Need advice for DAT

[Hayitsme]

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I have taken the DAT twice already. The first time was a late decision as I decided to apply just for the experience after my second year in college and the second time was a year later after graduating. At the time I did not have any guidance on what to do except I was told to get everything done early which is why I hurried to take it (bad idea). Both times were very rushed and I only studied for about a month using the live online Kaplan course. My degree is in biology and although I made pretty good grades, I did not have that great of professors. I scored a 16 both times with low science scores. I definitely should have postponed the test date as I never felt ready.

I am wanting to give it one more shot but studying the right way this time. I have signed up for the Princeton Review course online but I have a couple days to get get my money back if I change my mind. I am really hesitant on taking another prep course, not only because Kaplan did not play in my favor but also because after reading several tips on here I see more people getting better results by self studying using materials like DAT Destroyer, DAT Bootcamp, Chad's Videos and Cliff's AP Bio notes rather than prep courses.

This week I have started going over Ty Jacob's bio notes and Chad's videos. Any advice on whether or not to stick with TPR or change things up and obtain a new study plan?

Also, I was advised to just study for DAT for several months starting now and skip out on applying to dental school this year. Instead, wait to apply next cycle if I get the results I am needing on the DAT. Don't really want to have two more off years but I guess I don't really have much options. Any opinions on this?

 

[BeaverLover]

How much is TPR? It really depends on your personal study habits

 

[Carbohydrates]

You should head over to the DAT forum, read their breakdown to see what materials they use and see which one fits your pocket.
There are schedules and advice on taking the test too.
So just get ready for the test real good this time around.

 

[Likkriue]

I would recommend NOT to take the dat again until you understand the material you are being tested on. I'll have to be honest and say you wasted 900$ doing what you did. But the good news is a 16 can be improved drastically.
Use chads videos on coursesaver to learn the sciences, do his quizzes and understand it.
Buy the dat destroyer and go through it, ALL of it. And understand it inside out. Next use Dat BOOTCAMP as your practice tests about a month out from the exam. Use their PAT generators, they are some of the best tools for the PAT.

For bio, use feralis notes to keep yourself on track and maybe read cliffs to get a general idea.
You know for a fact 1 month wasn't getting you anywhere, this means you need to sit down and rethink trying to rush this again. Put in a good solid 2-3 months if you have to, but don't go in underprepared again.

 

[Hayitsme]

How much is TPR? It really depends on your personal study habits

TPR is about $1200. I only put down a deposit, and they sent me the materials already but I think I still would be able to send them back and get a refund if it within the next day or so.

 

[Hayitsme]

You should head over to the DAT forum, read their breakdown to see what materials they use and see which one fits your pocket.
There are schedules and advice on taking the test too.
So just get ready for the test real good this time around.

Okay, thank you!

 

[Hayitsme]

I would recommend NOT to take the dat again until you understand the material you are being tested on. I'll have to be honest and say you wasted 900$ doing what you did. But the good news is a 16 can be improved drastically.
Use chads videos on coursesaver to learn the sciences, do his quizzes and understand it.
Buy the dat destroyer and go through it, ALL of it. And understand it inside out. Next use Dat BOOTCAMP as your practice tests about a month out from the exam. Use their PAT generators, they are some of the best tools for the PAT.

For bio, use feralis notes to keep yourself on track and maybe read cliffs to get a general idea.
You know for a fact 1 month wasn't getting you anywhere, this means you need to sit down and rethink trying to rush this again. Put in a good solid 2-3 months if you have to, but don't go in underprepared again.

Yes I did kind of waste money but I did gain some experience. Def should have waited a little longer though! If only I had found out about SDN sooner. So you think those material will probably be a better use of my time and money rather than TPR? My problem with Kaplan was that sometimes I didn't fully understand a concept right then but I didn't have much time to stop and learn it because they would move on to the next topic or subject.

