Getting discouraged and so stressed. Need some advice!

[virtualmaster999]

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Hi everyone,

I thought I would ask for some suggestions on the DAT, and give a little bit of info about myself, because studying for this test is eating me alive.

I've been studying since January (note: I was in school with a full classload, and at first, it was working out. i was able to do ~4 hours a day for the first month or two. After that it got bad, and was hard to commit more time, in which PAT was basically all I did for like an hr/ day).

I've been studying hardcore since May 4. Throughout the semester, I was able to go over all the content, but obviously forgot a lot of it from not reviewing it. So, I spent the last two weeks doing content review, and this week I started Destroyer. Destroyer is really testing my limits, and it's crazy to see how much there is to know still. This week I've done 335 Bio, 175 Bio, 180 Orgo, and about 60 QR. I feel like I should've done more though. It takes so long to go over what you got wrong/ your mistakes in Destroyer.

Anyhow, my test is scheduled for June 30, so about 5 weeks to go. THIS SCARES ME SOOOO MUCH! I don't know if I'll be ready by then, but I'm in a sticky situation. I just finished my junior year, so I'll be applying this summer. I have good stats: 3.94 cumulative and science, ~120 hours shadowing, other good EC, including Phi Beta Kappa/ Alpha Sigma NU, and great LOR's. It's just this DAT that is ruining me. I think I'm good at school and learning in general, but my God there is just so much to know all at once.

I'm getting discouraged because of how long it is taking me to grasp the material, especially compared to others. Now, I know I didn't have the typical "full 3 months" to study yet, even if I started in Jan, and I know everyone works at their own pace. But I just feel so discouraged on how much I still need to know/ to do good. All I want is to get into Dental School, and this exam is eating my alive.

I know this sounds excessive, but I've been studying 15 hours/ day since May 4 (broken in 5 hour blocks). I know it's a lot, but I have so much to do to improve still (at least I feel), and I'm just thinking of how close the test date is.

Now, let's say I wanted to push my test to a later date. I know it gets riskier and riskier if you keep pushing it. But how would like July 15-20 sound? Is that too late, assuming my application is all complete?

I'm honestly so stressed, and I feel like I am running out of time. I feel like I "am not doing enouugh" even with all the work I am putting in. It's so discouraging and depressing.

Can i have some advice on ways to improve for this test? I know Destroyer and Bootcamp is key, which are really amazing btw. And can I have some suggestions about pushing my test to a later date?

Anything helps.

Thank you in advance everyone!

 

[cacajuate]

dude, you need to go for a run.


and second off you have a 3.94 GPA. You will get into school somewhere with just an 18AA. 5 more weeks studying is a ton of time. Just relax and break the test up into smaller goals and work on those goals. You are going to do just fine.

 

[MichiganStudent93]

Before doing Destroyer, I think it's smarter to get the content down, or at least expose yourself to all the content in BIO and then go to destroyer. I tried doing Destroyer before doing some of the embryology chapters and the evolution stuff, and it just freaked me out. I am in a similar boat and might even take the DAT same day as you. But you still have over a month and some days, which is a lot of time to do well!

 

[virtualmaster999]

Honestly, I'll take an 18/19. I'm not trying to get 25+, I just want to get into dental school. I know realistically I won't be able to get extremely high anyhow, and my optimal range is 18-22. I've gone over everything for bio except for diversity and plants, but still, there are other things in Destroyer that still trouble me. Would it be best to go through Destroyer one time, and then go over everything I got wrong/ need work on, and then pick up from there?

 

[alexis2010]

go over destroyer one more time. read the answers in the back and make flash cards of what you don't know. take a day off to relax and don't think about the test. have some fun then do it again.
we all need a break once in a while.
god luck

 

[BYU4you]

Five weeks is more than enough! I had a similar schedule and I really started studying like April 25th and I actually wanted to move my test UP a week from May 21 because I felt like I did what I could.

Don't burn out.

You will do great with the time you have put in. And destroyer really is harder than the real thing just use it to learn so when it comes up on the test you can say I've seen this no problem.

