Literally bombed the DAT....need advice

[Longhorn2014]

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Hi everyone,

Please, I'm not looking for heckling. I know what I did wrong and I'm just trying to get through the day and sleep...🙁

I took my DAT yesterday and I just...didn't do well. I was stressed about this test for months and I got very ill the last 2 weeks before my DAT(prolly from the lack of rest and stress). I just couldn't focus during the exam and I nearly had a panic attack. I already sent in my application 2 months ago just so they would have it but it appears that was a grave mistake on my part since they will probably get my horrible DAT score too.

My score for the DAT: 13 AA and 16PAT.
This was just a horrible experience. It's like almost 6am and I haven't been able to sleep at all.
It's not like my gpa is hot either...I have a 3.1 overall. However, I was told to apply just for the sake of being a reapplicant. So I did. I'm not looking to get in this cycle so I wont be too disappointed. I graduate next spring and will start a post bac and maybe a masters afterwards.

I know that I MUST retake the DAT and do well on it but what will admissions think? Do I have to retake it after 90days? Or can I just wait until after I graduate? I'm literally so scared and my stomach feels like its about to fall out.

I would appreciate the advice.
Thank you.

 

[gn4]

you can retake in 90 days, but honestly, I don't see the point. Your GPA is already pretty low to begin with, so you would have to rock the DAT. It's doable. I've seen people do it. If you have money, you can try to retake in 90 days. Even though by October, it's almost late for applications, who knows you may be able to get 24s across the board, and some dental schools may still take you. You'd just have to start studying hard for the next 3 months. Look at Glimmer's signature. Lots of great study methods in those links. Just study hard and you can do it.

If it were me, I would consider this year a wash and just study until I can grasp the material. Then take the test during the year without the pressure of having to do great in crunch time. Raise my GPA, do better on the DAT, and apply early next cycle. Are you a bio major?

You really can do it. Just apply yourself harder.

 

[Psa]

I wouldn't wait for another cycle. Submit your application and study hard for the next 3 months. Since you already started studying and probably won't be starting from zero, 3 months is plenty of time.

Your GPA is not bad! Just apply yourself and get the DAT over with. You'll be fine.

 

[Longhorn2014]

Thank you so much for the encouraging advice. Actually, I am a nutrition major. The highest bio i have taken so far is genetics. I am pretty much considering this yr a wash. My main goal now is to just focus on my last year of college and just try to ace my classes. Work on that upward trend. Then do a postbac.
Honestly, I think I'm already planning.to take my DAT after graduation(next spring)anyways.

 

[Chga]

wait so the highest bio you have taken is genetics? I thought most schools required you to have biochemistry & physiology. I would go ahead and take those classes along with a year of General Chemistry and another year of Organic Chemistry. Without those classes I dont think its possible to do well on the DAT.

 

[Minion]

wait so the highest bio you have taken is genetics? I thought most schools required you to have biochemistry & physiology. I would go ahead and take those classes along with a year of General Chemistry and another year of Organic Chemistry. Without those classes I dont think its possible to do well on the DAT.

It is possible to do well on the DAT without those classes. It just means that you need to put more in to get more out.

Upper division classes help you prepare how to study for the DAT and everything.

I myself have only taken few upper division Biology, and I am planning to take the DAT soon.

 

[Faux]

I would still try and take it 3 months from now. The material is fresh in your head. At least keep giving over notes every other day if you decide not to.


What sources did you use for each subject anyway?

 

[Minion]

Thank you so much for the encouraging advice. Actually, I am a nutrition major. The highest bio i have taken so far is genetics. I am pretty much considering this yr a wash. My main goal now is to just focus on my last year of college and just try to ace my classes. Work on that upward trend. Then do a postbac.
Honestly, I think I'm already planning.to take my DAT after graduation(next spring)anyways.

Here is an advice. Dental schools would love to see several biology courses on their course schedule. Not going past genetics shows that you are avoiding all the biology courses before application. Some school requires anatomy and physiology, while other requires microbiology and biochemistry.

