Low early DAT VS High late DAT

[yasikori]

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Hi, I am struggling to decide when I should take DAT.

I am thinking to take DAT at June or July, but I am worried about lower DAT.

Although I would get better score of DAT taking around August or September, it seems too late.

Many ppl recommend to apply as early as possible. However DAT is the most important factor for admission.

So, I am really confused. This is a kind of conflict between Timing and Quality.

Which is better? Low+Early DAT or High+Late DAT

Please share your wisdom.

 

[TheWiredNerv]

Why not study until you feel prepared enough to get a great score? Whenever time that is is the time you will take it.

To answer your question, High DAT is always better than a low DAT. Just study study and do great the first time around.

 

[Hysteria24]

My 2 cents...

A high DAT in August is better than a low DAT in May.

However, putting it off will not guarantee a high score. You can always take it sooner, and if you need to improve your score, take it again 3 months later.

The words of wisdom I always see posted around here: "Take it when you're ready."

 

[jigabodo]

Take it when you're ready.

Words that I live by.

 

[cmcner]

For candidates especially with borderline GPAs rolling admissions are a huge factor. So if that's the situation being even close to ready would mean taking it in late June early July if you are trying to avoid taking a year off.

 

[mooredge]

Definitly take it later than earlier, and most importantly plan on only taking it once. Even though you should submit your AADSAS as early as possible, you can safely take the DAT much later. This is because AADSAS takes about a month to verify you GPA and letters of rec. before they send out your app and most schools don't start reviewing apps until August. So if you submit your AADSAS in June, the schools probably won't get it until July and probably won't even start looking at it until August. You're DAT scores are sent to the schools right after you take the test, thus, if you take the DAT in early August the scores should arrive just as the adcoms are beginning to look at your app.

 

[will9631]

don't take it until you're ready, remember you can send your DAT scores directly to your scores and not deal with aadsas, so there isn't the time lag that you get with transcripts (usually takes aadsas 6 to 8 weeks to calculate gpa's). I studied for two months solid and took it august 15 and scored very high, 3-4 points higher in each category than the previous attempt. I would say that my high DAT is the (i)only(/i) thing that set my application apart, and thus got me into dental school. Without that extra time, I'd be looking at another application cycle right now. Thats my two cents.

-and if your curious, I went with Kaplan tutor (mostly for chemistry) + classroom (the least helpful part I think) + online (the most helpful part). It was expensive ($2400), but in the end worth every penny.

 

[blankguy]

All I can say that if a candidate gets in early but later on a better candidate comes along schools will hate to admit that they've made a 'mistake' and take back the acceptance and give it to the better but later candidate. Once a decision has been made the schools will stick to it.

 

[caffeinehigh]

How low? How late?

I'd try to get it submitted asap, it is my general experience that if you set a deadline, you'll be ready for that date. I mean you are talking 3+ month away. Are you telling me you plan on studying 10 hrs a day until August? Setup a routine and study for the June test. (THIS WILL SUCK) However, you will feel better when you know you're in earlier.

 

[caffeinehigh]

-and if your curious, I went with Kaplan tutor (mostly for chemistry) + classroom (the least helpful part I think) + online (the most helpful part). It was expensive ($2400), but in the end worth every penny.

A lot of people might disagree with me, but I think that access to the Kaplan online portion makes a world of difference. Having taken 4 full length practice exams on a computer is a great feeling going into it on test day. The flashcards are also decent.

 

[DrSmiles12]

Why not a high early DAT?

 

[jigabodo]

Why not a high early DAT?

...or a low late DAT. 😉

 

[blankguy]

...or a low late DAT. 😉

Try applying on Jan 1st.

 

[jigabodo]

Try applying on Jan 1st.

The worst combination possible.

 

[aggie-master]

It is February 12th. You should start studying for the DAT now if it is going to be that big of a deal for you. If you are studying now, 5 months will be plenty of time to have a great score on the DAT.

I agree with the people that say "take it when you are ready". I'd take my chances with a solid DAT score over an early application complete date any day.

 

[toothfairy85]

Granted, this is coming from someone who made an 18AA/18TS... but I don't think you need 5 months to get a high score. As aggie-master stated, 5 months is more than enough time to do well... I would actually say 2 months is plenty of time to get solid scores in all aspects of the test. I didn't study anywhere near 5 months, and the main reason my score was "low" is because of QR, which seems to be the low score for majority of applicants.