my DAT thoughts

[panama]

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I took the Kaplan course this summer, and studied independently in the evenings and on weekends for about 4 weeks after it finished. My practice test scores were hovering around 17-19 academic/22 perceptual. About a week before test day, I discovered this site, and needless to say, after seeing the scores posted here I was a little concerned. I?m certain that this forum is composed of small group of extremely dedicated people, and these scores in no way represent the average test taker?s experience. I personally know of several very intelligent people who took the test recently, prepared extensively, and didn?t receive a 20 in any of the sections or subsections. I was also concerned because it looked like everyone here was using TopScore, Barron?s,etc., and I had only used my Kaplan review book, practice tests, and flashcards. I thought about putting the test off and using some of these other books. In the end, I said screw it and just went and took it.

My scores:
19 Biology
25 Organic
25 General Chem
21 Perceptual
19 Reading
19 Quantitative
21 Academic
21 Science

I was particularly impressed with my Bio score, as I?ve only had one semester of college biology. I graduated a few years ago, and decided about two years ago that I wanted to go to dental school, so I had to go back and take Bio 1&2 to fulfill prerequisites. I?m dyslexic, so the Reading was a bit of a struggle. I?m just glad its over. The math score frustrates me, that's always been my stongest area, but the actual test had much more trig on it than any of the Kaplan Practice tests, and I didn't try to relearn it. And as far as the Perceptual, I was averaging 22?s on Kaplan, and got a 21 actual. I?ve read that most people didn?t have that experience, and I wish I knew what to tell you the trick was. I though it was pretty similar to Kaplan, with the exception of angle ranking which was ridiculous. I actually though the other sections were easier. I did notice several of the hole punching questions were physically impossible to do, so I just went with my gut.

I guess I?d like to thank you guys for the motivation, but you actually scared the heck out of me in the days leading up to the test. Maybe that helped? Thanks again. Wish me luck!

 

[croco]

Way to go buddy. I can already hear the dental schools knocking on your door. Was the 1k worth it?

 

[DDSdude]

Just a quick comment on the hole punching. I too, at first glance thought that was the case. However, as I looked at them and tried to figure them out I realized that the folds were possible to do. This next paragraph can really help those who have not taken it yet.

For example:
They had one particular question that had a piece of paper that they folded in half. The next fold showed a line down the middle of the first fold but there was still paper on both sides of the line. At first I thought it was a mistake on the ADA's part. But after thinking about it I realized all they did was fold it in half and then take the top layer of paper oppositte to the first fold and fold it back in half over and match it up with the original fold, leaving paper on both sides of the second fold. So on one side of that line there was one layer of paper and the other side of the line (closest to the border of the first fold) there was three layers.

That probably doesn't make any sense unless I can physically show you. They make a fold and than take it and fold it onto itself. Let me know if that makes any sense. If not I can try to explain it better. I wish you could attach word documents. I could demonstate and attach it.

For me on test day, this type of questoin came up maybe 3-5 times in the paper folding section. It can throw you off and you may lose some confidence so just be ready for this question so you can tackle it and move on.

 

[panama]

Thanks.

The money--yes and no. I thought the class was basically worthless. The only purpose it served was to refresh the basic concepts. To get the juices flowing I guess. Some people may benefit from the ?structure?, but I doubt people on this board lack motivation. Several of the people in my class were planning on relying solely on the class review, and I?m sure they were extremely disappointed with their results.

The materials available, however, were worth every penny. I worked every practice test available, on paper, computer, whatever. I worked most of the subject tests at the Kaplan center, except part of General Chem which I thought was ridiculously hard and irrelevant to the actual DAT. Solving many of the Kaplan problems involved math which just didn?t need to be done to correctly answer the questions on the actual DAT. Focus on the concepts and setting the problems up, not the actual calculations.

I taught myself most of the Biology from the Kaplan book and flashcards, and I can?t emphasize enough how valuable I feel that book was. The key is to memorize it. Every thing in it that you can possibly squeeze in you head needs to be shoved in there. Having the information in long-term memory would be great (I guess), but for the purpose of doing well on a test like this, short term will do just fine.

PAT?do every single practice question you can. After awhile, I could just kinda ?see? the answers jump out at me. I actually completed the DAT PAT in around 45 minutes. Keep moving, and don?t get bogged down with angle ranking. I?m pretty sure with a protractor I still couldn?t arrive at the right answer any more reliably than you could just going with your gut.

