re: Help! Aimlessly studying for the DAT's and taking the Kaplan Course

[DDsTom]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi Everyone,

I?m new to this forum?really great stuff! I am hoping that some of you will give me some solid advice on DAT preparations. Basically this is what I?ve done so far:

? Lost a $1000 at Kaplan. Real bummer when that happens. Seriously, I feel the course goes way too fast and just outlines stuff I should already know about--especially after I took all the pre-med classes. Nonetheless, it?s my own fault for not looking more into what the course the course entails.

? I?ve also read the ordinary Kaplan DAT {the one that can be purchased at B&N). I did that twice so far. I?ve also purchased the Scholarware CD and have yet to do the exams?don?t feel ready yet.

Basically, I?m wondering if I should be doing the questions in the Kaplan course lesson book or should I skip that all together and go straight into the Scholarware CD? I understand that more preparation is a good thing and can't hurt, but what I?m really looking for someone to give it to me straight and help me be as efficient possible. I looked at some of the questions in that book and thought some were pretty tough and perhaps I?m no way near ready!

Lastly, I?ve read from some of the posts that I should be ?memorizing? the B&N DAT book and doing the Q?s in just the scholarware stuff. Does this really prep me for what's to be seen on the DAT's?

Please help, any input will be great and much appreciated.

DDSTom

 

[croco]

The fat DAT book is a very important tool in doing well on the DAT in my opinion, however i would recommend you look into the MCAT preparation book especially for biology. It is more in depth of what you will need to know for the test. The DAT Kaplan book does a poor job in some areas such as the circulatory system that the MCAT does a good job in. So look at the two of them, but the rest of th book you should memorize.

 

[Comet208]

Tom,

1. The Kaplan course is a review course, it is intended to review things and answer your questions, not to teach you. DAT is still doable if you dont have a solid foundation in those subjects, but it makes your life a lot harder.

2. use every single resource that you have. there are pros and cons to every one of them. so use them all.

3. Croco is more than right!

good luck to you.

Comet

 

[croco]

thx comet. , btw, how the heck odes gavin have over 2000 posts!!!😕 😕 😕

 

[dentist2008]

I took the DAT this past saturday. I didn't have the kaplan book memorized. I hadn't even read the organic part of it. I am a biology major and have a storng base in biology. I had taken organic chem a couple of semesters ago, so I basically looked over my own note cards from that class. Don't be too afraid of the test. If you have done well in your biology classes, you should be fine with bio part. My hardest part was gen chem since I had forgotten most of the material. For the PAT, you just need to practice.
I would suggest that you put a full 4 hours and take one of the full length tests on the scholarware CD. Just sit in a quiet place and take the whole test. It will give you an Idea about your problem areas. Then you can focus on those areas and at the same time, keep reviewing the other parts. It is not too hard of a test. don't worry, you will do fine.

 

[ecdoesit]

in the thick kaplan book, there are sections about classification.
i suggest you to memorize or at least get a fairly good sense of all those classes and phyla. In my DAT, there are tons of questions in that section.

again, for GChem, you should definitely read your textbook.
For Ochem, since they dont stress on mechanism, any review books will be fine.

Be certain to devote at least 2-3 hours per day on studying.
When will you take the test?

 

[critterbug]

It seems like the Topscore exams have a fair amount of classification questions also.

 

[ShawnOne]

Try this...

Instead of starting with the Kaplan book, start with your class notes. Go through all the notes for chemistry, biology, o-chem, and then kaplan should be a review. Once you have gone through the kaplan book and familiarized with everything, your only half way there. At this point start doing questions non-stop referring back to kaplan if you need help. Get as many sources of questions available!!

*Note- when you start doing questions you will probably still suck. Dont worry, once you learn the "DAT style" of question, you will get better and faster. You will also learn shortcuts and tricks (e.g. estimation in calculation, elimination of choices) which make all the difference.

Good luck,

 

[DDsTom]

... thanks for the response! Yeah, I guess I just have to buckle down and do those Q's and work with it from there.

How long did you study for, going about it in the way you suggested?

DDsTom

 

[croco]

I would study no more than six weeks. I persoanlly studied for 4
5 weeks=perfect

 

[ShawnOne]

Originally posted by DDsTom
... thanks for the response! Yeah, I guess I just have to buckle down and do those Q's and work with it from there.

