How should I prepare for my 3rd try?

[dsharp]

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Well, I am planning to take the DAT for the 3rd time. Last time I studied for 2 months for 4 hours a day. This is what I scored:

OC 17
GC 15
Bio 15
QR 18
RC 18
PAT 25

My GPA is 3.41 overall 3.75 science. I studied using Kaplan (book), Schaums, and Top Score. I was scoring 23+ on nearly every section of each practice test but as you can see, I bombed the real deal.

So, my 3rd attempt will be at the end of the summer. What materials should I use to prepare? I was thinking Kaplan (online) and Destroyer. What else would be good?

Many thanks!

 

[jigabodo]

You should add Achiever to the list. 🙂

 

[Booboohuevos]

I think that it may not be the material that is troubling you, but it might be that you are not approaching the exam the right way. If you are scoring consistent 23's on all of your practice exams, that indicates that you know the material. Instead, try working on simulating an actual testing environment. I just highly doubt that studying more will fix the issues for you.

 

[dsharp]

I think that it may not be the material that is troubling you, but it might be that you are not approaching the exam the right way. If you are scoring consistent 23's on all of your practice exams, that indicates that you know the material. Instead, try working on simulating an actual testing environment. I just highly doubt that studying more will fix the issues for you.

Does that mean that I should concentrate my efforts on taking tons of practice tests?

 

[xDent09]

I think that you should try to take practice test in a library where people are around you.

Listen I need your help too, I see that you killed the PAT, how did you study and can you give some hints clues to top front/holes/and any thing that might help.

 

[jdoc04]

Well, I am planning to take the DAT for the 3rd time. Last time I studied for 2 months for 4 hours a day. This is what I scored:

OC 17
GC 15
Bio 15
QR 18
RC 18
PAT 25

My GPA is 3.41 overall 3.75 science. I studied using Kaplan (book), Schaums, and Top Score. I was scoring 23+ on nearly every section of each practice test but as you can see, I bombed the real deal.

So, my 3rd attempt will be at the end of the summer. What materials should I use to prepare? I was thinking Kaplan (online) and Destroyer. What else would be good?

Many thanks!

When did you start using the Top Score?

 

[dsharp]

I think that you should try to take practice test in a library where people are around you.

Listen I need your help too, I see that you killed the PAT, how did you study and can you give some hints clues to top front/holes/and any thing that might help.

Thanks, I got very distracted at the testing center due to all of the clicking from the other people typing.

The PAT is cake. There's no secret to the keyhole/aperature passing section. You just have to realize that the hole can represent any side of the 3-D object. Sometimes it comes down to the size of the hole or the fine details. Pracctice is the only key to mastering this part. For the front/side/top section, practice again. The most important thing to keep straight is hidden recesses, holes, and edges.

For the angle section I use the dry erase tablet they give you to block off the uneven ends of the open end of the angle. This evens the legs out and eliminates the optical illusions making it easier to evaluate the angles.

For the hole punching/folding section, draw a grid with 16 squares first. Then, reproduce the final picture on the grid you just drew. Next, unfold it...The secret is to treat each fold line like a mirror. It seems like a lot but it's pretty easy and goes quickly with practice.

Cube counting and folding just take practice. For folding you need to visualize the final product. The colors make it tricky but with practice it gets easier. Once you have the final object visualized ask yourself, "can this color scheme/pattern occur like this". For cube counting you need to recognize the patterns and how many sides are exposed in association with each pattern. The hidden cubes make it tough but just remember that if there are two rows/columns of cubes, whatever is visible in the nearest/closest row/column to you will be present in the farthest. Again, practice is the real key on these.

Hope that helps.

 

[dsharp]

When did you start using the Top Score?

A couple of weeks before taking the test.

 

[PhD2DDS]

They let you hold the board up against the screen for the angles? I thought this was a no no. Or are you holding it near your eye?

 

[dsharp]

They let you hold the board up against the screen for the angles? I thought this was a no no. Or are you holding it near your eye?

Never touch the screen!!! Seriously, I just hold it between me and the screen. Just to even the legs out. I usually can do without this technique but a few are so close and this helped me out!

 

[Jo07]

Hahaha I actually touched the screen by accident when I was TFE ing trying to "connect" the lines and the privacy screen fell right off. Oh and then my markers BOTH dried up in the only section where you really need them--Cube counting. Did I mention that my testing center was on the 13th floor?

Needless to say, I'm retaking!