From here, you can see the amount of weight they put into the upper division biology course, not only some are required. Also, some are recommended such as molecular biology.

If I were to do a post-Bach, then I would do it to raise my science gpa and take several biology courses with your grades. If anything, you can just take several biology courses with nutrition filled hard science courses too. Such as molecular nutrition this year.

If you do this for a whole year, you should know how to study for DAT. Everything will become so much easier for you to study. Whereas, you may had such little preparation from your undergraduate that you may had taken the DAT lightly.

You should treat the DAT like an undergraduate final. Do what you usually do, this how I study for undergraduate final. I was exposed to materials several months back, listen to lectures, read book to supplement, and do several practice problems.

For the DAT, I exposed the materials back in the winter break and may. Listen to lectures through videos, read books as supplement, and practice problems throughout the summer.

Goodluck.

 

[Tajlrak]

Here is an advice. Dental schools would love to see several biology courses on their course schedule. Not going past genetics shows that you are avoiding all the biology courses before application. Some school requires anatomy and physiology, while other requires microbiology and biochemistry.

From here, you can see the amount of weight they put into the upper division biology course, not only some are required. Also, some are recommended such as molecular biology.

If I were to do a post-Bach, then I would do it to raise my science gpa and take several biology courses with your grades. If anything, you can just take several biology courses with nutrition filled hard science courses too. Such as molecular nutrition this year.

If you do this for a whole year, you should know how to study for DAT. Everything will become so much easier for you to study. Whereas, you may had such little preparation from your undergraduate that you may had taken the DAT lightly.

You should treat the DAT like an undergraduate final. Do what you usually do, this how I study for undergraduate final. I was exposed to materials several months back, listen to lectures, read book to supplement, and do several practice problems.

For the DAT, I exposed the materials back in the winter break and may. Listen to lectures through videos, read books as supplement, and practice problems throughout the summer.

Goodluck.

+1

Another main point that goes along with what everyone has mentioned, is to really assess first what went wrong during the preparation for the DAT, then how can you make sure that doesnt happen again. Hope this helps

Good luck.

 

[Glimmer1991]

I also took my DAT without having taken many upper-level bios. It's totally doable, you just need to know what and how to study. I would retake now so you aren't starting from "zero"--I also think that's great advice. You've taken the test once and now know more of what to expect; that should cut down on your anxiety. We are all nervous going into this test. I had a terrible stomachache and was so nervous I could barely think or stop shaking during the tutorial. I absolutely went into this test feeling like it was THE ONE THING that would govern my future career. I knew this was it. I couldn't imagine the horror of having to retake. You aren't the only one with these feelings. However, others are able to find ways to succeed despite them, and I know you can as well.

Like gn4 said, please check my signature. Everything you could possibly need is in there. Get back to the books. I know that the prospect of having to study for this test yet again is horrendous, but if this is what you really want to do, it's 110% necessary. October is really late and I doubt you'll get any interviews unless you blow your DAT out of the park (which is possible!). However, at least you'll have gained some valuable information and experience with the application cycle. You've already taken a good step by coming to SDN. Although not everything on here is true, there are a quite a folks here who know what they're talking about and can help guide you. Best of luck!

 

[mostprecious]

I highly agree with Minion. I think post bac is a very good idea if you make sure to use it to boost your GPA. Also, it seems to me that you have had a lot of stress and no fun at all.

DAT IS no fun, I know, but it shouldn't be such a devastating experience. You should be like a fish that is voyaging into a difficult and unknown sea, not into a fiery volcano. You know what I mean? Don't kill yourself, but realize that you are in for a game you are sort of familiar with. You've already got your fins, and all you need is courage and the correct method to swim it. (like Gilmmer said)

Find study habits that will fit you. Find ways to relieve your stress and keep a positive note in this experience of being dental school applicants. We are together in this race towards one common goal. Don't lose hope. Be systematic about studying. Plan yearly, monthly, and weekly (start planning now). Cover topics starting from rthe basics. You can do it!