if i study for MCAT will i be ready for DAT

[jaybird]

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has anyone taken both MCAT and DAT? are they similar, besides the pcat in DAT.

 

[DrJD]

has anyone taken both MCAT and DAT? are they similar, besides the pcat in DAT.

They are very similar. If you study for the MCAT you will be completely ready for the DAT, EXCEPT for the pcat... That is completely unique to the DAT... I am an instructor for the MCAT with Kaplan and my coworker, who was also an MCAT teacher was able to very easily teach the DAT course with a little work on the pcat part... hope that helps!

 

[Decicco]

They are very similar. If you study for the MCAT you will be completely ready for the DAT, EXCEPT for the pcat... That is completely unique to the DAT... I am an instructor for the MCAT with Kaplan and my coworker, who was also an MCAT teacher was able to very easily teach the DAT course with a little work on the pcat part... hope that helps!

I'm confused: isnt the pcat the pharmacy test?

 

[DrJD]

I'm confused: isnt the pcat the pharmacy test?

So teh PCAT is the pharmacy test... I assumed that the OP was using it as an abbreviation for the Perceptual Abilities portion of the DAT. The DAT has four sections, two of which you will be prepared for directly by studying for the MCAT. These are the Natural Sciences section (Chem, O-Chem, Biology, Physics, etc.) and the reading comprehension section.

The last two sections are the Perceptual abilities, which basically tests your ability to think in three dimensions and the Quantitative reasoning section which tests your math skills through trig.

So, to expound on my original answer... You will be mostly prepared, but it is not the same thing as studying for the DAT. If you want to take the DAT you would have to supplement your studying with the perceptual information, as well as the math.

Also, I believe that the reading comprehension is a little different than the MCAT but not a huge deal.

Hope the increase in details helps!

 

[bkmonkey]

The DAT also tests ecology, evolution, and non-human organisms extensively. You definitely need to know kin-selection, demes, etc. WRT biology. You will also need to learn about your arthropods, etc. Finally, plant biology also shows up.

 

[Decicco]

Also, I thought physics was not on the DAT

 

[0Complications]

Also, I thought physics was not on the DAT

It's not.

I don't remember all the sections, but I think the meat of it is Bio, Verbal, and spacial reasoning (or whatever they call it).

 

[DrJD]

Also, I thought physics was not on the DAT

Its not to the extent that the MCAT is... but for example Thermodynamics is on there and I guess I was considering that physics although it could be considered chemistry...

 

[RoadRunner17]

Sounds like the DAT is a real interesting test... maybe I'll consider taking it for fun! 😉

 

[unsung]

Interesting. I wonder why physics is a greater component on the MCAT than on the DAT? And also why spatial skills is part of the weed out process for aspiring dentists but not for aspiring physicians?

 

[DrJD]

Interesting. I wonder why physics is a greater component on the MCAT than on the DAT? And also why spatial skills is part of the weed out process for aspiring dentists but not for aspiring physicians?

I believe it is because all dentists need to be able to think spatially about the mouth while looking at x-rays...

 

[0Complications]

I was talking to one of my buddies applying to dental school and he was saying that one of his dental schools required a pottery class...

I agree with roadrunner, the DAT would be kind of fun to take for giggles, well at least the spacial reasoning section.