How to study DAT during a full semester of classes

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Detroit

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Hello, I would like to ask for some advice on how to study for the DAT while taking a full load in school. I am taking 14 credits this semester and would like to take the DAT sometime in the spring. I have CDP, Kaplan BB, Destroyer, and Cliffs AP Bio. I try to study here and there but I do not have a clear cut schedule made.

Sorry if this question has been asked before, I am just stressing at the moment 🙁.

Thank you
 
You're stressed out at the moment? How stressed out will you be during midterms/finals week once classes kick into full gear and on top of that, the DAT hanging over your head like impending doom. I wouldn't attempt it. I tried to prepare while taking classes last semester and I ended up always being stretched too thin. My grades took a slight dip and Im still prepping for DAT bc Im not quite ready. Ive also been getting lapped by the material. What I mean is so much time elapses that I start to forget things I learned before. Lots of people here who have excelled on the DAT took a significant amount of time to focus almost solely on DAT. That was the advice I was given and I didnt take it. Im sure someone is going to say " I prepped while taking a 20 credits, working full time, doing research, and raising 5 kids" but that's them. I myself cant. It's probably a good idea to start reviewing PAT now, as it is a new skill for most people that takes some time to develope. Maybe practice RC and brush up on math. These are the sections that people neglect the most so it will give you a leg up once you start the real grind. In any case, good luck in whatever you decide to do.
 
I'm taking a light load - 14 credits - 2 sci, 1 lab, 1 non sci class. I have a 3-4hr window everyday where i'm really working on my ochem/genchem (chad) and doing a writing test a day (exam cracker reading). This will take me to about late feb/march where i'll memorize my notes then go through destroyer and begin to work on the PAT. When summer rolls around I'll go full speed and take on bio and QR.

You're saying you cant fit 3hrs a day of studying into your schedule? With a hard load that may be the case - but really look at how you're spending your time.
 
for me it was more effective to study with 2 moths off before applying during the summer. So i can concentrate on the test alone and nothing else.
 
This is a good point - take into account your learning style. If I sit down for 10 hrs a day i'll remember the last thing I studied and kinda remember the rest. Some people can keep it all crammed in their till test day though.

Even if you were a crammer - you should still work on your RC skills and your PAT skills through practice tests now IMO.



for me it was more effective to study with 2 moths off before applying during the summer. So i can concentrate on the test alone and nothing else.
 
As everyone has said, doing your core studying is best when not loaded down with classes, so you can maintain your grades while during the semester, and get more quality and time in for the DAT when you're not.

I think it also depends on which classes you're currently taking or plan to take. I wouldn't do any studying for ochem if you haven't taken both classes yet. (If it's in progress, you'll already be doing the studying for this section)

Since it sounds like you're short of time, I wouldn't attempt to spread yourself out over more than two topics of the DAT during the semesterd, I would do two things: alternate doing some PAT work and doing bio study, however we're not talking intensive bio studying, I think over the semester you should be able to slowly go through one section at a time (you might try doing the same section in KBB and Cliff's one after the other, taking notes/making flash cards (anki or paper ones); and watch videos at Khan Academy for topics that may be difficult for you to grasp (commonly photosynthesis, genetics, etc). Then reinforcing the bio will be much more efficient and not take too long, assuming you did take good notes/make good cards.

Alternatively, if you just took all your chemistry classes, you could try just doing practice problems ad nauseum, identify what you're weak in or need review. If you don't need a comprehensive chem review (It's still somewhat fresh in your head), this will save you a lot of time. Still alternating PAT practice. Either way, when the semester is over you'll have a big chunk of the DAT managed, and could probably cover the rest intensively in 1-2 months (with practice tests), taking the DAT in early-mid summer.

In any case, don't force the DAT on yourself prematurely, having to wait 3 months for a retest wouldn't be very fun, nor would getting mediocre scores, right?
 
Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice. I am actually graduating this semester so I am trying to plan everything out.

tart reviewing PAT now, as it is a new skill for most people that takes some time to develope. Maybe practice RC and brush up on math.

I think this is what I will start doing, I really need to review my math like no other. The last math class I had was almost 3.5 years ago. I have been practicing PAT with CDP, this too needs a lot of practice.

