Hello All/Question about DAT prep.

[eric275]

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Just wanted to say hello and introduce myself to everyone. I finally was able to activate my account after a week and a half of trying to get my e-mail program to let me recieve my conformation e-mail, wew I made it! 🙂

I stumbled on this website about a month ago and spent the first couple of weeks paging through the interview ratings before realizing there were all of these great forums. I have been really impressed with the information content on these boards and the amount of help and advice that memebrs give each other.

Anyway enough about that. I'm working towards my degree at the University of Oregon and plan on taking my DAT this summer for the 2005 application cycle. I completed Biology and Gen-Chem last year so I am currently finishing up my O-chem, Biochem, and Physics this Spring. I have spoken with several admissions departments and they have advised me to submit my application in June even though I will not have a DAT score untill Aug/Sept. They told me that it wasn't a big deal and that I should be fine as long as I have my DAT scores to them asap or at the latest before their deadline dates.

I have read many of the older posts about preparing form the DAT and just wanted to get some feedback from you as to what I have percieved. I'll give my plan on studying for the DAT and would appriciate any comments as to what you all think.

I get done with finals on June 11 and plan to take about a 2-3 week break before I start studying. I am enrolled in a Kaplan review course, have a Kaplan blue book, a GRE book (for verbal reasoning practice) and have Barron's DAT book on the way (for PAT practice) and Topscore on the way. I plan to start studying on my own around the first of July and my Kaplan course starts on July 11 and ends Aug. 24. I would hope to take the DAT sometime around the time I finish with Kaplan but may take 1 or 2 weeks to brush up on anyhting I feel I need to. Does this seem like a reasonable plan to you all? Also does anyone have any advice on what would be good to start studying before my Kaplan course starts, PAT, VR, etc?

 

[combinator]

All I can say is that I would strongly recommend having a supplemental textbook for the Biology portion of the DAT. I took the Kaplan course and here are some of the things you can expect, and some of the things I would recommend you do.

1) Don't waste your time in the kaplan classes...watch the tapes which are actually taught by informed instructors

2) The bio section in that book they gave you is somewhat insufficient in details. What I would do is go over some details of each section that is taught in the blue book in your actual textbook to provide with a more comprehensive understanding of each particular system and subsection.

3) All the general chemistry that you need to know is in the blue book, although I would strongly recommend that you go over pH and chemical kinetics in your textbook

4) Organic Chemistry is actually quite a joke on the real deal. Everything except extraction techniques is taught well in the blue book. Read your org chem lab book on extraction and recrytalization before taking the test (just know the basics of it, not the mathematical equations that comes with these subsections).

5) The PAT is actually tougher on the real deal that what you will see at Kaplan. Just keep doing problems over and over until you see patterns in each section. Practice makes perfect. Barrons also gives pretty good tips.

6) Reading Comprehension was about the same at Kaplan than on the real deal (although I scored higher on the real deal). Remember that if the Kaplan method doesnt work for you just stick with what you feel comfortable

7) QR is much harder at kaplan than on the real deal. Read the blue book, do problems, and do the problems in the barrons book as well.

8) One final note, the exams that kaplan has on their computers are fantastic. They are very similar to the real deal.

Good luck 🙂

 

[eric275]

Thanks for the feedback combinator.

 

[DDS2BE]

What is the differense between that blue book you guys talking about on this forum and the book provided by Kaplan for those who sign up for their DAT class. Aren't those books the same?

 

[combinator]

yeah same book

 

[HBomb]

eric275,

You have a game plan, and that's what matters most. I'm assuming some things are just implied in your statement, but let me be explicit about them: 1) you plan on studying very hard from July to Aug, 2) you plan to get very far ahead of your Kaplan class, and 3) you are a very motivated individual. You need these three things to make your plan work. Also, set goals about what score you plan to get and then just do it!

Good luck.

 

[eric275]

Thank you all for taking the time to post, I appriciate the info.

 

[hockeydentist]

Way too goo combinator, everything you stated about Kaplan and the supplement to go with it was right on target. Your the Terminator, i mean combinator.

