Level of difficulty Barrons vs. Others

[Kobebucsfan]

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so i was taking the Gen chem section only and

Barrons (and the free ADA DAT online) was kind of easy for me - i got 25 correct

but for topscore- i got 15 correct and the math was more intense


is the real DAT closer to Topscore level or Barrons (and the free version of DAT)

 

[dentalWorks]

I don't like barrons DAT book.... Too many errors.

I think the free 2007 DAT test (the sciences) were too easy (ESPECIALLY the bio). I remember when I did it, I missed like 3 or 4 out of the 100.

Topscore vs real DAT.... IMO, no comparison. Topscore tests aren't standardized so....

 

[mr24]

Topscore in my opinion. Do not rely on barons study books. But they are good supplements.

 

[SoulPower]

I personally thought Topscore is tougher than the real DAT. But that's a good thing.

No comment on Barron's since I never used.

 

[FutureDentalSt1]

I only liked barron's PAT section...kaplan/topscore is the best

 

[slm266]

Barrens is a joke, don't waste your time.

Topscore will not prepare you, but will closely predict your score. It's great to build your confidence the week before your actual exam.

 

[Kobebucsfan]

Barrens is a joke, don't waste your time.

Topscore will not prepare you, but will closely predict your score. It's great to build your confidence the week before your actual exam.

the gen chem on Topscore is pretty intense, i doubt on the real DAT they expect us to calculate big numbers. but i guess its for practice. is acheiver like that too?

 

[slm266]

the gen chem on Topscore is pretty intense, i doubt on the real DAT they expect us to calculate big numbers. but i guess its for practice. is acheiver like that too?

I just remember tons of errors and the PAT was too easy. Gen chem calculations on the actual were a joke compared to all the practice I did (Kaplan, destroyer, text book, top score,...)

 

[yappy]

If an applicant had alot of good review material.... chads, acs, destroyer, text books, ap bio... but wanted a good test condition simulator for full length practice tests would you suggest getting acheiver or topscore?

 

[slm266]

Topscore is identical to test simulation. But really you can create your own test simulation with a stop watch and plenty of questions. You don't have to be clicking a computer mouse or writing on a dry erase board to get your timing down. The only thing that is very different is the laggy QR calculator. The less you depend on it, the better off you'll be.

The week before the dat I took all 3 topscores and simulation a bunch of tests just using DAT destroyer, Kaplan section tests, CRACK DAT, etc...

 

[UBERlowGPA]

Barron's is HORRIBLE! Errors galore! STAY AWAY!

 

[PreDent100]

In my opinion a good summary is:
Barrons was too easy and had a lot of errors.
Achiever was far too difficult.
TopScore was very close in difficulty to the real thing.
Kaplan and ADA practice tests were too easy as well.

 

[dantemac]

Yeah, Barron's is full of errors and pretty easy. Topscore is pretty good chem practice. Destroyer is not bad either - a bit more math than you'll ever be using on the real thing, though.

 

[Kobebucsfan]

what about the FREE DAT exam found online and the paid 2009 one ?

i have them both and their gen chem is waaayyyy easier than topscore interms of the calculations

on topscore, some questions required us to multiply 73x0.08x.1 or something, even the solution said thats the only way to do it

 

[slm266]

Just be prepared to handle calculations. You may or may not be pleasantly surprised. I was very comfortable rounding values to get ball park estimations, multiplication/division with scientific notation, etc...

Just do every practice problem you can get your hands on. Your practice material should be harder than the actual. The real DAT becomes fun 🙂

On all my practice tests I barely finished the natural science on time (90 min). On the actual DAT I finished with 20-25 min to spare and decided to take an early bathroom break before the PAT.

 

[UBERlowGPA]

Just be prepared to handle calculations. You may or may not be pleasantly surprised. I was very comfortable rounding values to get ball park estimations, multiplication/division with scientific notation, etc...

My biggest issue regarding time was the QR section, but that added calculator helped big time! More time thinking, less time doing long division and multiplication.