How is the DAT really an equalizer???

[SCDP]

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It's garbage, anyone can study for 2-3 months hardcore and learn all the info they need to for the DAT and kill it despite the fact that they didn't understand the info and did bad in those undergrad classes.

People keep saying that if you have a low GPA but high DAT it shows your school was just harder than someone with a high GPA and low DAT but when I see people who were getting C's in organic and C's in gen chem scoring 22+ on those DAT sections, I purely believe it is garbage that the DAT shows anything about your school.

All it shows is how hard you worked to study for the DAT.

 

[SCDP]

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[FeralisExtremum]

Have you taken the DAT...?

 

[ywcywc]

I do not think most (>97%) AP teachers can get DAT score great than 25 without very well preparation.

 

[RuffDay]

This post made me LOL.

 

[zEkii]

GPA's do not determine how smart you are, but in fact on how consistent a person's work ethic to study( with exceptions: family, death, finance ).

The DAT is the same thing, but in a mini version of that, it determines if you can dedicate a portion of your life to an exam for your future. If you take the DAT as if it was an obstacle in your path to a dentistry career, then you are in the wrong field...

I am taking the DAT in 3 weeks, and I don't view it as an obstacle, because that would mean there is something inhibiting my pathway to dentistry. Which it will not. Therefore, the DAT shall be destroyed.

 

[RuffDay]

GPA's do not determine how smart you are, but in fact on how consistent a person's work ethic to study( with exceptions: family, death, finance ).

The DAT is the same thing, but in a mini version of that, it determines if you can dedicate a portion of your life to an exam for your future. If you take the DAT as if it was an obstacle in your path to a dentistry career, then you are in the wrong field...

I am taking the DAT in 3 weeks, and I don't view it as an obstacle, because that would mean there is something inhibiting my pathway to dentistry. Which it will not. Therefore, the DAT shall be destroyed.

I am taking the DAT in 3 weeks as well. When are you taking it exactly?

 

[zEkii]

I am taking the DAT in 3 weeks as well. When are you taking it exactly?

I am scheduling it for July 7th maybe 9th? You?

 

[BYU4you]

If you don't know the material you won't do well

 

[SCDP]

If you don't know the material you won't do well

No crap. But going to a "better" school and doing worse in that class while crushing that same section of the DAT doesn't necessarily mean you did well on the DAT but poor in that class because that class was harder at your school.

It could very well mean you didn't try in undergrad but tried your ass off for the DAT so you did well on the DAT but poor in the class.

Same thing is true for the opposite, you tried hard in undergrad in that class but didn't study much for the DAT so you didn't do as well as the person who went to the "better school."

NOW HOW DOES THAT MEAN BETTER SCHOOL, LOWER GPA, AND HIGHER DAT IS BETTER THAN WORSE SCHOOL, HIGHER GPA, AND LOW DAT.

It tells nothing about the school but the work ethic, and why is working hard for the DAT but not the undergrad class considered better than the opposite?

I say this because everyone here likes to say that something like a 3.4 and 22AA is better than a 3.8 and 19AA because the guy with the 19AA only had a 3.8 because his school was worse.... LOL NO.

 

[SCDP]

Have you taken the DAT...?

I will soon and I've been studying enough to know anyone can study the material and do well on it despite how much effort they put in or how hard their undergrad course was.

So that whole lower GPA, higher DAT means your school is harder and your GPA is deflated is garbage.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

If you think it's that simple to do well on the DAT...then do it, and use the test to your advantage. But I think you're underestimating how difficult it is to do exceptionally well on the DAT, and also how low GPA's and high DAT's are interpreted.

 

[SCDP]

If you think it's that simple to do well on the DAT...then do it, and use the test to your advantage. But I think you're underestimating how difficult it is to do exceptionally well on the DAT, and also how low GPA's and high DAT's are interpreted.

It's obviously not "easy" to do well on the DAT. But it's also hard not to do really well if you are studying your ass off for even 1-2 months.

I just don't like studying my ass off and I believe I can get in with a high gpa and decent DAT score, so why put in more effort than needed. (inb4 hell breaks loose from me saying that)

 

[tyjacobs]

No crap. But going to a "better" school and doing worse in that class while crushing that same section of the DAT doesn't necessarily mean you did well on the DAT but poor in that class because that class was harder at your school.