DDS Dude- I understand what you?re talking about. That makes sense. Regardless, I was not prepared for those, and didn?t spend too much time getting myself bogged down worrying about them. During test preparation, I spent a lot of time working on my pacing. My natural instinct is to try to get everything right, and on the math and perceptual I certainly feel as though I could if given enough time. But that was killing me on the practice tests, so I forced myself to keep moving, figuring that 5 minutes spent getting one question correct would kill any chance I had to get 5 easier questions right during that same time period. I used this strategy extensively during angle ranking. I?d try to pick the largest, smallest, whatever was most obvious, narrow the answer choices down, select a gut answer with the remaining choices, and move on.

 

[croco]

Hey panama, share your success tips for each section once in a while in the thread "tip of the day" I am sure your tips could help others in need. I still cannot imagine anyone paying a thousand buckaroos for a review course. But if the problem were as good as you say, I guess I cannot argue with that

 

[DDSdude]

You hit the nail on the head with Kaplan. The classes are not very effective at all. The real value is their study materials. If you take every test and also read every solution to every question for every test than it is worth the money. The Kaplan study book for Bio and Chem I think are enough to do very well on the DAT. I do not remember seeing any questions on either section that the Kaplan book did not cover and many of the questions came from the things Kaplan highlighted in bold print in their study book. If I had more time to study than I would have scored much higher. I say this because I recognized all the questions in those two sections I just didn't have them shoved tight enough in my short term memory to recall them all. I only really had a week to prepare so I pretty much paid Kaplan for a weeks worth of study time.

As far as reading and math goes. I would look for supplemental material and focus on learning to skim long wordy passages quickly and still have the ability to pick up on what the author is trying to get across, their point of view, etc. The math in Kaplan is pretty light. I would look for something else to review. SAT math prep seems to be pretty good. Know your trig and word problems.

PAT, do EVERY single problem you can get your hands on. Do them until you see them when you close your eyes at night. Eventually they will start making sense. It takes time and practice, practice, practice. Just when you think it won't come, bam, you start getting it.

 

[vondy60]

Can someone please elaborate a little more on focusing more on concept problems for general chemistry rather than problems with calculations. I am working calculation problems like crazy and would like to know what I should focus more time on.
Thanks a bunch.

 

[rsweeney]

EXCELLENT scores

 

[DDSdude]

vondy60,

Some examples might be:

What is the total number of moles in the below reaction when it is balanced?

Which of the following has an ionic bond?

Which of the following exhibits hydrogen bonding?

What is the electron configuration of the compound below?

Which of the following elements is being oxidized, reduced, which is the reducing/oxidizing agent?

In a galvanic cell the anode is ___ and the cathode is ___. In an electrolytic cell the anode is ___ and the cathode is ___?

Questions that require you to think about the different properties and rules you have learned and not which equation to use.

Does that help?

 

[panama]

DDSDude is right on regarding the chem section.

Thanks rsweeney. Have you taken it yet?

 

[DDSdude]

Oh and panama...GREAT JOB!!!

 

[PERFECT3434]

excellent scores panama.

thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and experience. i wish everyone do the same regardless of their DAT scores.

for those of you who haven't taken the DAT yet, please do not worry about what the sdn scores are. if you go about your dat as panama has, you will do well.

panama you are very right about the kaplan course. unfortunately, many people go to kaplan thinking they'll be thaught. NO people, kaplan should only be a review for you. the only thing that is worth the money is the book(which should become your bible) and their workshops. i don't know how many hrs/day you studies panama, but i strongly recommend 8 hrs/day for 3 months. this should be enough. and as far as your actual test goes, i so agree with you on the pat part. the angles were impossible to do, and some of them were just really frustrating. the thing is, you never know what you are gonna get.

thank you again for your thoughts and hope you start enjoying your summer. i know you'll be a dental student next year.

 

[Mo007]

I signed of up for the Kaplan course... and in the last dying minutes changed my mind. I will take the DAT at the end of the month.... I hope I will prove them wrong.

I have so far reviewed 80% of the big KAPLAN book, and have a topscore CD, this combination is working so far. I will see how I do on the real thing.

 

[735513]

Congrats Panama!

Those are GREAT scores! I am feeling the same way about the Kaplan class and I too am getting discouraged reading about all these successful people on this discussion board. You give me some hope. I'm also glad to hear that the Kaplan G-chem is harder than the real thing cause that's my worst subject and I never seem to do well. QR gives me a lot of trouble too, especially since I am bad at trig. Thanks for all the input.


