kaplan and the DAT...question!

[dexadental]

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I chose to post this here because I think not enough people check out the DAT forum, and furthermore, many people here have already taken the DAT whereas people on that forum are mainly in preparation for the test. With that said, I've been trying out my new Kaplan materials and in a way, am somewhat disapointed at how little they really "help" or accomodate the whole experience. They kinda just throw you into doing PAT problems, and I'm not sure I like this. I want to ace this test, and I'm taking it in April, how have many of you studied for this? Have you all just sat down for a while each day and drilled out problems? Rewritten your notes? Slightly browsed over them? I know each person studies differently, but if you don't mind, can anyone tell me what there approach was to this test, and if they think Kaplan is helpful? Thanks!

PS: I have a hard time sitting 4 hours to do the practice tests!

 

[Sprgrover]

I found Kaplan lacking on their PAT materials as well - plus the real thing is a lot harder than how they make it out to be. If you have some extra cash and would like a real work-out then acethedat has a PAT simulation which I feel to be much like real deal (of course acethedat comes loaded with problem - run a search and you'll see what I mean). Barron's has a fairly good PAT section. Unlike Kaplan, they actually present a few approaches and strategies to the various parts of the PAT. These are primarily the resources that I used, along with coming up with some of my own time-saving tactics, to get through that section. The PAT is very frustrating, and in my opinion, one of the more difficult sections to learn/teach as a lot has to do with innate psychomotor abilities and practice - especially practice. Best of luck!

 

[BUBBLICIOUS]

First of all, with regards to the academic sections, Kaplan's review notes and lesson book is enough to cover all the material you need to know. There may be a few bio topics not covered like bones but for the most part it is enough to break a 20. The best way to study the academic is to do a few chapters from each section every day along with some corresponding practice problems. Make sure to that or you will forget most of the material you learned from sections you studied earlier. Read the review notes and if you feel the notes are a bit dry on a topic, go ahead and open your bio book and jot some notes. Have a notebook to add anything that you didnt learn in Kaplan's notes but you saw somewhere else like in Barrons. Make sure to review every day or you will forget what you learned. Two weeks before your exam, you should just do practice exams. Build your tolerance and test taking tactis for test day. For the PAT, practice makes perfect. Unfortunately, Kaplan sucks and expect to drop a couple or more points on the real thing. Also, Kaplan doesnt teach you any mechanisms for perceptual ability but if you practice enough, you will get the hang of it. Practice each section everyday is the key to success for a test like the DAT because you have to memorize a grip of info like formulas and also because you must build your test taking skills. Good luck !

DAT: 22/23/17 (scored way higher on Kaplan exams 🙁

I chose to post this here because I think not enough people check out the DAT forum, and furthermore, many people here have already taken the DAT whereas people on that forum are mainly in preparation for the test. With that said, I've been trying out my new Kaplan materials and in a way, am somewhat disapointed at how little they really "help" or accomodate the whole experience. They kinda just throw you into doing PAT problems, and I'm not sure I like this. I want to ace this test, and I'm taking it in April, how have many of you studied for this? Have you all just sat down for a while each day and drilled out problems? Rewritten your notes? Slightly browsed over them? I know each person studies differently, but if you don't mind, can anyone tell me what there approach was to this test, and if they think Kaplan is helpful? Thanks!

PS: I have a hard time sitting 4 hours to do the practice tests!

 

[Typo]

I agree with Sprgrover, in that there are definitely better prep materials out there for the PAT. Barron's is good for the PAT, although their book is rife with errors which you must be careful about. Kaplan's PAT materials are too simple - people score better on Kaplan's tests than the actual PAT all the time.

Most folks bash Kaplan because of its class, but what you're paying for isn't necessarily the class - it's their test bank. Other than the PAT and the taxonomy in Biology, I felt that Kaplan's materials prepared me very thoroughly for the DAT. I used their materials almost exclusively, and scored high.

If you're concerned about the classes not being good, just sign up for the online component. Taking the DAT is not just a matter of memorizing tons of stuff and then regurgitating it when you take the actual test. A huge part of doing really well on the DAT is honing your test taking skills to the nth degree, and the easiest way to do this is to take tons of practice tests. Outside of Kaplan, you'll find probably 6 practice tests (3 with TopScore, a couple with Barron's, and I'm not sure how many with Ace the DAT). With Kaplan's online thingy you've got something like 10 or more tests when you combine all the materials.

People do well on the DAT without Kaplan, but it can be a huge help for you if you study like crazy. If you do sign up for it, just make sure you use as many of their tests as possible so you can get your money's worth. $1,100 for the classes (or however much it is for the online course if you take that) is a drop in the bucket in the long run, and if it will help you get into dental school, it's well worth it. In my case, my GPA was so-so, so I had to prove to schools that I have what it takes. If you've got a stellar GPA, you can probably do well without the course, especially if you don't need to thrash the test in order to overcome your GPA.

 

[dexadental]

Thanks for the replies all, tomorrow I'll begin another grueling DAT session, I even cancelled a trip to Maryland for the break to visit old friends...I guess you call that dedication? I better ace this test...