Just took the DAT

[KSDDS]

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I just took the dat a few days ago and thought I would add my comments on the test and also ask for advice on my addmissions chances.

First, I took the Kaplan online course and thought it prepared me well for everything. I also studied my college text books and did some practice exams with top score. I'd say you shouldn't rely on just Kaplan, but it does provide most of the knowledge you need for the test. My scores were roughly the same as my last few practice tests after I had completed the Kaplan course so I think it is a good gauge of how you will do on the actual test. I did, however, think the angle ranking section on the real deal was ridiculous. Way harder than what I saw on kaplan or topscore. Everything else was about the same or slightly easier.

I did very well on the DAT, but my GPA is a bit low. I've graduated a few years ago, but am planning on taking another bio class or two to increase my GPA a bit and add a few more recent science classes. I've been observing with several dentists, but with the below scores, what else can I do to increase my chances at some of the Dental schools on the West Coast?

GPA: 3.15
Science GPA: 3.1

DAT Scores
PAT: 22
AA: 22
QR: 20
RC: 24
TS: 21
Bio: 22
Chem: 19
OChem: 25

 

[Tooth Fixer]

I just took the dat a few days ago and thought I would add my comments on the test and also ask for advice on my addmissions chances.

First, I took the Kaplan online course and thought it prepared me well for everything. I also studied my college text books and did some practice exams with top score. I'd say you shouldn't rely on just Kaplan, but it does provide most of the knowledge you need for the test. My scores were roughly the same as my last few practice tests after I had completed the Kaplan course so I think it is a good gauge of how you will do on the actual test. I did, however, think the angle ranking section on the real deal was ridiculous. Way harder than what I saw on kaplan or topscore. Everything else was about the same or slightly easier.

I did very well on the DAT, but my GPA is a bit low. I've graduated a few years ago, but am planning on taking another bio class or two to increase my GPA a bit and add a few more recent science classes. I've been observing with several dentists, but with the below scores, what else can I do to increase my chances at some of the Dental schools on the West Coast?

GPA: 3.15
Science GPA: 3.1

DAT Scores
PAT: 22
AA: 22
QR: 20
RC: 24
TS: 21
Bio: 22
Chem: 19
OChem: 25

Woa you are set man those are some awesome scores. These will definitely make up for your low gpa. I was wondering how long did you study for this test and how many hours at each session. How did you break up the work so that it didn't become too overwhelming. Any suggestion on how to maximize ones time when studying and gain the most out of it since you did so well thanks. Were you really good in your science classes? Greatly appreciated thanks. And man your in, the only thing i would do in your case is add a few extra curriculars on there and get some dental shadowing and you should be set!

 

[missugarplum]

Those are awesome scores!! Great job! 👍

 

[Sprgrover]

Those are some awesome scores! Congratulations! Now just sit back and watch the acceptance letters pile up. 👍

 

[KSDDS]

Woa you are set man those are some awesome scores. These will definitely make up for your low gpa. I was wondering how long did you study for this test and how many hours at each session. How did you break up the work so that it didn't become too overwhelming. Any suggestion on how to maximize ones time when studying and gain the most out of it since you did so well thanks. Were you really good in your science classes? Greatly appreciated thanks. And man your in, the only thing i would do in your case is add a few extra curriculars on there and get some dental shadowing and you should be set!

Thanks. Hopefully my strong DAT will help compensate for my mediocre GPA.

I spent several months preparing for the DAT. I graduated 4 years ago, so I needed a few months of broad overview of just rereading my college text books. Basically I found an hour or two each day where I could read and do a few problems in my text books. Once I was again confident in my broad knowledge of the sciences, I signed up for the Kaplan Online class. This was awesome at breaking down the different sections and discussing the especially important areas. It was also great to get all the practice quizes and exams so that I felt prepared for the test experience and also so that I could see the areas I needed extra work on. It also really helped on the PAT to have all the quizes to get familiar with how to approach these problems and how I needed to think about each question. Anyway, the kaplan class was about 6 weeks long. The best advice I can give is to just find a few hours a day to study - it's a lot to cover, so you will need to be focused and consistent in your studying to stay on top of it. I would definitly take the class if you can - the practice tests really help and the kaplan notes focus you on the areas you need to know best. Good luck.

