Need to take DAT, need advice on how to improve score !

[LinhN]

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Hi again,

I need to improve my scores in 3 months when I'm allowed to take the test. I just took the test last week, and didn't do well.

PAT 16
QR 17
RC 21
Bio 18
GC 16
OC 16
TS 17
AA 17

Anyways, I have 3 months to improve my score. I'm starting a new job full time so I'm going to be really busy. I get the basic idea of everything, but QR and my PAT I am tooooo slow, i need to improve my score. And for the sciences, I studied alot from kaplan and took alot of practice test, but realized the test I took was so much harder/detailed then kaplan has to offer. So the software/books I used last time majorly Kaplan, barrons, and used top score. I thought that would be enough, but I was wrong. I heard good things about DAT destroyer, and bought it right after I got my test.

Is there anything you can recommend to improve my score, I don't have too much time, but I want to efficiently improve my score? I am very frustrated with my 1st score, but like everyone that is on the forum, I don't want to give up my dream and regret not going/getting into dental school. 🙁

Thanks so much!!!!!!!!!!

 

[mantraman1010]

Well it also depends on the GPA you have, to classify whether those scores you have are competitive or not would have to be based on what your GPA is. Remember the averages obtained for incoming classes for dental school are simply statistical averages, which could range from scores much lower or much higher than shown. This is why the idea of having a competitve range of a DAT score would be overrated. There are so many other factors that play a role in what will get you into a dental school, and they all need equal focus. With the GPA I have right now I would be happy with your scores and go ahead and try to apply to dental school if you think the other aspects of your admission criteria are strong enough, like ec's and GPA and LORs, etc. Your scores do not seem too bad to me, in fact would seem just slightly below the average of most public dental schools. A friendly warning would be not to go by that Predents page, it is a good indicator, but you should remember that such a minor percentage of applicants are represented by this pool of applicants that show their stats on the page. Again, this is just my two cents, I have yet to take that, lol, we'll find out then. Anyways I wouldn't stress too much.

 

[dentaldentist]

You need to find a few hours each night to go over everything. Go back through the kaplan blue book to restudy the sciences. Three months is enough time, but you need to be focused and be productive each day. Carfefully read through Kaplan and Barrons that you already have and then move onto DAT Destroyer. As far as improving your time on the QR and PAT sections, you need to just keep doing practice problems and practice tests to get used to moving through these problems quickly. The more practice you do the faster and better you will get. It sounds like you have plenty of good resources, you just need to really absorb as much material as you can.

If you need additional practice problems and help for the QR section you can always try something like Kaplan's GRE Math book as the general GRE covers basically the same math concepts as the QR section on the DAT.

 

[pudz]

Hey,

the other guys are right, 3 months is def. enough time to work it out. And the above advice is terrific and i can't really say more except STAY STRONG!! you can definitely do it, your not too far off and you really want. I'm sure your scores with increase. But like he said you gotta work problems till you eyes bleed and then just let it go! you'll do fine!!! and make sure you have some experience in a dental office to beef up your app (and to learn a thing or too of course 😉 )

pudz