How long?

[pmpndaflip]

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Can you guys please let me know how long you studied to do well or decent on the DAT? I wanted to know so I can plan the time accordingly.

Note: I'm a former "premed" (don't worry I'm not an arse like most, I'm really a cool guy 😀 ). I just took the mcat so the science stuff still fresh in my mind. Needless to say I bombed the mcat..just the verbal part mainly. Just wanted to know how long it would take because I was planning on taking the DAT and going dental instead. Decided that medicine is not for me

 

[The Musketeer]

I think to do well, you will need a month of pure studying.

 

[JavadiCavity]

Can you guys please let me know how long you studied to do well or decent on the DAT? I wanted to know so I can plan the time accordingly.

Note: I'm a former "premed" (don't worry I'm not an arse like most, I'm really a cool guy 😀 ). I just took the mcat so the science stuff still fresh in my mind. Needless to say I bombed the mcat..just the verbal part mainly. Just wanted to know how long it would take because I was planning on taking the DAT and going dental instead. Decided that medicine is not for me

I spent 6 weeks studying every day but Sunday. I was also taking some spring classes at school too. On average, I spent btwn 3 to 4 hours a day only on DAT stuff. However, I was taking organic chemistry at the same time, so you could count this as studying for the DAT too. I usually spent 3 to 4 hours a day studying for that class. I also worked 20 hours a week. So, it's definitely possible to get it all done in a month or so, especially if you don't have to work or go to class. What helped me the most was carrying a stack of flash cards around whereever I went. Also, working as many practice tests and doing as many O chem reactions as possible.

 

[Dr. Steve Brule]

im actually in a similar sutuation, i started out premed and took the kaplan mcat class, but halfway through it decided it just wasn't for me..all that money down the drain..although i do still have the mcat study books so hopefully they'll be of some use..i've been studying for a week now (i've probably done about 25-30 hours of studying) but i don't have a job and im done with school so really im like a bum

 

[pmpndaflip]

Ya baby!! rock on! MitchSE-R I feel ya..goodluck on the DAT. The DAT seems less stressful/easier everyone is just chill up in this forum. ALOT better than the mcat forum.. i.e. pre-meds posting fake score release, pre-meds doggin on other pre-meds . A month studying should be enough right? finish the Kaplan book and 3 practice exams enough?

 

[Typo]

A month is good, and two to three months is even better, but it varies from person to person. Ultimately, it depends upon your background and your goals. If you're shooting to score above a 20 for your Academic Average and don't have a very solid science background, one month probably won't be enough. If you're aiming for an 17-19, though, you could definitely do it in a month.

It also depends on how much study time you're dedicating each day (obviously). This is all just my personal opinion, but if you're spending 2-3 hours a day for a month, that probably isn't sufficient. 5+ hours daily would be much better.

For me, I was lucky enough to have the money saved to basically take the summer off and study. I guess I was a bum like Mitch. 👍 I only got serious once the test was two months away, and by one month, really serious. When the test was two months away, I was spending about 4-6 hours a day. By one month away, I started doing about 6-10 hours a day. When it was two weeks away, around 9-12 hours daily. This was probably extreme overkill, but it gave me a good score and helped me go into the test absolutely confident that I knew what I was doing.

Bottom line is, do as much as you can stand and as much as you've got time for. It sounds like you've got some practice tests - just make sure you use them and study the answers, and study the Kaplan blue book thoroughly. If you've got a good GPA, an 18 AA can definitely make you competitive at many schools.

 

[Typo]

By the way, Javadi made a fantastic suggestion - carry flashcards around everywhere you go. If you can find some Kaplan DAT flashcards, buy 'em. Those flashcards were a huge part of my DAT study and I think they made a big difference. I was even able to use the things while I was driving places. If you can be really strict with yourself and make sure you absolutely master each principle on them, it'll increase your score.

 

[v&andy_yankee]

2.5 weeks over christmas break. i put myself into isolation (no drinking, no partying) with my barron's DATs guide. read through and wrote out the science sections (i'm horrible at memorizing by just reading, so i have to write it out). and, i did do ok!

 

[drat]

I'm two years out of school, so the bio and math weren't particularly fresh in my mind. (I'm a chemist so the chemistry wasn't a problem.) Studied about 8 hours only on the weekends for 3 months. Took the Topscore practice exam 1 a month -- figured out what needed work (bio & PAT) and focused in on that. Used blue Kaplan book and Barron's book for PAT. That's it.

My suggestion: Study the whole Kaplan book, take for first Topscore, then figure out where you need to concentrate your time. Take another exam, see if you improved or if you feel behind in another area...Let the Topscore guide you, my friend. 😉

Best of luck.
DRAT!