KAPLAN Course and the DAT

[purduephigam]

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Hey all, I finished up the Kaplan course in August and was hoping to re-take the DAT before I started graduate school, but just didn't feel prepared. Now preparing has slowed a little, but am still planning on taking it at the end of the month.

I had a few questions about the Kaplan material though. I've taken a few practice tests from the course and have scored several consistent 18s in ochem and bio. Nothing to write home about, but it's progress from last year. But in genchem I'm scoring like 15 and 16s. What gives? I don't think I need to go back to the drawing board, I just think I need to be familiar with the way they ask the questions. I don't think genchem is as much memorization as ochem and bio. I also have a few more practice tests t hone my skills from TopScore. Hopefully these will help out as well, but I'm not sure how these practice tests I am/will be taking compare to the actual DAT. I feel tons more prepared (and much more confident) than I did last year, but even 18s aren't really what I am looking for. Any thoughts/concerns? Thanks

P.S. What's this sea urchin question I keep hearing about?

 

[jhuplaw]

those practice tests don't ever seem to correlate with what you will score on the real dat. i was scoring between 14-15 on most of the kaplan material and did a lot better on test day. imo, i'd say take it when you feel you understand all the concepts as opposed to taking it when you get a high practice score and thinking it will equal a high dat score.

 

[dentaldentist]

Hey all, I finished up the Kaplan course in August and was hoping to re-take the DAT before I started graduate school, but just didn't feel prepared. Now preparing has slowed a little, but am still planning on taking it at the end of the month.

I had a few questions about the Kaplan material though. I've taken a few practice tests from the course and have scored several consistent 18s in ochem and bio. Nothing to write home about, but it's progress from last year. But in genchem I'm scoring like 15 and 16s. What gives? I don't think I need to go back to the drawing board, I just think I need to be familiar with the way they ask the questions. I don't think genchem is as much memorization as ochem and bio. I also have a few more practice tests t hone my skills from TopScore. Hopefully these will help out as well, but I'm not sure how these practice tests I am/will be taking compare to the actual DAT. I feel tons more prepared (and much more confident) than I did last year, but even 18s aren't really what I am looking for. Any thoughts/concerns? Thanks

P.S. What's this sea urchin question I keep hearing about?

Your scores should go up a couple of points for all sections except for the PAT section where it will go down a couple of points. I was scoring 19s and 20s on most sections on the Kaplan practice test and scored 22 AA on the real thing. If your still scoring 15-16 in gen chem I would just focus on that section now and understand why you got certain questions wrong. good luck.

 

[purduephigam]

That's good news. I actually was taking TopScore tests before last year's DAT and was getting 14s and 15s in every category except PAT. The PAT is the only thing I am consistently good at. Other than that, on test day I got 17s across the board. And I didnt even study the ochem section. I was suprised to say the least that I had a 2-3 point boost, so I am hoping I can do the same come test day and nail a 20-21.

But I definately feel much mor confident than I did last year. I just need to tie up some loose ends on genchem and QR and I should be on my way. Keep the advice coming if you have it. Thanks all

 

[purduephigam]

Another thing; I keep hearing about Achiever. Right now I have yet to get started on my TopScore, but should I go ahead and get Achiever as well and just hit practice exams every day? Your thoughts....

 

[denteng]

I had a few questions about the Kaplan material though.

Weighing in. I took the Kaplan course, and found it to be pricey. The class itself was not a value add, however the additional preparatory material certainly did help.

My background is not a biology/chemistry, so my preparation for the DAT was based solely on my prerequisite courses and the Kaplan material.

Personally, I found the DAT to be much easier than the practice tests Kaplin offers. I was scoring in the 17-21 range for my Kaplan tests, yet scores ranged in the 20+ for the actual DAT.

My advice to students considering the Kaplan course is to purchase the materials used from who took the course or through ebay (make sure to get the PDF practice tests and solutions). They'll be happy to unload the material, and you'll save money from taking the course. Then go through each question, thoroughly reading the solutions. Go through each answer, even the wrong ones, and if there is a noun you do not recognize, or a concept you do not understand, learn them.

I did the individual subject tests as worksheets, checking each answer as I went along, making notes for anything I needed to learn. The full tests, I did as a test, then made sure to review the solutions the same day. Hope this helps.

ps. I had no sea urchin question.

pps. GOOD LUCK and do your best to not stress! that's the best way to do well is to be prepared and RELAX!! 🙂 🙂