how bad does it look to take the DAT a second time

[coreyb]

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I've just taken the DAT and did poorly on both the organic and PAT portion (14's on both) of the test and only average on the rest of the test.

Q1?
How bad does taking the test a second time look to schools?

Q2?
Is it 90 days or 180 days until retake allowed?

Thanks!

 

[DMD_hopeful]

I've just taken the DAT and did poorly on both the organic and PAT portion (14's on both) of the test and only average on the rest of the test.

Q1?
How bad does taking the test a second time look to schools?

Q2?
Is it 90 days or 180 days until retake allowed?

Thanks!

1) I would think that retaking the DAT and doing better can never look bad. Not retaking the exam especially when you are able to, looks worse.

2) 90 days to retake it.

The 14 on the PAT isnt the end of the world (depends on the school) The Organic is a different story. Many schools value the science portions of the exam over the others.

I would call the schools you are interested in attending and get their opinions. You're sure to get better answers than you'll get here. In the mean time, though, get studying!

 

[demonicr]

yup, it never look bad to retake the DAT and doing better, it shows how determined you are.

 

[Halitosis]

destroy the dat on your second time around and it'll speak volumes about your potential for improvement and, obviously, your abilities. study hard!

 

[blankguy]

Silly question, if the score is older than 2 yrs and you took it a 2nd time would it be like taking it for the first time(as in counting the number of times you took it)? Do you have to list every time you took it in the application?

 

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

Silly question, if the score is older than 2 yrs and you took it a 2nd time would it be like taking it for the first time(as in counting the number of times you took it)? Do you have to list every time you took it in the application?

No, you do not have to list every time you took it in the application, but the DAT center will. I remember reading in the DAT instruction booklet that the scores of the latest 4 exams that you took will be reported, and the total number of times that you took the DAT will be counted and reported also. [ someone can re-check on this fact for me, thanks!]

To the OP:
It is recommended to retake the DAT if you know you can improve your score greatly (espeically in your case with 14 on organic). If people who have 19+ on all portion of DAT and a low 16 or 17 PAT, then they might need to rethink about retaking the DAT because they might run into the risk of getting lower scores on other portions.
Retake the DAT is a good idea, but make sure you study well and ace for the second time ( avoid to retake for the third time!)

 

[bouncy_ball]

I've just taken the DAT and did poorly on both the organic and PAT portion (14's on both) of the test and only average on the rest of the test.

Q1?
How bad does taking the test a second time look to schools?

Q2?
Is it 90 days or 180 days until retake allowed?

Thanks!

I think retaking the exam could only help you (so long as you do better). The second time is really a lot less stressful b/c you will know what to expect. I scored really low for reading my first time but retook it and score 5 points higher. I think you have more to lose by not retaking the exam, because I think you would probably do better next time. If you kick butt your second time, most adcoms will probably just assume you had a bad day when you took the test your first time. Study hard and I'm sure you'll do really great your second time!! Good luck!

 

[blankguy]

No, you do not have to list every time you took it in the application, but the DAT center will. I remember reading in the DAT instruction booklet that the scores of the latest 4 exams that you took will be reported, and the total number of times that you took the DAT will be counted and reported also. [ someone can re-check on this fact for me, thanks!]

Will something like this be looked upon very negatively if the test had to be retaken because the results were too old(+2yrs ago) and/or I wanted to better a score that I wasn't satisfied with?

 

[Dr.Smiley-OR]

Will something like this be looked upon very negatively if the test had to be retaken because the results were too old(+2yrs ago) and/or I wanted to better a score that I wasn't satisfied with?

Honestly I do not know. However, i think if you did well on your second try then the 2 year period is not going to be a problem. With a solid DAT, you should already apply for schools and probably get accepted to dental school in the same year. that is the reason why everyone here tell you to retake the exam if you need to but must do well on the 2nd try. Don't retake the DAT too many times (3 times is considered too much).

 

[JakeMUSC]

Honestly I do not know. However, i think if you did well on your second try then the 2 year period is not going to be a problem. With a solid DAT, you should already apply for schools and probably get accepted to dental school in the same year. that is the reason why everyone here tell you to retake the exam if you need to but must do well on the 2nd try. Don't retake the DAT too many times (3 times is considered too much).

....Take it as many times as you want. I did. First Time: 16/16. Second Time: 17/17. Third Time:19/18. I guess third times a charm b/c I got accepted!

 

[blankguy]

So the test center lists up to the last 4 tries regardless of the 2 yr expiration period but it will look bad if you take it 3 times within 2 yrs?? 😕

 

[aceking]

my advice:

you have to retake it if you want to go to a dental school no matter how well u have done in college.

even a 16 in a section is pretty bad. Just dont worry about giving yourself a second chance. As long as it is better than the first one it is cool. But i have a feeling that there is more pressure the sencond time because you know you have kick axx for sure

good luck for your second time