I spend good three months, at least 4 hours a day religously studying for my 2nd DAT. Every single second paid off in my opinion.
Retaking the DAT is a daunting task, but if you put in your time to study, it will pay off. There were so many times, I wanted to go out with friends, watch TV, and/or procrastinate during my studies. I told myself that my dental education future is riding on this test, I would force myself to refocus and get into that studying "zone" again! I remember, it was New Year's eve 2002 last year, I was f@#king studying the DAT while all my friends were partying their @sses off and getting some action! The only action I had was making out was Biology, cuddling with Organic Chemistry, and holding hands with General Chemistry! Man, let me tell ya, that was great!!
Study hard and sacrifice now, you'll be rewarded later, I guarantee ya.
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