Some questions regarding the DAT

[darknightzzz]

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Hello everyone,

so to be brief, I just recently took the MCAT and scored double digits on the biological science and physical science (for MCAT it is above 80 percentile). I took the MCAT March of this year, 2014, to be exact. However, I got kinda sick of volunteering in medical clinic and don't think the field is right for me. In short, I want to switch to dental schools. I think dental schools is a better fit due to lower stress and still long work hours (but still less than the hours in medical fields). Due to some personal reason, I also want to only spend 4 more years of my life studying and start working afterwards.

I have taken all the prereq and have like 3.89 sGPA and cGPA. I double major in chemistry and biology and currently will enter my senior year after this summer. so here are my questions,

1. I have only taken human anatomy lecture. Is the anatomy lab required for some schools?

2. since i spend a lot of times prepping for the MCAT, to prepare for the DAT, can I just focus on the reading comprehension and the PAT and slightly review the natural sciences?

3. The PAT is rumored to be (either you see it or not) so if spatial analysis and coordination is your thing, does this part need intense practice?

4. it seems to me that the qualitative/computative part of the DAT requires basic math computations so is this part super tricky and hard?

5. How should i go attacking this DAT? I heard of DAT destroyer, various sources. However, I am currently low on money right now and only plan to buy the Crack the DAT by Kaplan and the sample computer test that is currently sold by the testing center.

6. I don't have any personal experience with the dental working environment. So does 30-40 hours of working at a dental office suffice?

 

[[DDS] Samer]

Hello everyone,

so to be brief, I just recently took the MCAT and scored double digits on the biological science and physical science (for MCAT it is above 80 percentile). I took the MCAT March of this year, 2014, to be exact. However, I got kinda sick of volunteering in medical clinic and don't think the field is right for me. In short, I want to switch to dental schools. I think dental schools is a better fit due to lower stress and still long work hours (but still less than the hours in medical fields). Due to some personal reason, I also want to only spend 4 more years of my life studying and start working afterwards.

I have taken all the prereq and have like 3.89 sGPA and cGPA. I double major in chemistry and biology and currently will enter my senior year after this summer. so here are my questions,

1. I have only taken human anatomy lecture. Is the anatomy lab required for some schools?

2. since i spend a lot of times prepping for the MCAT, to prepare for the DAT, can I just focus on the reading comprehension and the PAT and slightly review the natural sciences?

3. The PAT is rumored to be (either you see it or not) so if spatial analysis and coordination is your thing, does this part need intense practice?

4. it seems to me that the qualitative/computative part of the DAT requires basic math computations so is this part super tricky and hard?

5. How should i go attacking this DAT? I heard of DAT destroyer, various sources. However, I am currently low on money right now and only plan to buy the Crack the DAT by Kaplan and the sample computer test that is currently sold by the testing center.

6. I don't have any personal experience with the dental working environment. So does 30-40 hours of working at a dental office suffice?

1. Most schools only want Biology 1 and 2 both with lab. It's best to check the prerequisite requirements for the schools you wish to apply to first.

2. I would take a practice test or two before determining whether I know all the material or not. Most of the material is the same, however the testing style is different.

3. It depends on your current level. If you are able to visualize objects in your head in 3D based on a 2D representation, than you may be at an advantage. This is not to say you will do well on it without the time commitment and practice.

4. I am writing the Canadian DAT so I don't know too much about this section. I would purchase Chad's videos (www.coursesaver.com) since he is amazing at every subject on the DAT.

5. Must haves: Cliffs AP Bio 3rd Edition, Feralis Comprehensive Biology Notes, CrackDATPAT, DAT Bootcamp, DAT Destroyer and Chad's videos (www.coursesaver.com).

6. More than enough.


Good luck.

 

[Dotoday]

Definitely get Feralis, Destroyer, Cliffs and CrackDAT. Know the concepts and try practising questions.

 

[discensdentibus]

Unless you know its a weakness, I would actually not suggest spending extra time working on reading comprehension. Math is not too bad, but there are, of course, going to be questions that separate the chumps from the champs. These two sections are not as important (RC can be an exception for some schools), but in general, math is your least important. I agree with DDS samers post in regards to what materials you want to use at a minimum. There is an ultimate breakdown collection on this site that shows how many people approached the DAT, and it would be a great place to compile your thoughts about certain other review materials. Keep in mind that there are free practice tests for other software: Bootcamp/qvault. Also, if you are low on funds, keep in mind that you don't need any practice exam software to score well. I'm not going to say if PAT is a "have it or not kind" of thing; however, any one question may not be too hard, yet timing is the real key. This also holds true for the math section of the exam. Good luck