Kaplan or Princeton Online DAT Study Course

[teauxmo13]

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Has anyone taken either of these courses, and do they actually work? I'm at a 19 AA 21 PAT, 19 TS and need to get my score up a point or two to help compensate for a 3.3 GPA. I got a few interviews this year, and all ended up rejecting me with "show improvement for next cycle" being a common theme. I know it is $1400, so I would like as much feedback as possible before I commit to it. This is the online class, not the in class option due to nine being offered in my area.

 

[irishmom]

I got my score up by using Chads and doing Dental Bootcamp. I would take one test (in a single subject) per day and every one I got wrong I copied and pasted and read them each day. It also helped get my PAT up because I would do each section timed by haow much time they suggest for each part to take. For eample, I wouls set a timer for 5 minutes and do the hole punch section until eventually I could do 15 easy in 5 minutes. This got my PAT up to a 24. Same or reading comprehension. I would read science journals or find free CE's for dental workers and take the tests timed. Helped oot my RC to 22. However, nothing I did helped me with Gen Chem. Easily the only reason I got only a 22 on the DAT (got a 17 on that section, all others at least a 20)

 

[xerxes106]

I used Kaplan and Princeton online only for the free tests, which was helpful. I've heard nearly zero positives about the online courses though, just the general "not worth it." You can get a lot more bang for your buck with Chad's and Dental Bootcamp, along with DAT Destroyer, etc.

 

[DentalDoge]

The courses, even the taught ones, are pretty useless because alot of the techniques they introduce time-consuming and not feasible during a timed exam. But it's good for business.

That being said, they do introduce good techniques too but it's mixed in with too much bs. So if you can pick out the good ones and willing cough up $1400, be my guest.

The advice you see in DAT breakdowns are usually the ones to go for. Chad's, Bootcamp, Destroyer, etc. Then substitute in with whatever works for you.

 

[gobblergiant]

What did you use to study? You do not need to take a course to do extremely well on DAT.

 

[irishmom]

Chads, Bootcamp, math and DAT destroyer, Cliffs AP and Kaplan book.

 

[teauxmo13]

Chads, Crack the DAT, and DAT Destroyer. I really feel like I didn't do as well as I should have considering how well I had been doing in practice. Most schools told me I didn't have to retake it, but going up even a little would be great for next cycle, so I'm going to give it a shot. At this point, bringing my GPA up to a 3.5+ would take forever since I have 140+ hours on my transcript.

 

[gobblergiant]

Crack the PAT, DAT Destroyer, DAT Bootcamp Study Guides, Barron's AP Biology, TopScore, Kaplan Laminated Study Sheets, and ADA practice tests are what I used. I also used Barron's and Kaplan Blue Book but didn't find it helpful. What I did find helpful was my biology professor's notes because it covered exact depth and broadness of what I had to know.

 

[Faux]

Chads, Crack the DAT, and DAT Destroyer. I really feel like I didn't do as well as I should have considering how well I had been doing in practice. Most schools told me I didn't have to retake it, but going up even a little would be great for next cycle, so I'm going to give it a shot. At this point, bringing my GPA up to a 3.5+ would take forever since I have 140+ hours on my transcript.

bootcamp and qvault would have pushed you over the 19. you didnt do enough multiple choice practice. What did you use for biology for content review?

 

[irishmom]

I firmly believe what helped me up my score was the practice tests. Do more practice tests. I never got better than a 17 on the QR practice tests, but got a 20 on the actual QR section. The practice tests are harder than the actual DAT. I felt they helped me breeze through the actual test.

 

[gobblergiant]

Yep. Practice tests helped a lot more than just reading and memorizing materials because you get to apply with you know in so many different ways. Working out problems is the best way to go!

 

[Typical Average Student]

My fiancee only used Kaplan's On-site course for the DAT and scored a 23 AA. She told me the face-to-face lectures are good to keep track of where you should be in your studies and tips and tricks that the on demand course doesn't give.