It could very well mean you didn't try in undergrad but tried your ass off for the DAT so you did well on the DAT but poor in the class.

Same thing is true for the opposite, you tried hard in undergrad in that class but didn't study much for the DAT so you didn't do as well as the person who went to the "better school."

NOW HOW DOES THAT MEAN BETTER SCHOOL, LOWER GPA, AND HIGHER DAT IS BETTER THAN WORSE SCHOOL, HIGHER GPA, AND LOW DAT.

It tells nothing about the school but the work ethic, and why is working hard for the DAT but not the undergrad class considered better than the opposite?

I say this because everyone here likes to say that something like a 3.4 and 22AA is better than a 3.8 and 19AA because the guy with the 19AA only had a 3.8 because his school was worse.... LOL NO.

Because most of the time "the better school" is way harder. The top kids at these schools go to best grad schools in country for a reason lol

 

[FeralisExtremum]

It's obviously not "easy" to do well on the DAT. But it's also hard not to do really well if you are studying your ass off for even 1-2 months.

I just don't like studying my ass off and I believe I can get in with a high gpa and decent DAT score, so why put in more effort than needed. (inb4 hell breaks loose from me saying that)

The only way to prove that it's not hard to do really well, is to actually do it and then look back and say "yea, that wasn't hard". Until then this is mostly just conjecture.

I can think of a lot of reasons why studying hard for 1-2 months is worth it for a test that has a large impact in determining where you're going to be spending the next 4 years of your life.

 

[RxStudentatUB]

No crap. But going to a "better" school and doing worse in that class while crushing that same section of the DAT doesn't necessarily mean you did well on the DAT but poor in that class because that class was harder at your school.

It could very well mean you didn't try in undergrad but tried your ass off for the DAT so you did well on the DAT but poor in the class.

Same thing is true for the opposite, you tried hard in undergrad in that class but didn't study much for the DAT so you didn't do as well as the person who went to the "better school."

NOW HOW DOES THAT MEAN BETTER SCHOOL, LOWER GPA, AND HIGHER DAT IS BETTER THAN WORSE SCHOOL, HIGHER GPA, AND LOW DAT.

It tells nothing about the school but the work ethic, and why is working hard for the DAT but not the undergrad class considered better than the opposite?

I say this because everyone here likes to say that something like a 3.4 and 22AA is better than a 3.8 and 19AA because the guy with the 19AA only had a 3.8 because his school was worse.... LOL NO.

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.

 

[BYU4you]

Doing exceptionally well on the DAT and studying hard for 1-2 months says a lot about a person. Even if it was "easy" to do well for anyone if they put in the time..then everyone would be getting 20+

The fact that the average is 17 shows a lot.

A school is more likely to accept someone who puts In the 1-2 months of effort to become a dentist than those lazy enough to not put in the extra work.

 

[virtualmaster999]

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.

 

[510586]

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.

Well the same can be said about boards being important and determining everything etc..

 

[dnp123]

It's garbage, anyone can study for 2-3 months hardcore and learn all the info they need to for the DAT and kill it despite the fact that they didn't understand the info and did bad in those undergrad classes.

People keep saying that if you have a low GPA but high DAT it shows your school was just harder than someone with a high GPA and low DAT but when I see people who were getting C's in organic and C's in gen chem scoring 22+ on those DAT sections, I purely believe it is garbage that the DAT shows anything about your school.

All it shows is how hard you worked to study for the DAT.

How did you do on your DAT?
Edit. Nvmd, he got a 17AA on the DAT and is spewing out these nonsense. Must be going to an inflated school.

 

[2y4life]

This is a ridiculous post and assumption. Same could be said about the MCAT if you agree with this logic.

If a student barely got Cs in gen Chem and Orgo, they better be putting in alot of time to score 22+ on the DAT. In order to score like 22+, you can miss around no more than 3-4 questions. It's not an easy test and there's no true and tried method that guarantees a 22+. If one cannot do well in the classes, they are already behind the curve and have to study and "teach" themselves. While it's possible, the students you are talking about are in the minority.

