If I retake the DAT and do worse?

[rockinginrio]

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I took the DAT in March. My scores were not amazing. I dont think they were HORRIBLE either. I know people who have gotten in with similar scores. These were my scores:
OChem - 20
Chem - 18
Bio - 17
Math - 17
Reading - 17
PAT -21
TS - 18
AA - 18

When I finished the DAT I really felt like I could have done better, so I signed up to take it again. My application has been in since the May, and I have finished all of my secondaries. I am scheduled to take the DAT again on August 6th. I am starting to get worried, because I haven't had a ton of time to study. I am worried about what will happen if I take the test and do worse on it.

I only selected 5 schools to receive my scores. I wanted to see how I did before I sent my scores out to all the schools. What do you guys think I should do? Is there a way to change my school designations and make it so nobody receives my scores until I see how I do? Can I still change those? I am going to go ahead and take the test because I have already paid for it, and if I put it off for too long it wont help me anymore this cycle. I don't want the schools to see if I do worse....Any advise?

 

[Bruinlove]

If you already put a future DAT date on AADSAS application, schools will expect new scores and won't review your file until they receive them.

If you didn't put it, then you still have a chance to do what you are saying. If the 5 schools that you listed on the DAT application are your favorite schools, you may want to call ADA to change the school designation. (maybe some random 5 schools that you will never apply to?)

 

[rockinginrio]

I didn't tell anybody that I was retaking the DAT because I wanted to see how I would do first. They have no idea that I am retaking it, and are not expecting my scores. The 5 schools I picked to get my scores were my favorite schools. That is starting to make me nervous. Is it possible to call ADA and have them change the designations? Because I think that I should do that if I can...

 

[sweetpea2]

I think your first scores are actually competitive. There not amazing but definitely above average. Why did you schedule a retake so quickly? You should have at least waited on some interviews first IMO.

 

[metrochem]

can you take the DAT again so soon? i thought you had to wait 90 days in order to take the test agian. maybe they changed that from when i took it last year

 

[rockinginrio]

I took the DAT in March. It has been over 90 days. The reason I scheduled to re-take the test was because I wanted to be more competitive. Like I said, I took the DAT in March. I figured that if it were going to mean that I would have a better chance of getting in this year and not having to wait a year to re-apply that it would be worth trying.

So my question is really this: Do you guys know if there is a way that I can change the schools I have picked to receive my scores? When I registered to re-take the DAT I put down my 5 favorite schools to receive my DAT scores right away. But now I am nervous that I might not do better than the first time. I don't want them to see my scores until I know whether or not I did better. That makes sense, right? How do I do that?

 

[metrochem]

sorry i didnt read your original post properly. with all the "i just took my DAT today" threads, i thought you took it recently. you should call the ADA

 

[tuthluver]

If you already put a future DAT date on AADSAS application, schools will expect new scores and won't review your file until they receive them.

If you didn't put it, then you still have a chance to do what you are saying. If the 5 schools that you listed on the DAT application are your favorite schools, you may want to call ADA to change the school designation. (maybe some random 5 schools that you will never apply to?)

I called ADA to change one of my choices about a month ago and was tolld that schools can only be added not taken off your list to be sent to.😡

 

[rockinginrio]

I am starting to get worried. If I cant delete my school designations do I have any other choice? Can I cancel my test, and then reschedule? How much money do I loose if I cancel the test? I feel like if I just reschedule they will probably keep my same school designations, right? But if I actually cancel my test and then sign up again will I be able change my school designations?

It might sound like I am being a little ridiculous, but I really dont want my schools to find out about my test if I do worse. Does anybody have any suggestions?

 

[rockinginrio]

Any help guys?

 

[tuthluver]

I am starting to get worried. If I cant delete my school designations do I have any other choice? Can I cancel my test, and then reschedule? How much money do I loose if I cancel the test? I feel like if I just reschedule they will probably keep my same school designations, right? But if I actually cancel my test and then sign up again will I be able change my school designations?

It might sound like I am being a little ridiculous, but I really dont want my schools to find out about my test if I do worse. Does anybody have any suggestions?

If you don't mind paying the money again, then go for it.

Sorry but I think that's all that you can do....

 

[summer89]

Hi,
So I took the DAT last month and I'm considering about taking it again to improve my PAT and QR scores. I'm not very satisfied with my scores and don't think they're competitive enough for the schools I'm interested in.
I'm planning to apply this May for the Fall 2010. However, I need some advice/input on my scores and when I should retake them...May 2009?

PA-15
QR-14
RC-20
Bio-17
GC-17
Orgo-20

AA-18
TS-18

Any advice?

 

[vlct0ria]

Hi,
So I took the DAT last month and I'm considering about taking it again to improve my PAT and QR scores. I'm not very satisfied with my scores and don't think they're competitive enough for the schools I'm interested in.
I'm planning to apply this May for the Fall 2010. However, I need some advice/input on my scores and when I should retake them...May 2009?

PA-15
QR-14
RC-20
Bio-17
GC-17
Orgo-20

AA-18
TS-18

Any advice?

I'm applying the same cycle as you, and the way DAT scores have been looking lately (many 20+s), I would definitely recommend a retake to improve PAT/QR and Bio and GChem. I'm not taking it until July 1, but that's just the way it works out with my studying plans...but yeah, if you have the time to buckle down and study for it in time to take it in May, then why not? Apply early no matter what! G'luck 👍

 

[yuppers]

Hi,
So I took the DAT last month and I'm considering about taking it again to improve my PAT and QR scores. I'm not very satisfied with my scores and don't think they're competitive enough for the schools I'm interested in.
I'm planning to apply this May for the Fall 2010. However, I need some advice/input on my scores and when I should retake them...May 2009?

PA-15
QR-14
RC-20
Bio-17
GC-17
Orgo-20

AA-18
TS-18

Any advice?

For the person that actually started the thread, there is a chance to do worse but also a chance to do better. It is comes down to how moviated you will be to start studying again which may be tough.

For the person Im quoting, I would say a retake a 14 and 15 is below the cut off for many schools. The 15 in PAT is going to hurt. By the way, smooth thread hijack.

 

[2pound]

i think both of you guys need to retake. sorry but these days it takes more than AA 18 to get in. you need at the least a 19 to be considered.