Post a Tip for Current DAT Studiers

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don't psych yourself out looking at all these high scores on SDN...oh and someone mentioned this before but i'll repeat it because i think its fitting: get some ass glue
 
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Try not to get overwhelmed. Always stay positive and believe in your abilities. Hard work always pays off so try to keep yourself motivated. Once the test is done you can do all the relaxing you want. :luck:
 
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1. try and absorb as much information as you can from your bio,chem, and ochem classes. you don't want your review in kaplan bb or whatever you use to be the first time that you are learning something. consider all of your relevant coursework as preparation for the DAT.

2. take as many practice tests as you can get your hands on. 😎
 
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DAT = $205
Score report per school after first five = $25
Retake delay = 90 days

Conclusion: Don't skimp on prep materials. They will probably cost you less than it will to retake and resubmit scores. Take it seriously the first time!
 
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Study for QR!! I went from a QR 14 to a QR 19 with only one month of studying. If I can do it, you can too. Also, don't go by your math grades..I'm pretty good at math..but QR requires speed.
 
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ftw said:
Study for QR!! I went from a QR 14 to a QR 19 with only one month of studying. If I can do it, you can too. Also, don't go by your math grades..I'm pretty good at math..but QR requires speed.
Click to expand...

what did you use to improve?
 
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ftw said:
Study for QR!! I went from a QR 14 to a QR 19 with only one month of studying. If I can do it, you can too. Also, don't go by your math grades..I'm pretty good at math..but QR requires speed.
Click to expand...

Absolutely agree! I consider myself very math savy. A's in calculus I, II and statistics. Math on QR is not hard, but I could never interpret certain problems quick enough and then execute it in time to succeed in this section. Practice practice practice. You need to know exactly how to execute the problem right when you read it.
 
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NEVER underestimate QR section, it a great and easy section to boost up your AA, so it to ur advantage. Start studying for the QR atleast 15 to 30 minuts a day for a few months. Do about 10 to 15 problems a day. What I used was DESTROYER MATH (book with 10 QR tests)
 
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Like someone mentioned earlier get your hands on as many tests as you can. I def saw some repeats on the actual DAT from Kaplan
 
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My #1 advice would probably be to get Crack DAT PAT (10 test version) for the PAT, worth every penny. I found the CDP questions to actually be harder (in some sections), so training with this ensures that when you get to the real DAT, the questions will be easier and thus you will get a better score.
 
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FutureDent020 said:
Absolutely agree! I consider myself very math savy. A's in calculus I, II and statistics. Math on QR is not hard, but I could never interpret certain problems quick enough and then execute it in time to succeed in this section. Practice practice practice. You need to know exactly how to execute the problem right when you read it.
Click to expand...

+1

3 Ls for when you become a dentist...location location location

3 Ps for what to do in order to get there...practice practice practice
 
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1. Do well in your classes. Not only this will help your GPA, it will decrease time to prepare for the DAT since you have fewer things to learn.

2. This test is far from measure of your intelligence. Just know that ANYONE can get over 23-24 with a solid preparation.
 
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Devise a schedule and stay consistent with it. Stay focused on DAT but don't forget to relax and give yourself some breathing room when you hit a mental block. Sometimes you will need that night off to come back better and more efficient the next day, so don't force it.
 
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I took the Kaplan Course, and they recommend to take one day off a week where you dont study, dont practice, dont talk about the DAT, nothing!

If you study hour after hour, day in and day out, you will start to find that you can sit there for 6 hours and absorb absolutely nothing. You need down time to go back refreshed in order to retain any information.

Also, PRACTICE...when people say practice makes perfect, they are absolutely right. Take full length tests as often as possible, atleast one a week!
 
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know that at some point during your studying, you WILL feel like you hit a brick wall and you'll feel like you're completely drained. If you can get past that and remain positive, i can guarantee that will be evident in your scores. Also don't let your perception of how you think you did on one section affect the next one. Take it one question at a time and focus on what's in front of you; not what's already done with of which you have no control over.

Lastly, relax! It's just an exam. In 10 years from now, you'll laugh over it with your dental buddies =)
 
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allstardentist said:
1. Do well in your classes. Not only this will help your gpa, it will decrease time to prepare for the dat since you have fewer things to learn.

2. This test is far from measure of your intelligence. Just know that anyone can get over 23-24 with a solid preparation. 👍👍
Click to expand...

1+
 
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A week prior to the test dont do a full length DAT, just review. DO 2-3 reading comp tests during that week though, so you dont forget your strategies. I went from an 18 RC on the test I took 8 days prior to a 24 on the real thing because of the two RC tests I took the week of. Thats my best advice!
 
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How did you study for QR? I am having a hard time with it as well.. Esp translating problems into equations. I have a Kap blue book, barrons book, and approx 8 practice tests I need to take before my actual DAT..
 
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Use the 15 minute break they give you. Give your mind that break. I only used like 3 or 4 minutes because I was just so anxious to finish the test. Also, practice taking the whole test with only the breaks that you would receive during the real thing. I was so exhausted during reading comprehension that I scored an 18, when on my practice tests I never scored less than a 21. It is long and exhausting, but feels so good when you are done!
 
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The important part is to find your weaknesses, and improve them. It looks better to get all 20ies then it is to a 24 in Bio then a 14 in QR (which happened to me). I spent alot of time trying to get my QR up, and I was just not fast enough. I was totally brain exhausted at the end of the test.

My other advice is to get in some sort of exercise, and plently of sleep while studying. I personally would go over flashcards while I was walking the dog, or on a stationary bike. I found I retained info better.

Also...Schedule your day so cover areas on a regular basis. I personally would start each day with PAT, and go onto QR for a couple of hours, then Bio then.... you get the point. This will allow for a more even score.

For RC I found that reading magazines like The Economist, and American Scientific helped with RC. Just an hour in bed at night really helped me. It helps to have a wide breadth of knowledge on the MCQ.
 
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New2Philly said:
For RC I found that reading magazines like The Economist, and American Scientific helped with RC. Just an hour in bed at night really helped me. It helps to have a wide breadth of knowledge on the MCQ.
Click to expand...

yeah i heard that Playboy has good articles...😛
 
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on test day, you may come to a point when you want to quit. during my RC section, S&D didn't work for my 1st passage. i had 25 mins left and hadn't begun the 2nd passage yet. i figured 25 mins left, 2 passages and 33 questions to go, i'm completely f'd. ended up with a 20 which isn't great, but decent enough.

during the exam you can hit some highs and lows, leave emotion at the door and work like a machine.
 
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i don't recommend people doing Search and Destroy.
it seems that the people with very high RC sections do NOT use S&D, but rather read the whole passage.

QR is really not that hard, yes it is wordy, but if you can do the Canadian Math Contests and score well on those, you can nearly guarantee yourself a 24+ on QR.

I got too cocky for GC and OC, I only went through the KBB once for OC, and completely winged GC. Don't be like me and try to cram the whole DAT into 3 weeks. I know I could definitely have done better if I had 1 more week, and possibly pull off an AA of 24 or higher.

As for Biology, I still don't think I could've done much better. I guess Cliff's AP Biology is a good idea, since there were quite a few questions on the DAT that Barron's AP Bio didn't cover at all.
 
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Don't get intimidated. Go in there with confidence and energy!

Stay organized throughout your studying!
 
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