How to truly study for DAT?

[soon2bdr2u]

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Hello everyone,
Before I even begin this process of preparing to study I would like for you to share your study techniques, I know there are many great programs but I believe my issue is how to study?... I need to know:
What resources did you use?
What’s tips and tricks did you use to memorize?
Overall study habits?

Any related feedback is appreciated
🙂

 

[Theslowsouthy]

I used anki to literally memorize everything. I wish I started using it earlier

 

[houstonpredent]

I'd highly recommend looking for DAT breakdowns on SDN, the DAT bootcamp FB page and the DAT destroyer FB page. They generally all contain the study techniques and resources students used to prepare for the DAT so it's a great place to start.

 

[princeafrica]

PATBooster is amazing for PAT!
DAT Bootcamp & DAT Destroyer for all other content.

I mostly studied the material during the week and then reviewed during the weekend

 

[dr_lee]

I was out of college for 9 years, then took the DAT last year. I highly recommend signing up for DAT bootcamp. I used the practice tests on there, took one of each section to see how I scored. Then I focused on my weaker sections (math and biology), by doing Untimed practice tests, then going through all the explanations for the correct answers, taking notes etc. If I really needed to brush up on a concept, I would read more about it. I would make an effort to study for 2-3 hours a day. If I couldn’t, then i would make it up on the weekend. I didn’t really beat myself up over study time, and I feel like that helps with stress levels.

Also for biology I bought the AP Bio cliff notes book, and read through it, worked the problems, and tried to stoke my memory of high school biology from 15 years ago as much as possible. Overall I got a 25 Average on the academic sections. I was worried about math, and I wound up getting a 25 on that, so I was happy. I think I got a 24 on bio. You’ll find that you’ll probably score 2-5 points higher on the actual test than what you do on the practice tests, as they are pretty difficult. Definitely prepares you though.

Edit: forgot to mention, that I started all the test prep in June, then took the test the first week of September of last year. So, it was roughly 3 months of study and practice.

 

[Kiryu Kazama]

I was out of college for 9 years, then took the DAT last year. I highly recommend signing up for DAT bootcamp. I used the practice tests on there, took one of each section to see how I scored. Then I focused on my weaker sections (math and biology), by doing Untimed practice tests, then going through all the explanations for the correct answers, taking notes etc. If I really needed to brush up on a concept, I would read more about it. I would make an effort to study for 2-3 hours a day. If I couldn’t, then i would make it up on the weekend. I didn’t really beat myself up over study time, and I feel like that helps with stress levels.

Also for biology I bought the AP Bio cliff notes book, and read through it, worked the problems, and tried to stoke my memory of high school biology from 15 years ago as much as possible. Overall I got a 25 Average on the academic sections. I was worried about math, and I wound up getting a 25 on that, so I was happy. I think I got a 24 on bio. You’ll find that you’ll probably score 2-5 points higher on the actual test than what you do on the practice tests, as they are pretty difficult. Definitely prepares you though.

Edit: forgot to mention, that I started all the test prep in June, then took the test the first week of September of last year. So, it was roughly 3 months of study and practice.

DAT Bootcamp is the video game cheat code for taking the DAT. Highly recommend and great job on your scores!

 

[Vivian L]

Hello everyone,
Before I even begin this process of preparing to study I would like for you to share your study techniques, I know there are many great programs but I believe my issue is how to study?... I need to know:
What resources did you use?
What’s tips and tricks did you use to memorize?
Overall study habits?

Any related feedback is appreciated
🙂

Most people use DATDestroyer + PATBooster or just DATBootcamp. I personally used all 3 and honestly you don't need DATBootcamp. It throws so much information at you it's unrealistic. It's complete;

For tips and tricks, watch the PATBooster videos since it covers better techniques and tricks than DATBootcamp. Same with the Destroyer Biology book, pay attention to all the red or DAT-tips in that book. Most of my questions on my DAT were from there. Hopefully this helps. 🙂

 

[Pumpkincatdat]

@Theslowsouthy do you mind letting us know, which anki deck you used?

 

[TomWin]

1. What resources did you use? - I bought Crack the DAT. That was all I need to study like study schedule, DAT full length tests, practice questions, videos for all courses, notes, especially PAT & reading training.

2. What’s tips and tricks did you use to memorize? - do a lot of practice questions & use mnemonic.

3. Overall study habits? - follow the study guide & calendar, do practice test at the same time with your real DAT exam.