Need Advice. Is Sept too late to take DAT

[Ar2]

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Hey everyone , I need some much needed advice... My test date is set for August 11th as of right now, and although I still have a few weeks left, I in no way feel ready for my exam. If I pushed my exam back to the 2nd or even 9th of Septemeber , how bad will that hurt my chances of getting in. I know I will not recieve an exact answer, just looking for more of a general answer and some guidance. Will it kill any chance I have at getting in if I wait this late. Thanks for all of your help. Happy studying !!

- Ar2

 

[nze82]

Hey everyone , I need some much needed advice... My test date is set for August 11th as of right now, and although I still have a few weeks left, I in no way feel ready for my exam. If I pushed my exam back to the 2nd or even 9th of Septemeber , how bad will that hurt my chances of getting in. I know I will not recieve an exact answer, just looking for more of a general answer and some guidance. Will it kill any chance I have at getting in if I wait this late. Thanks for all of your help. Happy studying !!

- Ar2

The later you take the DAT the more competitive your results must be to guarantee you admission. Why?
You're planning to take your exam in Sep. That means your schools won't receive scores till ~ Oct, which means no serious decisions will be made about your application until then. Keep in mind that Oct/Nov is when the first round of interviews are conducted (Some schools like Nova have already started inviting people for interviews during Sep). So what this means is that while you're preparing for your DAT, schools are interviewing people. By the time you'll be invited for interview (Post Dec if you're lucky), almost half of the class will be full, which means your stats must be very competitive to get you a seat in the remaining open half of the class.
On the other hand, there's no point to rush the DAT when your not ready and end up with horrible scores, because that will hurt your chances just as bad, if not worst!

 

[aforgottenshirt]

Take it when you're ready. If you take it on August 11th and aren't ready and mess up it will be much worse than taking the time you need to study and doing much better on the DAT. That is as long as you really DO study a lot and efficiently until your exam - don't let pushing it back make you think you can procrastinate more on SDN like I'm doing right now haha

also the schools won't get the OFFICIAL scores until late september/early october, but you can update them on AADSAS or fax your scores to the schools or call them and tell them. I think you will still have a good chance of getting an interview october/november if your scores and other app stuff is good. good luck!! 🙂

 

[Ar2]

Thanks for the advice afforgotten shirt ,

Yea, that was my logic. I figured if I took it in August (not being ready) then if I did end up doing bad, I would have to wait 3 more months for my retake, which would end up pushing my test back even further...around November. And then I would really put myself in very tough spot. So I think I am going to go ahead and push it back , so that I will be ready...hahaha, I have been procrastinating on here alot too. I need to stay off the compurter for a while and just make myself study.

Oh, and quick question. Can I update my DAT scores on AADSAS the day I take my test ?... Thank you guys for all your help and advice.

Ar2

 

[Chrono]

Hey Ar2, I'm in the same position - I scheduled it for August but will be rescheduling to take it in September. I need more time to prepare. I have heard numerous people (who submitted in september) still received all their interviews pre-december.

Does anyone have a idea of how long it REALLY takes schools to get DAT scores?

 

[aforgottenshirt]

np and yes you can update the AADSAS scores the same day you get your scores. I would probably call/email/or fax schools as well just in case because I'm not sure how updates work (if AADSAS sends updates to schools or if the schools have to check?) anyone else know? 😕

 

[aforgottenshirt]

oh just found this thread

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=645577

 

[Ar2]

Hey Chrono,

Im glad to know im not alone. Yea, I am just not fully prepared either. But this may help you feel a little better. I e-mailed a few of the school im applying to and asked them how bad this would affect my chances of getting an interview...since im taking it kind of late. So far, I have recieved nothing but positive feedback. A few schools said I would still be fine, and a few others just said the earlier I take it the better, but if I have to push it back, they told me to just FAX them my scores as soon as possible. So just be sure to fax your scores out to your schools once you are finished with your test.

Ar2

 

[Chrono]

Hey Chrono,

Im glad to know im not alone. Yea, I am just not fully prepared either. But this may help you feel a little better. I e-mailed a few of the school im applying to and asked them how bad this would affect my chances of getting an interview...since im taking it kind of late. So far, I have recieved nothing but positive feedback. A few schools said I would still be fine, and a few others just said the earlier I take it the better, but if I have to push it back, they told me to just FAX them my scores as soon as possible. So just be sure to fax your scores out to your schools once you are finished with your test.

Ar2

Hey Ar2, when they said "we'd be fine", do u mean fine in getting pre-december interviews? I know how important it is to get those interviews before december...and thats what I'm most concerned about (getting the interviews by that time). Could u post one of the schools replies? You can pm me if you'd like.

Thanks.

 

[aforgottenshirt]

I'm curious to know what schools you emailed?