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A few days ago I read a thread started by Joefosho315 regarding a question error in the GC section of the real DAT. Joe I hope you dont mind me quoting you here:
"Problems during the exam: So everything was going smoothly during the science section, until I hit the 2nd to last question or so on the gchem section. I don't know exactly what was going on, but it was a question about radioactive decay I believe, but the equation was not displaying properly. The numbers and elements were distorted so that I could net tell which elements and which isotopes were being created or emitted. For example, it would display hydrogen as H 7 3 2 and nitrogen as 1 4 4 1 N. I was really confused as to what was happening, and started panicking, so spent at least 6 minutes trying to figure out how to solve the problem."
I took my DAT in January and had the same question and the same problems with it. Additionally I had a problem on the orgo section where the the carbons of the carbon backbone were not properly connected. I know many others have had these same problem and I have spoken to several people who have contacted the ADA regarding these issues but I am disappointed to see that there is nothing we are able to do. It seems suspicious to that whenever someone has a problem with something on their exam, the ADA seems unable to help. Instead, they give you Kathy Hinshaw's fax number to which we are supposed to fax a written complaint. Her usual reply is that retaking the exam is the only thing we can do. In speaking to many people about this issue I have learned that her responses never include discussion about the erroneous question. There is never any confirmation as to whether or not the question was, in fact, erroneous, or if it was correct as written and intended to be depicted as such.
Im sure Im not the only person who feels that we deserve a better explanation about these errors that commonly appear on the DAT. In my opinion, they are purposefully incorporated into the exam as time traps. If that is the case, I still feel that the ADA should inform us that such questions may be incorporated so that we know what to expect and how to better prepare for such a situation. As test takers, I believe that we have that right.
With all this said, I was wondering what other experiences people have had with erroneous DAT questions and how they have gotten their issues resolved? Has anyone been able to receive more information about their specific problem than just a simple reply stating that the exam could be voided and a retake granted?
My point for this post is that if we cant get more answers there is a flaw with the system and we need to do something about it. I personally intend to contact Kathy regarding this issue, and Im interested to hear about other peoples' experiences.
Thanks for you comments.
"Problems during the exam: So everything was going smoothly during the science section, until I hit the 2nd to last question or so on the gchem section. I don't know exactly what was going on, but it was a question about radioactive decay I believe, but the equation was not displaying properly. The numbers and elements were distorted so that I could net tell which elements and which isotopes were being created or emitted. For example, it would display hydrogen as H 7 3 2 and nitrogen as 1 4 4 1 N. I was really confused as to what was happening, and started panicking, so spent at least 6 minutes trying to figure out how to solve the problem."
I took my DAT in January and had the same question and the same problems with it. Additionally I had a problem on the orgo section where the the carbons of the carbon backbone were not properly connected. I know many others have had these same problem and I have spoken to several people who have contacted the ADA regarding these issues but I am disappointed to see that there is nothing we are able to do. It seems suspicious to that whenever someone has a problem with something on their exam, the ADA seems unable to help. Instead, they give you Kathy Hinshaw's fax number to which we are supposed to fax a written complaint. Her usual reply is that retaking the exam is the only thing we can do. In speaking to many people about this issue I have learned that her responses never include discussion about the erroneous question. There is never any confirmation as to whether or not the question was, in fact, erroneous, or if it was correct as written and intended to be depicted as such.
Im sure Im not the only person who feels that we deserve a better explanation about these errors that commonly appear on the DAT. In my opinion, they are purposefully incorporated into the exam as time traps. If that is the case, I still feel that the ADA should inform us that such questions may be incorporated so that we know what to expect and how to better prepare for such a situation. As test takers, I believe that we have that right.
With all this said, I was wondering what other experiences people have had with erroneous DAT questions and how they have gotten their issues resolved? Has anyone been able to receive more information about their specific problem than just a simple reply stating that the exam could be voided and a retake granted?
My point for this post is that if we cant get more answers there is a flaw with the system and we need to do something about it. I personally intend to contact Kathy regarding this issue, and Im interested to hear about other peoples' experiences.
Thanks for you comments.