 

[BeaverLover]

If you need to work at your own pace then I highly suggest you buy the separate materials. For me, I couldn't deal with going at the pace of someone else

 

[Likkriue]

I absolutely believe in working at your own pace. I can't say whether or no the course is good or bad because I've never done it. But if you have trouble keeping up with them, it means you should try something else out.

 

[schmoob]

Dump TPR. Seriously.
The high scores you see come from the materials you mentioned. You cannot buy your way to a high score. I also recommend studying for the exam as a full time job. That means either postponing your application until next year, or applying late. The two 16s have shot you in the foot already, so you will need to do very well on your last try. Better to do it right the first time (meaning your application).

 

[fogorvostan]

Dump TPR. Seriously.
The high scores you see come from the materials you mentioned. You cannot buy your way to a high score. I also recommend studying for the exam as a full time job. That means either postponing your application until next year, or applying late. The two 16s have shot you in the foot already, so you will need to do very well on your last try. Better to do it right the first time (meaning your application).

This. IMO it also shows really poor planning on your part to take the DAT twice when you are not prepared. You do not want to get a low score a 3rd time.

 

[Hayitsme]

This. IMO it also shows really poor planning on your part to take the DAT twice when you are not prepared. You do not want to get a low score a 3rd time.

Yes, you are right. I was just figuring things out and learning along the way. The guidance I had at the time made it seem like I was going in the right direction. But after not receiving the scores I needed I found out that this wasn't the right study method for me and that I needed to change things up and get a new plan. So that's what I am doing now is looking for a new direction to go in order to hit the books hard and get the most out of it.

 

[fogorvostan]

Yes, you are right. I was just figuring things out and learning along the way. The guidance I had at the time made it seem like I was going in the right direction. But after not receiving the scores I needed I found out that this wasn't the right study method for me and that I needed to change things up and get a new plan. So that's what I am doing now is looking for a new direction to go in order to hit the books hard and get the most out of it.

Definitely go on the DAT prep forum on here and see what people do. I really recommend Ari's study plan from DAT bootcamp. I shortened it from the 10 weeks into like 4 and got a 20AA.

 

[JLT223]

Do NOT and I repeat do not buy any pre-made test prep material/buy a course. Do what @fogorvostan said and search around the forums to see what has worked for people.

 

[Hayitsme]

Do NOT and I repeat do not buy any pre-made test prep material/buy a course. Do what @fogorvostan said and search around the forums to see what has worked for people.

Oh so definitely go ahead and cancel The Princeton Review online course and do other things that people have mentioned like DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp, etc?

 

[JLT223]

Oh so definitely go ahead and cancel The Princeton Review online course and do other things that people have mentioned like DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp, etc?

I'd highly advise using the resources you mentioned!

 

[Hayitsme]

Definitely go on the DAT prep forum on here and see what people do. I really recommend Ari's study plan from DAT bootcamp. I shortened it from the 10 weeks into like 4 and got a 20AA.

Okay thank you! My GPA is pretty close to what yours was so I know I need to do well on the DAT, plus it's my last chance to take it. So I will see what I can find on the forums!

 

[schmoob]

Oh so definitely go ahead and cancel The Princeton Review online course and do other things that people have mentioned like DAT Destroyer, Bootcamp, etc?

A hard yes on that. Save yourself some $$ and be better prepared.

 

[pinecone2010]

I highly recommend the Sterling DAT gen chem practice questions for GC. I got a 27 on GC using this book and Chad's videos. I went through every single question for the first 2/3 of the book and picked a few questions to do for the last 1/3 because I ran out of time. This book has a good combination of easy, intermediate, and hard questions. My original plan was to go through this book and then do the Destroyer because I heard the Destroyer was hard, so I was thinking why not start with sth easier. That never happened, I never opened the Destroyer. So I can't compare the two books, but I think that if you go through the sterling dat GC, then you should be good to go. If you have time and want more practice, then do the Destroyer.