Importance of writing a full-length practice test...

[jy87]

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Hello everyone:

My DAT is coming up on August 1st and I had a quick question for those who have written the actual exam:

Is it very important that I sit down and do a full ~4 hour practice exam (most likely using DAT achiever) before the real thing?

Up until now I've been studying the different sections independently and writing the practice tests for those sections only.

With my very busy schedule in the last two days before my exam, I may be able to fit in only one (and no more than two) full-length practice tests...but I feel like I would be making better use of my time by focusing on doing some last minute review for some of the sections instead.

So, to state my question once more, how important is the experience of writing a full-length practice exam in one sitting before the actual exam??

Thanks!

 

[nemetrazol]

haven't taken the real thing, but ive been told a full simulation is valuble.

 

[Decan]

I took the test last monday and I think its pretty important to sit down and actually take the whole thing in one sitting because its what you are going to be doing on test day. It will more accurately reflect your performance on the exam because by the end of the test, you'll be exhausted.

 

[DMDreaming]

I'd highly recommend it. Taking a full length practice exam is a real eye opener as to how draining the time restrictions and pace of the exam can be. Not taking a full length one would be like practicing free throws, lay ups, and dribbling but never scrimaging before the big game. Each "skill" can be done independently but it has to be put all together to be a success. Good luck!!

 

[Flipper405]

I'd highly recommend it. Taking a full length practice exam is a real eye opener as to how draining the time restrictions and pace of the exam can be. Not taking a full length one would be like practicing free throws, lay ups, and dribbling but never scrimaging before the big game. Each "skill" can be done independently but it has to be put all together to be a success. Good luck!!

Good analogy! 👍

 

[vhh007]

it's a great way to figure out how to pace yourself esp for the QR section at the end because by that point you are drained (mentally) but you still might have to do a lot of calculations. for me I found it most helpful with the PAT section right after the sciences because I had problems finishing up on time but it worked out just fine on the real DAT good luck

 

[rollredroll]

in a word, yes. actually, take 2 or 3 full-length practice tests. you know how at basketball practice you always put 5 seconds on the clock and run your favorite inbounds play to win the game...it's kinda like that.