How long did you study for, going about it in the way you suggested?

DDsTom

I am assuming your question is for me...

I was a business major, so I have taken all my sciences in the past two years. To give you an honest answer, I started reviewing the kaplan book in conjunction with my class notes throughout those 2 years, so I was at an advantage for both the DAT and my classes. 🙂 I started studying seriously for 2-3 months, starting June, and took the test in August. By seriously studying I mean 3-6 hours a day.

I did the kaplan book exclusively for the first 3-4 weeks , then I spent the rest of the time doing questions/explanations (refering back to kaplan book when I needed help).

Also, in my opinion, the Kaplan classroom instruction itself was garbage. Just a quick general overview. The valuable thing you get from kaplan is midterm, final, diagnostic, and the library of section reviews (which is very helpful by itself). The videos are ok too if you want something explained, but the guy is BORING as hell and I just couldnt take it!

 

[grettlin2]

I agree with ShawnOne. Taking Kaplan course is helpful only in the library but not in the lecture. The good advantage on these practice exams is to help you find out your weak part. Then, you can go back and study it again and agian. If you don't do the question, you might be surprised that how much you did not actually remember.
In my opinion, if the financial is allowed, take Kaplan's course and setup "YOUR OWN" schedule not following Kaplan's. Then, review the Kaplan notebooks 4-5 times if time is allowed.
Don't worry too much. Although you might feel frustrated while studying, just think everyone who has been in dental schools experienced this hard time. 🙂

 

[DDsTom]

Everyone thanks a lot for all the advice and well wishing?it?s awesome.

To answer one of the questions: I WAS planning on taking the DAT's by the end of October. However, I'm afraid I'm not yet ready. I am going to really assess my progress this weekend by taking a Topscore exam. I'll keep you all posted.

Basically I feel as though I haven't even begun. I will have to revamp my study style and schedule: 4-6 hour per day on old notes, lots of q's and reveiw material for about six weeks.

Q: Won't it be too late to apply in mid November for 2004???

DDsTom

 

[croco]

I personally I feel that it might be late for some schools, because the admission committees may have given the "OK" for most students. What do you guys think?

 

[ShawnOne]

Its certainly not early. 🙂

I know someone last year (or year before?) that applied in December and got accepted to NYU, so its possible, but yeah, its kinda late.

Consider the fact that by the time they review your application, many acceptance letters have already gone out.

 

[aphistis]

Originally posted by DDsTom

Q: Won't it be too late to apply in mid November for 2004???

DDsTom

No! 😀 I took the DAT October my senior year, submitted my AADSAS something like a week before the deadline, interviewed at IUSD in February, and received my acceptance letter something like 5 days before my tuition deposit was due. I haven't read the whole thread to know what your stats are, but I can tell you very definitely that it CAN be done. Good luck!

 

[DDsTom]

Wow! So some you do think there's still a chance for me to make it in for 2004--that's up lifting! I got to say that I'm not too confident about my stats, however; especially after reading what some of you all are reporting. Basically I'm hovering at a 3.1 average in the sciences [not stellar, I know] and an overall of 3.3 [still have an incomplete to resolve so it may go up or down a little]. I am finishing up a degree in Biology and do have a couple of blemishes on record for some tough and important courses. I did take two of them again and did well. While first in College I kind of messed around a bit and wasn't so serious about School.

I am just now starting to observe a local Dentist and have some lab work under my belt. That's it really. Not too impressive, I know, but I figure if I get at least 20's in all sections of the DAT's, I may have a shot.

Hey aphistis, you sound like you must have some great stats there so I am not so sure if I should share the optimism you have for me man. Thanks nonetheless.

Thanks again to all.

DDsTom

 

[ShawnOne]

hey DDsTom,

I just wanted to clarify that you DO have a good chance of getting in this year.

Is it late? well, relative to the people who applied in June, its a little late, but its not too late.

Also, if you want to apply this year, you should send your AADSAS application ASAP (now). So when you take the DAT in november or december the schools will already have everything else ready.

 

[DDsTom]

ShawnOne, you're correct. I should already have the AADSAS application processed and I have just begun that process.

Yeah, I'm just going for it no matter what. I figure the worse thing that could happen is that the Schools tell me to re-apply for next year, or something like that.

Thanks for the heads up.

DDsTom 😎