Is it OK to have a low PAT score?

[rootz02]

---

Members do not see this ad.

.

 

[jeffity]

Anyway....

My mom always said, "If you don't have something about PAT scores to say, don't say anything at all."

Original question...(RIP BRZ24)

It's not optimal to have a low anything. The good news is that it isn't included in AA. I think PAT is quickly going the way of the popped collar for some schools. When was this part added to the test anyway? Any correlation studies out there?

 

[Volvoxy]

Would you post lolcats and show patients inappropriate failmemes? No.
Do you see people getting banned for posting them? No.
It's an internet forum. Lighten up. You're pointing out this specific phrase to appear as a bastion of politically correct high horsing.
If I said "lol sorry I swear I'm dyslexic." Would you be outraged for dyslexic?
If I said "Omg I'm so OCD" or "wow seems like that poster has tourettes!" Would you still be outraged?
****** means to slow. Mentally ******ed means developmentally and cognitively slow. It's in fact a medical term as well.
So if someone is remarking that they feel slow for not getting a point and are hence posting again, are you really so outraged? Only if you're going to get your knickers in a bunch for every other subgroup mentioned on the forum from this point on.

 

[jeffity]

Anyway....

My mom always said, "If you don't have something about PAT scores to say, don't say anything at all."

Original question...(RIP BRZ24)

It's not optimal to have a low anything. The good news is that it isn't included in AA. I think PAT is quickly going the way of the popped collar for some schools. When was this part added to the test anyway? Any correlation studies out there?

Oh, great question. I've found some info on that. A form of PAT was included from the very beginning. The reasoning behind the DAT test is interesting (25% dropout rate, help compare WWII vets who had old academic records to non-vets, level the playing field since grades from different schools had different meanings).

"In 1945 Dental Aptitude Test Battery was initiated as an instrument to measure basic abilities in mathematics, verbal reasoning, reading comprehension in the sciences, and academic achievement in the natural sciences. The committee also included tests of object visualization and chalk carving.

Prior to 1972, the Chalk Carving Test and Space Relations Test provided information related to manual dexterity as well as the ability to visualize in three dimensions. [...] The replacement of the Chalk Carving Test with the Perceptual-motor Ability Test was that visual perception, when measured reliably through a pencil-and-paper test, would provide a valid predictor for judging the probability of success in the technique courses required by the curriculum the replacement of the Chalk Carving Test with the Perceptual-motor Ability Test was that visual perception, when measured reliably through a pencil-and-paper test, would provide a valid predictor for judging the probability of success in the technique courses required by the curriculum."

 

[rootz02]

.

 

[KittySquared]

Drinking coffee and reading this thread was a bad idea. I'm definitely pre-hypertensive now.

You're all just another applicant in the eyes of an admissions officer. Words cannot describe how minute the issues you're all arguing about are. These childish back and forth diatribes really show just how intolerant some of you are. When you're a dentist, you have to be very tolerant and accepting of your patients.

 

[ewu6three]

Would you post lolcats and show patients inappropriate failmemes? No.
Do you see people getting banned for posting them? No.
It's an internet forum. Lighten up. You're pointing out this specific phrase to appear as a bastion of politically correct high horsing.
If I said "lol sorry I swear I'm dyslexic." Would you be outraged for dyslexic?
If I said "Omg I'm so OCD" or "wow seems like that poster has tourettes!" Would you still be outraged?
****** means to slow. Mentally ******ed means developmentally and cognitively slow. It's in fact a medical term as well.
So if someone is remarking that they feel slow for not getting a point and are hence posting again, are you really so outraged? Only if you're going to get your knickers in a bunch for every other subgroup mentioned on the forum from this point on.

I agree. the word ******ed doesn't necessarily refer to a mentally ******ed person. I got something to make light of the situation. rootz02 you might not want to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1OFSD7vnjM&feature=relmfu

 

[bumpntrunk]

I wasnt trying to cause a debate , I was just saying its a free country, you can choose to ignore someones ranting or respond. They got the right to say crazy stuff but this forum does have rules and if you wanna play you gotta obey.

