Hindsight is 20/20

[DAT24]

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I have been reading this forum for a year or so and have not seen a thread like this but I apologize if I missed it.

For those you have taken the DAT, looking back what would you do different? Many DAT breakdowns talk about what was used or what one did in preparing for the DAT, but no mention as to what one would have done different to BETTER prepare.

Those who have suggestions or thoughts on this please share.

Thanks in advance.

 

[reagansmash]

I took the DAT for the first time last July...didn't do as well as I had hoped. So this time around I'm doing things different.
I started studying a lot earlier. I was taking a full load of classes this spring and working 2 jobs so I had to learn to manage my time better. I would spend an hour or 2 a day going over one subject. I started doing this back in November. I also bought more materials to help me prep. Last year I used the Kaplan DAT book and some old text books.

This time around I bought Crack the DAT math and PAT, Cliff's Biology book and flash cards, some chemistry study guides, and a whole bunch of math materials. I also bought Destroyer from another SDNer...
Now that I'm on summer and back down to one job I've been studying about 4-5 hours a day. Usually I'll do as many practice questions as I can stand and then read over sections I wasn't completely sure about.
I have about 6 weeks until I take the DAT for the 2nd time...I'm just hoping that the three weeks of traveling I'll be doing before won't mess me up with my study schedule and preparation.

I've also had a lot more anxiety this time around...mainly because the new cycle is coming up and I still haven't written a personal statement (which my professors want before they write the LOR) and I don't have as much as I hoped I would for the app fees...

 

[dentalWorks]

The BIGGEST mistake(s) I made were the following:

1) Spent too much time studying (3.5 months), this was an awful way to study, I kept going back over material I had studied in the first month to "re-review" again..... Fix = If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't take more than 8 weeks

2) Under estimated the math portion. I was a double major in computer sciences and mathematics, so I figured "what the hey, I don't need much math practice" WRONGGGG...... Fix = the QR is based mostly on high school math, its not difficult but it needs time to re-build that high school math mentality..... Fix #2 = I shoulda stayed the course and done the 10 tests of MATH destroyer instead of the first 6..... Fix #3 = I shoulda continued to practice MATH up until my last day before the test, I stopped studying for math about 1 month before my test date, so on test day, I felt very much outta practice

3) I shoulda spent more time on orgo, Orgo IMO is the easiest science to master of the DAT


Thats about all I would ever fix. As far as study materials, I wouldn't change a thing, I used good materials but my method of studying wasn't as good.... Hope this helps

 

[journeybegins]

Great thread, DAT24! 🙂

The BIGGEST mistake(s) I made were the following:

1) Spent too much time studying (3.5 months), this was an awful way to study, I kept going back over material I had studied in the first month to "re-review" again..... Fix = If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn't take more than 8 weeks

dentalWorks, I hear how some people wish they started studying earlier. Why do you suggest 2 months instead of 4 months? What advantages are there to that? (because I always thought, the earlier exposure you get, AND if you have the time to review it, the better off you might be.)

 

[dentalWorks]

dentalWorks, I hear how some people wish they started studying earlier. Why do you suggest 2 months instead of 4 months? What advantages are there to that? (because I always thought, the earlier exposure you get, AND if you have the time to review it, the better off you might be.)

IMO, I think anything longer than 10 weeks is just not too efficient. You begin to forget stuff you've studied in the first 4-5 weeks.... I believe the most efficient way to study for the DAT is to attack it on a very intense 8-10 week system.

Everyone has their own method, I spent 3.5 months half-@ssing and did good (21AA), but had I spend only 8 intense weeks, I might have done better.... At least I know less stuff woulda been forgotten.

 

[DAT24]

is there only two people that would do something different?

 

[Chrono]

IMO, I think anything longer than 10 weeks is just not too efficient. You begin to forget stuff you've studied in the first 4-5 weeks.... I believe the most efficient way to study for the DAT is to attack it on a very intense 8-10 week system.

Everyone has their own method, I spent 3.5 months half-@ssing and did good (21AA), but had I spend only 8 intense weeks, I might have done better.... At least I know less stuff woulda been forgotten.

hi dentalworks, could u post the link to your breakdown?

 

[darkwalk]

I studied for 5 months 30 to 60min each day. This was the most efficient way for me because of my long commute to work everyday. I think I retained the information much better, but since this is about taking a test and not retain information, I think shortening the length of time would be best. The other thing I would do differently is to not underestimate the QR section.

 

[dentalWorks]

hi dentalworks, could u post the link to your breakdown?

Here is the "breakdown":
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=675934

Its not much of a breakdown.... I tried to type it all up but got lost somehow and never got around to doing it

 

[i4everpaki]

I spent 3 weeks studying. I used Chad's videos for chem and o chem which I highly recommend, KSF review (also one of my favorites), Dat Achiever, Kaplan and the ACS guide. I studied away from home at the school tutoring lab. Unfortunatly I allowed myself to be distracted by work and would only study 8-3 then another 2 hours in the evening.

Take breaks, but study hard. Don't get distracted, and decide if you have the time to work AND study. Luckily I was self employed so only worked a couple hours each day, but it still occupied my mind while I was studying.

General Chemistry:21
Organic Chemistry:19
Perceptual Ability: 20
Biology: 18
Reading Comprehension: 22
Quantitative Reasoning:13

Academic Average: 19
Total Science: 19

While I wasn't happy with the QR score, it didn't keep me out of school. I was accepted Dec 1 last year.

A 13 in QR and an acceptance letter. CONGRATS!!! I believed you most likely applied early right? and how was your GPA if you don't mind sharing.