some tips on studying for DAT

[plasticsurg]

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like the title said. Can anyone help me on the ways of studying for DAT?
valuable information such as:

1) your study habit. How do you allocate each day of the week on what subjects and around length of time on each?

2) what material did you use? Kaplan's blue book like the ones you find in Amazon or the White book which I completely have no idea of where to buy? Or a mixture of kaplan's book with examkracker MCAT books as supplements?

3) did anyone make any flash cards or any other little tips and tricks in helping memorizing materials?

Thank you very much

 

[sacjumpman]

My biggest tip I found in these two threads:

1. STUDY! No matter what, just study, stay off SDN and stay focused:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=121924

2. This thread is great for all the questions you've asked. I prob. should bump it, very helpful for me:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=60977&highlight=kaplan+subject+tests

3. This is my only tip... I use a stop watch to time the amount of time that I am actually sitting down and studying. Not eating, or on the phone, or on SDN or any other thing that may distract you.... This has been a huge help.

I realized that I could sit for an entire 8 hour day and study for 4 hours. Knowing that I have to meet my quota for the day and knowing that I have to actually STUDY for the clock to run really helps me focus instead of getting easily distracted.

Just get started. Don't get TOO caught up in an exact plan, just realize that as long as you are putting in the hours, a plan will start to formulate itself that works for YOU. It will also have to be flexible... I didn't realize that I was going to have to spend hours every day doing math in order to bring up my QR and now that I do, my "plan" has changed quite a bit (and I've only been studying for a week).

Good luck.

 

[dentaldentist]

like the title said. Can anyone help me on the ways of studying for DAT?
valuable information such as:

1) your study habit. How do you allocate each day of the week on what subjects and around length of time on each?

2) what material did you use? Kaplan's blue book like the ones you find in Amazon or the White book which I completely have no idea of where to buy? Or a mixture of kaplan's book with examkracker MCAT books as supplements?

3) did anyone make any flash cards or any other little tips and tricks in helping memorizing materials?

Thank you very much

I personally studied 5 to 6 days a week for about three months leading up to the test to prepare. I tried to dedicate a couple of hours every day to studying and spent a few weeks on each science section and less time on the QR, RC and PAT sections.

I would recommend starting off with the Kaplan book as it will give you a good foundation for your studying. You can buy the bluebook at amazon, but the whitebook is only given to those who signup for a Kaplan class. Kaplan is good for most of the subjects, but is a bit weak in biology so get something like Cliff's AP bio or Schaum's outline of Bio as a reference to get more details in areas that kaplan is not as good in. Kaplan is also too easy on the PAT section. I don't really have a good suggestion here but just be aware that the questions you will see on the real test will be harder than kaplan. After you have gone through kaplan you may want to get Topscore Pro. Topscore is a set of computer DAT tests that are a good simulation of the real exam - Kaplan has some practice tests that come with the book, but topscore is much better. Also, another resource to consider is DAT destroyer - this guide has numerous sample DAT questions with detailed answers - its a good way to test your knowledge after you have done some prep.

Kaplan blue book
Topscore DAT
Schaum's outline of bio or Cliff's AP bio
DAT Destroyer


I would say the best advice is just to start studying and set up a schedule for what you want to get done each day. I spent 3 months studying, but you could do it in 6 week or less if you dedicate more time each day or if you already feel very comfortable with your science background you may need less of a review. If flash cards or an outline helps you learn, then do it. If you don't fully understand a concept - go over it again before moving on to the next thing. If you spend the time to fully prepare you will do well on the test. Good luck.