Just did my DAT guys and scored pretty well TS:22/AA:21/PAT:23 except for 18 QR. Hated QR/RC... I've been blessed with an 18 which I'm very satisfied with.
I just want to give you guys some tips on test taking or what to prepare for. Things I list are just random stuff coming from my mind and are in NO particular order.
1) Keep a routine at least a week before and leading up to your test so you can build stamina and have your body get used to the situation. Practice without breaks except for the allowed time which is between the PAT and RC section.
2) Stay healthy and eat food that give your brain and body strength and endurance. My mom made me beet soup and I eat chicken, salad, fruits, etc.
3) Pick a test time that you're most comfortable with. I remembered my AP psych teacher taught me that our brains start to perform well after 10AM and that I agree with from my own experiences. Everybody can vary but do what suits you.
4) For the time that I chose, I did all 5 BC practice subject test + all 500+ Qvault questions and two days of review no break the day before the test but that's just my style. DO NOT RECOMMEND unless you can handle it. Last two review days make sure you cover chad's quizzes and notes/problems you missed on BC tests (and Qvaults if you have and time allows)/ and skim quickly through destroyer roadmaps and chemical tests.
5) If you have taken an option of a break prior to test day, still do some light review and stop around 5PM but also if you have time go to the testing center and ask for a trial if you want a complete sample experience. They give you a 30 min test drive. Also if you do go there make sure you know where the restroom is and the time it takes you to drive there considering traffic. My gf drove me so I just napped and looked over some formulas while we took the carpool. Recommend someone driving you if it's far.
6) Bring snack for break: snickers and Gatorade and water worked for me. Don't gulp too much fluids during break or you'll be screwed for RC/QR thinking of needing to take a piss unless you prepared before with an adult diaper.
6.5) Gf dropped me off. I located the office and sat down. Staff was pleasant and happy. I was a nervous wreck still looking at my notes. If the secretary or staff doesn't look at you/contact you, go up and sign in and she'll ask that you have your 2 ID be presented. I studied a bit more and left everything in an unoccupied locker --> locked it and REMEMBER TO GRAB YOUR KEY. Go restroom if you needed to so you know where it is later for break. After you sign in and go restroom wait to be called. If appointment time is nearing and they still haven't called you go ask about what's going on.
6.75) They call you in, staff uses a wand to check for any objects on you. You should only have your 2 ID's and locker key with you. They'll ask you put your hand in your pockets in and out and lift up the bottom of your jeans etc. You get fingerprinted/photoed/sign in.
7) ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP: TUTORIAL
7Aa) after they fingerprint you and ask for your autograph and you to input the time, proctor will walk you into the room and seat you. Once seated your screen will ask you to empty your pockets. I did that and left my locker key and ID/passport on the left side of the desk. Click ok and next it will have your name and the test you are taking and will ask you if this is correct --> 15 minute tutorial begins.
7A) unless you did a test trial the day before which I didn't, check your computer for any issues during the tutorial/see if calculator laggy. If problem arises contact proctor and if they cannot fix problem --> ask to switch computer if possible.
7B) SEE IF KEYPAD WORKS FOR CALCULATOR (mine did which was awesome and play with it to get familiar on what you can or cannot do)
7C) USE YOUR KEYBOARD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS (check that out during tutorial); this is the most important part of my tips. I honestly believe I missed some questions and could've scored +1/2 higher for SNS and PAT if I remembered. I happen to remember by pressing B on my keyboard during RC and was thinking F'fffff.... For PAT I didn't have enough time to go back but I knew I misclicked some answers or didn't have it register the first time. USING KEYBOARD ENSURES ACCURACY!!! My testing center (Lake Forest, CA) was great enough to be able to have that function. I cannot speak for all testing center.
7D) Depending on the place you test for they can be very lenient or strict on what you do for tutorial. You can mess around with anything on the computer/mouse/keyboard. Mine DID NOT ALLOW WRITING FOR TUTORIAL and many other places don't also. They will report you. I called (you should call your place and ask) and asked about that so don't risk it. So there's two ways I'd recommend for this dilemma 1) practice PAT w/o any premade grids for hole punching and make it during PAT section 2) practice practice practice and know your stuff for SNS so you have time make your grids before going to the PAT section. Even though I slacked off/slow down I still had some time like 2 min to make my grids. I didn't bother reviewing my marked questions
8) Another thing I would recommend is not to slacked off and make it a rule that if you do not know answer in 20 seconds MARK + MOVE ON. O.k. this might just be me but for some reason even though I was nervous, as I answered questions in the beginning they were pretty easy. I was thinking "this isn't so bad" and I slowed down. ALWAYS BE ACTIVE and move as fast as you can. This is why you're practicing on those BC tests/Qvault etc. Same with PAT, it was pretty much easier than BC and again I would've gotten higher also if I used the keyboard to choose answers rather than clicking each answer and then click next.
