Opinions?

[myshinyteethandme]

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So im scoring between 18+19 on Bootcamp's Pat and im starting to get really nervous because I can never seem to finish. Not to mention angles seem impossible! Also, I cant seem to break a 20 on RC...

 

[KT Fletcher]

In terms of timing for your PAT, that just comes through practice. Its important for you to know where you should be relative to the time they give you in the corner. For example, Kaplan suggests that you give TFE and Keyhole 12 minutes each, hole punching and angle ranking 5 minutes each, Cube counting 10 minutes, and pattern folding 15 minutes. But that is all personal preference. I preferred using 10 minutes per section. So for example, lets say I was out of time for TFE and by my schedule, it was time to move on. I would mark C, mark the question and move on with the test according to schedule I set up in my head. In reality though, TFE and Keyholes were harder so even though I allotted myself 10 minutes for hole punching and angle ranking, I wouldn't end up needing it. I would finish the test and have time to go back and fix any question I marked. My point being is your going to move a lot faster once you hit a section your stronger at so don't let the harder questions hold you back from scoring on the ones that are easy and the ones you're good at. All the points are the same and you should discriminate your time against questions as such. In practice of CDP, timing myself like this I was able to be around 23-24. 22 on the one bootcamp test they allow you for free. But on the real deal I got a 21. I wish I bought bootcamp because my particular test was more like bootcamp than it was CDP.

Also in my opinion on the bootcamp reading comp, the real DAT is much easier. I used the free bootcamp test and all of Kaplan's online and I never broke 18 on any of my tests. Not once... On the real thing I pulled a 21 simply reading and lightly mapping. So take the difficulty you have with a grain of salt...at least that was my experience.

 

[myshinyteethandme]

Thanks for the boost =) did you feel that the angles on the real exam were a bit easier than bootcamp?

 

[shonster460]

KT Fletcher is right! You just have to practice. Bootcamp PAT is great preparation for the test.

I was also getting 18-19 on the bootcamp tests and having difficulty finishing. I would also suggest that you take notes on your mistakes and see which sections you are weak in. Record how many you get wrong out of 15 for each of the six parts. For me I was getting 7-8/15 on angles so I did a lot of angle ranking with the generator at Bootcamp. I also decided to spend more time on keyholes, TFEs and patterns because I wasn't doing as well on these sections, whereas hole punching and cube counting was easy for me. Understanding why you make mistakes is important and understanding your strengths and weaknesses will help you understand how to distribute your time on the test.

Continue practicing. You'll find yourself eliminating answers faster (for keyhole and TFE) and being more systematic with your approach (hole punching, pattern folding). The pattern folding strategies that they show you in the bootcamp solutions are actually very clever and helpful. They helped me a ton. (If the black touches the bottom side then white must be on top, connecting corners, etc.) Study them!

Angles on the actual test are comparable. Maybe slightly easier. Keep on practicing. Do angle ranking questions over again too. You're not gonna remember them after a couple of days (at least I didn't).

 

[KT Fletcher]

Thanks for the boost =) did you feel that the angles on the real exam were a bit easier than bootcamp?

Angles were definitely on par with Bootcamp free test. maybe slightly easier than CDP but I still had the occasional one where I wasn't entirely sure I was right.

 

[futuredentist2]

Are you related to CT Fletcher? "I command you to grow"

 

[KT Fletcher]

Are you related to CT Fletcher? "I command you to grow"

hahahahhaahah I wasn't sure if anyone would make the connection. KT is just my initials. I'm not related in any way. I'm just big on lifting and I'm a fan of his workouts. I will say I got small studying for my DAT...no lifting for 3 weeks

 

[myshinyteethandme]

did you guys feel like the pat on your Dats was similar to 07/09 exams?

 

[KT Fletcher]

did you guys feel like the pat on your Dats was similar to 07/09 exams?

I didn't take either exam. I can't speak for other people because it depends on the questions they generate for you obviously but for my experience, bootcamp was on par with keyholes, tfe, angles, and pattern folding. I want to say they were close with hole punching but I sometimes got problems that were somewhat more difficult. By difficult I don't mean I couldn't figure it out, I mean that it took me more time than it usually does but that freaked me out during the exam so be ready for deviations from any timing plans you set up for yourself. In terms of cube counting, the real DAT is a joke. Kaplan, CDP, bootcamp always had 5 layers of blocks with missing pieces and such. On my real DAT, it was 3 layers at most. I also will say, be prepared for pattern folding with unorthodox shapes. I came in with a heavy background from CDP and Kaplan so I was ready to tackle a lot of cube questions but my test had no cubes at all. Again that depends on the test you take but I'm just warning you if you were like me and focused mostly on cubes to be prepared for it.

 

[futuredentist2]

I have been hitting the gym about once a week due to studying. Usually I don't miss a day without hitting the gym.
Gotta make sacrifices for success. The gains will come back once the test is over!!
Planning on doing mike rashid's overtraining chest workout after my DAT. Getting them myosin and actin to work under anaerobic respiration.