Hi guys, ive been reading these threads for a couple weeks now. I found the sticky on a DAT study guide using chads videos DAT Destroyer Cliffs AP bio and was excited because i actually had all those materials already! So i started it up, but I only have 2 weeks left in break till school starts.
Because of this I decided to condense the "Learning 4 weeks into 2" Ive been studying for around 10 hours a day and will continue to do so till school. The next 4 weeks will be throughout school so I wont be able to give a ton of time to it.
Pretty much my Questions are as follows
1) Is 6 weeks an adequate amount of time to study for the DAT ( Assuming the 10 hours a day for the first 2 week, I also just completed all the sciences I need in college)
2) any tips or strategies on DAT studying while during school?
3) also kind of off topic but im thinking about adding Micro Bio to my classes next semester. Is that on the same topics of the "Bio" of the DAT? and would it hurt me or help me?
I feel like after studing 140 hours of biology I should have a pretty easy time in the class hahah
Thanks again for your help, now that I'm in the thick of it I figured I would start posting and replying instead of just reading!!
1) There really isn't a good answer for this one. Everyone studies differently and though you can study 24 hours per day...our brains have a hard time hanging on to that much information. Make sure to force yourself to break once every two hours for 15 minutes or so. I've learned from experience that the amount of time you're planning to study burns you out VERY fast. Eat healthy and make sure you get plenty of sleep if you plan to still study as you've indicated. What's the rush for? If I were you, I'd study immediately after the spring semester (beginning in May) and study through the end of July. If you submit your app (via AADSAS) you will still have plenty of time. People on here will tell you otherwise, and while it IS important to get your apps finished ASAP...you have a little time. Plan to spend a day filling out AADSAS, personal statement, etc...the first day the AADSAS is available (usually like June 1st). The method I've laid out for you will allow for about 10 good weeks of studying...without burning yourself out. Also, the timing of the DAT really depends on the schools you're really wanting to get into. For example, your plan may be best for a school like Midwestern because they send out interviews and fill their class very fast. Other schools tend to not rush the process (most other schools) as much. I could go on and on here, but I'm sure you get my point.
2) I wouldn't try it...the DAT is a SERIOUS test and it requires 100% dedication! It's not a good idea to neglect your studies (GPA) while trying to study for this test. What you can do is go ahead and get the "Crack the DAT PAT" perceptual practice and be practicing on it during the weekends, or when you have off time. It takes time to develop the perceptual skills the DAT demands for most...and this will let you slowly (most efficiently) do just that. This is the only area of the test I would advise you to "study" for while attending school. Give your studies the time they deserve and keep that GPA high. When you get ready, order TopScore and take one (of the three) full length tests to see where you weaknesses are (in the sciences). I was a Bio major so I just needed a review of the Bio...and it had been a while for me with Gen Chem, so I modified my studying accordingly. Save one full length test for a couple days before your actual test to see where you are.
Souces I used for studying:
Bio - Cliff's AP Bio (read 3x) / Campbell's Biology text (Ch. 19 & 21) / DAT Destroyer (made notecards for each question and all possible answers)
GC - Chad's videos (watched each 2x) / DAT Destroyer 3x
OC - Chad's videos (watched 2x) / take roadmaps in the DAT Destroyer...white them out and make lots of copies. Try to fill the maps out without the key (make a copy before whiting it out) about 10x. Also, work each OC problem in the DAT Destroyer about 3x, mark each of the ones you missed and study those extra
PAT - Get the 10 test version from Crack the DAT PAT...and study all along, as I've told you above. This is a very important part of the test because it allows schools to assess your visual skills, which are of paramount importance to being a successful dentist. Just study this all along and you will do well.
RC - this is the most important section of the DAT, and one that is overlooked by so many people. The reason being that it's hard to study for. What you can do (if you have the funds) is get Crack the DAT Reading...I've heard lots of people brag on it. I struggled with this section because my mind was beginning to wear out by the time I got to this. I got a 17 in RC and I've been accepted to to schools and have an interview at ASDOH Jan. 27th. Try to score a little higher than I did LOL. I would say a 19+ will do you lots of favors.
QR - this section is just awful on the real DAT. Get the Math Destroyer and work through the tests (11 total). There are two favors you can do for yourself on this section. A) practice without using a calculator, and B) practice doing the tests in the MATH Destroyer in 45 minutes or less. You really need practice with timing on this section, it will definitely be your #1 enemy!
3) Most definitely I WOULD take Micro! I had a drill-sergeant for a professor in Micro, and I thank the good Lord above everyday for it! It will be a class you'll see in dental school. I can't really say that the DAT has Micro on it, but a lot of the things you cover in Micro will be on there (sounds stupid so let me clarify myself)...for example lac operons, and the biochemical aspects of bacteria, etc...Technically those are genetics and biochem, but there is some overlap between subjects. So basically, Micro didn't help me tremendously on my DAT, but I saw things that we learned in Micro on the actual test...I took it only a semester before my test and thankfully I still remembered some of the info!
Pheewww...sound like fun? Just remember to break your days up and to eat well. I ended up having to retake my DAT because I didn't do so hot the first time around...this would be the only drawback to you taking the test in late July as I've persuaded you to do. You will need to do well the first time around.
Let us know which schools you're wanting to attend so we can tailor your studying to meet those schools more accurately.