I bet when you finished the DAT, you said "HASTA LA VISTA BABY"
or IF you didn't do well "I'll BE BACK" HEEHEEHEHEHEHHEHEHE

had to put the Arnie reference with your name, couldn't help it.

HD.

 

[Calculus1]

All I can say is that I would strongly recommend having a supplemental textbook for the Biology portion of the DAT. I took the Kaplan course and here are some of the things you can expect, and some of the things I would recommend you do.

1) Don't waste your time in the kaplan classes...watch the tapes which are actually taught by informed instructors

2) The bio section in that book they gave you is somewhat insufficient in details. What I would do is go over some details of each section that is taught in the blue book in your actual textbook to provide with a more comprehensive understanding of each particular system and subsection.

3) All the general chemistry that you need to know is in the blue book, although I would strongly recommend that you go over pH and chemical kinetics in your textbook

4) Organic Chemistry is actually quite a joke on the real deal. Everything except extraction techniques is taught well in the blue book. Read your org chem lab book on extraction and recrytalization before taking the test (just know the basics of it, not the mathematical equations that comes with these subsections).

5) The PAT is actually tougher on the real deal that what you will see at Kaplan. Just keep doing problems over and over until you see patterns in each section. Practice makes perfect. Barrons also gives pretty good tips.

6) Reading Comprehension was about the same at Kaplan than on the real deal (although I scored higher on the real deal). Remember that if the Kaplan method doesnt work for you just stick with what you feel comfortable

7) QR is much harder at kaplan than on the real deal. Read the blue book, do problems, and do the problems in the barrons book as well.

8) One final note, the exams that kaplan has on their computers are fantastic. They are very similar to the real deal.

Good luck 🙂

Actually, if you're taking the Kaplan DAT course this summer, they've revamped everything and the book and teaching methods are a bit different(enough of us uninformed teachers complained). In addition they've improved the bio section, thank God. Also, if you want your higher score guarantee, you have to attend all the classes, not just watch the videos. I'll admit the classes alone aren't going to get you a high score, it's how much you study, but they are a good forum for review and asking questions. If you're getting ready to invest in a Kaplan course, beware of those that bag on it(I'm not talking about Combinator, he's being honest). When I took it last summer, you couldn't go online to get subject tests and other materials like you can now. SO, if you were going to study you would almost HAVE to go to the center. I was at the Kaplan center every day from open to close and I almost never saw anyone from my DAT class in there studying. These are the same people that bash the course afterwards and say that it didn't help them. There are some people, also, who don't need this course and can organize and study the material without any aides. I'm not one of those people. Again, they've changed the course up quite a bit since I just finished teaching it, so what was definitely true when Combinator took the course is not necessarily true now.

 

[combinator]

Actually, if you're taking the Kaplan DAT course this summer, they've revamped everything and the book and teaching methods are a bit different(enough of us uninformed teachers complained). In addition they've improved the bio section, thank God. Also, if you want your higher score guarantee, you have to attend all the classes, not just watch the videos. I'll admit the classes alone aren't going to get you a high score, it's how much you study, but they are a good forum for review and asking questions. If you're getting ready to invest in a Kaplan course, beware of those that bag on it(I'm not talking about Combinator, he's being honest). When I took it last summer, you couldn't go online to get subject tests and other materials like you can now. SO, if you were going to study you would almost HAVE to go to the center. I was at the Kaplan center every day from open to close and I almost never saw anyone from my DAT class in there studying. These are the same people that bash the course afterwards and say that it didn't help them. There are some people, also, who don't need this course and can organize and study the material without any aides. I'm not one of those people. Again, they've changed the course up quite a bit since I just finished teaching it, so what was definitely true when Combinator took the course is not necessarily true now.