DDS Dude,

Could you please elaborate on the particular hole punching fold that you were describing. I'm having a little bit of trouble. Maybe if we number each corner of the paper, or something, it will help break it down a little? I appreciate the heads up because I do not have any extra time to freak out during the test. Thanks!!!!

 

[PERFECT3434]

i remember the hole punching section of my real dat was nothing like what you see on topscore or kaplan.

i am not saying all of it, but there were about 50% of the section that i had never seen before. the folding was beyond me and just could not believe how diff they had made.

 

[2pac]

excellent job panama. i'm going to take the DAT on the 23rd, and i would pass out if i got scores like yours. i'm scoring 17-20 on the kaplan tests so maybe i have a chance to get decent scores? but, once again, you did a great job!

 

[panama]

Everyone - Thanks for the kind words.

Perfect3434 ? 8 hours/day for 3 months sounds like a ton, but everyone?s different. I personally would burn out. I graduated from undergrad a few years ago, and work 40 hours a week. I took the Kaplan class for 6 hours every Sunday from mid June through late August. I spent ~ 3-4 hours per evening studying, and following a lifelong rule, I don?t do anything academic on Fridays. I probably spent 4 hours every Saturday reviewing at home or working subject tests at the Kaplan Center. Once the class was finished, I spent my regular 4 hours per day on weeknights, but upped the weekends to 8 hours per day. The week leading up to the test, I took afternoons off from my job and probably spent 8 hours per day. At the end, I still felt like I could use another month or two, but I think the law of diminishing returns applies here. I figured that it was time to get on with life. I know the test is important, but in the big picture, it is just a test. I felt that my grades (3.7 overall, 3.5 science) and such would also speak for my abilities, and didn?t feel the pressure to get a 28 Academic. Not that I?m discounting the importance of this test. I personally feel that at the majority of schools, it determines at least 60% of your chance of acceptance, if not greater. But I think you reach a point where enough is enough.

Mo007 ? You certainly don?t have to take the class to do well, like I said, the class itself was just a warm-up. And a brief one at that. Not to worry you, but if your DAT is at the end of the month, I?d recommend locking yourself inside this weekend and finishing that book! 80% is great, but I strongly suggest you get through it, then go through the sciences at least twice again. I read the book once (lightly) as we went through the Kaplan class, then a friend I met through the Kaplan class and I spent around 4 nights per science section going through it, word for word. He was stronger in Biology, I was stronger in the chemistries. We tried to ?teach? each other, even going as far as me running through the organic reactions on chalkboard for him at a local college library. During the two weeks leading up to the test, we studied independently. I spent each day of Labor Day weekend reviewing one of the science sections again for a final time. WORD FOR WORD. Sounds like you feel you?re progressing well, good luck!

735513 ? Like I said, the results posted are VERY high. However, there are a couple things to keep in mind here. Number 1, I?m sure that the majority of scores posted are only from those who did well. Had I done poorly, I would have never posted. I stumbled across this site during the final days, it scared the crap out of me, but I returned to offer thanks for the motivation seeing these posts provided AFTER I had done relatively well. I?ve seen people here complain about getting 19 or 20 academic. I personally think that?s ridiculous, and certainly wouldn?t hang my head over a 19. I would have been fine with a 19, I think that combined with my grades would have allowed me to go to my number one choice, UNC, as an in-state student. Number 2, this is an extremely dedicated group of people. I have several friends who are now practicing who I?m certain have never heard of this board. We graduated college in 96, boards like this didn?t exist. Think about it, we?ve placed so much importance on a point here or there on this test that we?re spending time posting and dissecting it here. Anyone would feel intimidated seeing the scores here. This is the line of reasoning that I used to try to not overly concern myself with the scores here. Again, not that the scores aren?t important, they are. A 25 is great for bragging rights, but I suspect it has the same effect as a 20 or 21 when getting into the majority of schools. Around here at least.
The general chem is easier in a mathematical sense, not ?easier? in a conceptual sense.
I doubt you?re ?bad? at trig, you?ve gotten this far. You just haven?t seen it in a while. I would strongly recommend that you relearn it, I was expecting 2 trig questions, and figured I?d make a guess and move on. I felt like if I got the other 38 questions right, I?d have done really well (and would have). However, I think I had 4, maybe 5. That?s a sixth of the test, so you need to spend a solid couple hours going over the basics beyond SOH-CAH-TOA (or whatever it is!).

