in a rut

[steppingstone]

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so i recently took my DATs and freaked out mid exam and did really horribly. I got a 16 AA and 16 TS. I have already applied for this cycle (wasn't expecting to do so terribly). I would like to know if people advise taking the DATs in Dec/Jan again because everything will still be fresh in my mind for the next 3 months of studying or if I should take some more time to get my act together?

I'm also doing an unofficial post bac right now but I am only taking one class at this time so this semester isn't as stressful as next semester will be. Any advice would be welcome! My ogpa is 3.1 and my sgpa is 2.9

 

[Menthol]

which study materials did u use?

 

[Msmouth]

How did you study? Was it solely freaking it out or did you also feel unprepared?

Your GPA needs to be countered with a really high DAT. That's just my opinion. Since you already applied why not go for it and study your brains out and take many many practice exams.
Did you take any full-length practice exams?

 

[steppingstone]

I used Chad, Cliffs Bio, DatQvualt, topscore, and CPD. I just feel like I rushed into taking it but i also absolutely freaked out when i saw the science questions and felt like my mind went blank. What would you suggest the best way to study is? I really want to take it in Jan and get it over with and get a score that can balance out my low gpa.

 

[fionadirk]

When it comes to study, my best friend always get me notes. I don't know what study material he has studied.

 

[Msmouth]

Is your low GPA due to poor test taking skills and/or poor study skills?

Like many DAT takers, I poured everything I had into 8+ weeks of studying for the DAT. I studied nearly every day for 6-10 hours each. I took mini-breaks in between subjects but I pushed myself. I took my bio notes and studied in bed before I passed out. I also worked out every other morning, starting with a 2 mile run/walk. It helped me with confidence and blood flow to my brain.

Can you give us more info on how you studied, not just the materials you used?

 

[steppingstone]

I studied all summer on and off but studied seriously for a month about 6-8 hours everyday. I totally cut myself off from the world (which may have scared me even more when I went into the exam because I thought that this was it). I used Chad for OC and GC and watched the videos once, and repeated those subjects that I felt weak on. I used Destroyer for OC and did it 2x. For bio, I used Cliffs AP and datQvault. Bio scares me the most and therefore on the exam, I mentally gave up right away. When I think back to the questions that I was stuck on during the real exam, I knew them but panicked so much that my mind had gone blank. My RC, and PAT scores were okay and I was satisfied with them, had my other scores turned out successful. For QR, I will be using a tutor this time around but had barely prepped for it when I took the exam.

My low gpa is due to the fact that I was an unprepared freshman in college and had a bit of difficult time adjusting to college classes. I took my gen bio and gen chem classes freshman year and needless to say, i didn't do well. I recently just retook gen bio. I also took two calc classes freshman year which I also did subpar in. My upper level science classes are all A's or B+'s so there is an upward trend but that doesn't help my gpa that much.

I am currently doing an informal post bacc and will take a total of five classes before the next cycle.

 

[Msmouth]

Hopefully they see your upward trend.
If I were you I would try to figure out if you can somehow calm down for the retake. It sounds like you prepared well but freaked out on the real thing. Did you take any full-length practice exams? If you didn't you absolutely need to. Take the ADA 2009 version a week before your retake to gauge where you are. Also Topscore is popular amongst us here. It mostly helps simulate the feel of a real exam situation and to pacing yourself.

 

[steppingstone]

Would you be able to suggest an effective study plan? I feel like I need help retaining and understanding the material I am studying.

 

[Msmouth]

If you are now getting A's and B's in your upper level courses then just plan the same strategy. Also please tell me if you did any number of full-length exams?

 

[steppingstone]

I took the ADA 2009 but never reviewed it and took one topscore and got an 18 on it.

 

[Msmouth]

I would just read some of the breakdowns on here to get an idea of how to study better but I think you need more practice exams. You also need to review your mistakes and make sure you are understanding them.
I spent more time on gen chem than anything else. I think the most helpful study tool was Chad and his quizzes. I had to watch Chad's gen chem twice. I took organized notes the second time and kept formulas on flash cards. A few videos I had to watch a 3rd time and I took his gen chem quizzes over twice. I also did all of the Gen chem destroyer once.

Orgo was my best score, maybe because I love Orgo. I watched Chad's orgo videos once, took his orgo quizzes once and reviewed road maps in orgo destroyer.

Please look at my breakdown for more of my experience and again look at others. If it wasn't for SDN I would have never discovered Chad and also would not have realized how much work goes into doing well on the DAT. I am so grateful for this site and fine folks here.

 

[Dotoday]

As you study, I would advise you to take practice tests in few sections that you studied. Two months of everyday studying should be enough.

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[awaitsimpatient]

Rejections will be knocking at your door!! You not only need to do better on your DAT but absolutely INCREASE your sgpa to over 3.0....I applied with low 14, then with 15, my eyes were swollen from too much crying..now i laugh, i didnt know most cut off of 17. I think you should retake during the break on dec/jan and change your study method..that was my mistake, and i never learned how to time myself --> very important..i always run out of time and panicked during every section!! Good luck

 

[Toofly01]

No, you're not in a rut! You're at an important pivot point.

I would say that if you can, do it while it's still fresh. Especially because this semester is light. And I believe they are changing the DAT (I think it's something regarding the QR section and perhaps making bio section more word-problem type, I could be wrong but I would definitely look into it. There's a link floating around here on SDN somewhere, I apologize I'm too tired to find it right this second.). Basically, the test-writers are only going to make things more challenging. If, on top of everything else, next semester is tough for you- it just makes sense for you to clear you mind, take a week break, and dive right back in.

Msmouth is right, you should look at other breakdowns to see what worked, and also ASSESS your mistakes. Only by reviewing your mistakes (painful but helpful) will your scores go up. This is the best way to improve. Good luck! 🙂