OMG Im freakin' out!!!!help

[sjl86]

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I am taking DAT on 14th of August and i feel like i'm gonna do reeeally bad on it.

I already postponed it from 8th of Aug

I took several Kaplan practice exams and even though i study.. it doesn't seem like i am improving much or not at all. (embarrassed to give my scores lol)

How long did u guys study for DAT? is 2 mo too little time to get the scores that i want? (crossing my fingers that i will get 20 overall)

and i still have not completed my application, I still have LOE to be completed and transcript was sent this week. I think i might have everything ready by the end of sept. uhmmmm. is it gonna be too late for this cycle????

I am not sure what i am really doing T.T. so help me out guys plz.

 

[DDSguyLA]

dont let your scores bring you down.
learn from them

 

[Kkae]

Ok first thing's first: C-H-I-L-L! calm down, dont freak out. Thats the worste thimg u can possibly do.
I haven't taken the DATs yet but i can still give u some feedback. First of all its not about smarts but consistency.
The fact that ur grades, like u said, are low. It simply means u have some more material to cover or it means that u just have to get a better understanding of the materials covered.
Its not about the amt. of time u spend studying but the quality of study u get done (whatever the time) Quality > quantity.

Try to relax, take a deep breath and go over ur weak areas. Use Kaplan and Destroyer (if u have them) as guidelines. They'll basically make u aware of what u know and don't know to date.

In the mean time visit this thread (hope u find it useful):
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=546555

 

[Bruinlove]

Calm down. You will be fine. But, try to complete the application asap.

 

[doc3232]

Some of Kaplan tests are tough, which one did you do bad on?

 

[Xtian]

I'm in the same boat. I totally understand how you feel. I've done horribly on my Kaplan tests too. But let me say,

1. It really helps to take an hour walk everyday and get some exercise. It will help you concentrate and relax.

2. Make sure you get a foundation in what your studying if you feel completely lost. I read the blue book from Kaplan and skipped stuff that I knew, but looked at all the answers in the chapter quizzes.

3. Find alternative locations to study in, coffee shops, your backyard, whatever. This helps break it up.

4. If you drink coffee, switch to green tea. This really helped me mellow out and I still get a kick in the morning.

5. Get enough sleep.

Like I said, I'm in the same boat, I think I suck at taking standardized test, but never knew it. Just keep plugging along. And if all else fails you can always move back the date if you're not ready a week before the exam.

Xtian

 

[TeamGuo]

I'm in the same boat. I totally understand how you feel. I've done horribly on my Kaplan tests too. But let me say,

1. It really helps to take an hour walk everyday and get some exercise. It will help you concentrate and relax.

2. Make sure you get a foundation in what your studying if you feel completely lost. I read the blue book from Kaplan and skipped stuff that I knew, but looked at all the answers in the chapter quizzes.

3. Find alternative locations to study in, coffee shops, your backyard, whatever. This helps break it up.

4. If you drink coffee, switch to green tea. This really helped me mellow out and I still get a kick in the morning.

5. Get enough sleep.

Like I said, I'm in the same boat, I think I suck at taking standardized test, but never knew it. Just keep plugging along. And if all else fails you can always move back the date if you're not ready a week before the exam.

Xtian

but I like coffee... kk

Good luck guys.

 

[Xtian]

me too...

 

[sjl86]

thanks guys

i'll try to chillll kkkk

well i tried green tea today. hope it helps haha

 

[yakuza]

If you REALLY want to stay up, get these caffeine pills called Vivaran. You can get'em at your local grocery store or pharmacy. But only take HALF, unless you feel like you need more.

 

[drzakisadiq]

okay i can tell you something right now...DO NOT TAKE CAFFEINE PILLS

not a good a idea, it will make you even more strung out and you won't be able to absorb any info.

The best thing to do is create a high yield study plan. Figure out what you are getting wrong on your practice exams and go over those topics in depth. Make outlines, and review them. Definitely get some exercise, and do not overstudy, there will come a point where your brain just can't give it a 100% because it's tired, it's happened to me before.

 

[kush87]

.

 

[Xtian]

meditate on the intricacies of science and try to enjoy yourself. make it interesting...

 

[winkipink]

yeah definitely chill. i was like that my first time taking the DAT. hyperthyroid action anytime I heard the word DAT. How are your study habits? Make sure you understand each concept and are able to apply them to other questions because memorizing kaplan will not do any good. A good way to help focus (for me) is to study at night when everyone is sleeping. My job was nice enough to give me 3 weeks off.

Caffeine pills are ok, i take about half a pill because I can do without the coffee calories (i put lots of sugars and cream). But I do find if i take it I get jittery and its actually counter productive.

Green tea definitely helps. I drink hot oolong tea. Iono maybe mine has alot of caffeine because it soothes me yet wakes me up. This helps for focusing.

Buy a calendar, write a list of the things you need to go through, and assign them to different days until each item on your list is on the calendar at least twice until test day. You can't just go through everything once. Practice makes perfect. Good luck 🙂

 

[queencrown]

I completely understand!! I am in the same boat..thanks guys for your ideas...I am freaking out too I am not doing good in kaplan practice tests and horrible in destroyer, I sended my app. already but just last week (too late?) I am trying to work on 'schedule' but seems like I spend more time than scheduled for everything :S I am really stressed out...I've been studying since 10 am until like 2 am with some breaks for the past 3 daysss..going crazyyyyyy...I have to do really good because my gpa is not competitive..I do have A LOT of dental experience and good letters..still so worried, I am supposed to be taking it the 14th of august..and I still need oc,gc,bio and qr practice!! I am really good at PAT and rc.....when I read people getting 27's and 30's in sciences...booooo wanna cryyyyyyyy...

 

[winkipink]

remember those are people taht are proud enough to post their scores. not everyone posts their scores here so dont get discouraged. use it to push urself. you can do it! 👍