9) Another thing to note is every remaining 15 min or 5 min for each section they will notify you and a box will pop up which you HAVE TO CLICK O.K. to close it and continue. It gets annoying but can be helpful if you're not keeping track of time which you should.
10) Don't press anything when you finish PAT. A new screen will pop up saying: Optional 15 minute break. If you CLICK ON "END" at the bottom where the next/previous/marked boxes used to be you will FORFEIT your break time. Anyways, you walk out the room and have to SIGN OUT and fingerprint. Be fast and go restroom/splash face with water/go back eat snake/drink minimal fluids. You then need to SIGN back in and have them body check you. So again be efficient and you can relax in the cubicle once you do all those stuff with your remaining time.
11) During break time, once you do all the stuff in #10, don't fully relax UNTIL you ask for new paper and made your math formulas/RC format to write down info from each paragraph. I just did very minimal writing/mostly Search and Destroy/and background knowledge. Like for example question can ask what does antibiotics do you can find something that answers the question with what you know. HOWEVER, passages can have extra detail with what you already know so be careful. Do that if you're running out of time. You get 2 laminated paper every time and the proctor girl I had was very attentive and awesome. Just raise your hand and wave up your laminated paper if you need replacement.
12) Angles were not that bad for my test but what I did the morning before my 2PM test was doing 5-10 quick angle generator questions from BC and played some music while doing woodgears game. Also my place didn't allow touching on the computer screen. Some people I read before use their pens or whatever to compare angles and making contact with their monitor. I had a sticky that said specifically not to touch or anything. However, they did allow me to lift my laminated board close to the screen but no physical contact between the two.
Well can't think of anything else right now; I'll add more later. Feel free to ask any questions!
I just want to give you guys some tips on test taking or what to prepare for. Things I list are just random stuff coming from my mind and are in NO particular order.
1) Keep a routine at least a week before and leading up to your test so you can build stamina and have your body get used to the situation. Practice without breaks except for the allowed time which is between the PAT and RC section.
2) Stay healthy and eat food that give your brain and body strength and endurance. My mom made me beet soup and I eat chicken, salad, fruits, etc.
3) Pick a test time that you're most comfortable with. I remembered my AP psych teacher taught me that our brains start to perform well after 10AM and that I agree with from my own experiences. Everybody can vary but do what suits you.
4) For the time that I chose, I did all 5 BC practice subject test + all 500+ Qvault questions and two days of review no break the day before the test but that's just my style. DO NOT RECOMMEND unless you can handle it. Last two review days make sure you cover chad's quizzes and notes/problems you missed on BC tests (and Qvaults if you have and time allows)/ and skim quickly through destroyer roadmaps and chemical tests.
5) If you have taken an option of a break prior to test day, still do some light review and stop around 5PM but also if you have time go to the testing center and ask for a trial if you want a complete sample experience. They give you a 30 min test drive. Also if you do go there make sure you know where the restroom is and the time it takes you to drive there considering traffic. My gf drove me so I just napped and looked over some formulas while we took the carpool. Recommend someone driving you if it's far.
6) Bring snack for break: snickers and Gatorade and water worked for me. Don't gulp too much fluids during break or you'll be screwed for RC/QR thinking of needing to take a piss unless you prepared before with an adult diaper.
6.5) Gf dropped me off. I located the office and sat down. Staff was pleasant and happy. I was a nervous wreck still looking at my notes. If the secretary or staff doesn't look at you/contact you, go up and sign in and she'll ask that you have your 2 ID be presented. I studied a bit more and left everything in an unoccupied locker --> locked it and REMEMBER TO GRAB YOUR KEY. Go restroom if you needed to so you know where it is later for break. After you sign in and go restroom wait to be called. If appointment time is nearing and they still haven't called you go ask about what's going on.
