Kaplan vs DAT

[konscience]

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Hey everyone, I just finished taking a Kaplan course and I had some questions about the DAT.

1. How does the math and PAT on the Kaplan full-length practice tests compare to the respective sections on the real DAT?

2. Do the orgo and gchem sections test us more on concept than on actualy problem (i.e. solving)?

Thanks!

(p.s. I tried looking for a similar post on SDN, but I couldn't find any that fully answered my questions)

 

[dhk5]

the real PAT is definitely more difficult (I recommend another practice tool) and QR is similar, but Kaplan covers word problems, trig, and algebra fairly well, but not probability, p-value, and other kinds of math that seems to pop up on qr (achiever covers these miscellaneous topics pretty well, as well as the ordered dat)


kaplan's gc requires calculator usage, but the real dat just sets up the problem and kaplan's review is sufficient for gc, which is usually easier on the real dat as compared to achiever, topscore and kaplan. orgo is concept based, but you have to know reaction's and mechanisms (like addition, substitution...)...and what exactly do you mean by problem solving? You might get either reactants and products and have to guess reagents or determine the most acidic molecule, i think kaplan covers this pretty well..I took their course too.

 

[konscience]

the real PAT is definitely more difficult (I recommend another practice tool) and QR is similar, but Kaplan covers word problems, trig, and algebra fairly well, but not probability, p-value, and other kinds of math that seems to pop up on qr (achiever covers these miscellaneous topics pretty well, as well as the ordered dat)

In what way is the PAT harder? Kaplan has a lot of extremely obscure pattern folding problems. Are the angle ranking questions any different (thats what I think I'll do the best on based on my practice tests).

Also, since you've taken the Kaplan course as well as the DAT, how do the practice test scores correlate with the actual DAT scores?

Thank you!

 

[dhk5]

i think the TFE and keyholes and definitely angles (i think most of sdn will agree with this part) are too simple, just expect some really tricky and complicated objects there.

as for test scores...i dont think im the best person to ask, i was taking 16 credits of classes and kaplan and was not really bothered with it and i also test well for the real thing..i got about Bio 15, GC 19, about AA 17 for kaplan...but ended up with a much better score....i think kaplan is a good starting point but based on your dream school/score, you might need to get more practice material, i dont think kaplan is sufficient in all topics that you will probably encounter on the real dat's

 

[konscience]

OKay cool thanks.
Have you taken that 2007 sample ADA test? Are those PAT questions anything close to what they have on the real thing? I'm planning on taking that tomorrow.

 

[dhk5]

the one online? it's good practice but it's too easy, as many sdn posts will say....i recommend you order one to get a better feel of the entire dat's, the 2009 version for like 30 bucks is more representative

 

[konscience]

the one online? it's good practice but it's too easy, as many sdn posts will say....i recommend you order one to get a better feel of the entire dat's, the 2009 version for like 30 bucks is more representative

Damn! I don't have enough time to order it 🙁

I really thought Kaplan would come through for me on this.

Would this be considered of comparable difficulty to the DAT: http://jasper.kaptest.com/content/media/63/125263.8.DAT400607IMG01.gif

 

[dhk5]

if you REALLY studied with kaplan, then you should be good...i didn't really put a lot of effort into kaplan (which i regret) but if you did then don't worry about it...i mean i got a 13 on my first kaplan pat but ended up with a 23 (96 percentile) on the real one

and yea that problem is good...the sample dat online is easier with that...but it also represents the GC and OC pretty well (math and pat were easier)...i feel like some VERY similar problems from those sections on the sample test were on the real one

 

[konscience]

if you REALLY studied with kaplan, then you should be good...i didn't really put a lot of effort into kaplan (which i regret) but if you did then don't worry about it...i mean i got a 13 on my first kaplan pat but ended up with a 23 (96 percentile) on the real one

Alright thanks for all your help!

 

[konscience]

One more quick question!:

How do the Reading Comp and Orgo sections compare between Kaplan and the real DAT?

Thanks!