I had no idea they are revamping the place man. I also use to work at Kaplan (found a better job, hehe). Well, Eric, if you read this, I now recommend you to go to class and see what's up 😀

 

[eric275]

I had no idea they are revamping the place man. I also use to work at Kaplan (found a better job, hehe). Well, Eric, if you read this, I now recommend you to go to class and see what's up 😀

Thanks for the update Calculus1 and the input Combinator. I have already signed up for the Kaplan course and paid my fee. My class starts on July 11 and runs until Aug 24. The class is scheduled for Thurs. 6:00-9:00pm and Sun. from 9:00 to 12:00am. The course is being offered in Portland, OR and I live in Bend, OR about a 2 1/2 hour drive. My friend and study partner will be attending the same class so we will be car-pooling. We decided that we will go up on Thurs. afternoon and stay through Sunday which will be nice so that we can camp out at Kaplan for those 3 1/2 days and use thier resources. Depending on how productive the study time at the center is, I may end up staying the whole week from time to time since I have relatives close by, my wife will be thrilled about that 😀

I recently recieved my material for the Kaplan course. After reading your posts I'll have to compare my Kaplan course material they sent me with the Kaplan blue book that I have and see what changes if any have been made in the material.

Last year I completed the gen.chem sequence, nuerobiology,cell biology, and my biology sequence. This year I am completing my O-chem sequence, physcis, and bio-chem. I am pretty anxious to get started on my studying and to see how productive the Kaplan course will be. I will definately post my insights about the course and keep you all updated.

Again thanks for the posts!

 

[HBomb]

eric275,

About the DAT course:
1) Hopefully, you'll get a good instructor. It is possible you get a lemon, but I doubt it. At any rate, try to use the classroom time as a review and a place to identify your weaknesses and strengths. Work on your weaknesses.
2) The subject tests are now online. You MUST work the subject tests over and over again, until you don't miss any. And then do them again!!! This is truly the only way you will improve your score (though I do think you should also go to the class).
3) Use your instructor as a resource. Don't be afraid to email him/her with questions and/or ask your questions in class. Sometimes you can stump the instructors, but the good ones will always follow up with your questions. Use them as much as you can. That's what they're paid for, and more importantly, that's what you paid for.

 

[sxr71]

I'm going to offer a completely differing opinion. The Kaplan Blue Book offers pretty much everything that you need to know in Biology if you read it from beginning to end and remember everything. I really believe this because all I did was read the Kaplan Blue Book from beginning to end and Biology was my highest section at 26. Maybe I could have done better by consulting other books, but I still feel that better reading and retention of the Kaplan Blue Book would have enabled me to do better. Take it for what it's worth and do what you feel you need to get the scores you want.

 

[eric275]

Thanks for the feedback Hbomb and sxr71.

I guess I'm just going to have to wait until I get started studying to determine what I feel that I need in certain areas. Once I identify my areas that need the most work I will be able to tailor my studying to strengthen those areas. I will not be working this summer while studying for the DAT so I feel that I will have plenty of time to study as long as I have a solid plan and stick to it. I am planning on spending 5-8 hours a day studying and treat it as if I'm still in school.

I think what I am leaning towards so far is first concentrating on the material from the DAT course, the same info that is in the blue book, and if I feel that I have a good grasp on that material, then I will incorporate other tools and materials to fill in any areas that I feel need additional work.

During my studying I will also incorporate regular study times to work on VR, PA, and QR.

I really appriciate all of the feedback and suggestions. I think the one thing I have learned from the various posts, in this thread and others, is that it is possible to succeed on the DAT if you put in the time and stay focused on the goal, doing well on the DAT.

Thanks again Eric

 

[Calculus1]

I'm going to offer a completely differing opinion. The Kaplan Blue Book offers pretty much everything that you need to know in Biology if you read it from beginning to end and remember everything. I really believe this because all I did was read the Kaplan Blue Book from beginning to end and Biology was my highest section at 26. Maybe I could have done better by consulting other books, but I still feel that better reading and retention of the Kaplan Blue Book would have enabled me to do better. Take it for what it's worth and do what you feel you need to get the scores you want.

While I normally agree with you, on this one I'm going to have to say yes most if not all the material you need to score adequately is in the blue book. HOWEVER, a 24 is an awesome score for bio and I would suspect that you either got a test that was right up your alley or you're a bio major and had some knowledge that filled in the blanks for you.