6.75) They call you in, staff uses a wand to check for any objects on you. You should only have your 2 ID's and locker key with you. They'll ask you put your hand in your pockets in and out and lift up the bottom of your jeans etc. You get fingerprinted/photoed/sign in.
7) ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT TIP: TUTORIAL
7Aa) after they fingerprint you and ask for your autograph and you to input the time, proctor will walk you into the room and seat you. Once seated your screen will ask you to empty your pockets. I did that and left my locker key and ID/passport on the left side of the desk. Click ok and next it will have your name and the test you are taking and will ask you if this is correct --> 15 minute tutorial begins.
7A) unless you did a test trial the day before which I didn't, check your computer for any issues during the tutorial/see if calculator laggy. If problem arises contact proctor and if they cannot fix problem --> ask to switch computer if possible.
7B) SEE IF KEYPAD WORKS FOR CALCULATOR (mine did which was awesome and play with it to get familiar on what you can or cannot do)
7C) USE YOUR KEYBOARD TO ANSWER QUESTIONS (check that out during tutorial); this is the most important part of my tips. I honestly believe I missed some questions and could've scored +1/2 higher for SNS and PAT if I remembered. I happen to remember by pressing B on my keyboard during RC and was thinking F'fffff.... For PAT I didn't have enough time to go back but I knew I misclicked some answers or didn't have it register the first time. USING KEYBOARD ENSURES ACCURACY!!! My testing center (Lake Forest, CA) was great enough to be able to have that function. I cannot speak for all testing center.
7D) Depending on the place you test for they can be very lenient or strict on what you do for tutorial. You can mess around with anything on the computer/mouse/keyboard. Mine DID NOT ALLOW WRITING FOR TUTORIAL and many other places don't also. They will report you. I called (you should call your place and ask) and asked about that so don't risk it. So there's two ways I'd recommend for this dilemma 1) practice PAT w/o any premade grids for hole punching and make it during PAT section 2) practice practice practice and know your stuff for SNS so you have time make your grids before going to the PAT section. Even though I slacked off/slow down I still had some time like 2 min to make my grids. I didn't bother reviewing my marked questions
8) Another thing I would recommend is not to slacked off and make it a rule that if you do not know answer in 20 seconds MARK + MOVE ON. O.k. this might just be me but for some reason even though I was nervous, as I answered questions in the beginning they were pretty easy. I was thinking "this isn't so bad" and I slowed down. ALWAYS BE ACTIVE and move as fast as you can. This is why you're practicing on those BC tests/Qvault etc. Same with PAT, it was pretty much easier than BC and again I would've gotten higher also if I used the keyboard to choose answers rather than clicking each answer and then click next.
9) Another thing to note is every remaining 15 min or 5 min for each section they will notify you and a box will pop up which you HAVE TO CLICK O.K. to close it and continue. It gets annoying but can be helpful if you're not keeping track of time which you should.
10) Don't press anything when you finish PAT. A new screen will pop up saying: Optional 15 minute break. If you CLICK ON "END" at the bottom where the next/previous/marked boxes used to be you will FORFEIT your break time. Anyways, you walk out the room and have to SIGN OUT and fingerprint. Be fast and go restroom/splash face with water/go back eat snake/drink minimal fluids. You then need to SIGN back in and have them body check you. So again be efficient and you can relax in the cubicle once you do all those stuff with your remaining time.
11) During break time, once you do all the stuff in #10, don't fully relax UNTIL you ask for new paper and made your math formulas/RC format to write down info from each paragraph. I just did very minimal writing/mostly Search and Destroy/and background knowledge. Like for example question can ask what does antibiotics do you can find something that answers the question with what you know. HOWEVER, passages can have extra detail with what you already know so be careful. Do that if you're running out of time. You get 2 laminated paper every time and the proctor girl I had was very attentive and awesome. Just raise your hand and wave up your laminated paper if you need replacement.
12) Angles were not that bad for my test but what I did the morning before my 2PM test was doing 5-10 quick angle generator questions from BC and played some music while doing woodgears game. Also my place didn't allow touching on the computer screen. Some people I read before use their pens or whatever to compare angles and making contact with their monitor. I had a sticky that said specifically not to touch or anything. However, they did allow me to lift my laminated board close to the screen but no physical contact between the two.
Well can't think of anything else right now; I'll add more later. Feel free to ask any questions!
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