Hey everyone, for those of you who took the DAT already...how long did you guys study? (total hours in a day, and for how many weeks/months?) and how did you guys do, and were you taking classes/working at the same time? Just trying to get a rough estimate..I know everyone is different in terms of picking up the material faster/slower and the same schedule doesn't suit everyone. But if some of you are willing to share, that will be great. Thank you!! 🙂
How long did you guys study?
- Thread starter msteeth
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I studied for about 2.5 months (end of May till Aug. 13th)... I worked a 40+ hour/week job so I was very busy, but I made sure to study atleast 5+ hours everyday (with the exception of one week in July when I was at the beach)... I was happy with my scores, even though they're not the typical 24+AA/24+TS as per SDN - 22PAT/19BIO/21GC/20OC/21RC/19QR/20TS/20AA ... if I could have changed anything I would have worked less and studied more in that time, but I just got this job and they're pretty strict about taking off. Good luck with your studies! Don't wear yourself out!!! If you put in the time, you'll get the grades you want! 👍
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I studied 4.5 hours a day for basically three months. I usually only put in an hour or two on the weekends. I didn't have a job, but I did shadow a few hours a week. Don't put too much on your plate! For me, it's a lot easier to study when I don't have too many things to worry about at once. Make sure you still have fun and don't feel guilty of you take off some time here and there. I woke up some days and just could NOT focus enough to study, so I didn't. I also highly recommend against studying outrageous amounts of hours a day--it seems counterproductive to me because I really don't think anyone can stay focused for that long. Good luck!!
I studied on and off for a year with study partners. I worked during that time. During the last three weeks, I took a break from work and studied full time.
I used the Destroyer and Cracked the DAT mostly.
I used the Destroyer and Cracked the DAT mostly.
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My exam is about 12 days away from today. I had to take 2 summer courses, so I started a little CDP when I had time in the beginning of the summer. I started truly studying full-time about 7 weeks ago, taking 1 week for vacation where I studied 2 hours/day. For the most part I studied on average 6-9 hours/day. I work part-time and I have 2 children so needless to say I can't always do what I intend. With lot's of support from my husband and family I've been able to study a lot. I also have a study buddy: we meet 3-5X/week to study together...she is taking the OAT so sometimes I'll do PAT while she does physics, (poor her).
Obviously many of us have different situations so that will dictate how long and how often we study. There is a study plan floating around SDN by Dentalworks. I looked at it but in my heart I knew where I needed to focus....my weaknesses were gen chem and math since I was far removed from them.
I also have been working out every other day so I think that helps me focus and feel human.
Obviously many of us have different situations so that will dictate how long and how often we study. There is a study plan floating around SDN by Dentalworks. I looked at it but in my heart I knew where I needed to focus....my weaknesses were gen chem and math since I was far removed from them.
I also have been working out every other day so I think that helps me focus and feel human.
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i studied around 5-8 hours everyday 7 days/week for about 2 months. total span of study was from mid dec to mid march. i started off easy by reviewing and reading materials, and then started with chads vids n datdestroyer questions.
i studied the sciences separately until i was comfortable with them, and then began to do them together (like a real dat TS section). i did 1-4 math sections a day during that time as well to work on speed more than anything else. i incorporated crackpat n crackdat reading in my last month of studying ( i prioritized TS firstly and math was just easier for me as long a i could handle the time). pat and reading studies just took a bit of time to famiiarize.
dat 23 aa
23 ts (25/23/21 bio/genchem/orgo)
22 rc
24 qr
21 pat
i studied during my winter break and into my spring semester at grad school. i had taken genetics and biochemistry so some bio topics were still fresh in my head
i studied the sciences separately until i was comfortable with them, and then began to do them together (like a real dat TS section). i did 1-4 math sections a day during that time as well to work on speed more than anything else. i incorporated crackpat n crackdat reading in my last month of studying ( i prioritized TS firstly and math was just easier for me as long a i could handle the time). pat and reading studies just took a bit of time to famiiarize.
dat 23 aa
23 ts (25/23/21 bio/genchem/orgo)
22 rc
24 qr
21 pat
i studied during my winter break and into my spring semester at grad school. i had taken genetics and biochemistry so some bio topics were still fresh in my head
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I studied for 15 hours a day for 2 1/2 weeks. I read KBB and Barron's AP Bio once, and did two CrackDAT PAT exams before starting, though.
