How is the DAT...

[Eisenhower]

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I haven't taken it and I am wondering how is it? I've read that it's taken all on the computer and is like 5 hours long. Is it fill in the blank? Multiple Choice? How is it? I have no idea? 🙂

 

[RichieB16]

Its all multiple choice and on the computer. It lasts about 4.5 hours and consists of 4 tests

First is the Survey or Natural Sciences - 100 questions in 90 minutes
-40 Biology
-30 Organic Chemistry
-30 General Chemistry

Next is the PAT - 90 questions in 60 minutes
-Basically a series tests using various shapes and such to test your 3D mind (its harder than it sounds).

Reading Comprehension - 50 questions in 60 minutes (I think)
-You read 3 passages and answer about 15-18 questions on each

Quantative Reasoning - 40 Questions in 45 minutes
-Math Test (Algebra, Geometry, Some Trig, No Calc)
-No Calculators

Its a hard test, but if you prepair you'll do fine. I took the Kaplan course and took the DAT twice and I'm glad I did.

​

 

[Eisenhower]

Wow. Seems simple, but I know that it isn't from what people had told me and what I've been told.

 

[jigabodo]

Try taking the sample one posted on the ADA website and see where you stand first. Its the same format, but the questions on the actual DAT are harder.

 

[RichieB16]

Speaking from my own personal experience only (having taken it twice), the Reading Comp, PAT, and Math sections are all about practice and tricks. I took the Kaplan course and just practiced the material they gave me. But, for me, the Reading Comp came very natural and I didn't even really practice it much. The PAT on the other hand took a lot of practice. 🙄

The science section is a little different. It is a very broad range of topics (imagine everything you learned in OChem, 200 Level Bio, and 200 Level Gen Chem being fair game). So, there is a ton of material to memorize.
​

 

[darkstar7395]

Hey guys.
I know it seems very random but have a question regarding GPA.

I went CC, got 4.0, transferred to one of Ivys, and got 3.33. The reason why I got 3.3 is because I ruined my last semester in my senior year. Right now I am doing a MS program. I had no problems to get into the MS program since I was maintaining 3.66 until my last semester. I got 2 Cs and 1 C+ from genetcis, accounting, and neurobio respectively in one last semester. I was not thinking anything at that time except for drinking and doing many stupid things. 🙁 I kind of regret now but what can I say... sigh...

I am doing my best now at here and just wondered how my GPA can affect chance to get into a dental school. Can anyone give me some ideas about how bad my GPA is??? Should I just give up and would I be better off seeking other careers???

I really want to go Columbia, Upenn, Harvard, and USC because I am an international student so there will be very less opportunity for me to be accepted to any state school. I will of course apply many other private schools including BU, tufts, and so on. Those listed above are just my top choices now.

I know DAT is very very important. I have not taken DAT yet, but I will do my best on it. Do you guys still think I have really no or very low chance for those listed schools just based on the GPA??

 

[the prodogy]

Try taking the sample one posted on the ADA website and see where you stand first. Its the same format, but the questions on the actual DAT are harder.

Are the ones on the ADA website changed every year, or do they always keep it the same?

 

[jigabodo]

Are the ones on the ADA website changed every year, or do they always keep it the same?

That one has been there for a while, they just change the name every year. Somebody has mentioned that the sample was released in the 90s.

 

[Eisenhower]

Can I get a link please?

 

[jackbauer!]

Hey guys.
I know it seems very random but have a question regarding GPA.

I went CC, got 4.0, transferred to one of Ivys, and got 3.33. The reason why I got 3.3 is because I ruined my last semester in my senior year. Right now I am doing a MS program. I had no problems to get into the MS program since I was maintaining 3.66 until my last semester. I got 2 Cs and 1 C+ from genetcis, accounting, and neurobio respectively in one last semester. I was not thinking anything at that time except for drinking and doing many stupid things. 🙁 I kind of regret now but what can I say... sigh...

I am doing my best now at here and just wondered how my GPA can affect chance to get into a dental school. Can anyone give me some ideas about how bad my GPA is??? Should I just give up and would I be better off seeking other careers???

I really want to go Columbia, Upenn, Harvard, and USC because I am an international student so there will be very less opportunity for me to be accepted to any state school. I will of course apply many other private schools including BU, tufts, and so on. Those listed above are just my top choices now.

I know DAT is very very important. I have not taken DAT yet, but I will do my best on it. Do you guys still think I have really no or very low chance for those listed schools just based on the GPA??

you may want to apply to Maryland... we have 1 international student in our class. I know that doesn't seem like good odds, but i don't think many apply to state schools b/c they think they have no chance.

jb!🙂

 

[HenryH]

Try taking the sample one posted on the ADA website and see where you stand first. Its the same format, but the questions on the actual DAT are harder.

How much harder are the questions on the real DAT?

 

[jackbauer!]

How much harder are the questions on the real DAT?

most Q's are quite a bit harder.

jb!🙂

 

[DamienPro]

Can I get a link please?

Here's the free one from ADA:

http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/dat_test_sampleitems.pdf

There's also a short DEMO from Achiever which gives you some idea how the test format looks like:

http://3tquest.com/Download/Procedure.htm