 

[fearthewild]

I think you will be more than prepared for your test date. It's really easy to compare yourself to others, but don't do it. It steals your joy.

 

[510586]

You got this dude! People say all the time that you will be more ready than you think you are come test day!

 

[Kellogg321]

You seem like a hard working student 🙂 I would go over Chad's video for the questions you miss on chem sections and skim through ap cliff notes for Biology. All these are doable within a month since you already started it, good luck!

 

[pulltheleverkronk]

I think you sound prepared. I would just try to relax. I know that's easier said than done, though. I tried to study during the year and couldn't even manage what you were doing. Just take some deep breaths and believe that everything you've done will pay off eventually. You've got this!

 

[Pearl E. White]

Sounds to me like you're just stressing. I would love to be in your position. Relax and knock it out of the park! Update us on your test results which I'm sure will be amazing. You got this!

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Hi everyone,

I thought I would ask for some suggestions on the DAT, and give a little bit of info about myself, because studying for this test is eating me alive.

I've been studying since January (note: I was in school with a full classload, and at first, it was working out. i was able to do ~4 hours a day for the first month or two. After that it got bad, and was hard to commit more time, in which PAT was basically all I did for like an hr/ day).

I've been studying hardcore since May 4. Throughout the semester, I was able to go over all the content, but obviously forgot a lot of it from not reviewing it. So, I spent the last two weeks doing content review, and this week I started Destroyer. Destroyer is really testing my limits, and it's crazy to see how much there is to know still. This week I've done 335 Bio, 175 Bio, 180 Orgo, and about 60 QR. I feel like I should've done more though. It takes so long to go over what you got wrong/ your mistakes in Destroyer.

Anyhow, my test is scheduled for June 30, so about 5 weeks to go. THIS SCARES ME SOOOO MUCH! I don't know if I'll be ready by then, but I'm in a sticky situation. I just finished my junior year, so I'll be applying this summer. I have good stats: 3.94 cumulative and science, ~120 hours shadowing, other good EC, including Phi Beta Kappa/ Alpha Sigma NU, and great LOR's. It's just this DAT that is ruining me. I think I'm good at school and learning in general, but my God there is just so much to know all at once.

I'm getting discouraged because of how long it is taking me to grasp the material, especially compared to others. Now, I know I didn't have the typical "full 3 months" to study yet, even if I started in Jan, and I know everyone works at their own pace. But I just feel so discouraged on how much I still need to know/ to do good. All I want is to get into Dental School, and this exam is eating my alive.

I know this sounds excessive, but I've been studying 15 hours/ day since May 4 (broken in 5 hour blocks). I know it's a lot, but I have so much to do to improve still (at least I feel), and I'm just thinking of how close the test date is.

Now, let's say I wanted to push my test to a later date. I know it gets riskier and riskier if you keep pushing it. But how would like July 15-20 sound? Is that too late, assuming my application is all complete?

I'm honestly so stressed, and I feel like I am running out of time. I feel like I "am not doing enouugh" even with all the work I am putting in. It's so discouraging and depressing.

Can i have some advice on ways to improve for this test? I know Destroyer and Bootcamp is key, which are really amazing btw. And can I have some suggestions about pushing my test to a later date?

Anything helps.

Thank you in advance everyone!

It is natural to feel nervous and scared before the test. Trust me your are NOT alone. I work with many students and what you are feeling is quite common.

You are a VERY hard working student and dedicated to your studies, but sometimes studying too many hours can be counter productive.
Give yourself breaks and do something you enjoy, it can make all the difference. A few hours or even a day away from studies is not going to make a difference come test day.

As I have stated many times on this forum there is no shame in rescheduling if your test date approaches and you do not feel prepared, this is a test you want to avoid taking more than once if possible.

You might want to consider the prometric test drive, this may calm your nerves a bit by knowing what to expect.
https://www.prometric.com/en-us/for-test-takers/prepare-for-test-day/pages/take-a-practice-test.aspx

Keep going the finish line is in sight!

Nancy