 

[dexadental]

That PAT rocks...along with the rest. You'll definitely stand out. Good job!

 

[porsche7]

Those are really nice score. congrat!!

My weak point is RC part 😕 , so could you tell me some tips for RC?

Thank you for your helps!

I just took the dat a few days ago and thought I would add my comments on the test and also ask for advice on my addmissions chances.

First, I took the Kaplan online course and thought it prepared me well for everything. I also studied my college text books and did some practice exams with top score. I'd say you shouldn't rely on just Kaplan, but it does provide most of the knowledge you need for the test. My scores were roughly the same as my last few practice tests after I had completed the Kaplan course so I think it is a good gauge of how you will do on the actual test. I did, however, think the angle ranking section on the real deal was ridiculous. Way harder than what I saw on kaplan or topscore. Everything else was about the same or slightly easier.

I did very well on the DAT, but my GPA is a bit low. I've graduated a few years ago, but am planning on taking another bio class or two to increase my GPA a bit and add a few more recent science classes. I've been observing with several dentists, but with the below scores, what else can I do to increase my chances at some of the Dental schools on the West Coast?

GPA: 3.15
Science GPA: 3.1

DAT Scores
PAT: 22
AA: 22
QR: 20
RC: 24
TS: 21
Bio: 22
Chem: 19
OChem: 25

 

[joebucks]

Ok this year RC has one of the three sections that deals with Stocks. At least mine did, which i took last thurs, and my advice is to look at the answers first and then look at the paragraphs to plug and chug the answers that the questions ask. The hardest part about this second section is the questions on definitions and they were really easy. The third section had to deal with parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. If you are good with physiology there is no worries. I didn't even read the section, I just answered the questions. The first section was the only part I had to read the entire thing. I hope the test are same across the board, because this is what mine had on it. Good luck, and I believe if you are science oriented you will do fine on the other parts of the test, you wil not have to worry about the RC.

 

[joebucks]

FYI I took the test May 19th, and my only advice is don't worry about it as much at the natural science sections, PAT, and QR. It is not as hard as Kaplan, if you took that.

 

[KSDDS]

Those are really nice score. congrat!!

My weak point is RC part 😕 , so could you tell me some tips for RC?

Thank you for your helps!

I think everyone's reading sections are different so I wouldn't count on getting a test with a section on stocks and another on the parasympathetic & sympathetic nervous system sections as one of the other posters mentioned. I took the Kaplan online course and they give you a couple of ways to approach the reading section. I followed the road map method (I think that is what it was called). Basically you read/skim through the reading as quickly as possible writing down key words or phrases from each paragraph. By skimming the reading, you have a basic understanding of what the author is talking about and your "road map" gives you a good idea which paragraph in the reading you need to go back to to find your answers to detail questions.

 

[joebucks]

Yeah I totally agree with KSDDS, this is the best way to approach a blind DAT, that is what i did and proved to be the best on the actual test since i only got a 17 or 18 on the Kaplan section in RC and then score much higher on the acutal. This is what I would recomend also. I just thought that the test were the same for the same time period.

 

[porsche7]

Your posts are awesome!!! 🙂

I draw courage from your helps.
Thank you very much and u guys have good night!

 

[budge311]

Everyone thanks for all the good info, it really helps!

Oh, great job KSDDS, awesome scores. Your hard work payed off.


👍

 

[786mine]

congrats KDDS, you did good.

 

[rcdrach]

I think I can agree with everyone else who responded to this thread by saying great job on your DAT scores. I have not yet taken the DAT but I plan on studying A LOT so that I can do very well. I am taking a DAT course next summer. Right now I am working on getting my gpa up. Like I said, good job with your DAT scores. Wait for those acceptances to pile up!