Question about actual DAT exam

[dentistry190]

Hi everyone,

I'm taking my DAT this week and had some questions about the actual testing procedures:
- During the 15 minute tutorial at the beginning, are you allowed to write down formulas/draw out PAT stuff on the laminated sheets?
- After the natural sciences section, does a screen pop up where you must click begin to start the PAT section (like for the DAT Bootcamp practice tests) or does the PAT section instantly start? If the former is true, can I swap out my laminated sheets for new ones during that screen before starting the PAT?
- Is the optional break between the PAT and RC section 15 or 30 minutes? the ASDA page says 30 minutes in the chart but describes the break as 15 minutes.

Also in anyone's experience, how did your DAT Bootcamp practice test scores correlate with your actual DAT score? Were any sections noticeably easier/more difficult?

Thanks for all the help!

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[DentTreadOnMe]

1. It depends on the testing center. I took mine in a pro metric in Charlotte NC and they didn’t say anything about NOT writing, so I wrote my hole punch tables and cube counting tables during the tutorial time. However, I have read that some testing Centers don’t allow this, so it’s luck of the draw.

2. A screen does pop up, yes, but if I remember correctly, your time starts when that intro screen comes up. You won’t be able to swap out your sheets without being on the clock.

3.break was 30 min

4. I only did the FREE bootcamp tests. Scores were pretty close except for math which on my test (mind you this is only MY test) was more like DAT QVault math in terms of difficulty and question variety. However, like I said, I didn’t do all of bootcamp, just free tests.

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Hi everyone,

I'm taking my DAT this week and had some questions about the actual testing procedures:
- During the 15 minute tutorial at the beginning, are you allowed to write down formulas/draw out PAT stuff on the laminated sheets?
- After the natural sciences section, does a screen pop up where you must click begin to start the PAT section (like for the DAT Bootcamp practice tests) or does the PAT section instantly start? If the former is true, can I swap out my laminated sheets for new ones during that screen before starting the PAT?
- Is the optional break between the PAT and RC section 15 or 30 minutes? the ASDA page says 30 minutes in the chart but describes the break as 15 minutes.

Also in anyone's experience, how did your DAT Bootcamp practice test scores correlate with your actual DAT score? Were any sections noticeably easier/more difficult?

Thanks for all the help!

It is always best to call you test center directly, even better you can do the test drive that is offered at all testing centers. You can take a mock test on the computer you will be using and ask questions. It helps calm nerves too.

TAKE A TEST DRIVE BEFORE EXAM DAY
Prometric: Trusted Test Development and Delivery Provider

We believe that familiarizing yourself with the look and feel of the computer-based testing environment in advance of your exam will minimize pre-test mistakes such as getting lost on the way

to the center or failing to arrive with the correct I.D. and paperwork. Being better prepared for the test experience will allow you to perform better the day of your test.

Prometric offers the test takers of select exams the opportunity to take a 30-minute "dry–run" of the test center experience prior to their exam, whenever the test center has available appointments. The program, called Test Drive, allows candidates to walk through, on a practice basis, all check-in and testing procedures that occur at the test center on test day.


Good luck

Nancy

 

[AppalachianDentalBoy]

^do the test drive
1. I was not allowed to write on it.
2. Yes
3. 30 minutes
4. I went up for all but biology. BC average bio score was a 24-25ish yet I got a 21 lol

 

[zToothinator]

During the 15 minute tutorial at the beginning, are you allowed to write down formulas/draw out PAT stuff on the laminated sheets?

I was told to not write anything on the sheets until the test started. However, I had some extra time at the end of the natural sciences to begin writing down things for PAT.

After the natural sciences section, does a screen pop up where you must click begin to start the PAT section (like for the DAT Bootcamp practice tests) or does the PAT section instantly start? If the former is true, can I swap out my laminated sheets for new ones during that screen before starting the PAT?

After finishing the natural sciences, you'll be brought to the PAT intro page and the timer will start. If you have some leftover time after finishing the natural sciences, you can swap out your sheets prior to finishing and transitioning to the PAT section.

Is the optional break between the PAT and RC section 15 or 30 minutes? the ASDA page says 30 minutes in the chart but describes the break as 15 minutes.

30 minutes.

Also in anyone's experience, how did your DAT Bootcamp practice test scores correlate with your actual DAT score? Were any sections noticeably easier/more difficult?

My DAT Bootcamp practice scores were 1-3 points lower than my actual score. Most scores were very similar in difficulty. However, reading for me was much easier on the actual DAT. The passages and questions were both easier for my test.

 

[Iroh]

My center never mentioned anything to me so I just wrote down some tables and formulas so I wouldn’t have to waste time if certain questions came up.

They never came up.

I only took Bootcamps free practice tests for the individual sciences. Used Destroyer only and got 25 Bio, 24 GC, 22 OC.


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[deleted767916]

1: I was not allowed to write anything, I wouldn't risk it either since they could void your exam if they don't allow it and catch you in their video surveillance.

2: It will INSTANTLY start; if you finish early however a pop-up screen will show up where u can start earlier if you wish but YOU CAN'T GO BACK

3: 30 minutes

4: Bootcamp scores were lower for all sections compared to my exam; but this varies a lot so I wouldn't even consider this when taking the exam to be quite honest.