Not taking DAT Prep course, is it a bad idea?
Started by Ellabelle
I don't think I've seen anyone recommend a DAT prep course. Most of the people who post saying they took a prep course have said it was a mediocre way to prepare for the DAT. I would also recommend checking out the La DATelisse thread Glimmer has been keeping alive:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=992975
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=992975
I think a lot of people here did well without a prep course. Kaplan is overpriced and not really all that helpful.
If you utilize Chad's Videos, DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer, either Cliff's AP Bio or Barron's BIO, along with CrackDAT and Achiever you should be good to go. A lot of people use QVault and TopScore as well. All the aforementioned materials combined are less than most prep courses and probably far more useful.
Part of it depends on your situation, are you an undergrad that just took pre-reqs?
If you utilize Chad's Videos, DAT Destroyer and Math Destroyer, either Cliff's AP Bio or Barron's BIO, along with CrackDAT and Achiever you should be good to go. A lot of people use QVault and TopScore as well. All the aforementioned materials combined are less than most prep courses and probably far more useful.
Part of it depends on your situation, are you an undergrad that just took pre-reqs?
You definitely do not have to take a prep course to do well. Many people here get in the 90+% with self-study.
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Don't waste the ridiculous amounts of money on the Kaplan course. You totally don't need it. Self study, and then take all of the money you saved and buy yourself something really nice when you kill the test! 😀
Don't take a prep course just save the money for the application process.
I'm not saying that the prep course is great, but if you have the money and aren't "studying on a budget" I would say go ahead and take the class BUT make sure to self study along with it (Chad's videos, Cliff's/Barrons AP Bio, CDP, Achiever, TopScore. qVault, etc.). As others have said, self-study is more than enough, but taking a prep course will not hurt anything but your wallet.
The only benefit of a prep course is that if gets your butt in a seat. You pay an inordinate amount of money, so you won't blow off studying. If you have the drive to say now to your friends when they invite you to go surfing because you are studying. Don't do it. I didn't, and I was pleased with my scores. It is a waste of money as most have said above.
i guess it depends on how comfortable you are with the fundamentals. a friend who took the kaplan course said it was a HUGE waste of money. i have read chad's videos are great and are basically like taking a course without leaving your home (and cheaper than taking one too).
Not taking a DAT Prep course will probably be the BEST idea you ever have. Waste of time and money.
Agreed...two friends of mine and myself all got 22+ AA on DAT, and we never took any DAT prep courses
I know a friend who took the Kaplan prep course, and he said it was useless. They basically just go over the Kaplan book and give you assignments and mini-tests.
Kaplan DAT book, Crack PAT, Cliffs/Barrons AP Bio (I used Cliffs), and Barrons DAT for math is more than sufficient. Chad's video would be a good supplement to help you understand some concepts.
I never used TopScore or anything else. Only program I would wholeheartedly recommend is the Crack PAT program, truly most accurate rendition of the real PAT.
I know a friend who took the Kaplan prep course, and he said it was useless. They basically just go over the Kaplan book and give you assignments and mini-tests.
Kaplan DAT book, Crack PAT, Cliffs/Barrons AP Bio (I used Cliffs), and Barrons DAT for math is more than sufficient. Chad's video would be a good supplement to help you understand some concepts.
I never used TopScore or anything else. Only program I would wholeheartedly recommend is the Crack PAT program, truly most accurate rendition of the real PAT.
If you dont mind spending the money their online material is really good. I took it and liked it but then again it was a lot of money.
I think this is absolutely key. I think the biggest problem people have is that they think kaplan will prepare them 100% for the DAT. If you're looking to kill it you have to put in the hours with these resources and the DAT destroyer
