Just starting DAT prep

[psupredental]

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Hey guys...so I'm a sophomore at Penn State and I thinking about taking the DAT late this summer or this fall. I have already taken two gen chem classes, three gen bio classes, and two organic chem classes so I feel that I have learned the material. I took a practice test through Kaplan (a short version) and got:
Biology: 16 Gen Chem: 15 Org Chem: 15 Perc Ab: 18 Reading: 20
Quant Reas: 19 Total Sci: 15 Academic Avg: 17

I know these scores are pretty low but I just took it to see how I would do...I hadn't prepared at all and didn't know what to expect on the perceptual ability so I ran out of time and left 6 of those blank.

After taking that test, I am confident that I've seen all the material and I think I am ready to prepare to take it this summer. That being said, I don't know how to prepare. I do not want to waste my money taking a Kaplan course. I also read a lot about different products. I purchased the Kaplan Blue Book online but I pre-ordered the 2009-2010 edition for $50 so I won't be able to get it until May 5th (was this the right move?). Other than that, what would you recommend?

Cliff Notes vs Barron Ap Bio
DAT destroyer($)
Topcscore vs Achiever
AceDAT
Anything?? I need help!

Any feedback will be helpful as I am just trying to get a grasp. Also, I've heard things about the Kaplan Subject tests and when I search them for all I can find is the SAT ones. Are their subject tests for the DAT? If so, where can I find them?

Thanks a lot and sorry for the extremely long post...just wanted to be thorough

 

[khakwanit1]

When are you planning on taking DAT? I think you did pretty good on diagnostic test compared to my 14s and 17s. I think Kaplan online material is worth the money. My exam is on May 5th and I am basically using all the material that you have mentioned along with college text books.

 

[psupredental]

I haven't planned out a certain date yet. I actually just decided that I wanted to take it late this summer and just began to look for what I will need to prepare.

One question: will I need to know statistics on the DAT? because I haven't had a Stat course yet

 

[khakwanit1]

I dont think you need statistics.

 

[adizzle87]

standard deviation is something you need to know...

 

[iwannabadentist]

http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/dat_examinee_guide_2009.pdf

pg. 38-40 provide a breakdown of what you need to know. Destroyer is def. worth it. Id pay $500 for it if it was that much.
Bio - If you know Cliffs inside out and and nail bio on destroyer, you are good to go for bio.
GChem - Kaplan BB is good, online tests a VERY helpful. I took the class, not sure if its worth the $1400 bucks. I think Kaplan has an online only deal, if that's under $500, buy it. Destroyer is overkill, but if you can do about 90% of the stuff on there, you should feel pretty confident.
OChem - Kaplan BB, online, DESTROYER all the way.
PAT - CDP. I've heard Barron's DAT prep is pretty good for PAT, I bought it but haven't tried it yet - I will in the next few weeks. If you are planning to get Barron's, wait a while. They are coming out with a new version in July.
RC - sorry...no suggestions here. I took my DAT once already. I did NOTHING for RC, got a 20. I don't know what else I can do, nor do I care to improve my RC score any further. I'm a science kinda guy, and I would focus on math and science and bring those up because I know I can.
QR - Kaplan isn't enough, but a good start. I haven't looked at the Destroyer for Math yet, but Kaplan + Destroyer should be more than enough QR prep.
One more tip - a lot of schools only accept your DAT scores for 2 years. If you are only a sophomore, and you are planning to take yor DATs this summer, you might risk not getting into some schools just because your scores might "expire" by the time you apply after your senior year. My suggestion would be to take all summer to study and take it by October/November.
Gluck.

 

[Broncos85]

I highly recommend getting your hands on the Dat Destroyer, it's definitely worth it's price. It's well organized, it beaks down each of the science sections and presents you with about 200 problems on each science, with very detailed solutions in the solution section. The solutions go through every answer choice explaining why it would be right or wrong as well as providing you with information about each selection. Again i cant stress enough that this book is a must.

However, if you feel like its not enough material than I would consult the kaplan book 2nd for orgo and gchem and for bio I would look at cliffs AP Bio. It packs in a lot you need to know.

For the PAT, I would recommend Crack The Dat Pat, get the version with 5 tests. This is a great software and it will allow you to practice the PAT on a computer screen like in an actual DAT.

For reading, I've been hearing mixed reviews, like either do search and destroy like what kaplan recommends or read a lot of MCAT verbal to prepare for tonal passages. All i can tell you is that theres not much to study on Verbal.

For QR, study Kaplan and Destroyer and the math is similar to SAT math so you could pick up a SAT math prep if you want. Also you do need to know basic stats like how to calculate: mean, median mode, variance and standard deviation. Thats all the stats you need.

Above all, dont take the test until you feel ready, and if you a sophomore why rush? Study this summer and next semester and take it at the end of January or some time, when you can be most prepared. Don't rush to take this test, make sure your prepared.

Good Luck and Good Studying

 

[psupredental]

Thank you everyone for you help! I'm glad I found this SDN...I love it. I think I will take my time and just study at a nice pace this summer and take towards the end of my winter break after I can cram a little more in during January.

 

[Aceofspades]

Destroyer math is a joke. Use Kaplan for material and CDM for timing.

 

[notjeff]

Psupredental,
Where can you get a practice test from kaplan?

 

[psupredental]

they offer it every semester at Penn State as an advertisement for their course. you can go to kaplantest.com to search for free events