I have taken all my pre-reqs but it has been years since I have had Ochem and Gchem. I did very well in all my courses, I just hope this will help for the DAT, I am terrible at standardized test. Obviously this is something I need to get better at.

If anyone else has anymore advice to add on, I am all ears.

Again, thank you everyone for your help and advice. Good luck to all of you.
 
Thank you everyone for the wonderful advice. I am actually graduating this semester so I am trying to plan everything out.



I think this is what I will start doing, I really need to review my math like no other. The last math class I had was almost 3.5 years ago. I have been practicing PAT with CDP, this too needs a lot of practice.

I have taken all my pre-reqs but it has been years since I have had Ochem and Gchem. I did very well in all my courses, I just hope this will help for the DAT, I am terrible at standardized test. Obviously this is something I need to get better at.

If anyone else has anymore advice to add on, I am all ears.

Again, thank you everyone for your help and advice. Good luck to all of you.

I have yet to take the dat, let alone study for it so I guess take my advice with a grain of salt. You can always just start reviewing little by little. Most time goes into taking notes and making your own outlines/flash cards. You can start working on that a little each week while hammering out the pat every other morning. By the time you're willing to get serious, you just start hammering it out on the notes and outlines since you have that done.

Even you said you're a bit rough with the gc and orgo. Hour or so a day/every other day reviewing, writing notes, wouldn't hurt.

Good luck👍
 
Detroit, I'm right there with you. 15 credit hours and trying to maintain a racquetball club I started not to long ago.

I am currently reading the KBB at night after the day is done, and doing CDP tests on my laptop while I am not at home. I plan on doing nothing but practice tests/problems for the couple of weeks prior to my DAT (DAT destroyer and practice tests I've bought), March 10 >_<
Makes me nervous just thinking about it....

I'm a junior and the last math class I took was in highschool...on the bright side I was always good at SAT style math, but I hear you are very pressed for time on the DAT math section..

It's also been a while since I've taken gen chem (freshman year) and ochem (last year), but re-learning the concepts is going faster than I though, You will probably surprise yourself how much you remember!

Idk about you, but I'm screwed for the Reading Comp haha I never excelled there, hopefully the Crack DAT reading will help 😛

My study methods are no where near as disciplined and rigorous as many that post here, but, I just wanted to post mainly to let you know you are not alone, I can totally identify with your dilemma!

I wish you the best!
 
Dont sacrofice your GPA - but having said that - if you have time I would do the ground work for you to take 1-2 months during the summer to really nail it.

Someone already said this above but it will help out alot. If you hit summer and have all your o chem and g chem note cards/notes made and partly memorized, have all your bio materials, and have started practicing math, reading and pat you're going to be primed for success.

Some people think cramming is best - but my mind doesnt work like that. If I have long term exposure to a subject it takes me less and less time to memorize it again. I would rather work through the material at a slower pace for 3-4 months then hit it hard for 1 than try and grind it all out for 2 months straight 8 hrs a day like some people do here.

GL
 
yappy makes a good point. I was thinking that I crammed for my DAT because I really only studied hard for 3 weeks over winter break BUT I laid the groundwork for success the entire previous semester. I didn't study hard all semester, but I got all my materials, figured out an awesome plan, identified weak areas, and made initial once-overs of all the material during free time in the semester.

As for advice of studying DAT during a tough semester, you have to be able to segment your days. Meaning you have to be fully engaged in whatever you are doing at the time. You can't be thinking about your o-chem lab grade while you are studying for the DAT and vice versa. If you are capable of setting aside chunks of time for only semester work and for only DAT work then you can do it well.
 
I was wondering about this too... Taking 20+ units + part time job and DAT. I want to apply early june. Gl everyone.
 
What do you use to practice PAT?
I heard CrackPAT is good......does that actually teach you or just test you?
 
What do you use to practice PAT?
I heard CrackPAT is good......does that actually teach you or just test you?

They have a few tutorial videos giving you a couple of pointers about each section and some tips and tricks to help you through.

They also have varying amounts of practice tests/questions depending on which package you purchase. It seems to work well for me, but I've yet to take the DAT, taking it this Saturday:scared:

I've been studying a bit each day throughout this semester and did so over winterbreak, and really cracking down these last few days of SB...

Hopefully I'll be done with the DAT forever after Saturday. Man would that be a good feeling.
 
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