Natural Science Section Timing on Kaplan Blue book Test ?

[sailinx]

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Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if any one has encountered any problems with the shortage of time for natural science section on DAT. I took yesterday my first KAPLAN test from the Blue book (not the CDROM yet). I did OK (Bio 19 GC 18 🙁 O.Chem 20 QR 20) on it but seems like I pretty much ran out of time (I endup spending an extra 15 mins). Because, it was my first test, my focus was on finding out where do I stand with the material I have studied so far and what are my weaker sections. One thing I noticed was that BIO and O.Chem timings were kind of OK but I end up spending way too much time on G.Chem (I think there were too many calculations). Few things I would like to know:

1. What is usually the average time one should spend on each section ? I am assuming even though Bio has 40 questions, I don't think, I can afford 40 minutes, I am guessing between 25~30 minutes and similarly for O.Chem between 22 ~25 mins and rest for G.Chem. Is my assumption correct ?

2. Does real DAT has these many calculation problems as the test in Blue book (again NOT CDROM, the paper exam in Blue book)?

3. How hard is real DAT compared to the test in Kaplan blue book ?

4. Another issue I think that some of the options to the questions were incorrect ? Atleast I know 2 of them in O.Chem section (one resonance problem (according to Kaplan, correct answer has 5 bonds to C which is impossible) were incorrect and another one in Bio section which talks about cardiac muscle to be voluntary muscle and my understanding is that cardiac muscle is involuntary muscle-BIO ExamCracker1001 clearly talks about it). Have you encounter the same problem or my understanding is incorrect ?

I have about a month to go before DAT. Any advice to improve my scores and/or timing !

I apologize for a long post. I would really appreciate your insight.

Thanks,
Sailinx

 

[ianwright]

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if any one has encountered any problems with the shortage of time for natural science section on DAT. I took yesterday my first KAPLAN test from the Blue book (not the CDROM yet). I did OK (Bio 19 GC 18 🙁 O.Chem 20 QR 20) on it but seems like I pretty much ran out of time (I endup spending an extra 15 mins). Because, it was my first test, my focus was on finding out where do I stand with the material I have studied so far and what are my weaker sections. One thing I noticed was that BIO and O.Chem timings were kind of OK but I end up spending way too much time on G.Chem (I think there were too many calculations). Few things I would like to know:

1. What is usually the average time one should spend on each section ? I am assuming even though Bio has 40 questions, I don't think, I can afford 40 minutes, I am guessing between 25~30 minutes and similarly for O.Chem between 22 ~25 mins and rest for G.Chem. Is my assumption correct ?

2. Does real DAT has these many calculation problems as the test in Blue book (again NOT CDROM, the paper exam in Blue book)?

3. How hard is real DAT compared to the test in Kaplan blue book ?

4. Another issue I think that some of the options to the questions were incorrect ? Atleast I know 2 of them in O.Chem section (one resonance problem (according to Kaplan, correct answer has 5 bonds to C which is impossible) were incorrect and another one in Bio section which talks about cardiac muscle to be voluntary muscle and my understanding is that cardiac muscle is involuntary muscle-BIO ExamCracker1001 clearly talks about it). Have you encounter the same problem or my understanding is incorrect ?

I have about a month to go before DAT. Any advice to improve my scores and/or timing !

I apologize for a long post. I would really appreciate your insight.

Thanks,
Sailinx

I have not taken the DAT yet, so my input may not be the best. Also, people do not trust me around here - so get another persons advice too!

Firstly - Kaplan did a poor job of writing that bio question. In all biology/physiology text books, it is well established that skeletal muscle is voluntary and cardiac/smooth muscle is involuntary.

Having said that - when you read their explanation for 'has voluntary contraction' - that is 100% correct - the best word they could come up with to sum the answer up was 'has voluntary contraction' - just plain confusing.

I think an answer choice like, 'has intrinsic contraction' would be perfect.

As far as your scores are concerned - don't get too hyped up about it, (but be 'happy' - you scored well and probably feel confident) however - notice that all of the questions in the test are based on the concepts in the book.

So if Kaplan covers all topics in the DAT (and the KAPLAN is an ideal study aid for the content of the actual DAT) then congratualations - otherwise take some other tests!