Just Got My DAT scores

[LTAdams]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hmmm...I'm not that happy about them

My AA and Natural sciences were both 19s and I was really expecting 20/21s given how well I was performing on my practice tests. I feel like those scores are pretty poor, and I might need to re-take the DAT. Not to avoid all responsibility for my scores, but I felt that my test didn't cover a lot of the material that I knew really well. What do you all think? It sounds like the average is typically 17 according to various sources, though my Dental School guide book said 15 - though I think it's wrong

I was really hoping my DAT scores would help me stand out from the pack considering that my science GPA isn't as high as I would like.

Also, I don't understand how the raw/standard scores work. So if you have a 19 in let's say biology but it's 90% percentile, would it go up? If you have a 19 in organic chemistry but it was a 30% would it go down?

Good luck to those with the DAT coming up

 

[SMCohen]

Sorry to hear your DAT didn't go as well as you would've liked. Even though 17 may be the average in each/most categories, some schools are requiring a minimum of 18 across all sections (see ADEA's Guide of Where to Apply, table 3-3). The competition is getting pretty tough - I know I'm nervous!

As for the scoring, I believe that the percentile information is for yourself, so that you can compare yourself to others; however, it doesn't affect your 19, or whatever your mark is. The exam is standardized, so the level of difficulty should be the same everytime, and schools will know what a 19 means relative to how many other people this year and in the past have achieved scores of 19.

 

[SugarNaCl]

Hmmm...I'm not that happy about them

My AA and Natural sciences were both 19s and I was really expecting 20/21s given how well I was performing on my practice tests. I feel like those scores are pretty poor, and I might need to re-take the DAT. Not to avoid all responsibility for my scores, but I felt that my test didn't cover a lot of the material that I knew really well. What do you all think? It sounds like the average is typically 17 according to various sources, though my Dental School guide book said 15 - though I think it's wrong

I was really hoping my DAT scores would help me stand out from the pack considering that my science GPA isn't as high as I would like.

Also, I don't understand how the raw/standard scores work. So if you have a 19 in let's say biology but it's 90% percentile, would it go up? If you have a 19 in organic chemistry but it was a 30% would it go down?

Good luck to those with the DAT coming up

19 isn't bad but it seems about average for enrollees now (19-20). The average applicant may have a 17. 15 does seem really low, though I think I read that in my Barrons or Kaplan book too. The percentiles from what I hear don't matter to the schools. They don't know them or look at them. It is just the raw numbers where the DAT is concerned, unfortunately.

 

[xtractime]

15-17 are the averages of applicants...not enrollees. if you want to enroll and you have no significant disadvantages or not a minority, i would suggest you take the DAT and get 20s.

btw, what study materials did you use?

 

[marscole]

i think 19 isnt a bad score. if you believe you can get higher once you retake, then i would suggest you should go ahead.

 

[LTAdams]

In response to the comments:

1.) I used a Kaplan class and the Top Score to prepare
2.) I'm really considering taking it again, but who knows - it could also swing the other way and go down. I just felt like the natural science questions really didn't test me on anything I knew, and I had a pretty good grasp of the material. I honestly double-checked to make sure I was actually taking the DAT and not something else

3.) It's just one of those scores that neither hurts me nor helps me

 

[1992Corolla]

I would go with it this year unle you have some 16's or 17's in the breakdown scores. Those hurt. 18+ in most categories are fine (except math)😀

 

[LTAdams]

I would go with it this year unle you have some 16's or 17's in the breakdown scores. Those hurt. 18+ in most categories are fine (except math)😀

Yeah my lowest scores were 18. My math was above 20. I just like to be in the top 50% of enrollees when I'm looking at schools and my current DAT scores put me in the ball park (19/18) of most of the schools I'm looking at. Except Pacific...apparently you need to be a machine to go there

 

[jza70]

I would go with it this year unle you have some 16's or 17's in the breakdown scores. Those hurt. 18+ in most categories are fine (except math)😀

Math which is usually lower, correct?