sad dat story :(

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hopefuldentist1

hopefuldentist1

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so i took my dat back in January and got a 17, i decided to retake it a few days ago. during my exam, my computer logs me out of the exam. i called my proctor and by the time they had me set up at another computer i lost about 5-7 minutes. YES THE COUNTDOWN WAS 5-7 < THEN WHAT IT WAS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURED. i ended up with a 17 again 🙁 i called ada to report this and now theyre launching an "investigation" to see if I can retake it for free. i need advice on whether this investigation will succeed and/or tips to KILL MY DAT IF THEY LET ME TAKE IT (which would probably be in the next 1-3 weeks). my bio and ochem scores were low, like super low.
 
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I don't think the time limit is an issue. If you did ran out of time, you should have been well prepared despite the fact of losing 5-7 minutes. It may affect only one of your sections.

I would utilize the next 1-3 weeks studying and reviewing mistakes.
 
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I agree with Ruff. 5-7 minutes off shouldn't have affected your QR and RC, bio shouldn't have been low given that it should be your fastest section, it would make sense if gen chem was your low because that section takes a little longer..
But on the off chance they allow you to retake it, I would take these 1-3 weeks to load up on all those questions you remembered and study like crazy.
 
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hopefuldentist1 said:
so i took my dat back in January and got a 17, i decided to retake it a few days ago. during my exam, my computer logs me out of the exam. i called my proctor and by the time they had me set up at another computer i lost about 5-7 minutes. YES THE COUNTDOWN WAS 5-7 < THEN WHAT IT WAS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURED. i ended up with a 17 again 🙁 i called ada to report this and now theyre launching an "investigation" to see if I can retake it for free. i need advice on whether this investigation will succeed and/or tips to KILL MY DAT IF THEY LET ME TAKE IT (which would probably be in the next 1-3 weeks). my bio and ochem scores were low, like super low.
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Hi Hopeful,

You should without out a doubt get a retake with no charge. I have worked with students in the past that have had mishaps with the computer and they were allowed a retake within a few weeks. It is more than losing the time, when something like this happens it causes a lot of stress and most definitely can affect your scores.

Keep us posted, you can also pm and I can give you some advice.

Nancy
 
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hopefuldentist1 said:
so i took my dat back in January and got a 17, i decided to retake it a few days ago. during my exam, my computer logs me out of the exam. i called my proctor and by the time they had me set up at another computer i lost about 5-7 minutes. YES THE COUNTDOWN WAS 5-7 < THEN WHAT IT WAS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURED. i ended up with a 17 again 🙁 i called ada to report this and now theyre launching an "investigation" to see if I can retake it for free. i need advice on whether this investigation will succeed and/or tips to KILL MY DAT IF THEY LET ME TAKE IT (which would probably be in the next 1-3 weeks). my bio and ochem scores were low, like super low.
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That's really sad. Without a doubt you can retake your exam. What materials did you use to study for DAT?
 
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I feel so bad for you. The first two posts are super rude. You act like you wouldn't be on here asking for advice if the same happened to you. Most of us study months for this exam and pay 400 dollars and we are investing our future into it, for anyone to have an unfair advantage and lose 7 WHOLE minutes is not fair. Be a little more sympathetic. 7 whole minutes is ALOT OF TIME and its not just that, its the focus that is lost after that. I would not be able to think if that even happened to me. I had the prometric lady approach me twice during my bio section and I wasted 2 minutes because how frustrated it made me. I don't agree with the first two posts. You deserve a retake I'm sorry that happened to you, stay positive and keep studying!
 
