Overwhelmed, need advice (4 weeks left)

[Psa]

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Hey everyone!

I started studying couple weeks ago, and so far I've gone over Cliffs bio, Kaplan whitebook bio, and Chad's videos orgo&Gchem. I haven't done any practice questions/tests other than chad's quizzes and PAT questions from KBB.

I'm planning on starting Destroyer, and Crack DAT PAT next. I also bought DAT Bootcamp, Crack DAT reading, ADA practice test 2007, 2009. Debating on buying Topscore.

My questions:

When should take DAT bootcamp tests (I heard last week before the test)? and should I take them as a full test or by sections?

I'm planning on taking 2007 ada practice test the last week as a confidence booster. Should I take any practice test before I start destroyer? (Just to see where I'm standing after Cliffs/KBB/Chads videos)

I need some tips on how to manage my time with the studying materials I have. I've spent a lot of money on all the study material and I'm feeling very overwhelmed now since I don't know how to manage to use them within these last 4 weeks of my studying. Any tips are welcome! Thank you so much.

 

[Illfavor]

I don't know anything about Kaplan white book, but with 4 weeks out you appear to be in good shape.

Practice tests are diagnostic tools and not necessarily accurate predictors of test performance. Use them as such. I tended to take one every few days, just to see where I was weak. I would take a Bootcamp test every 5 days or so, and try and reserve as much of the last week as possible for straight review. Practice tests aren't as important as exposure, but you look fine here.

Taking anything is a risky proposition. I took my final Bootcamp test the day before my test and expected a confidence boost since I had been averaging around a 24AA, and it ended up being my absolute worst score of the set.

Start Destroyer now. You don't have that much in terms of Bio so I would recommend going through Destroyer Bio at least twice for you, unless you're going to get other materials. Again, I don't know the KWB, but bio covers everything you can imagine and it's the one section that you really can't be exposed to too much material.

"Seeing where you stand" doesn't really matter that much right now. You need to study hard no matter what. Now, when you're 2 weeks out, you'll want a better idea, since that's when you can debate rescheduling if needed or adjust your strategy.

In summary: Get started on Destroyer now. I don't know how much time you have to study, but Destroyer can be done in about 3 days if that's all you do. When I did it, I was inching through it while reviewing, then on my second run through I was essentially just review. Start CDP now as well, and space out your tests are reviews. You didn't mention math so I assume you're good there? I don't know anything about CDR, but it never hurts to space out your tests.

 

[themrn]

dude i have 3 weeks till the end of the world.

 

[We Are PS]

After I finished Cliff's and Chad's I went straight to Destroyer. I would say go straight to Destroyer before any practice test because Destroyer is a true study aid. If you use it the right way Destroyer has a lot of potential to teach you a great amount of information. By that, I mean understanding why every answer is wrong/right etc.

After Destroyer I would recommend you start taking your practice tests because they are a tool to help you realize any of your weaknesses and holes that Destroyer may not have covered. I think I did a Bootcamp test (BIO, GC, and ORG in one day) every other day beginning two weeks from my test. I felt the exact same way as you about a month before the DAT because it just felt like I had so much to do, so much material to cover. I think you're in good shape though. Good luck!

 

[Psa]

I don't know anything about Kaplan white book, but with 4 weeks out you appear to be in good shape.

Practice tests are diagnostic tools and not necessarily accurate predictors of test performance. Use them as such. I tended to take one every few days, just to see where I was weak. I would take a Bootcamp test every 5 days or so, and try and reserve as much of the last week as possible for straight review. Practice tests aren't as important as exposure, but you look fine here.

Taking anything is a risky proposition. I took my final Bootcamp test the day before my test and expected a confidence boost since I had been averaging around a 24AA, and it ended up being my absolute worst score of the set.

Start Destroyer now. You don't have that much in terms of Bio so I would recommend going through Destroyer Bio at least twice for you, unless you're going to get other materials. Again, I don't know the KWB, but bio covers everything you can imagine and it's the one section that you really can't be exposed to too much material.

"Seeing where you stand" doesn't really matter that much right now. You need to study hard no matter what. Now, when you're 2 weeks out, you'll want a better idea, since that's when you can debate rescheduling if needed or adjust your strategy.

In summary: Get started on Destroyer now. I don't know how much time you have to study, but Destroyer can be done in about 3 days if that's all you do. When I did it, I was inching through it while reviewing, then on my second run through I was essentially just review. Start CDP now as well, and space out your tests are reviews. You didn't mention math so I assume you're good there? I don't know anything about CDR, but it never hurts to space out your tests.

Thanks for the detailed reply! I have the older version of Kaplan review book; it has white cover (same material).

I started destroyer today and I'm planning on doing destroyer (bio,gchem,orgo) everyday until I go over the whole thing twice. CDP and math destroyer practice test every other day. I have no idea how to deal with CDR. I'll probably just take a test whenever I have time. What do you mean by space out your tests?

After I finished Cliff's and Chad's I went straight to Destroyer. I would say go straight to Destroyer before any practice test because Destroyer is a true study aid. If you use it the right way Destroyer has a lot of potential to teach you a great amount of information. By that, I mean understanding why every answer is wrong/right etc.

After Destroyer I would recommend you start taking your practice tests because they are a tool to help you realize any of your weaknesses and holes that Destroyer may not have covered. I think I did a Bootcamp test (BIO, GC, and ORG in one day) every other day beginning two weeks from my test. I felt the exact same way as you about a month before the DAT because it just felt like I had so much to do, so much material to cover. I think you're in good shape though. Good luck!

Thanks for the detailed reply! I'll definitely go over destroyer at least once before doing any practice tests. How many times did you go over chads quizzes?

 

[We Are PS]

Thanks for the detailed reply! I'll definitely go over destroyer at least once before doing any practice tests. How many times did you go over chads quizzes?

I only did them once. I started to do them again the week before my test but I think I only did the first three because at that point I was getting really lazy and I didn't want to study anymore. It's not a bad idea to do them twice though.

 

[manalirs]

I was in a similar situation. I gave my self 8-10 days to finish the destroyer. I would do practice the questions from destroyer like the real test. 40 in bio, 30 in GC and OC each and 40 in math destroyer each day. that way you will get it done in 10 days. I would do 1 CDP test every 2 days since I had 10 CDP tests and 3 achievers test only to practice from. And I would go over my notes once in 12 days to refresh my memory on the little details that I kept forgetting and would use it as a way to do better on the practice problems. In the last week, I reviewed the roadmaps provided in destroyer for O-chem and my notes, touched up on some bio topics that gave me most trouble, and took 2 full length tests. The day before, I just didn't feel like doing anything, which was actually good otherwise I would be just become very nervous. I was able to do really well on the test and I am sure you will too. good luck studying 🙂