The best thing to do right now is take a chill pill and doing the best you can in both your school and DAT. You will find there are a lot of things in life that you won't find fair - just do you and focus on the issues under YOUR control. That includes studying non-stop for 1-2 months to guarantee yourself that remarkable DAT score. The only reason I support the DAT is the fact that you cannot possibly cheat or use a test bank/old exams, as is done in many undergraduate classes.
While what you're saying is very true, I have to point out the flaws in standardized testing. Don't get me wrong, I completely agree with previous replies from other students like Feralis, in that it is extremely important to work your ass off on the DAT, but there is also a drawback. Take the 3.9 gpa student, going to a semi- upper tier school. Suppose he gets an 18 on the DAT. He will unfortunately have a lower shot than the 3.4 22 DAT student. But why is that? It's because the education system is flawed in general. How can you make one test make up for years of hard work? Please dont give me the excuse "oh well the 3.9 went to an "easier school"
Come on. That's bull. If you want something really bad, you will do everything you need to to obtain in. The student who has a 3.9 gpa at the "easier" school can "easily" get a 3.9 at any other school with the right work ethic. I HIGHLY doubt a 3.9 at UNIVERSITY OF EASINESS = a 3.2 at the UNIVERSITY OF DIFFICULTY AND RIGOR.
Not to mention that the test is only like the biggest determining factor of you getting into dental school. Not like people will get nervous or anything...
Final exams and college exams are completely different than standardized exams. You will be nervous, but you'll never be as nervous as when you have to take the most important test of your life.
I just dont see the logic in making one test override everything else. Sure, it seems to be "fair" but is it really? I'd take the 3.9 17-18AA student over the 3.4 22 any day. Just because you can do good on ONE big test, doesnt mean you have the automatic capability to do good on boards just as the DAT is "meant to demonstrate/ predict".
That's a joke. If you have the capability to get a 3.9 gpa, you can do well on your boards if you put your mind to it. No standardized test should interfere with that.
Unfortunately, this is how the system is. The DAT is extremely important, just as all other entrance exams are for health professional schools.
So basically, just sit down, study your ass off for however long you need, do well on the DAT, and get accepted.
The hard part is getting in...once you're in, I'm almost certain that any student has the capability to become a dentist.
Rant over.