Studying 10-12 hours a day for 5 weeks

[scarsdale92]

Hey guys I'm writing the exam in exactly 5 weeks from today. My goal is to score a 22+. Is that even enough time to achieve this score?

I am using the following resources:
Bio:
Feralis notes
Cliffs AP
DAT Destroyer

OC and Gen Chem:
Chad Videos
DAT Destroyer

PAT:
DAT Bootcamp

Reading Comprehension:
DAT Bootcamp

QR:
Math Destroyer

***What can I do to guarantee a 22+ with these resources?

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[deleted903013]

Nothing will ever guarantee you a 22+

 

[scarsdale92]

Nothing will ever guarantee you a 22+

Would you say 10-12 hours a day is an overkill?

 

[deleted903013]

Would you say 10-12 hours a day is an overkill?

I feel like it would burn you out and prevent you from adequately retaining the information you studied. I took lots of breaks when I studied and probably put in 6ish hours a day. Also, I think if you use all of the resources, you listed you'll do just fine. I actually used the exact resources you just listed and found them very good.

 

[wwdentist]

I studied for ~6 weeks, between 5-7 hours a day. That amount of time was plenty for me, but I had just come out of O.Chem and didn't spend any time relearning that material. I condensed the DAT Bootcamp study schedule into my time frame and it was perfect. I used the same resources as well. I agree with @fermi555, 10-12 hours a day would certainly burn me out after a short time - you should consider giving yourself more time. Then again, you know where you are at better than anyone else and sometimes you just have to do whatever it takes. Good luck!

 

[bentley13]

It’s definitely possible. I did 13 hours a day for 3 weeks and scored a 25. If you’re dedicated and can effectively(!!) study that long, it works well. All info is fresh.

Here’s my breakdown if it helps you: DAT Done: 25AA, 24 TS, 25 PAT; 3 week study Schedule

 

[scarsdale92]

It’s definitely possible. I did 13 hours a day for 3 weeks and scored a 25. If you’re dedicated and can effectively(!!) study that long, it works well. All info is fresh.

Here’s my breakdown if it helps you: DAT Done: 25AA, 24 TS, 25 PAT; 3 week study Schedule

Wow, I just looked over your study schedule. You are a beast, my friend. Congrats!

Questions:
1. How did you know if you've actually retained and mastered the material?
2. How did you manage to study effectively for that long?
3. Did you already have a solid background in the sciences?

 

[DenTalFluoride]

Last year, I started organizing and planning my schedule on May 22th. I started studying on May 24th to take it on June 26th. I condensed the Dat Bootcamp schedule into two a day with no rest days. I scored AA22/TS23/PAT26.

I had a breakdown, but it was deleted eventually for some reason. Be honest with what you know or need more practice on. Have Chad’s bio videos playing on the background while eating, driving, etc. Use DAT Angle Ranking by Bao Tran in AppStore and play with that. Also, go through Angle Generator from Bootcamp consistently the week before. Go through the Kaplan DAT flash cards while cooking, pooping, etc.

Don’t listen to people saying you’ll burnout. You know yourself better than anyone else. I personally like hardcore studying rather than being spread out. The last few days with the DAT Destroyer was very challenging, and I did start skipping some sections. Just do your best to consistently stick with the schedule. Remember it will pay off in the end.

 

[riba]

When you are studying for a big exam like the DAT, a positive attitude can make a bigger difference than any single study tool. Some people may try to talk you out of your study schedule or short timeframe, but like previous users have said it's all based on your own ability. If think you can do it; go for it. I was studying for the DAT this time last year, and I had a little less than four weeks to prepare. I basically studied all day with the exception of one or two days when I just got so stressed out that I couldn't do it. It's possible.

Also remember there are no "rules" for studying. The times that I got stressed out were because I felt like I wasn't doing enough, but just do your best and don't be stressed out if you can't exactly follow your study schedule every day. It's not the end of the world as long as you were consistently putting in the hours. I ended up being very happy with my score, despite the short timeframe. Good luck!

 

[bentley13]

Wow, I just looked over your study schedule. You are a beast, my friend. Congrats!

Questions:
1. How did you know if you've actually retained and mastered the material?
2. How did you manage to study effectively for that long?
3. Did you already have a solid background in the sciences?

1) I had friends/family quiz me over random notes I had taken a few days a week. Just for like 15 minutes. It made sure I was actually retaining the info. Also, I scored well on the Bootcamp tests when I started taking them, so that was a good indicator.

2) I put my phone in a drawer whenever I was studying, I took 10 minute breaks every ~90 minutes or whenever I felt I needed one. I also didn’t use my phone during breaks. The no phone thing is key.

3) Not really. Only 2 semesters of bio and gchem and 1 semester of orgo. No anatomy, physiology, biochem, microbio, genetics, or any other upper level bio courses.

 

[bentley13]

1) I had friends/family quiz me over random notes I had taken a few days a week. Just for like 15 minutes. It made sure I was actually retaining the info. Also, I scored well on the Bootcamp tests when I started taking them, so that was a good indicator.

2) I put my phone in a drawer whenever I was studying, I took 10 minute breaks every ~90 minutes or whenever I felt I needed one. I also didn’t use my phone during breaks. The no phone thing is key.

3) Not really. Only 2 semesters of bio and gchem and 1 semester of orgo. No anatomy, physiology, biochem, microbio, genetics, or any other upper level bio courses.

And thank you for the kind words! Haha. Good luck!

 

[dentalsud]

1) I had friends/family quiz me over random notes I had taken a few days a week. Just for like 15 minutes. It made sure I was actually retaining the info. Also, I scored well on the Bootcamp tests when I started taking them, so that was a good indicator.

2) I put my phone in a drawer whenever I was studying, I took 10 minute breaks every ~90 minutes or whenever I felt I needed one. I also didn’t use my phone during breaks. The no phone thing is key.

3) Not really. Only 2 semesters of bio and gchem and 1 semester of orgo. No anatomy, physiology, biochem, microbio, genetics, or any other upper level bio courses.

i agree with you the no phone policy is very important in effective studying

 

[Veni vidi vicii]

Last year, I started organizing and planning my schedule on May 22th. I started studying on May 24th to take it on June 26th. I condensed the Dat Bootcamp schedule into two a day with no rest days. I scored AA22/TS23/PAT26.

I had a breakdown, but it was deleted eventually for some reason. Be honest with what you know or need more practice on. Have Chad’s bio videos playing on the background while eating, driving, etc. Use DAT Angle Ranking by Bao Tran in AppStore and play with that. Also, go through Angle Generator from Bootcamp consistently the week before. Go through the Kaplan DAT flash cards while cooking, pooping, etc.

Don’t listen to people saying you’ll burnout. You know yourself better than anyone else. I personally like hardcore studying rather than being spread out. The last few days with the DAT Destroyer was very challenging, and I did start skipping some sections. Just do your best to consistently stick with the schedule. Remember it will pay off in the end.

Damn,how did you manage to do so well on the PAT with that much time and juggling the other stuff. Teach me obi wan