2Pac ? I about passed out myself. I think the highest I ever got on a Kaplan Gen Chem was a 19, organic I usually got anywhere from a 16-19 with a 22 once. Except for the actual DAT 19 math I got, and the 21 (instead of the Kaplan 22) in PAT, my actual scores tied or exceeded my best efforts out of all the Kaplan tests combined. If you?re getting 17-20 on Kaplan, believe me, you?re fine. As I was reading through this board for the first time, the one thing I saw that gave me hope was someone who said that if you?re getting 17?s on Kaplan, you?ll do great on the actual test. In my experience, this was definitely the case.

I?ve got to get back to work, but I?ll try answer any questions you guys post. Remember, the test is extremely important, but there?s nothing impossible about it. Most of it was extremely straightforward. Don?t feel additional pressure because of a set of scores you see here. There?s enough pressure already, and stress and anxiety are the two things that can make the difference between a wonderful test day and a miserable one.

 

[DDSdude]

735513, I will try to explain it a little better. Before you read below go and get yourself a piece of paper that is in a perfect square.

Ok, here goes. Number the corners of paper as they are below.

1 3

2 4

Ok, now fold the side 1 and 2 over and match them up with 3 and 4. Now take 1 and 2 and fold it back over so 1 and 2 match up with the half of the paper. So now you should have the paper folded in half but the folded edge how has the two layers from the original fold and now has an additional layer where you folded 1 and 2 over. 3 and 4 should only have a single layer. Then they punched a hole.

They used this style of fold a few times. Just in a different folding pattern. At first glance it looks impossible to do because all the practice tests out there do not show anything like that. You just have to see the fold a couple of times prior to the test to feel comfortable. It is just expanding your paradigm. Let me know if that explanation makes sense.

😀 🙄

 

[Mo007]

Thanks Panama

I am going to read parts of the KAPLAN book again, especially the areas that are all about memory.

Like I said, the KAPLAN book is concise, and gets to the point, very helpful if you need freshing-up. I use pencil and re-write the information given on each section on the page. This is just my personal way of reviewing, and it has proven effective when I need to quickly go back and re-check the topics.

Well... Topscore CD and the BIG KAPLAN BOOK at least provides what you need to know to take you to the national average on the DAT. You can do better if you set yourself like panama mentioned.

Cheers!

 

[735513]

Thank you panama and DDS Dude!

I appreciate the words of encouragement and the explanation. Thanks for helping the "not yet tested". Anything and everything helps!

-Jessie😀

 

[DDSdude]

I am always to happy to help where I can! Good Luck!!

 

[2pac]

panama,
i think a 19 on RC is great. however, for me, the RC is a bit of a struggle. i am getting 19-20 on reading comp, but my method is to just go straight to the questions and find the answers within the passage without even reading the passage first. this, i hear, from SDN members, is not wise on the actual DAT because the actual DAT asks questions like "what is the author implying," etc. also, i hear the actual DAT's passages are heck of a lot longer than the Kaplan (9-12 paragraph) passages. so, any bit of advice would help. thanks!

 

[panama]

I think a 19 RC was like 51st percentile on my test. Not wonderful, but I?d rather have a really impressive score in the sciences than on the reading comprehension anyway. I don?t think I ever got above an 18 on the Kaplan tests, so hopefully your actual score will be a point or two higher than your Kaplan scores too.

I?m not the one to give you advice on this section. I skimmed the passages first, then went to the questions. And yes, they were long. I was expecting 13 paragraphs and I think all of mine were 17-19 or even 20. I finished the sciences in ~70 minutes (I flew!), perceptual in 45 or so, and quantitative in around 40. I did not finish the RC. I was midway through reading the 3rd passage with around 8-10 minutes left. It was a very difficult passage, so it took me a while to find the answers for the first 5 or so questions. With a couple minutes left, I started trying to answer the questions without looking up the answers, and I didn?t even answered the last 4 questions or so because time ran out before I could get anything in. And yes, there were several questions about what the author was implying, etc. Like I said, I?m not the one to give you advice on this section, it?s never been a strong point. I?m just glad it?s now behind me.

 

[croco]

For someone who had trouble reading the passage I have to give you a for recieving such a score. I think an important tip this shows for other students is that you may not finish the reading section, but try to get as many correct answers as possible.