 

[Smurf12]

To be honest, I am not the type of person to be wasting my time dealing with such rude people like the OP.

But there is a place and time where I have to take a stand up for those being battered by the ungrateful. People die each day doing good deeds while asking for nothing in return. A part of me hurts inside whenever I read such stories like these:


San Diego Officer's Final Act of Kindness
Good Samaritan is run over, dies while trying to help person with car trouble (these ones are the most painful to read)


Regarding the OP, at least have some self-decency for oneself in the midst of adversity. Even a dog knows not to bite its owner. It is not like the DAT is a one-time-only event. For what it’s worth, I think there is a more serious issue underlying the OP’s situation.

OP asked for an honest opinion. Some gave it and some apparently didn’t. But to lash back at others in a distasteful fashion, the way he did, was just insidious and sickening.

What do you want us to do? Lie?

A favorite quote of mine “You can lead a horse to the water, but you cannot make them drink from it.”

What I personally see in the OP, after reading many of his posts, are some of the worst traits coming out of any type of human being: envy, jealousy, pride, narcissism, materialism, and the list goes on. I am not here to specifically judge, and I normally do not either; that’s just not who I am.

Like I have said before, people can only lose respect. Whenever I meet a stranger, regardless of their background/circumstance, I treat them the same way I would like to be treated.

Just imagine someone like this becoming a dentist or even a doctor. Do you know who will end up paying the price? It will be innocent patients, love ones, etc. Look up Mark Weinberger for instance. Hopefully this Weinberger scum is cooped up in the same cell with Sandusky.

I do not have any pity for the OP. I was taught to love thy enemies, but I guess there are just those who are just unlovable. Justice will eventually clench her fist and serve these people justice. Be it now, be it later, be it whenever, it will be served.

Some of you may not agree with me, and you have every right to, and heck I’m not even of legal drinking age yet. I still have a long road ahead of me. And yes this is just a forum, but regardless of that, it is what you do on your own time cast aside from judgment that inevitably speaks a part of your own character.

Honestly, I am glad the US dental schools take the holistic approach in accepting students. There are those with high stats but have no heart, and there are those with lower stats but have a heart. To me, I would prefer the latter if I were an adcom.

I hope I made my message clear. Many of us here are aspiring future health professionals and at the very least we should all act like one.


I am done with this thread, and I hope the adcoms sees this thread.


BTW: Remember what Kahr posted earlier: if there are users that you do not like, then make sure to block them out. You will never have to deal with their whining anymore.


Best wishes to all🙂,


Smurf12

 

[SmilingTooth]

Bravo Smurf12. You have elegantly concluded the thread. And yes, the news story was indeed a painful one. RIP Officer.

 

[finchy86]

Oh, great question. I've found some info on that. A form of PAT was included from the very beginning. The reasoning behind the DAT test is interesting (25% dropout rate, help compare WWII vets who had old academic records to non-vets, level the playing field since grades from different schools had different meanings).

"In 1945 Dental Aptitude Test Battery was initiated as an instrument to measure basic abilities in mathematics, verbal reasoning, reading comprehension in the sciences, and academic achievement in the natural sciences. The committee also included tests of object visualization and chalk carving.

Prior to 1972, the Chalk Carving Test and Space Relations Test provided information related to manual dexterity as well as the ability to visualize in three dimensions. [...] The replacement of the Chalk Carving Test with the Perceptual-motor Ability Test was that visual perception, when measured reliably through a pencil-and-paper test, would provide a valid predictor for judging the probability of success in the technique courses required by the curriculum the replacement of the Chalk Carving Test with the Perceptual-motor Ability Test was that visual perception, when measured reliably through a pencil-and-paper test, would provide a valid predictor for judging the probability of success in the technique courses required by the curriculum."

Haha Jeffity, honestly the best part of this thread 😀. Quoting yourself and answering a good question while trying to remain on topic.

It seems that some schools could care less about the PAT while others value it. Find the schools that don't care about low PAT scores and apply broadly.

 

[tinman831]

Please keep the discussion related to the OP's question. Thanks. 🙂