Prep questions..practice scores...new to this!

[simpatica]

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Hi, all!
I'm new to posting in this forum, but of course I've stalked it for help with my pre-dental plans. I'm a junior in undergrad, but I studied abroad last semester and have only been pre-dentistry since last summer (I was pre-med...feel free to ask why, though some may say I did it because it's "easier"). Anyway! I've tried to get some prep material (KBB, Cliff's AP Bio, Chad's videos, and maybe Organic as a second language) and I'm giving myself until the end of April to take the DAT.

The thing is, I have some tough classes this semester and am wondering if it will be possible to do well on the DAT. I plan on devoting 18-20 hrs a week each month until the end of April, taking a practice test each month and then three in April. I've already done some shadowing (plan on doing more), did research last summer, and have a 3.6 GPA, 3.4 in the sciences. Thoughts?

Now for the questions:
1. Should I purchase Organic as a second language or just use my old orgo textbook? I made a B in the first and an A in the second, but I forgot a bunch of stuff still.

2. I've heard good things about the 8 week study schedule, but I just don't have that time or all the references. Any advice on how to study for this thing this semester?

3. And lastly, what are some things to do to increase my chances of doing well on the DAT and getting into dental school!? I still consider myself so new to this, regardless of how excited I am about it.

Oh...and here's a downer. I took the Kaplan diagnostic test online, and completely failed at life. Granted, I haven't actually started reallly studying for it, but still. Dang.

Bio 16
Gen Chem - 13 (kill me.)
Orgo - 14
PAT - 16
RC - 14
QR - 12 I hate math!

So, uh, yeah. I hate standardized tests! Is Kaplan very true to the DAT?! God, I hope not!


Sorry about the long post, but hopefully someone will tackle it. Thanks so much, guys! Can't wait to be a part of such a motivating community 🙂

 

[Blue87Fiero]

1. Should I purchase Organic as a second language or just use my old orgo textbook? I made a B in the first and an A in the second, but I forgot a bunch of stuff still.

I used the orgo as a second language when i took the class. They help but I think KBB, chad, and an occassional glance at you old book is all you need for a 20+

2. I've heard good things about the 8 week study schedule, but I just don't have that time or all the references. Any advice on how to study for this thing this semester?

Make a schedule that fits what you need. Use the 8 week schedule as guide and modify it. If personally would review with chads videos, CDP, and Cliffs a little bit through out the semester then spend 2 weeks in May hitting the books hard before the test.

3. And lastly, what are some things to do to increase my chances of doing well on the DAT and getting into dental school!? I still consider myself so new to this, regardless of how excited I am about it.

Increase of doing well on the DAT = Increase how much you study for the DAT

Don't worry about the kaplan or any of the practice test you take there just practice. I just took a practice test yesterday and got 17aa it doesn't matter its just practice.

Good luck

 

[TheDentist16]

First of all, welcome to SDN!

I commend you on studying for the DATs during the semester, that's quite a task to do especially with your upcoming difficult semester. Your goal for April seems well within your grasp, since you're doing ~20 hours a week for 4 months.

As for the questions, I agree with Blue87Fiero. Orgo as a second language is very useful, but don't rely on it 100%. Reference your old organic chemistry textbook as you go along if anything remains unclear. For the other material, personally I found that KBB didn't go into as much detail as I would have liked..so I supplemented with Chad's Videos. The results were amazing. I tried DAT Destroyer after KBB and knew maybe 40%. After Chad's, I knew about 95%.

The 8-week study schedule by dentalworks is really nice. I modeled my DAT studying from it, as I studied for about 7.5 weeks instead of 8. I highly recommend it, but as Blue87Fiero said, use it as a foundation for what to do during the semester. Obviously don't let your school grades drop, but also don't let DAT studying go to the backburner.

And as always, the DAT scores reflect the amount of work you put in. Granted there are sometimes unfair questions and/or RC passages, but your hard work will be rewarded. Best of luck to you!

 

[simpatica]

Thanks, guys! I appreciate it!