Only 9 days left and...

[deleted371318]

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Hi guys,

I have only 9 days left and getting concerned and panic more and more.
I have done 7 tests of qvault biology so far and the scores are like 16, 18, 18, 18, 18, 16, and 18. I feel like I know stuff but not sufficiently on some topics 🙁
I also recently took Topcore #1 and my score of NS was 17 (bio 16, gc 18, oc 16).
I have gone thru half of Destroyer GC & OC and 2/3 of Destroyer Bio.

I feel like I have to go thru again contents that I am especially weak at such as physiology part, evolution, ecology, animal behavior, animal diversity, and plants for biology and mechanisms & reactions for organic chemistry. At the same time, though, since many people suggest destroyer a lot, especially for GC & OC, I was gonna finish them before the exam. The problem here is insufficient time for both of contents review & problem solving 🙁 Can anybody give advice on what to do from now on for 9 days by any chance? Do you think it will be more efficient to re-go over contents & review problems I have solved so far than just keeping solving the rest of the destroyer problems and reviewing wrong questions for 2 days before the exam?

Btw I think Im in good shape for PAT & QR and not bad at RC but do you think I still need to keep in touch with them at least every other day to stay familiar with the materials OR should I just focus on science sections only?

I assume many people would think that I should reschedule the exam to give myself more time for both contents review & problem solving but unfortunately I cant reschedule the exam bc of important family stuff. That is saying that I have to retake the exam early September if I dont get satisfactory score and do you think it could cause such a huge problem leading to inability to get accepted into any dental schools this cycle?

Thanks for your help in advance!

 

[deleted371318]

Any ideas/opinions/suggestions are welcome 🙂

 

[MelonDew]

Honestly I would just reschedule the exam. You said you can't because of family issues but if your planning on re-taking it in September then you might as well study until September then take it your first time then.

What you get in Topscore is around what you will get on the real thing, Topscore may even inflate your scores.

It will cost you money but it is the smart thing to do.

 

[deleted371318]

Thanks for your opinion.

Do you think it will be okay to take it & apply in September though? Is it not too late?

Besides, can you give me any opinions on those scores from practice tests?
18, 18, and 19 from Kaplan online practice tests
19 from Topscore #1

I usually get 22-23 on PAT & QR, 18-19 on RC, and 18-19 on NS (mostly lowest scores on BIO & OC). Any opinions about a chance to improve my science section in 9 days?

Thanks again!

 

[IsaacYankem]

Thanks for your opinion.

Do you think it will be okay to take it & apply in September though? Is it not too late?

Besides, can you give me any opinions on those scores from practice tests?
18, 18, and 19 from Kaplan online practice tests
19 from Topscore #1

I usually get 22-23 on PAT & QR, 18-19 on RC, and 18-19 on NS (mostly lowest scores on BIO & OC). Any opinions about a chance to improve my science section in 9 days?

Thanks again!

September would be late for this cycle, but a subpar DAT would torpedo the whole cycle anyway. So it's a balancing act. If you're adamant on improving science in 9 days, identify your weakness. Rewatch any Chad's videos you're not clear and make sure you understand it. For Bio, Craig Savage's youtube videos really tied things together well for me and you can watch them @ 1.5x speed.

It's doable, but basically be learning something DAT related 12 hours a day for the next 9 days and you should be good. Good luck!

 

[MelonDew]

Again from what I've seen on this forum most people who get a 18-19 on the Achiever tests get around 20+ on the real thing but every knows that Achiever is much harder then TopScore. In fact I think the Topscore PAT section is a joke. If you really want to know how you are doing then take an Achiever test.

My comment on September was to emphasis a point. Since your thinking about retaking, why don't you just reschedule it to a date in July or August? Is your family thing really going to keep you busy for 2 months?

I think you need at least 2-4 weeks more of intense study.

 

[deleted371318]

Thanks for your input, IsaacYankem & MelonDew.

Since I also read posts Topscore PAT doesnt mean much, I used CDP for PAT section. Thanks for the useful info though.

I am actually not getting ready for retaking but I think that retaking idea just came from my nervousness at this moment. Nothing could be better if I wont need to retake the exam, of course. I will still take more practice tests, Topscore #2 & #3 (again using CDP), and ADA 2009 and hope those tests could provide more accurate evaluation about where I am and what to do.

Lastly, the family thing is actually my first baby is coming in June and I will be helping my wife for baby care 🙂 Since it is hard to picture myself how the "new" world with my baby would be, it is hard for me to reschedule the exam, especially time-wise (when to take it). But like your advice I should think more considerably after those remaining practice exams.

Thanks once again!

 

[LaughingGas]

I personally think you should retake. My actual bio scores reflected similar to bio qvault.

In case you must take this time:
1)You know you are weak on physio/evolution/etc. Review those.
2) Do Chads for ochem. There are no mechanisms in actual DAT. There were only simple reactions. memorize the road map. Know the ranking of acidity/base/ SN,E.
3) I feel destroyer is only good to review ONLY, if you have some basics and time to do them. If you don't, it's better to reinforce the foundations rather than do problems which you don't understand.
Just to encourage you, my topscore scores for NS 3 days before actual test were bio 17,gc17,oc16. I did much better on the actual.

You can make a miracle 🙂 Only you know your capabilities.
Best luck.

 

[deleted371318]

Thanks for your encouraging post, LaughingGas 🙂

Like you said I will go back to my original mindset that I would take the basics down first of all. Then I will see how it goes thru ADA 2009 practice exam since many people say it is the best estimator.

Thanks again!

 

[MelonDew]

I sincerely wish you the best of luck. I said 2-4 weeks with an estimate of around 4 hours of study each day. But I feel you can do it in much less time if you study for 10 hours+ a day.

 

[deleted371318]

Thanks MelonDew for your wish.
Ive been trying to study about 10 hrs per day; omg it is not easy but Im still trying!! 🙂
Thanks again!

 

[y3nd0]

Oh my gosh, we are in the same boat. xD

I glazed over OC and Bio the first times I've reviewed them. I am still hazy on the reactions and am extremely fluffy on Bio. My exam is next Tuesday but I am so ready to buckle down over the week and cram my arse off! Totally doable as the material isn't rocket science - just pure memorization and little application.

Let's do this together! We can do it! 😀

 

[deleted371318]

Thank god I have a company!! 🙂
Yes I think my problem is being lazy on mus-memorize stuff...
Although I got 2 more 18 scores on 2 more tests since yesterday for bio section, I am "STILL" holding my hope tightly and struggling haha
Besides, not happily I got 18, 20, and 20 for Bio, GC, and OC respectively on ADA 2007, which is supposed to be super easy for most of people here 🙁
Have you taken that exam? Am I in a big trouble?