Studying for the DAT during the semester?

[Nevertheless]

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Hello fellow pre-dents! I was wondering if anyone else was planning on taking the DAT towards the end of the upcoming semester (April-May), and if so, what your general study plan for the semester is. I've read Dentalworks guide, but 8 hours a day of studying for the DAT during the semester just isn't going to happen (without seriously compromising my gpa). Also, if I take the DAT in April or May will I be good to go on June 1st? Not sure how long the scores take, and I'd really like to apply as early as possible...Gah! Stressin'...

 

[Jake91]

I also am planning on taking the DAT coming up in late March or early April. What I've been doing is following dentalworks schedule as much as I can during winter break (besides working part time). That way when it comes time to start doing the review problems as the schedule lists, I can spread them out on a need to basis, while taking classes next semester.

 

[JonLee]

I plan on taking mine in late January at the earliest to maybe Spring Break if I don't feel ready (really dont want to pay another $320 0.o).

As far as studying throughout the semester, I plan to basically sacrifice my social life and be a hermit and study almost any chance I get when I'm not busy with hw/eating/exercise/sleeping.

I think it takes about a month for the formal results to get submitted (I hear you get your scores instantaneously), so I'd say take it early May by latest if you want to apply as early as possible. Good luck!

And Jake if you don't mind could you elaborate on the dental works schedule you referred to in your post?
Thanks!

 

[Jake91]

This link should take you to the discussion for the 8 week study schedule. I'm using the schedule using chad's videos, Cliff's AP bio, KBB, DAT destroyer, and CDP.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=719365

As I mention, I'm trying to follow it as close as possible and keep up ( some days its hard since I'm working part time over my 3 week winter break). I figure if I get the first 4 weeks down, starting week 5 dentalworks has you doing practice problems. I figure when trying to balance studying and my course work, I will be able to fit these problems in throughout the day as I can. (I started studying way before 8 weeks prior to when I plan to take the DAT)

 

[JonLee]

Sounds good! Thanks for the link! And good luck!

 

[Nevertheless]

Thanks guys! Hmm...I might take it a little earlier than I had planned. I'll try to get through as much as I can over the rest of break. This is definitely going to be a zero social life semester, but hopefully it will pay off in the end. Good luck!

 

[txlotusboys37]

it'll pay if you put in the time and effort. Don't let anything pass you by...go over the practice questions that you miss and understand why you missed them. Good luck!

 

[JonLee]

txlotusboys37, thank you Thank you THANK YOU for your DAT breakdown!
Super helpful and encouraging!
If only I can get myself to concentrate for more than 3 hours a day :/
I swear I have ADD at the moment 🙁
Most important test of my life so far yet idk why I can't concentrate.

 

[dental555]

I'm in the same predicament, trying to decide what to do. I'm also trying to follow dentalwork's study guide, but I just don't think its possible to do during the school year if I'm also working a part time job as well as getting clinical/shadowing hours. I'm now leaning towards taking it in the summer with an 8 week study plan. I would finish the semester in mid May, take a couple weeks off, then study for all of June and July and take the class at the beginning of August. Did anyone else do something similar to this, and if so what would you suggest? I figure if its the summer, I can wake up at 9am each day and study for 8 hours a day, until about 5 or so. Basically treat it like it being a full time job for 2 months.

 

[asdfray]

Same here! I already registered for a date in April and hopefully by that time, I will be ready and get this over with! Gluck everyone =) 👍

 

[invictusx]

I wouldn't follow someone else's study guide because that specific plan worked for that individual. You are not that person. You should be your own study guide and you should be setting your own plans and goals. Some people may have used it and found it to be successful but every individual's approach to studying is different. You may be one of the people who understands the material in a snap, you never know. First and foremost, you need a routine and making the first step is hard. Maybe you should use that plan as a blueprint and then modify it along the way, or just improvise. It is up to your discretion.

If you take it in April/May, you'll definitely be ahead of the game. You can even take it in late May and you'd make the first batch of applicants! 🙂

 

[txlotusboys37]

txlotusboys37, thank you Thank you THANK YOU for your DAT breakdown!
Super helpful and encouraging!
If only I can get myself to concentrate for more than 3 hours a day :/
I swear I have ADD at the moment 🙁
Most important test of my life so far yet idk why I can't concentrate.

You're welcome JonLee! I'm glad that it's been helpful...means my breakdown is doing what it's supposed to. You're probably just getting jittery b/c you're probably like "ahhh this is the exam tha decides my fate, it's all becoming so real" haha...at least that's what I was thinking when I was first studying for the DAT.

If you have any questions, feel free to pm me. Good luck everyone!

 

[JonLee]

Thanks txlotusboys37.
And Congrats on your acceptances!

 

[littlemisspiggy]

is it true that it takes 2 weeks minimum for your DAT score to be processed in the application? thanks guys!