Sooo I just took the DAT for the first time after studying for a week...

[mrhoey]

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Hey guys, I'm new to the board, just wanted to get some feedback. I kinda put off studying until this past week when I went in to panic mode haha. I read through the Kaplan Blue Book once and did the first 20 questions from each DAT Destroyer section. Suffice to say, I wasn't feeling too confident going in, as the Destroyer destroyed me. So after pulling an all-nighter last night (I tried to sleep but I was too anxious), I took it this morning and it was legitimately the fastest 5 hours of my life haha. I finished taking ochem last spring, and kinda neglected it in my studies. But I was just hoping for some advice, as to if I should even bother applying this upcoming cycle or retake it over the summer. I'm in my 3rd year of college, and I'm ok with taking a year off, but I'd just like to get some input from you Pre-dent veterans haha. But here's how I did:

PAT: 22
QR: 21
RC: 21
Bio: 17
GC: 18
OC: 14
TS: 17
AA: 18

I know I gotta get my GPA above a 3, but if I actually sit down and study for a couple months and retake it in the summer, do I have a decent shot?

 

[sacapuntas]

The good news is that you are smart and capable. The bad news is that you will probably need to re-take. You did well considering how little you studied and if your OC were a 17 you would be probably be good to go as far as the DAT goes. Get chads videos for the chems and you will probably rock the DAT on your next try.

 

[Philippines03j]

Well, what is done is done. I would suggest sitting down and really studying the science sections until you know you can get a 20+ in all 3 sections. I would NOT take the DAT again until you are confident you can do so especially with a GPA hovering around a 3.0.

* On the plus side...Good job on your non-science sections!

Some hard work (both on the DAT and in your classes) and you will have a shot at getting some interviews.

 

[mrhoey]

So is it really recommended to only take it twice? I remember with like the SAT colleges suggested only taking it three times, but I've never really gotten a clear answer from Dental Schools

 

[sacapuntas]

So is it really recommended to only take it twice? I remember with like the SAT colleges suggested only taking it three times, but I've never really gotten a clear answer from Dental Schools

Your max without jumping through hoops is 3 times. I would assume dental schools recommend you take it once.

Don't take it again until you are ready. It is expensive and you def want to do better on your 2nd try to show you learned from your mistakes in preparation from the 1st test and taking it a 3rd and 'final' time would be very stressful IMO.

 

[Philippines03j]

So is it really recommended to only take it twice? I remember with like the SAT colleges suggested only taking it three times, but I've never really gotten a clear answer from Dental Schools

The fewer times you take it the better. So if you can do well the first time then that is great. You definitely do NOT want to take it 3 times (as 3 times is the maximum number of times that they allow you to take it). Some schools will take your latest score while others will take an average of your scores.

My recommendation (along with many here on SDN) is to study hard and get it done the first time. If you don't do well for some reason the first time reevaluate your efforts and make sure you reach your goals. Good luck 👍