You just make it sound so simple that some average Joe Blow who isn't studious to begin with, can magically study for the DAT for 3-6 months (if they were C students, they are going to need all of that) religiously. Most students who do well academically and are studious struggle to study for the DAT 6-8hrs/day for 2 months
SCDP, you seem quite spiteful. You must have had a decent/high GPA but a low DAT. That tells the adcoms that either your school/classes were rubbish or you didn't take the DAT very serious. Both not good. Have subpar GPA but kill it on the DAT, there's at least a way out that maybe as an undergrad, the person wasn't as studious as they could've been but have turned around.

 

[Toothfairy333]

No crap. But going to a "better" school and doing worse in that class while crushing that same section of the DAT doesn't necessarily mean you did well on the DAT but poor in that class because that class was harder at your school.

It could very well mean you didn't try in undergrad but tried your ass off for the DAT so you did well on the DAT but poor in the class.

Same thing is true for the opposite, you tried hard in undergrad in that class but didn't study much for the DAT so you didn't do as well as the person who went to the "better school."

NOW HOW DOES THAT MEAN BETTER SCHOOL, LOWER GPA, AND HIGHER DAT IS BETTER THAN WORSE SCHOOL, HIGHER GPA, AND LOW DAT.

It tells nothing about the school but the work ethic, and why is working hard for the DAT but not the undergrad class considered better than the opposite?

I say this because everyone here likes to say that something like a 3.4 and 22AA is better than a 3.8 and 19AA because the guy with the 19AA only had a 3.8 because his school was worse.... LOL NO.

It's garbage, anyone can study for 2-3 months hardcore and learn all the info they need to for the DAT and kill it despite the fact that they didn't understand the info and did bad

People keep saying that if you have a low GPA but high DAT it shows your school was just harder than someone with a high GPA and low DAT but when I see people who were getting C's in organic and C's in gen chem scoring 22+ on those DAT sections, I purely believe it is garbage that the DAT shows anything about your school.

All it shows is how hard you worked to study for the DAT.

If you are doing so well in your undergrad courses then there's no excuse for not doing well on the DAT! You obviously know and understand the material well if you are acing your courses to earn a 3.9 GPA. I actually just took my DAT yesterday morning and got a 22 but I also graduated with a 3.4 gpa from one of the most rigorous schools in my state. I truly believe if I went to an easier school my gpa would've been higher. This was proven to me when I took my organic chem courses at another in state school and got A+s with 99 and 100s on my exams (near impossible at my school). Not saying this is the case for every high DAT and "low" GPA but if you can't perform well on the DAT it shows you might not understand the material as well as your 3.9 gpa suggests. Food for thought!!!!

 

[acesofseven]

I'm pretty sure schools would look more highly at a 3.6 and 25AA from Berkeley more highly than a 4.0 and AA 18 from a CSU.

 

[2y4life]

I'm pretty sure schools would look more highly at a 3.6 and 25AA from Berkeley more highly than a 4.0 and AA 18 from a CSU.

Regardless of school, I think adcoms would look at a 3.6 and 25AA more highly than a 4.0 and 18AA due to the variance in the DAT scores. A 9pt difference on the DAT is more like a 2.0GPA difference since only about 1.5% of students taking the DAT will score a 25 while almost 50% score an 18.

Now a better comparison would be something like a 3.0 and 23AA from Berkley compared to a 4.0 and 21AA from CSU.

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

Regardless of school, I think adcoms would look at a 3.6 and 25AA more highly than a 4.0 and 18AA due to the variance in the DAT scores. A 9pt difference on the DAT is more like a 2.0GPA difference since only about 1.5% of students taking the DAT will score a 25 while almost 50% score an 18.

Now a better comparison would be something like a 3.0 and 23AA from Berkley compared to a 4.0 and 21AA from CSU.

I would take a 4.0 and 21 AA any day over my 3.4 and 23 AA lol. Can always retake the DAT but GPA is much harder to salvage (not that I'd retake a 21 anyway would I lol)

 

[Cranjis McBasketball]

Haha already complaining about the DAT shows that you will probably always find stuff to complain about that you have to do. The DAT is an EXTRA thing to use to compare people. If you think its easy to do well, then do well. Stop complaining about it. Unless thats the type of person you always have been; then I understand