My scores are all over the place!

[Nateftw]

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I have one more week until the DAT, my scores are not consistent. I applied this cycle, and they are just waiting for my DAT scores. It really just depends on the questions that are asked. I've taken a Kaplan course, and it offers 5 exams.

1st one: 17AA 17 PAT
2nd: 22AA 22PAT
3rd: 18AA 19 PAT
4th 21AA 22 PAT

and I'm about to take the 5th one. I think reading comprehension is the reason why my scores fluctuate. I can never finish the passages, and reading comprehension has never been my strong point. I've been getting near 60% or below on it every time..Any suggestions? I have been using the kaplan method where you write down keywords without actually reading the passages, then use that as a map to find what you are looking for when answering the questions.

Anyways, i'm starting to freak out. I'm already applying so late in the cycle...What is the likely hood that i'll have a chance at these schools: UOP, USC, Western, Case, Tufts, Temple, NYU, Creighton, and Michigan. (pretend I get a DAT score of 18AA/19PAT). Also, how long will it take for the schools to get my scores after I take the exam, are they automatically sent? My exam date is Sept 7th.


cGPA: 3.55
sGPA: 3.61
bcpGPA: 3.68

and I go to a Tier 1 UC

Thanks for the opinions

 

[shiftypoptart]

you definitely need to do well cause after you take your DAT consider your application complete about 1.5 months after that date you take it since you need to fill out secondaries and DAT scores take at least 2-4 weeks to process. Schools like UCSF don't send out secondary until they see a DAT so that'll lag it out a bit more. In my opinion this is pretty late so you definitely need to score higher that what your aiming for. 21+ and your good to go. Just remember that practice test will never tell you what you get on the real thing, I was scoring below 15s on some sections of kaplan and CD sciences and ended up getting 20+ in everything, others unfortunately score 20+ and dont do as well. Standardized test are the luck of the draw but if you know your stuff you'll do well. Just remember to do your best and if you dont get in this cycle applying early next your definitely gunna get interviews.

 

[DoCt0rPeTe]

I still haven't applied yet! I'm such a procrastinator!


But I'd say Kaplan was representative of the real test. Prepare for RC because you don't want to die on that section. Some schools value it very highly, so if the kaplan map doesn't work for you, find a new method.

I suggest modifying the kap method. Write down 1 to 2 keywords per paragraph and then search and destroy.

My real test had passages around 17 paragraphs long so I mentally mapped everything.

If anything, get Crack Reading, it helped me I'd say, as I am not the best of readers, and I pulled a score I am very happy with in RC.

I'd say use the mental map, and forget writing anything down- that may burn too much time depending on the passage- especially if you're a slow reader.

 

[Nateftw]

you definitely need to do well cause after you take your DAT consider your application complete about 1.5 months after that date you take it since you need to fill out secondaries and DAT scores take at least 2-4 weeks to process. Schools like UCSF don't send out secondary until they see a DAT so that'll lag it out a bit more. In my opinion this is pretty late so you definitely need to score higher that what your aiming for. 21+ and your good to go. Just remember that practice test will never tell you what you get on the real thing, I was scoring below 15s on some sections of kaplan and CD sciences and ended up getting 20+ in everything, others unfortunately score 20+ and dont do as well. Standardized test are the luck of the draw but if you know your stuff you'll do well. Just remember to do your best and if you dont get in this cycle applying early next your definitely gunna get interviews.

Thanks for the response guys. Shifty, I already applied this cycle. They have all my items except my DAT scores. It's still pretty late though, I know 🙁

On a side note, just took the last exam from Kaplan that I have.

25 Ochem
20 Gchem
21 Bio
30 Qualitiative reasoning
and "82%" on reading comp <-- highest score Iv'e gotten on that..lol
25 PAT
23 AA

But again, scores fluctuated. I just signed up for achiever. So I am going to try and cram in 3 achiever full length exams before my real date.

 

[Nateftw]

I still haven't applied yet! I'm such a procrastinator!


But I'd say Kaplan was representative of the real test. Prepare for RC because you don't want to die on that section. Some schools value it very highly, so if the kaplan map doesn't work for you, find a new method.

I suggest modifying the kap method. Write down 1 to 2 keywords per paragraph and then search and destroy.

My real test had passages around 17 paragraphs long so I mentally mapped everything.

If anything, get Crack Reading, it helped me I'd say, as I am not the best of readers, and I pulled a score I am very happy with in RC.

I'd say use the mental map, and forget writing anything down- that may burn too much time depending on the passage- especially if you're a slow reader.

that's actually exactly what I just did on this last practice test I took. It worked a lot better! I didn't write down as much in my map, and instead, I just made a mental map of everything.