Mcat vs dat

[exes]

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so i just got off the phone with my friend who is currently studying via kaplan for the mcat. He said that they prepare him really good for the mcat. however, I ve read on this forum that the Kaplan doesnt prepare you good for the DAT at all.

does kaplan focus more on the MCAT than the DAT?

what test is harder? the MCAT or the DAT?

thanks for your input guys

 

[dentalWorks]

does kaplan focus more on the MCAT than the DAT?

How can anyone answer this? A person would have taken BOTH classes, and still, their answer will be a mere opinion.

However, MCAT is a far more popular test (approx 12k+ people take the DAT per year and.... what is it? 50k+ for MCAT?). So maybe Kaplan puts more stock into it.

what test is harder? the MCAT or the DAT?

Again, only opinions here. I studied for both and MCAT is harder for me.
I think DAT's Bio is harder than MCATs biological science....but....
MCATs physical sciences are harder than DAT's QR and GC.... but the thing that makes the biggest difference is the Verbal.
I thought the MCAT verbal is many times harder than DAT's RC.

 

[molar3]

how would ur friend know it prepares him really well if hes only just studying? and hasnt taken the mcat yet......hes probably in for a rude awakening. unless hes naturally really smart.
kaplan gives u the basis, and gives u a shot for a mediocre score imo for the DAT and probably for the MCAT as well...i had the DAT kaplan book and my sibling had the mcat kaplan book...theyre like the same exact thing......very similar....once again IMO. also im pretty sure we need to know diff things, mcat'ers dont need to know alot of the orgo rxns we need to, and they defly dont need to know a bunch of the random bio crap we have on our DAT (ie - plants, echinoderm annelid stuff/ randomness), so i feel like kaplan just leaves all this specific stuff out and makes it generic for both DAT and MCATers...which imo is why it sucks
if ur shooting for a mediocre score use kaplan, if u want a good/great score, use other stuff too.
mcat's harder imo. who wants to solve physics problems and read passages & then answer questions? yea not me.

 

[doc toothache]

However, MCAT is a far more popular test (approx 12k+ people take the DAT per year and.... what is it? 50k+ for MCAT?). So maybe Kaplan puts more stock into it

The 50K figure may be on the high side considering that for 2010 there were of <43K total applicants and new applicants at <32K, but close enough for govt work.

 

[duswdav]

The 50K figure may be on the high side considering that for 2010 there were of <43K total applicants and new applicants at <32K, but close enough for govt work.

i bet there's a pretty good number of people who do not apply based on their score.

 

[doc toothache]

i bet there's a pretty good number of people who do not apply based on their score.

Perhaps.
https://www.aamc.org/download/157450/data/table24-mcatgpagridall2008-10.pdf.pdf

 

[NAVY DDS 2010]

One problem with trying to compare Kaplan courses is that they are taught by different people who even though they are the "instructors" of the course, their knowledge base and experience levels will be different thus how well they are taught will be different. I know one person who taught the dental Kaplan while in dental school to pick up some extra money. She scored very high on the DAT, but I doubt I would have ever recommended anyone take the course from her had they asked me. Just because you can score well on an exam soesn't mean you 'know' the material and can teach it.

That said, their is no way to compare the Kaplan DAT and the Kaplan MCAT courses unless you are fortunate enough to have multiple people in different location who took both courses. Not going to happen.

 

[beeho]

in regards to reading sections, the MCAT relies more on critical thinking and extrapolation questions while the DAT is the "can you quickly find the answer to the question" in the limited time you're given.

 

[exes]

One problem with trying to compare Kaplan courses is that they are taught by different people who even though they are the "instructors" of the course, their knowledge base and experience levels will be different thus how well they are taught will be different. I know one person who taught the dental Kaplan while in dental school to pick up some extra money. She scored very high on the DAT, but I doubt I would have ever recommended anyone take the course from her had they asked me. Just because you can score well on an exam soesn't mean you 'know' the material and can teach it.

That said, their is no way to compare the Kaplan DAT and the Kaplan MCAT courses unless you are fortunate enough to have multiple people in different location who took both courses. Not going to happen.

well thanks for all your input guys, I guys i should have just asked what you guys think is harder, the DAT or MCAT..should have left out the question about the kaplan 😀

 

[bing12]

well thanks for all your input guys, i guys i should have just asked what you guys think is harder, the dat or mcat..should have left out the question about the kaplan

mcat

 

[DocInDaHouse]

I've practiced and studied for both, and in my opinion the MCAT is harder. But it just depends on what subject material you are comfortable with. I hate Physics and I hate reading and answering questions based on what I think the reading was about. I think Orgo on MCAT is easier, but physical science section is harder on the MCAT