Help me design my DAT study regime.

[Shouvikp1]

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Soooo, so far this is what i've taken.

Fresh Yr.
Fall: Spring:
Intro Bio Intro Bio
Gen Chem 1 Gen Chem 2
Intro Stats

Soph Yr. (this year)
Fall: Spring: (2010)
Ecology (I am an idiot) Molecular Genetics
Orgo Chem I Orgo Chem 2

I PLAN on taking:

Junior Yr.
Fall Spring
Cell bio Biochem


My available times of study are:
1. This upcoming winter break
2. Summer after summer soph. year (2010) <--- I plan on taking my 1st DAT
3. Winter break of Junior year
4. Spring of Junior year spring break <----- Plan on taking 2nd DAt.


Summer after Junior year: APPLY


SO my questions are.
During what TIMES should i study what MATERIALS? (destroyer, kaplan etc. etc.)


Thanks!!!

 

[peanutb123]

not to come harsh.
but nobody is going to spoon feed you and tell you what to do and when to do.
you can do it...even if we design a specific day to day regime for you, odds favor that you might not follow it. so nobody is going to spend that kind of time... you have to design whatever suits you the best.
good luck

 

[uclaDDS101]

not to come harsh.
but nobody is going to spoon feed you and tell you what to do and when to do.
you can do it...even if we design a specific day to day regime for you, odds favor that you might not follow it. so nobody is going to spend that kind of time... you have to design whatever suits you the best.
good luck

I agree. OP, you should just look at people's dat breakdowns and design a plan for yourself.

 

[DATlongshui]

I agree. OP, you should just look at people's dat breakdowns and design a plan for yourself.

Fully agree! Other people's DAT breakdown definitely will give you more sense of how you should plan yours. Especially pay attention to those threads that make you feel super comfortable/feasible to apply to yourself. That could mean that you may have a similar studying style or some sort, and therefore may be extremely worthwhile to try.

Don't try to take 2nd DAT when you haven't even start studying it. It is very important to stay optimistic and confident about yourself. It is not easy but lots of people managed to kill it, so why wouldn't you?

 

[predencorey]

I agree with the others. Although I understand why you asked. It is, at first glance, a mountain of stuff to study. I was hoping to find some kind of study regime as well but realized there is no perfect way to study.

After reading through this site and knowing my abilities to this point I've decided to take this winter break to study 3-6 (sometimes more if I'm up for it) hours a day. I'm planning on taking the DAT my first week into 2010 spring semester (was going for the day before but it would fall on MLK day and I assumed the testing center would be closed). I haven't actually scheduled the test because if I'm not doing well on topscore pro I'll probably wait until the summer to take it.

My current strategy is to take a practice test every week and base my studying off what I did poorly on.

I strictly doing the kaplan online course right now but I also read a a few chapters from clifs AP bio and chem every night before I go to sleep. I'm hoping that constant repetition will make everything sink in, at least until DAT day.... then I can forget about it lol...

Kinda a ramble but I've been lurking the forums for months and figured I'd contribute a bit!

Good luck...

 

[drdicty]

It goes without saying that what the others before me have said is sound advice, so I won't belabour that point.

But I will say (or ask) this - why are you planning on taking the DAT twice, from the getgo? Does this mean you are not planning on taking the first try seriously b/c you're taking it for the sake of taking it? $208 (or however much the exam costs now) is quite a bit to throw around if that is the case. Also, if it is b/c you're wanting to know what the exam entails, numerous resources exist for that just that reason - they model after the real thing with their full-length exams (any casual click around the forum will lead you to more information about these resources). If you ask anyone with similar career ambitions as yourself, he/she would tell you - whether he/she has taken it once, twice, three times, or even more - that an exam such as the DAT is not an experience that most people of the normal realm like or dream to relive. Most people who end up taking it more than once did not plan on doing so from the beginning - they simply did not attain the desired score the first time around. In my opinion, planning to take it twice before even beginning to study (or planning to study) is perhaps a subtle indication that you don't plan on trying your best the first time around (although I'm sure this is not the way you were thinking). Don't take it personally - but that's how it comes off.

So - my simple advice is this. You know yourself best, and how solidly you feel about your performance and understanding in the science classes you've taken. Plan your study schedule during the block of time that will maximally enable you to review and consolidate these concepts in depth, with enough time. This meaning, I probably would not recommend taking a week-or-two-long spring break (when you've just finished finals from winter quarter or fall semester) to tackle an exam such as the DAT. You'll either burn out, or you'll burn out. Bottom line: You are not going to want to study. Summer is good b/c it's long enough that it allows you to take a breather after your spring term finals, and then jump into studying intensely for a good chunk of time. If you plan it well, you will even have time for a mini vacation when it is all over.

Study better, not longer. Kill it the first time.

Just my two cents (or maybe dollars, for how long this is). You can do it.

Soooo, so far this is what i've taken.

Fresh Yr.
Fall: Spring:
Intro Bio Intro Bio
Gen Chem 1 Gen Chem 2
Intro Stats

Soph Yr. (this year)
Fall: Spring: (2010)
Ecology (I am an idiot) Molecular Genetics
Orgo Chem I Orgo Chem 2

I PLAN on taking:

Junior Yr.
Fall Spring
Cell bio Biochem


My available times of study are:
1. This upcoming winter break
2. Summer after summer soph. year (2010) <--- I plan on taking my 1st DAT
3. Winter break of Junior year
4. Spring of Junior year spring break <----- Plan on taking 2nd DAt.


Summer after Junior year: APPLY


SO my questions are.
During what TIMES should i study what MATERIALS? (destroyer, kaplan etc. etc.)


Thanks!!!