real PAT harder than CDP. Need help please.

[NguyenDDS]

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Hello everyone 🙂

I am studying for the retake of my DAT, which is scheduled in March. The first time I studied for PAT, I used CDP (10 tests version). CDP images are more crisp and clear, while the real PAT is a bit off and has 1/3 hole punches. So, I was wondering if anyone knows any additional practice materials for the PAT section? Kaplan any good? Any advice? Suggestions? Success stories?

Thanks a bunch! 🙂

 

[FLOSS UR TEETH]

Hey,

I thought CDP was awesome PAIRED up with old ADA tests. If you use both of those you should rock the PAT section! My scores were 20-23 on CDP and I scored a 21 on the real thing. So, for me it was actually very comparable but I also practiced the old ADA PAT sections so check them out.

 

[sacapuntas]

I really don't think the real DAT PAT is harder than CDP PAT most of the time...I think you could have gotten unlucky with your test. I know it was spot on for me, as far as my overall score. Certain sections were easier (cube counting, hole punching), certain sections were harder (keyhole and pattern folding) and other sections were spot on (angle ranking, top front end) on my test. BUT they were all in the same ballpark and my average worked out to be my real score. I think this is common for other people as well.

If you are doing that good on crack DAT PAT, don't spend too much time worrying about the real one as I think you will do better than your 18 on the next one. Who knows, maybe it was nerves the first time and just going through it the 2nd time you will be calmer and do better.

 

[ushaseos]

Hello everyone 🙂

I am studying for the retake of my DAT, which is scheduled in March. The first time I studied for PAT, I used CDP (10 tests version). I got an 18 on the first CDP test I ever took. But ever since then, I got no lower than my usual 22s-23s, with the highest score of an occasional 25. The weird part is that I received an 18PAT on my real DAT after going through CDP. I thought CDP was much easier than the real PAT. CDP images are more crisp and clear, while the real PAT is a bit off and has 1/3 hole punches. So, I was wondering if anyone knows any additional practice materials for the PAT section? Kaplan any good? Any advice? Suggestions? Success stories?

Thanks a bunch! 🙂

Yeah I felt the same. I thought Achiever was harder and CDP was easier than the real thing. I scored similarly to you on CDP (my scores are linked to in breakdown). Areas where CDP is weak (keyhole, TFE, Patterns) Achiever excels at so it might help to use Achiever.

I started with a 16 on the CDP and ended with 23 on the real thing mainly due to Achiever for TFE, Folding and Keyhole, and CDP for Angles, cubes and hole punches.

 

[NguyenDDS]

Hello everyone! Thanks for are your help! 🙂 I appreciate it very much!

Yeah I felt the same. I thought Achiever was harder and CDP was easier than the real thing. I scored similarly to you on CDP (my scores are linked to in breakdown). Areas where CDP is weak (keyhole, TFE, Patterns) Achiever excels at so it might help to use Achiever.

I started with a 16 on the CDP and ended with 23 on the real thing mainly due to Achiever for TFE, Folding and Keyhole, and CDP for Angles, cubes and hole punches.

Hey ushaseos 🙂 I want to purchase Achiever, but was wondering what version of Achiever do you recommend getting? The 3 test? The 5 test? Or the 7 test? I have Topscore right now, but won't take them until later 🙂

 

[TKDentist]

I i think that the each section of the PAT was different in terms of difficulty.

The angles on the real test were SO much easier than the CDP. Pattern folding, TFE and keyholes were harder. Hole punching and cube counting were about the same. CDP i think is definitely the best practice for the PAT out there. The Kaplan strategies are good for PAT also. I never tried Achiever.

 

[ushaseos]

I got the 7 test version since it gave me 5 months and 7 tests (I really needed the RC and PAT practice).

If you have the time and can swing the extra money its a fantastic deal. If you're super short on time get the 3 test. One gripe I have with achiever is that there is no upgrade. So if you get the 3 test you have to pay full $140 to get the 7 test which is (in my humble opinion) completely lame and dirt-baggish. Considering CDP is $130 for the 10 test version 140 for 7 full tests really isn't so bad. Of course Achiever will be VERY hard so keep your chin up and don't take the scores seriously. Just use it for great "under pressure" practice and then check your answers.

 

[bchang57]

1/3 hold punches??????? =O

 

[Member4278]

1/3 hold punches??????? =O

what is thattt??! 1/3 hole punches? I was just getting used to the 1/2 hole punches........

 

[sacapuntas]

what is thattt??! 1/3 hole punches? I was just getting used to the 1/2 hole punches........

I had 0 1/3 hole punches on my DAT and haven't heard of someone else having them either...I think it must be rare and nguyen got very unlucky? What would a 1/3 hole punch even unfold into?

I only had a couple questions that even had a 1/2 hole punch.

For my version of the DAT, hole punching was probably the easiest portion...that or cube counting.