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i called ADA today and they said their audit people won't be in until Monday...they're all off this week 🙁 and then from there i need to wait 5-7 business days to see if i can take it...idk wat to do you guys 🙁
 
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hopefuldentist1 said:
they really delete the score??? I thought they don't do that?...
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I feel like they should. For example, if the power went out before you finished QR and you ended up with like a 7 in that section, it wouldn't be fair at all to make you keep that score because you didn't have the entirety of the time you were supposed to have. From what you've said, this was Prometric's fault and you should not have to face unfair consequences. One of my friends was taking the MCAT and something similar happened to her whole testing room. They were all allowed to retake for free in a couple weeks as well. Keep studying and hopefully you will get your second chance 🙂
 
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I also definitely agree that a retake would be the most fair and understandable response. I can't imagine the amount of worry, anxiety and stress you probably experienced after this happened. Goodluck on your retake and make sure to use these next 3 weeks wisely to destroy that exam this time! 🙂
 
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They will investigate if you actually did have 5-7 minutes taken from your test time. Prometric's software is designed so that in the event of a power outage or frozen computer, etc, the test is saved and will resume exactly at the same spot and time remaining after the equipment issue is resolved. However, that doesn't mean this always happens properly. As someone already mentioned, if the power cannot be restored that day, then tests are voided and test takers can retest at a later date for free. If it is found that you truly had 5-7 minutes taken off of your time, they should allow you to void your test and get a free retake because it would be considered a "test administration irregularity" that put you at an unfair disadvantage. You can read more about the process in the 2015 DAT Examinee Guide on the ADA website (the one you had to read when signing up). However, if it was just a 5-7 minute interruption that did not affect your time remaining on the test software, you may have a harder time getting it voided.
 
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strep mutans said:
They will investigate if you actually did have 5-7 minutes taken from your test time. Prometric's software is designed so that in the event of a power outage or frozen computer, etc, the test is saved and will resume exactly at the same spot and time remaining after the equipment issue is resolved. However, that doesn't mean this always happens properly. As someone already mentioned, if the power cannot be restored that day, then tests are voided and test takers can retest at a later date for free. If it is found that you truly had 5-7 minutes taken off of your time, they should allow you to void your test and get a free retake because it would be considered a "test administration irregularity" that put you at an unfair disadvantage. You can read more about the process in the 2015 DAT Examinee Guide on the ADA website (the one you had to read when signing up). However, if it was just a 5-7 minute interruption that did not affect your time remaining on the test software, you may have a harder time getting it voided.
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I have been involved in many situations through the years with students who were given retakes for various reasons.

I would be shocked if this student did not get a retake.

This most definitely put this student at a huge disadvantage by causing undue stress. There is no way the average student could remain calm after something like this happened and that would definitely affect concentration and the outcome.

Just my 2 cents

Nancy
 
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orgoman22 said:
I have been involved in many situations through the years with students who were given retakes for various reasons.

I would be shocked if this student did not get a retake.

This most definitely put this student at a huge disadvantage by causing undue stress. There is no way the average student could remain calm after something like this happened and that would definitely affect concentration and the outcome.

Just my 2 cents

Nancy
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Yeah, they should be able to retake, I agree. I'm just saying that it might not be as open-and-shut if it's found that there wasn't an actual loss of testing time. Other SDNers have talked about having power outages interrupt their tests, but having their scores stick. But maybe they were happy enough with their scores that they just didn't file an investigation with ADA. OP filed an investigation immediately so I'm betting a retake will be approved.
 
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Terribly sorry to hear about this! you deserve a retake no doubt! God forbid this happened to me, I know 100% I would NOT be able to continue on...the stress would be too high. 5-7 minutes is a LOT. In fact, even 1 minute is a lot if you think about it could be the difference in checking over 1 question that gets you from a 20 to a 22 for instance). Even if you did not miss 5-7 minutes in reality, the fact that your exam got messed up would definitely put you at a disadvantage...I mean..did others get their exam messed up? NO! I really really reeallllyyy hope everything goes well for you, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart, because I would be feeling just as you are. Let us know how everything goes!
 
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Man that stinks that it happened to you on such a stressful day.....bad luck. Best of luck on your next attempt (they should let you redo it soon)
 
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