Is the PAT really important?

[mtbikeman]

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It seems that many schools use this as a measure of proficiency rather than as something they take into account when looking at competitiveness. When looking at others scores, if something is deficient it seems to be the PAT (for those interviewing). I am in the position of having relatively low AA (18) and TS (19), but a high PAT (27). If this could be a deciding factor for a school, which ones look more favorably towards high PAT scores (even if it may not help me now). I am new to the forum, so hello, and thank you for any responses.

 

[Regmata]

It isn't the most relevant portion of the DAT, but some schools do take PAT scores seriously. I don't know what ones, but I have heard of PAT scores outweighing other areas of an application that were seriously lacking.

 

[STIG]

It isn't the most relevant portion of the DAT, but some schools do take PAT scores seriously. I don't know what ones, but I have heard of PAT scores outweighing other areas of an application that were seriously lacking.

UoP, UCLA. I think UoP takes PAT really seriously.

 

[Ron Jeremy]

An unbiased way of answering this question would be to go to predents.com and sort the dental schools by ave PAT scores. You will see the schools that have an ave PAT of 20 or higher. If you look at the prior years, the same schools show up at the top of the list. Same goes for the schools at the bottom of the list.

My interpretation of the data is that some schools take the PAT scores seriously, and other don't. UCLA states clearly on their website that they heavily consider the PAT score.

Schools with an ave PAT score of 20 means that they view PAT scores of 18 as "borderline", and they rarely accept applicants with 17 or lower. These schools have a large proportion of students with 21's and 22's.

On the other hand, Nova has an ave PAT of 18. Therefore, they statistically have accepted numerous applicants with 16s and 17s, but their class has few people with 21s. Nova is an example of a school that weighs PAT less than then other schools.

That's my 2 cents.

 

[mtbikeman]

Thank you for the replies, the sort by function is helpful. Keep up the input, esp. if someone is in a similar situation.

 

[Nowhat14]

Thank you for the replies, the sort by function is helpful. Keep up the input, esp. if someone is in a similar situation.

I'm in kinda similar situation. Have you been getting interviews? Your PAT is excellent. Admission people are people too, if someone has a really high PAT why not to like him right unless other scores are exceptionally low...

 

[mtbikeman]

No interviews yet, but took the DAT 8/15, so that might have something to do with it. GPA is also not excellent, about 3.3 total, 3.5 sci, and 3.7 BCP. Keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to you as well, any interviews?

 

[Nowhat14]

No interviews yet, but took the DAT 8/15, so that might have something to do with it. GPA is also not excellent, about 3.3 total, 3.5 sci, and 3.7 BCP. Keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to you as well, any interviews?

Four so far. Applied in June, secondaries turned in Aug. Good luck to you. I think you will get interviews soon. Wait for Nov interviews. I got some feeling that they are almost filled up for Oct interviews.

 

[DINI]

i have a high PAT and no luck yet🙁

 

[UNR.Grad]

No interviews yet, but took the DAT 8/15, so that might have something to do with it. GPA is also not excellent, about 3.3 total, 3.5 sci, and 3.7 BCP. Keeping my fingers crossed. Good luck to you as well, any interviews?

I took my DAT the same day, I wish I had taken it earlier too. I have a high PAT but haven't heard from UOP yet...

 

[kxb4777]

Same here. High PAT (28), decent AA and TS (21, 20), application early in the cycle, no word from UOP
I don't have a great GPA either (2.9 overall, 3.6 post-bacc/masters).

I did interview at NYU. So with your stats, I would expect you to get some interviews. GL

 

[PTbecomingDDS]

I am happy to hear that I am not the only one with a strong PAT score and average AA score. I just taken the DAT's yesterday and scored a AA of 19 and PAT of 23. Considering I have never taken a general biology course and I am a slow reader (reading comp killed me but still got an 18), I am happy with my average score of 19. I do agree that it depends on the school. I saw a site from Duke with two practicing dentists stating they felt the PAT's are important. For me, I am applying to only the TX schools where the average PAT is 17-18 and AA is 19.

On a side note, anyone know if having a higher degree (MS in Physical Therapy) helps your chances in getting into a school? My overall GPA from undergrad was 3.14. I started off as an engineer major where just having a 3.0 was good, but my graduate school GPA was a 3.5. Hopefully, my progression from undergrad to grad will make up for the low GPA.

 

[daryoush85]

The pat is a bs portion of the dat and doesn't measure anything i got 19/19/15 and i got 3 out of state interviews BU, UMDNJ (the director of recruitment called me up for an interview), and nova

bottom line gpa/AA that's it

 

[NewMexDent]

The pat is a bs portion of the dat and doesn't measure anything i got 19/19/15 and i got 3 out of state interviews BU, UMDNJ (the director of recruitment called me up for an interview), and nova

bottom line gpa/AA that's it

Sounds like someone's a little bitter about their PAT score....

And maybe no coincidence that UMDNJ and Nova have low PAT averages...

 

[Shunwei]

Sounds like someone's a little bitter about their PAT score....

And maybe no coincidence that UMDNJ and Nova have low PAT averages...

Actually, I do agree, to a certain extent. My view and observation has always been that as long as the PAT score is not "low" (17 or lower), it is acceptable to most programs. It will only matter as a bonus as long as the AA and TS is high enough, and if these latter two are insufficient the PAT does not come into play. Just my two cents.

 

[dentaljon]

The pat is a bs portion of the dat and doesn't measure anything i got 19/19/15 and i got 3 out of state interviews BU, UMDNJ (the director of recruitment called me up for an interview), and nova

bottom line gpa/AA that's it

Fortunately this is untrue. I got an AA 18/ TS 18/ Pat 27 and have three interviews so far and still waiting to hear back from other schools. My GPA is decent (3.62 & 3.5 BCP), so thankfully some schools also take into consideration the PAT, not to mention LOR's and Extracurricular activities/experience. As to the point of it not measuring anything, I might disagree with that....... perhaps it may measure your perceptual ability.

 

[Nowhat14]

High PAT is better than low PAT obviously, and lets not try to break the spirit of ppl with high PAT.

 

[Smills91]

PAT measures raw IQ better than any section minus the QR. Some people have better memories and can memorize science facts. However, the PAT you don't memorize, it's something you visualize and have to figure out on the spot. It's therefore a better indicator of raw IQ.

 

[golfer]

PAT measures raw IQ better than any section minus the QR. Some people have better memories and can memorize science facts. However, the PAT you don't memorize, it's something you visualize and have to figure out on the spot. It's therefore a better indicator of raw IQ.

What?
When did being able to visualize something become indictive of a person's IQ?
I do think that being able to translate 2D images into 3D is helpful (x-rays) but when did it become a standard for IQ?
I believe a school put out a report about how high PAT scores did not necessarily translate into better dental students (I think it was RC that was more of a factor).
My two cents.

 

[Nowhat14]

What?
Since when did being able to visualize something become indictive of a person's IQ?
I do think that being able to translate 2D images into 3D is helpful (x-rays) but when did it become a standard for IQ?
I believe a school put out a report about how high PAT scores did not necessarily translate into better dental students (I think it was RC that was more of a factor).
My two cents.

Tone it down there. I agree that PAT is not a indicator for IQ.

You jumped to being a better dental student...a completely different subject. And being a better dental student...does that mean being a good dentist or great test taker?

 

[golfer]

You are right I didn't mean for it to sound like that.
I jumped to dental student bc that is what the adcom cares about. I believe that being able to do well on tests does make you a better dentist. It shows that one comes prepared, determined etc. (Remeber skill is also tested)