Retake? What to do differently?

[hopefuldentist1]

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Hi guys! I just recently took the DAT and here are my scores

PAT: 18
QR: 19
RC: 19
BIO: 16
Gen Chem: 17
OCHEM: 15
AA: 17

I know that I would definitely have to retake it because my science scores are pretty low and my overall gpa as of now is a 3.30. I did not finish ochem and am thinking of retaking the DAT at the end of March. Do you think that would be enough time to improve my scores? Also, how would you study for these three science sections. I am most worried about Biology and Ochem more than gen chem. Any advice would be amazing! Thank you 🙂

 

[nickh]

Go over Cliffs AP and Fer's notes, then get DAT Destroyer and go over it as many times as you can 🙂

 

[hopefuldentist1]

Go over Cliffs AP and Fer's notes, then get DAT Destroyer and go over it as many times as you can 🙂

Did you find DAT destroyer to be very helpful?

 

[nickh]

Yeah, definitely! I would not have gotten my score if wasn't for the Destroyer🙂

 

[matardug]

I recently retook the DAT in August. My AA was a 17, I was able to improve it to a 23. Science wise I had a 17 and improved it to a 25 (you can check out my breakdown). Nickh has the right idea with cliffs ap bio (obviously only for bio) and dat destroyer. I would also like to add klein organic chem books if you need a lot of help with orgo and campbells biology book if you already have it (my college used this book). Destroyer was easily the best resource I used as far as my retake goes. Important though, is how I used the destroyer. Understanding the answers, answer key, and why the wrong answers are wrong are essential. I really think it will help you! Good luck

 

[cotoncub]

For bio you can use Cliffs 3rd edition for AP Bio and also Feralis bio notes. I think Feralis is even more condensed so that could help focus you on the important concepts. I also wouldn't focus on plants as much since I didn't have a single question on them on my exam and I think others have stated the same. Ideally covering all of the material is great, but if you feel pressed for time, cover the more relevant topics first.

For Ochem DAT destroyer is great as a source if study material. The problems can be a little difficult, but if you do them and learn why the reactions occur (type of reaction such as SN1/SN2, E1/E2, aromatic substitution, etc)) and what solvents are required you will conquer it. The key point is not to just memorize the reagents and products of reactions but to know why they take place so that you don't have surprises. The road maps in the solution section of DAT Destroyer puts all of the reactions in perspective, which is extremely useful. I also suggest looking at the University of Calgary online outline for Carey 5th edition of Orgo and also masteringorganicchemistry.com

May I ask what testing material you have been using to practice? DAT BootCamp and DAT Qvault were helpful for me.

 

[eugpeng]

read my breakdown

 

[nickh]

Add a link of your breakdown in your signature, all the cool kids are doing it 😛

And it's easier for people to find it too 🙂

read my breakdown

 

[watermelon15]

Did you find DAT destroyer to be very helpful?

I've been told many times to go over the detroyer and thats what i plan on doing this time around when i retake mine

 

[hopefuldentist1]

For bio you can use Cliffs 3rd edition for AP Bio and also Feralis bio notes. I think Feralis is even more condensed so that could help focus you on the important concepts. I also wouldn't focus on plants as much since I didn't have a single question on them on my exam and I think others have stated the same. Ideally covering all of the material is great, but if you feel pressed for time, cover the more relevant topics first.

For Ochem DAT destroyer is great as a source if study material. The problems can be a little difficult, but if you do them and learn why the reactions occur (type of reaction such as SN1/SN2, E1/E2, aromatic substitution, etc)) and what solvents are required you will conquer it. The key point is not to just memorize the reagents and products of reactions but to know why they take place so that you don't have surprises. The road maps in the solution section of DAT Destroyer puts all of the reactions in perspective, which is extremely useful. I also suggest looking at the University of Calgary online outline for Carey 5th edition of Orgo and also masteringorganicchemistry.com

May I ask what testing material you have been using to practice? DAT BootCamp and DAT Qvault were helpful for me.

For PAT I used Crack the DAT PAT. I also used Cliff's Biology 4th edition for biology. For organic chemistry and chemistry I used Chad's videos. I used math destroyer and also used three exams from DAT Achiever.

 

[hopefuldentist1]

read my breakdown

I feel like I am definitely going to buy Destroyer since everyone thinks that is the most helpful. Thank you!

 

[customx]

Don't feel like you need to take it in March. Give yourself as much time as you need, but definitely take it before June. If you do poorly on the second attempt, I believe you will need to wait a year before your third try.

For Chem and Ochem, use Chad's videos and Destroyer.
Bio - use Cliff's Biology 3rd edition and Feralis' notes. Study Destroyer for practice problems
QR - use Math Destroyer
PAT - I used Crack DAT PAT but I think DAT Bootcamp may be better

Use Bootcamp for practice tests once you feel like you have reviewed everything. Most people tend to think the exams on that site are most representative to the real DAT

 

[Weakfart]

read my breakdown

Instead of just having a link do the following:

1. Write out your score that you want to be seen in the signature:

e.g (AA#/TS#/PAT#)

2. Highlight the text you just wrote

3. With the text still highlighted, click the "Add a link" up above.

4.Enter the link to your break down and click "Insert Link". It should be something like ...

this