Should I cancel my upcoming DAT?

[CILa]

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I have been studying for about 2 months for the DAT (alongside working) but realize I did not do enough practice problems in the science sections. My practice section test scores have been quite low (15-16) on the science sections (particularly gen chem and ochem) but are around 19-21 in PAT and reading comprehension. Should I cancel my upcoming DAT and take more time to do practice being that the sciences are quite an important part of your score?

This will be my first time taking the test but I truly feel I wont do well on the science sections.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Soleus715]

I would postpone the exam as long as possible until you're fully prepared for the exam. You are right in that the sciences are weighed a LOT heavier than the other sections. While a 16 QR can be ignored with a good TS, a 16 Bio would be detrimental.

I recommend doing some research on how the postponing/canceling works because I've read somewhere that canceling the test is expensive and not going to the exam instead will save you a lot of money. Of course postponing would probably be the cheapest.

As for studying,

Bio: End of chapter quizzes on Cliffs/Barron's and the link here http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/best-bio-link-hands-down.842447/ were very useful.
GC/OC: General/Organic Chemistry as a Second Language by David Klein is very good. Chad's Quizzes were very comparable to the real thing also. Bootcamp/Qvault

Let me know if you need anything else. Good luck!

 

[biomolecmed]

Definitely try to prepare better. For Or go use Klein's Organic chemistry as a second language, Destroyer, ACS booklet, Organic chemistry Odyssey, Kaplan. Formgen Chen use, Destroyer, CrackDAT or Kaplan. For Bio, Destroyer, Feralis notes and Kaplan. You master those, you should be ok.

 

[customx]

If you are scoring less than 19 on practice exams I would definitely reschedule. The sooner you reschedule, the cheaper it will be. I believe you can change your test date up to the day before the exam and it will cost $100.

Use Chad's videos and quizzes for OC and GC, Cliff's AP and Feralis' notes for Bio, and Destroyer for Bio, GC and OC. Best of luck

 

[BeyonceFan1226]

I'm in the same boat. Smh. My DAT is on the 31st of this month and I have been averaging 15/16s in orgo and gen chem. My PAT/Reading/Math/Bio have all been in the 20s but nothing seems to help bring up my gen chem and orgo scores. I've been using Destroyer, Chad, and Bootcamp and I have not seen improvement. 🙁

 

[sylviej]

I'm in the same boat. Smh. My DAT is on the 31st of this month and I have been averaging 15/16s in orgo and gen chem. My PAT/Reading/Math/Bio have all been in the 20s but nothing seems to help bring up my gen chem and orgo scores. I've been using Destroyer, Chad, and Bootcamp and I have not seen improvement. 🙁

I'm taking on the 31st too. I'm thinking about rescheduling.

 

[larrylu]

if you score real low on all Datbootcamp science sections, I would recommend reschedule. Cause I think Bootcamp scores represent the real DAT the most.

Nevertheless, I can tell you that you can never be "fully" prepared for the DAT. There will be question on the DAT that you've never seen before and have no idea how to do it. I mean I thought about rescheduling my test like 20 time before the test date, even the night before. Because I always felt like there's still some section that I didn't go over, especially in biology. But the TRUTH is the real DAT tests you mainly on all the basics. So no need to freak out over the practice test, they are designed to get you ready for the real thing.

But like I said, if you don't think you're ready, then reschedule it.

 

[sylviej]

if you score real low on all Datbootcamp science sections, I would recommend reschedule. Cause I think Bootcamp scores represent the real DAT the most.

Nevertheless, I can tell you that you can never be "fully" prepared for the DAT. There will be question on the DAT that you've never seen before and have no idea how to do it. I mean I thought about rescheduling my test like 20 time before the test date, even the night before. Because I always felt like there's still some section that I didn't go over, especially in biology. But the TRUTH is the real DAT tests you mainly on all the basics. So no need to freak out over the practice test, they are designed to get you ready for the real thing.

But like I said, if you don't think you're ready, then reschedule it.

How "low" is low on Bootcamp? I'm scoring around 31-33 out of 40 in Bio. Is that considered really low? 🙁 What score range should I be happy with?

 

[larrylu]

How "low" is low on Bootcamp? I'm scoring around 31-33 out of 40 in Bio. Is that considered really low? 🙁 What score range should I be happy with?

That's pretty good I think. I've always missed like 10-12 out of 40 on bootcamp. So my scores were like all 17-19. And that was a week or 2 b4 my DAT, so imagine my frustration lol. But I got 21 on the real DAT so.

 

[sylviej]

That's pretty good I think. I've always missed like 10-12 out of 40 on bootcamp. So my scores were like all 17-19. And that was a week or 2 b4 my DAT, so imagine my frustration lol. But I got 21 on the real DAT so.

I know! I was super frustrated. I kept doubting myself after seeing those 25s and 28s. I dream about getting 15s all these days. It's horrible.
I saw your score, 21TS right. Good job! I'd kill for that score 😀 Good luck with your application!

 

[larrylu]

I know! I was super frustrated. I kept doubting myself after seeing those 25s and 28s. I dream about getting 15s all these days. It's horrible.
I saw your score, 21TS right. Good job! I'd kill for that score 😀 Good luck with your application!

thanks, you'll do fine. Once you see your score, you'll feel that everything was worth it!

 

[customx]

Be confident. I was scoring about 18-22 on Bio, and for whatever reason Bio took me 40 minutes on the real exam. I did not feel confident at all and only left myself 60 minutes for GC and OC so I was freaking out. You can imagine my surprise when a 21 popped up. Study hard, be confident, and the rest will take care of itself. Best of luck

 

[clutchfans]

I have been studying for about 2 months for the DAT (alongside working) but realize I did not do enough practice problems in the science sections. My practice section test scores have been quite low (15-16) on the science sections (particularly gen chem and ochem) but are around 19-21 in PAT and reading comprehension. Should I cancel my upcoming DAT and take more time to do practice being that the sciences are quite an important part of your score?

This will be my first time taking the test but I truly feel I wont do well on the science sections.

Thanks for your help.

Hey man, like what other peope said, if your not confident or not prepared, definetly reschedule. For me, I've been average 17-18 on RC and Bio and got a 21/22 respectively. Been averaging 18-19 on orgo and gen chen and got 20/23 respectively. Heck I averaged 22 on PAT and got below a 20 and 25 on QR and got a 20. So you never know you might lucky.
But again, if you're not confident, definelty reschedule. Hope this helps.