NaHoku,
In order to help you with your DAT question, I need a little more info from you.
1. Are your full practice test scores consistently in the low to mid teens?
2. How many weeks have you been studying for the DAT, and how many hours per day.
3. What has been your study method so far?
To answer your QR questions that you posted, my opinion is that the practice tests of the Barrons and Kaplan DAT books are very close to the real test. I only used these two books and I scored 21/21/21.
Here's the way I see it. Depending on your response to the 3 questions I listed above, I think that you may need to seek help to get a 3rd party point of view of why your progress is stalled.
Here's an option:
Enroll in a Kaplan Course. I am a Kaplan instructor; however, I am not trying to sell the services of Kaplan. I am just providing you with a different point of view.
In my opinion, the greatest benefit that I've seen for the Kaplan DAT students is for the PAT and QR section. Both of these topics are very difficult to learn on your own, especially if you are not mathematically inclined and you have never taken a technical graphics class.
During the science lectures, you will see what concepts you need to focus in. If you get a good instructor, the class will help you focus on the key concepts that will relate to the test. The hardest part of the test is trying to figure out what you need to know, and what you can ignore.
During the DAT class I just taught, several students did tell me that their RC numbers did increase using the reading strategies taught in the class.
You will also meet potential study partners in the class. Oleg, maybe you should enroll into a Kaplan class, you will finally meet some study partners.
Look, I've already read all the Kaplan DAT bashing threads. The negative comments I've read all have to do with the quality of the instructor they got. If you get a poor instructor, complain the the office, and demand to be placed into a different class. The amount of lecture, printed, and online material that Kaplan provides will increase your scores.
One last thing to keep in mind:
Lets say that you want to take the test this March or April. A strong test this spring would allow you apply into AADSAS in May, which is the perfect time to get reviewed for fall interviews.
If your DAT score is average this spring (16-17), your chances of a fall interview dramatically decreases. You won't be able to retake the test until 90 days later.
By the time the schools get to re-review your DAT scores, it will be around August or Sept (it could even be longer). By then, you have missed the interview invites for fall. Fall interviews gives the highest chances for acceptance.
You really want a strong DAT performance in spring.
Hi guys, 
