GPG: Yes, believe it! Personally, I thought the DA was challenging for me. I only studied for the DA for about a day and I did the DA section last where I should've done it first when I had more energy to concentrate!
Check this out though, now that I've had more dental courses in the second year curriculum, especially Occlusion II, I've learn so much more this year than just one (first year) year alone. If I were to take the NBDE Part I again after my 2nd year of dental school, I'm willing to bet anyone that I could increase my DA section score. But hey, I'm done with Part 1, I will not even attempt it again, I have no reason to, I'm not crazy so I don't even care about my DA score anymore!
Great job and congrats on your DA score! Very respectible. Lets see, any suggestions......
Well, I can't comment on which version of testing (paper or computer) will increase your score(s), but if I were you, I would simply put more time into your studies or study more effectively!
Find a study partner and quiz on one another.
Use USMLE First Aid for Step 1 book if you didn't use it the first time for Biochem, Physiology, Pathology and Microbiology sections.
Read this thread for more insights:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=79827
Good luck to your studies!
NOW, about the Micro/Patho word document that I HAD....I no longer have it. Please let me repeat, I NO LONGER HAVE IT! Please do not PM me (many of you have) and ask for a copy. All that word document was was a compilation of all the old questions from the ADA released exams purchased from ASDA website organized into topics. If you all wanted so bad, then you can very easily create it by yourselves by going over 11 exam booklets and 1,100 multiple choice questions!, then arrange them into topics.
Good luck to all of you taken the July 2004 session of the NBDE Part I!