- Joined
- Aug 11, 2015
- Messages
- 48
- Reaction score
- 78
Hello Everyone!
I recently posted my scores (22AA,22TS).
I remember when browsing this forum I felt a bit out of my league as someone who was not a knockout student. It was also VERY daunting reading about the amount of work that goes into studying for this test. When coupled with the fact that taking 3 months off of work to study would not be an option it is hard not to feel overwhelmed and question even attempting the feat.
Keep in mind I haven't even applied yet and can only speak for the DAT. That being said, I hope that anyone in this situation finds this post and GOES for it! It is also important to realize that many students take this test on top of a full course load. Not an easy thing.
As I alluded to earlier I had a rough start in college. I was a competitive swimmer and that was my life. However, I did perform to a much higher standard in my later coursework. I graduated in 2012 which means most of the relevant coursework was taken between 08-10. Below are my undergrad grades and the materials that helped me most. I did take O.C. II last year which was HUGE for me in preparing for this test.
Bio 111- 2.7
Bio 113 - 3.1
24-Bootcamp,Destroyer
G.C.- 3.1
G.C. II - 2.7
20 - Bootcamp,Destroyer,Chads
O.C. I - 2.3
2015
O.C. II - 4.0
23- Bootcamp,Destroyer,Chads
Remaining scores
QR-19 Destroyer
RC-26
PA-24 Bootcamp
My advice-
1. You MUST communicate with family and friends how important this is and that it will be your LIFE for...how long?
2.Time needed to study is something that is unique to every person. What worked for me was to do a quick read through of the Kaplan book to understand the scope of this test (there is probably a much cheaper option). Check this forum as well. From there you need to be HONEST with yourself and decide how much time you will need to truly know this information. I started studying lightly in November and built up to a monthish of HARD studying in March and April.
3. Research this forum and find your study plan and method. However, don't feel like anyone here knows how YOU personally will best learn this information. We can only tell you what worked for us. If you don't know...try try try and try some more until you find your most effective studying method. For example, I found that practice problems worked best for me. Methods such as reading Cliffs and Feralis notes didn't do much for me.
4. Have I mentioned that you need to be honest with yourself? In your studies you have to understand that if you don't TRULY know the information you will freeze during the real deal. You have to embrace your weak areas and proceed to make them your strong areas.
5. Realize that the actual material is not all that hard on the DAT. Where they get you is the wording and way in which they present the problem (IMO). This is why it is so crucial that you strive to UNDERSTAND the concepts related to each problem...and not memorize it. I very rarely spent any time trying to memorize tiny details.
Quick break down by subject
Bio-I had to try many methods with this. I didn't make it more than halfway through Feralis. I translated the entire Cliff's book into notecards. While this probably helped the Destroyer is what drove it home for me.
QR- Haven't seen this stuff since high school...I only wanted to play WoW and swim in highschool. Make sure you know where you stand early on in your studies. I knew I was terrible and basically would step into the ring with math destroyer as often as I could and get the ever loving S*** knocked out of me. LEARN how to mark and move on.
RC- Probably not qualified to comment here, find what works for you. I only did the full length bootcamp tests. As a side note I highly suggest the Wheel of Time series if you're into fantasy.
PA-Ari is your best friend here (bootcamp). Listen to him.
Chemistry
I wanted to separate these two because they are very similar. Chad is the bomb. For anyone that hasn't seen this material in a while you have to start here. Look at it as your lecture. I think it is extremely effective to watch these videos, take notes, then tackle the Destroyer. Struggle my friend, work you way through every question and try your best to understand the concepts presented. The solution manual is where the gold is. I didn't need to do this for OC but I then went back and watched the GC videos again. I was able to connect a lot of dots by doing this.
GC- When I first opened the destroyer I thought I was reading some form of black magic. Watched Chads once, followed by destroyer, then another round of Chads.
OC- My class helped me alot. One round of Chads and destroyer problems.
Take the Bootcamp full length practice tests (these are the same as the individual tests) and don't freak out if you aren't scoring 20's on all of them starting out. About a 1.5 months out I started taking these to identify weak points. I never scored above 18 on bio until three weeks out and NEVER scored above 16 in the QR section. Do NOT take the DAT unless you are scoring within your goal range here.
Finally, take the 2009 DAT to get a feel for the real deal. Compared to MY version of the DAT the QR and RC sections were much harder. Once again, if you aren't pleased with your performance don't go picking a fight with the real deal.
