Preparing for the DAT! PLEASE HELP!

[molarseeker]

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I have been using the schedule set up by someone on this site where they say to use the Cliffs AP Bio book and the KBB Bio book. I was wondering if it would be adequate to use the MCAT ExamKrackers Biology book and the Cliffs instead of the KBB? KBB seems to be so bland to me.

Also, how do I schedule my DAT? I submitted my application and paid the 360 to send the scores to the schools. I have been waiting on an email and still havent received one. I sent in my application on 7/18 and now it is 8/5.

 

[BRZ24]

I have been using the schedule set up by someone on this site where they say to use the Cliffs AP Bio book and the KBB Bio book. I was wondering if it would be adequate to use the MCAT ExamKrackers Biology book and the Cliffs instead of the KBB? KBB seems to be so bland to me.

Also, how do I schedule my DAT? I submitted my application and paid the 360 to send the scores to the schools. I have been waiting on an email and still havent received one. I sent in my application on 7/18 and now it is 8/5.

Sometimes you won't get an email ( I didn't). Try going on prometric website and schedule the test. Put in your dentpin as the code and capitalize the first letter of your last name.

 

[molarseeker]

Sometimes you won't get an email ( I didn't). Try going on prometric website and schedule the test. Put in your dentpin as the code and capitalize the first letter of your last name.

Awesome! That worked! haha

Anyone have any advice for the biology?

 

[aces4dds]

Yeah, your MCAT bio book sounds fine b/c its content is probably similar to that of a DAT bio book. And you're right, KBB is very bland (i'm reading it right now) LOL

 

[molarseeker]

anyone else?

 

[foreveros]

ok, so examcrackers mcat book for bio is better than Kaplan bio portion. But, examcrackers lacks taxonomy stuff, but since you are complementing your examcrackers with cliffs AP bio you should have MORE THAN enough material for bio portion of the dat. Plus exam crackers, have color pictures(personally it helps me remember things better), but dont forget to study the material it lacks. Good luck.

Also in my signature there are some great summaries for taxonomy, and a lot more.

 

[molarseeker]

I dont think Examkrackers covers plant biology either.

 

[molarseeker]

Does anyone know how in depth the DAT is on physiology?

 

[LaughingGas]

I used many sources for DAT. Specifically for bio I used KBB, Destroyer, Kaplan Mcat Biology Review, old textbooks, DATQvault, examkrackers, cliffs AP, Barron's AP.I skimmed through all of them at least once.
KBB = Trash. Too detail on stuff that needs to be simplified and vice verse.
DATQvault = best prep
I personally used Kaplan Mcat Biology Review because it had really good illustrations and I noticed some contents are similar to KBB but are updated and I also used DATQvault to fill in the blank.
Examcrackers were on par with Kaplan book , but it was too dry for me and it seemed they left some details out that might be essential for human physiology.
Personally, if you have to maximize the time efficiency and learn most of DAT material from single book, I would recommend barron's AP biology. I read barrons after I finished studying everything (2 days before test) and It touched every subject without going too into detail.Only cons is, if you never encountered this subject, you might get lucky to understand the concepts but it would require more memorizing than understanding.
Best luck.

 

[quocstazz]

Examkracker is way too general. you have to understand that the MCAT test has passages which give backgrounds about the topics. As a result, MCAT studying materials aren't as in dept.

I did examkracker, then KBB, then Bio Cliff. After doing destroyers and DATqVault, I reread Bio Cliff. The only helpful thing about examkracker was the endocrine and the fetus circulatory. I also use schaum's biology near the end. Only use schaum's biology if you think you know most of bio materials already since the materials are really dense and compact.

 

[molarseeker]

Examkracker is way too general. you have to understand that the MCAT test has passages which give backgrounds about the topics. As a result, MCAT studying materials aren't as in dept.

I did examkracker, then KBB, then Bio Cliff. After doing destroyers and DATqVault, I reread Bio Cliff. The only helpful thing about examkracker was the endocrine and the fetus circulatory. I also use schaum's biology near the end. Only use schaum's biology if you think you know most of bio materials already since the materials are really dense and compact.

Would it be okay if I used EC, then went to Cliffs for the plant stuff?

 

[molarseeker]

Yes no?

 

[Glimmer1991]

Personally, I highly suggest REALLY learning the KBB Bio for the hormone section only. For everything else, REALLY know Barron's AP biology and Cliffs AP biology. It got me a 30. Don't spread yourself thin between too many resources; pick a few and master them fully.

Oh, and I completely agree about the KBB being boring. I couldn't concentrate at all when reading it! Hah!