Need Advicefor Last Two Weeks(DAT: March 31st)

[BeyonceFan1226]

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My DAT is scheduled on March 31st. I am taking it on the 31st and I do not have the option of pushing it back because I will be going out of the country April 17th until end of May. I am applying to several postbacc/masters programs that still require a DAT score.

I have been studying for the past 2+ months and my DAT section averages for Reading/Bio are around 20/21. My Math average is currently around 18 and my Orgo/Chem is falling between 15-16. PAT is also around 19. I have been using Destroyer, CRACK DAT, Chad's videos, and Organic Chemistry as a Second Hand Language. I only have two weeks left and I am a little stressed because I do not know how to bump up my Orgo/Chem up. The material for these sections are not sticking. My math needs work on as well. Actually everything needs to improve! 🙁 Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[customx]

Did you take detailed notes while watching Chad's videos? I think I had about 30-35 pages of notes for both OC and GC, and my handwriting is very small. There is a ton of information to learn, but he does an amazing job of helping you learn it. Have you taken all his quizzes? With just a couple weeks remaining, you should be reviewing like mad. Use his handouts as guides and memorize all his little tips and tricks, like "Never Have Fear Of Ice Cold Beer" (N2, H2, F2, O2, I2, Cl2, Br2).
You should also go through Destroyer twice. The first time will be painful. I recommend answering 10-15 questions at a time, then looking at the answers. For anything answered incorrectly, take notes in a notebook. It's imperative to learn why you got the question wrong. I'm a firm believer that if you do all of the above, you should get 20+ on GC and OC.
If I were you, I would continue to study as much as humanly possible. If you still feel like you're not prepared a few days before the exam, reschedule. You will need to pay $100, but it's better than bombing a couple of sections, paying $350 again and waiting 3 months to take the exam again. Even if you take the DAT at the end of June or mid July your application will be early. Don't use the first attempt as practice. I think the majority of people are nervous before the test, but once you're at that computer and it starts, all nerves go out the window.
For QR, use Math Destroyer. Memorize all the equations on the first 5-6 pages. Take exams 1-8 over and over again and get your timing down. If you can get 30-32 /40 on Math Destroyer, you should be able to get 20+ on the real QR since it's easier.

 

[DogeDDS]

What did you use to get those scores? Was it an ADA practice test or something like Achiever/qvault?

 

[BeyonceFan1226]

Those scores are from DAT Bootcamp and CRACK DAT PAT. I woke this morning and I started going over Destroyer (thanks for the advice customx!). I plan on doing 70 questions a day from each Orgo and Chem Section. I also starting my days off with a PAT practice exam and I am ending my evenings with a review of Bio. I have been reviewing math constantly but I am going to dedicate a good 2-3 days during the week before the exam to really go through the Math Destroyer exams. I have already went through the math in DAT Destroyer but I have been reading Math Destroyer is more comparable to the actual math on the DAT. Hopefully something wonderful happens with my brain these last two weeks.

 

[DogeDDS]

Ah, okay. Bootcamp is apparently pretty representative of the score you'd get on the actual DAT so I guess those scores are good indicators of where you are now. Math destroyer is harder than the actual DAT but you want to be scoring 30+/40 to be safe for the DAT. Timing is key, especially since you'll be drained after 4 hours of doing all the other sections.

As for OC/GC, if your set on taking the exam on the 31st, if you go through Destroyer fast, that wouldn't hurt at all, but if time is an issue, I've heard Destroyer is overkill. Rewatch Chad's videos and make sure you ace the quizzes as those questions (I've heard) are more like the real deal. Bootcamp is good for all sections. And make sure you're not just doing questions to get through them. Learn through the mistakes and understand why your thought process went wrong. A good TS score is crucial so I would prioritize your sciences more than QR.

My test is in 2 weeks so I'm feeling the pressure with ya buddy.