Should I retake the DAT?

[toothfairy411]

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Just finished the DAT today and need some input on whether or not to retake it.

PA: 18
QR: 15 <===SOOo low >.<
RC: 23
BIO: 19
GEN CHEM: 18
ORG CHEM: 27 <==How did that happen?? 😱
TS: 20
AA:20

Overall GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.3

I know my QR is really low, but I'm wondering if schools will care that much about it. Does this meet the requirement for most schools? I feel like I can get a better score on GEN CHEM and BIO but my ORGO score will probably go down. I think I got lucky here...

 

[Imazergling]

great score 🙂 moving on!

 

[Eastcoast24]

Just finished the DAT today and need some input on whether or not to retake it.

PA: 18
QR: 15 <===SOOo low >.<
RC: 23
BIO: 19
GEN CHEM: 18
ORG CHEM: 27 <==How did that happen?? 😱
TS: 20
AA:20

Overall GPA: 3.45
Science GPA: 3.3

I know my QR is really low, but I'm wondering if schools will care that much about it. Does this meet the requirement for most schools? I feel like I can get a better score on GEN CHEM and BIO but my ORGO score will probably go down. I think I got lucky here...

One bad score in a pretty unimportant section won't affect you much.

 

[Glimmer1991]

QR definitely doesn't seem to be an important section. However, there are some schools with cutoffs, and that cutoff number is usually 16-17. I'm just worried that your application could potentially be cast aside because of this one score without them even looking at everything else.

 

[toothfairy411]

Does anyone know which schools put emphasis on the QR score?

 

[acoburn73]

Does anyone know which schools put emphasis on the QR score?

I wouldn't think they put emphasis on QR, but I'm sure they do look at it, mainly because it shows ability to problem solve rather than just memorize. Engineers (I am one) hardly ever use all of the upper-level math that they are required to take in college once they are in the real world, but it's pretty important nonetheless because it in essence teaches students to properly solve problems via a systematic approach. One of the most common things you'll hear from engineering professors is that they are teaching us to be "professional problem solvers". I think complex math problems are the way they accomplish that.

My wife and I were talking today about this same subject, and we came to the same conclusion - QR is a gauge on an applicant's ability to solve a problem with structured thinking. You may not be doing raw math as a dentist, and most likely very little math in dental school, so most likely schools will inquire about your low score, but look beyond it. Especially with your science scores!

Good work, by the way! I only hope my scores are this good!