I'm a SLOW test taker....please help

[predental012]

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I'm a little under a month away from taking the DAT and I am really nervous about timing. I took the Kaplan diagnostic and was able to finish every section besides a few questions here and there, but then I took the midterm and didn't even GET to the ochem section, and didn't even get to the pattern folding on the PAT. I scored 19 in PAT on that midterm without doing the last 15 questions. I had absolutely no time on QR especially, I scored 11 on the diagnostic when I answered most of the questions, and now on the midterm I got a 14 even though I only answered half of the questions this time around. On RC, I used Vicviper's strategy, which was awesome, but only for first essay (got all questions right on that one). Then I was running out of time and down to 30 minutes so I rushed for the other two and didn't use the same strategy and ended up with 18 on RC. I spent 35-40 minutes in biology, and got 17 in that one (up from 16 on the diagnostic). But then I totally screwed genchem and orgo cuz I had to rush through both of them to make up for the timing. Does anyone know ANY way I can become faster?? I am screwed if I don't pick up the pace, I just don't even realize that the time is going by, as dumb as that sounds. In class I always take up the entire time to take tests, I really need to stop this habit somehow. Please let me know any strategies you have used on timing and getting to every question with reasonable enough time to be able to work through the problems.

 

[Golfguy]

I'm a slow exam taker as well.

You'll find that the more practice tests you complete, the better you will pace yourself.

Don't fret on the midterm....that test is a beast!

I got a 19AA on the diagnostic, but an 18AA on the midterm. Like you, I only got through half of the QR problems.

 

[predental012]

Did you use Destroyer by any chance? Do you think I should time myself on those or no since they aren't full practice tests

 

[Golfguy]

Did you use Destroyer by any chance? Do you think I should time myself on those or no since they aren't full practice tests

I have Destroyer and Math Destroyer, but haven't used them yet. I plan to in 2 weeks after I finish Kaplan's course.

I'm not going to time the regular Destroyer, but probably will on the last few Math Destroyer tests.

 

[predental012]

I have Destroyer and Math Destroyer, but haven't used them yet. I plan to in 2 weeks after I finish Kaplan's course.

I'm not going to time the regular Destroyer, but probably will on the last few Math Destroyer tests.

I did only the first test in math destroyer and that alone is what raised my 11 to 14 in that section lol. Actually I thought the midterm was a bit easier than the diagnostic though. Are you finding the online materials helpful, like the quizzes and workshops? I've only been doing the tests and reading from the book

 

[Golfguy]

I did only the first test in math destroyer and that alone is what raised my 11 to 14 in that section lol. Actually I thought the midterm was a bit easier than the diagnostic though. Are you finding the online materials helpful, like the quizzes and workshops? I've only been doing the tests and reading from the book

I'm doing the readings, quizzes, practice exams now. Did half of the workshops earlier. The online lessons leave a lot to be desired, but I like the book overall, and the litany of questions helps.

 

[dentalWorks]

I'm a little under a month away from taking the DAT and I am really nervous about timing. I took the Kaplan diagnostic and was able to finish every section besides a few questions here and there, but then I took the midterm and didn't even GET to the ochem section, and didn't even get to the pattern folding on the PAT. I scored 19 in PAT on that midterm without doing the last 15 questions. I had absolutely no time on QR especially, I scored 11 on the diagnostic when I answered most of the questions, and now on the midterm I got a 14 even though I only answered half of the questions this time around. On RC, I used Vicviper's strategy, which was awesome, but only for first essay (got all questions right on that one). Then I was running out of time and down to 30 minutes so I rushed for the other two and didn't use the same strategy and ended up with 18 on RC. I spent 35-40 minutes in biology, and got 17 in that one (up from 16 on the diagnostic). But then I totally screwed genchem and orgo cuz I had to rush through both of them to make up for the timing. Does anyone know ANY way I can become faster?? I am screwed if I don't pick up the pace, I just don't even realize that the time is going by, as dumb as that sounds. In class I always take up the entire time to take tests, I really need to stop this habit somehow. Please let me know any strategies you have used on timing and getting to every question with reasonable enough time to be able to work through the problems.

Well, in all honestly, the only 2 sections where many people have trouble with timing is RC and QR (your not the only one). Its the reason why sometimes you see phenomenal scores of 22 and 23AA and the person has like a 15 in QR or 17 in RC.

I think 90 minutes for 100 very-basic science questions is more than enough. The same goes for PAT. The DAT makers were very generous with these 2.

In my 5+ years of SDN-addiction, I have yet to see a breakdown from an individual who struggled to finish the sciences or PAT with the allocated time.

 

[predental012]

Well, in all honestly, the only 2 sections where many people have trouble with timing is RC and QR (your not the only one). Its the reason why sometimes you see phenomenal scores of 22 and 23AA and the person has like a 15 in QR or 17 in RC.

I think 90 minutes for 100 very-basic science questions is more than enough. The same goes for PAT. The DAT makers were very generous with these 2.

In my 5+ years of SDN-addiction, I have yet to see a breakdown from an individual who struggled to finish the sciences or PAT with the allocated time.

Haha now I'm scared! But I agree, they do give us plenty of time I guess it's just me

 

[wizi]

Haha now I'm scared! But I agree, they do give us plenty of time I guess it's just me

No, its NOT just you. People have problem with their timing as well.

Kaplan, Topscore questions require you have to do the math while DAT questions dont require you have to actually do the math. A lot of DAT questions are in the setup type of question. Just do your practice tests again and again, you will be fine on DAT.

For QR section, do Math Destroyer over and over again. 🙂

 

[annie12]

i've seen tons of breakdowns where people are talking about the PAT being rushed. so that's not just you! i have trouble with QR and PAT only the other sections i have no problem with. i guess with chem just know how the formulas so you have know how to do the questions right away and know the reactions for ochem.