I was working 20 hours a week while studying, which knocked my 15 hours down some days, but mainly 15 hours a day.
I have only taken introductory biology, microbiology, the gen. chem. sequence, and organic I.
I was working 20 hours a week while studying, which knocked my 15 hours down some days, but mainly 15 hours a day.
I have only taken introductory biology, microbiology, the gen. chem. sequence, and organic I.
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24 hrs a day - 15 hours studying = 9 hours
20 hours a week/7 days a week = average 3 hours a day
9-3 = 6 hours to split between sleeping and eating...
It sure as hell better not have been 15 hours everyday because I'm studying like 10-12 hours a day while being fully supported by My Own Maid, otherwise known as mom, and I'm still going nuts.
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~6 wks. But the first 2-3 wks, I didn't do much of anything and forgot material. Was attending the Kaplan course, which was more distracting than useful. So I regret that, but I did push really hard last month of studying. Ranging 6-13 hrs, sometimes taking 2 practice tests a day (exhausting, regret this as well haha!).
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I studied for 2.5 months some days on and off. Had about two three weeks without studying. Studied for about 5~12 hours a day. Part time job of 14 per week and one class. I took breaks whenever I felt burnt out or felt it weren't efficient days.
I studied for 2.5 months (8 hrs per day, some weekends off). I think 2 months is enough. 1 month learning the concepts and the other just practicing. If you study for a long time you may forget stuff.
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I studied while I ate. Also, I only worked 3 days a week, so 4 days would be 15 hours, and the days I worked would be 7/10 hours. I work at a movie theater, so I was also able to study there, even though my coworkers hated it, because of my persistent tellings of bodily functions.
My mom also helped me by washing my clothes once and bringing me food some days. I'm lucky to have had family around.
Good Luck! You'll do great!
wow thank you so much for all your input guys!! i'm just stressing out a bit..my test is in like a month and a half..and i'm taking 2 science classes, and 2 easy classes..I was looking for some motivation and hope that I can pull it off! I guess I just have to manage my time
9 weeks, 7days/week
6hours the first 4weeks and upped it to 10hours the next few weeks.
averaged 5 the last week. (was only doing practice tests and burnt out)
I studied all the way to the night of the exam. I'm the type of person who crams for exams the night before and manages to do a bit better than average.
I am a rising senior at a state school...and b/c of my study habits, I remember very little from my classes. So, I had to restart everything. I made a schedule for myself (adjusted from the DAT schedule sample) and gave myself a good 1.5weeks of leeway time because I knew there would be days where I slipped up.
I did nothing except shadow 5hours/week and DAT. Stayed at school to use their library. There were too many distractions at home and I think the concentration I got really helped me keep focused.
AA 22, TS 22, PAT 24
6hours the first 4weeks and upped it to 10hours the next few weeks.
averaged 5 the last week. (was only doing practice tests and burnt out)
I studied all the way to the night of the exam. I'm the type of person who crams for exams the night before and manages to do a bit better than average.
I am a rising senior at a state school...and b/c of my study habits, I remember very little from my classes. So, I had to restart everything. I made a schedule for myself (adjusted from the DAT schedule sample) and gave myself a good 1.5weeks of leeway time because I knew there would be days where I slipped up.
I did nothing except shadow 5hours/week and DAT. Stayed at school to use their library. There were too many distractions at home and I think the concentration I got really helped me keep focused.
AA 22, TS 22, PAT 24
Hi all! I will be registering for the DAT exam in this week ( already have a DENTPIN no.). I am planning on giving DAT in mid October. Can anyone tell me how easy or difficult it is to get a date of your choice for the exam. I am on the east coast.
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I applied for my test a week beforehand. There were plenty of spots open for the week I wanted to take it. I doubt you will have any problems!
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I studied for about 2 months. I was taking one online class that didn't take up much time during the middle of my studying. I studied pretty consistently about 5-6 hours a day during the weekdays and a generally a couple hours on the weekend days with a day off here and there. Week before the exam I was probably studying 8-10 hours a day. Scored a 21AA, 21TS, 25PAT, 20GC, 20BIO, 22, OC, 22RC, and 22QR.
