Freaking Out!

[kaush9]

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I took the DATs twice, the second time was today.

First time around, I just studied the Kaplan books and averaged 18 but scored only a 13 on the PAT🙁. I took the DAT again and got a PAT score of 18 this time around but scored less on the Sciences (had 21 GChem, 19 Ochem and 18 Bio), did worse and got a 17 bio and Ochem and 18 Gchem this second time around!I have no idea what happened! I took the Kaplan course and used Barrons book this time around.

I know I need to take the DAT again if I want to get into dental school. Should I take it again ASAP i.e now in October and still think about applying to start next year? I saw a lot of people recommending Destroyer to study for the DAT, should I get it? How bad is it to have taken the DATs thrice? Especially when I scored lower on the sciences this second time around?? Did higher on the PAT, Quantitave, and RC.

I am just absolutely freaking out right now and feel my DAT score is the only thing getting in the way. My GPA is pretty solid. Help!!!!

 

[AaBbZz]

I would think about taking them again and strengthing all your other extra stuff like shadowing/volunteering hours.
A lot of school's have 18's as their cut off's especially in the sciences. You shouldn't worry about how many times you take them because no what you need to have a score that dental schools accept.
This is just from my experience because I took the DAT last year and scored 19 pat, 17 bio, 19 GChem, 20 Orgo, 19 reading, 21 Quant and didn't get in and I am thinking its because I scored a 17 in one of the sciences. And as a result I am taking them again.
Also, If you don't think you can do any worse then there is no reason not to take them again.

 

[Saber tooth]

About retaking its really up to you plus you have about 3 mouths to think about it... you really need to come to a conclusion yourself because if we tell you take it you will retreat you listed if you don't take it you will also retreat listening.... about three times or 10 simply call up the schools you are interested in and see what they say about what number they think is a good one to stop at!

About the Destroyer you should defiantly get a copy... its like a weapon for war, (you want all the help you can get) I'm sure if you read over it, you will see for yourself how helpful it is and weather you should or shouldn't retake the DAT...

Plus get Top Score and Achiever their good too...

Good Luck

 

[kaush9]

Thanks guys! When I took it the first time around, I checked with a few admissions officers and got mixed responses, some said it doesnt matter how many times you take the DAT, some said three was the cut off. Some said if you did worse the second time, it looked really bad! Although, I definitely am thinking of checking with my top schools and see what they think.

 

[dddoch]

I think it was a great decision to take it the second time cause your 13 PAT would have indeed hurt you severely. I think your second score looks just fine and you shouldn't take it again

 

[Cute Fairy]

It seem like you have a great idea about checking with the schools...

About the Destroyer, you should defiantly look into it, I got it and have been doing it for quite some time, It really helps!

Good Luck

 

[schmick]

Did you send your 2nd scores to the schools?

I can only tell you what i would do if I were in your situation. I would go ahead and stick to these scores for this cycle. I'll apply to a few more schools, too. If I don't see any development with schools and/or rejections/WL start coming in, I would start hitting the books real hard (get every single book mentioned here and do a lot of practice) and then take the exam in March/April for the next cycle and reappy. Remember, you can take the DAT 3 times.

Of course, it is all your decision eventually, but I'd say save that last bullet if worse comes to worse and you have to re-apply. Unless, you are absolutely sure you can prep well enough in three months to score a few 20s in those sciences.

 

[issa]

from 19TS to 17TS WOW!!😱😱