How much time should I give myself to study?

[BalooTheBear]

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I recently decided to take the DAT. I took the MCAT and got a 28Q, but recently decided dental school would be better for me.

How long should I give myself to study for the DAT in order to get a good score? Would I be able to get ready within 3 months or would that be pushing it too much?

 

[dentaldentist]

I recently decided to take the DAT. I took the MCAT and got a 28Q, but recently decided dental school would be better for me.

How long should I give myself to study for the DAT in order to get a good score? Would I be able to get ready within 3 months or would that be pushing it too much?

Yes, three months is enough time to prepare for the test. I'm assuming you took the MCAT recently, so you have already had some studying in for a lot of the same material which gives you a head start over most people. You can use your MCAT materials to help study, but I definitly recommend picking up some DAT specific stuff to give you an idea on how the test is different and to get familiar with the PAT and the QR sections which the MCAT does not have. At the very least I would say pick up a copy of the Kaplan DAT book and know it front to back. You'll probably need some other material as well, but kaplan is a good place to start.

 

[PSU SHC 414]

I recently decided to take the DAT. I took the MCAT and got a 28Q, but recently decided dental school would be better for me.

How long should I give myself to study for the DAT in order to get a good score? Would I be able to get ready within 3 months or would that be pushing it too much?

I'm in the same boat as you... took the MCAT, was accepted to medical school, really thought about my reasons for pursuing an MD, and decided to decline my acceptance(s). After shadowing a few dentists and talking to friends in dental school, I'm hooked on dentistry now...

You should have a solid science base having taken the MCAT, but I would definitely go back and review (I've been using my Kaplan MCAT books and plan on getting Destroyer... be careful though, b/c MCAT science material is NOT identical to the DAT).

I'm sure you're aware of this, but if not, the DAT is not passage-based like the MCAT is (except for the RC section) and there is no physics, so it shouldn't be as daunting.

You'll be fine, but don't assume that just because you took the MCAT, the DAT will be a walk in the park. Each is its own monster... that's how I'm approaching it. Stay disciplined...

 

[jigabodo]

I did it for 2 months, 8 hour day. I thought it worked for me, at least.

 

[BalooTheBear]

Thank you for all of your inputs.

I'm buying the Kaplan Blue Book and will try to know it front to back. I'm going to supplement it with CliffTestPrep, just so I have a different perspective. Then once I will start using destroyer with topscore.
Does that sound good? Especially if I plan to take the test in 2-3 months?

Anyone recommend AudioLearn? I had some friend that used audio materials for the mcat and said it was amazing. Any suggestions?

Also, how do i get TopScore? I googled it and i can not find it anywhere.

Thanks again for the help

 

[dentaldentist]

Thank you for all of your inputs.

I'm buying the Kaplan Blue Book and will try to know it front to back. I'm going to supplement it with CliffTestPrep, just so I have a different perspective. Then once I will start using destroyer with topscore.
Does that sound good? Especially if I plan to take the test in 2-3 months?

Anyone recommend AudioLearn? I had some friend that used audio materials for the mcat and said it was amazing. Any suggestions?

Also, how do i get TopScore? I googled it and i can not find it anywhere.

Thanks again for the help

Sounds like a good plan, although I think I heard the cliff's DAT book wasn't all that good. I would get Cliff's AP bio or schaum's bio instead personally to help with the bio section, but the other items you are getting are good too so you should be fine.

You can purchase Topscore directly from Scholarware or at Amazon.com -
Topscore DAT from Scholarware
Topscore DAT from Amazon

 

[gyzeus]

I'm sure 3 months would be more than enough in your case since you've been studying for the mcat.
In my case, the dat I took this summer was the only test I took, and it was my first time taking it, but a 2 months, 5 hours a day of studying was enough to get me a good score.

 

[hrndawg]

Since the MCATs don't have a spatial section, make sure you get a good feeling for that section bc that's the only one that you'll have had no practice in. If you need an additional source of practice, you might want to check out crack the dat

 

[Willem]

Thank you for all of your inputs.

I'm buying the Kaplan Blue Book and will try to know it front to back. I'm going to supplement it with CliffTestPrep, just so I have a different perspective. Then once I will start using destroyer with topscore.
Does that sound good? Especially if I plan to take the test in 2-3 months?

Anyone recommend AudioLearn? I had some friend that used audio materials for the mcat and said it was amazing. Any suggestions?

Also, how do i get TopScore? I googled it and i can not find it anywhere.

Thanks again for the help

I dont know a thing about audiolearn, but I have used the audio osmosis cds from a friend who passed them onto me. I believe they help a bit. Its like getting some studying done while driving around. Of course, its not quality studying....since you are/should be paying attention to the road but it sort of reinforces some things. I suppose they would be better used to just listen to while sitting at a table taking notes but if I have time to study I am going to have some books in front of me rather than listen to a couple guys goof around and talk about chemistry. I wouldnt spend money on the darn things though. But considering the fact they were free for me, Im willing to give up my normal music for a couple months if it helps me answer even 1 more question right.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

2 months with 5 hours of study a day should be sufficient, if you use those 5 hours efficiently. Reference all your study material through out the two months. If you are doing some destroyer problems, don't be hesitant to reread some sections of the kaplan blue book, cliff's AP Bio or your text book pertaining to the problem.