I love seeing others succeed. PM me!
I recently posted my scores (22AA,22TS).
I remember when browsing this forum I felt a bit out of my league as someone who was not a knockout student. It was also VERY daunting reading about the amount of work that goes into studying for this test. When coupled with the fact that taking 3 months off of work to study would not be an option it is hard not to feel overwhelmed and question even attempting the feat.
Keep in mind I haven't even applied yet and can only speak for the DAT. That being said, I hope that anyone in this situation finds this post and GOES for it! It is also important to realize that many students take this test on top of a full course load. Not an easy thing.
As I alluded to earlier I had a rough start in college. I was a competitive swimmer and that was my life. However, I did perform to a much higher standard in my later coursework. I graduated in 2012 which means most of the relevant coursework was taken between 08-10. Below are my undergrad grades and the materials that helped me most. I did take O.C. II last year which was HUGE for me in preparing for this test.
Bio 111- 2.7
Bio 113 - 3.1
24-Bootcamp,Destroyer
G.C.- 3.1
G.C. II - 2.7
20 - Bootcamp,Destroyer,Chads
O.C. I - 2.3
2015
O.C. II - 4.0
23- Bootcamp,Destroyer,Chads
Remaining scores
QR-19 Destroyer
RC-26
PA-24 Bootcamp
My advice-
1. You MUST communicate with family and friends how important this is and that it will be your LIFE for...how long?
2.Time needed to study is something that is unique to every person. What worked for me was to do a quick read through of the Kaplan book to understand the scope of this test (there is probably a much cheaper option). Check this forum as well. From there you need to be HONEST with yourself and decide how much time you will need to truly know this information. I started studying lightly in November and built up to a monthish of HARD studying in March and April.
3. Research this forum and find your study plan and method. However, don't feel like anyone here knows how YOU personally will best learn this information. We can only tell you what worked for us. If you don't know...try try try and try some more until you find your most effective studying method. For example, I found that practice problems worked best for me. Methods such as reading Cliffs and Feralis notes didn't do much for me.
4. Have I mentioned that you need to be honest with yourself? In your studies you have to understand that if you don't TRULY know the information you will freeze during the real deal. You have to embrace your weak areas and proceed to make them your strong areas.
5. Realize that the actual material is not all that hard on the DAT. Where they get you is the wording and way in which they present the problem (IMO). This is why it is so crucial that you strive to UNDERSTAND the concepts related to each problem...and not memorize it. I very rarely spent any time trying to memorize tiny details.
Quick break down by subject
Bio-I had to try many methods with this. I didn't make it more than halfway through Feralis. I translated the entire Cliff's book into notecards. While this probably helped the Destroyer is what drove it home for me.
QR- Haven't seen this stuff since high school...I only wanted to play WoW and swim in highschool. Make sure you know where you stand early on in your studies. I knew I was terrible and basically would step into the ring with math destroyer as often as I could and get the ever loving S*** knocked out of me. LEARN how to mark and move on.
RC- Probably not qualified to comment here, find what works for you. I only did the full length bootcamp tests. As a side note I highly suggest the Wheel of Time series if you're into fantasy.
PA-Ari is your best friend here (bootcamp). Listen to him.
Chemistry
I wanted to separate these two because they are very similar. Chad is the bomb. For anyone that hasn't seen this material in a while you have to start here. Look at it as your lecture. I think it is extremely effective to watch these videos, take notes, then tackle the Destroyer. Struggle my friend, work you way through every question and try your best to understand the concepts presented. The solution manual is where the gold is. I didn't need to do this for OC but I then went back and watched the GC videos again. I was able to connect a lot of dots by doing this.
GC- When I first opened the destroyer I thought I was reading some form of black magic. Watched Chads once, followed by destroyer, then another round of Chads.
OC- My class helped me alot. One round of Chads and destroyer problems.
Take the Bootcamp full length practice tests (these are the same as the individual tests) and don't freak out if you aren't scoring 20's on all of them starting out. About a 1.5 months out I started taking these to identify weak points. I never scored above 18 on bio until three weeks out and NEVER scored above 16 in the QR section. Do NOT take the DAT unless you are scoring within your goal range here.
Finally, take the 2009 DAT to get a feel for the real deal. Compared to MY version of the DAT the QR and RC sections were much harder. Once again, if you aren't pleased with your performance don't go picking a fight with the real deal.
I love seeing others succeed. PM me!
