Successful Dat! I think?

[omarski]

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Hey guys. Been a busy week moving back to school straight after my test and getting settled in. I finally got the time to sit here and share my score with all of you. I'm relatively happy with it all except for QR.
To be completely honest, I was scoring 23-25 on all of my Biology portions of my full-length exams, but the actual test had MANY curve balls. A few questions were things that I've never even heard of. The topics were super random, and I had to take an 'educated' guess based on nothing! haha.
Organic chemistry had some oddly worded questions that had me wondering what I was reading lol. But I think this section was my fault due to me messing up as discussed below. My practice scores were all in the 22-26 range, and I just didn't utilize my time properly.

Bio: 22
GC: 24
OC: 21
PAT: 20
RC:21
QR:16
TS:22
AA:21

I honestly choked a few times and my timing wasn't perfect. As a result, I ended up going into Organic Chemistry portion with less than 26 minutes remaining due to my brain freezing up on an easy question for General Chemistry. I went into the General Chemistry portion with a lot of time to spare, and then wasted too much time on general chemistry, which resulted in not enough time on Organic Chemistry.
Similarly, on the RC section, I had to blindly guess and pick something on the last 2 questions.
On the PAT, I spent too much time on the keyhole/TFE portion and had to blindly guess on the last 4-5 questions for Pattern Folding.


And then once I got to QR, I hadn't studied much for it, and I was mentally drained, I honestly didn't expect the 16, but it happened.

Should I be concerned about it? From what I understand, many people still have good chances even with a low QR?
I spent a week studying for RC (just a few practice tests), and two weeks studying PAT(both generators and the practice test on DAT BOOTCAMP). I did a handful of QR problems, and it shows lol.
Lastly! Chad, DAT Bootcamp, and DAT DESTROYER, that is basically all I used. And of course this forum! Ari and Orgoman were so kind and answered all my dumb questions. Thank you guys so much 🙂.Everyone on this forum was so helpful and on top of answering questions, and I appreciate it all.

For study routine:

I spent about a month learning material. But I had a lot of breaks, and days off. I would randomly do things like go out with friends or go snowboarding, and skip a day or two here and there. I had a few trips up north to visit my friends which would span 3-4 days and that happened twice. Right after I finished reviewing all my material, I went to Washington for a week with my friends to see Seattle and went snowboarding a few times. I came back with roughly 3 weeks remaining, and that is where I went super hardcore with about 8 hours a day, 6 days a week, with 1 day off. The beginning of my 7th week I took a practice test to see where I was at, then studied for one more week. The final week I did a few full length exams and took the last day mostly off.
I dedicated all my time to the sciences, and as I said above, didn't do much PAT or RC prior to the final two weeks. Similarly with QR.

 

[qkrdpsk]

I think your scores are fine! 🙂 My lowest was also QR.. Got a 17. I was also concerned about that 17, but I was told to not worry so much because QR is apparently not that important of a section.. But schools do have cut offs so you should check with the schools you're interested in & make sure a 16 is okay. Your other sections are 20+ so I wouldn't worry so much about it. Congrats 🙂

 

[qkrdpsk]

And how was Seattle?! I'm from Washington 😀

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

Hey solid job overall! My test is really soon 🙂. DW I'll kick that QRs butt and avenge both of you 🙂. I wouldn't mind getting your SNS scores man!

 

[omarski]

And how was Seattle?! I'm from Washington 😀

Yeah i'll have to call and check. It was awesome! I loved Pike's Market and I enjoyed how joint together everything felt. I dunno if that makes sense, but here in LA, everything feels isolated. The only thing I can really complain about is the parking... lol

 

[qkrdpsk]

Hey solid job overall! My test is really soon 🙂. DW I'll kick that QRs butt and avenge both of you 🙂. I wouldn't mind getting your SNS scores man!

You'll do great 🙂 Hang in there! And please do avenge me! QR kicked my butt!

 

[qkrdpsk]

Yeah i'll have to call and check. It was awesome! I loved Pike's Market and I enjoyed how joint together everything felt. I dunno if that makes sense, but here in LA, everything feels isolated. The only thing I can really complain about is the parking... lol

I've always wanted to live in California. So jealous! Are you considering applying to UW dental school? 🙂

 

[omarski]

I've always wanted to live in California. So jealous! Are you considering applying to UW dental school? 🙂

Yes I am! Unless of course, they don't allow 16 QR's LOL. I'm trying to stay in California, but if I only get into private schools, then I'm going to consider out of state, since tuition costs are ridiculous. But yeah California is pretty cool man. Also I forgot to mention this, but the test center I went to was oddly laid back, and let anything go. They didn't have anyone actually directly watch, and the person outside of the room looking through the window looked inattentive. The worst part was they put me by the door, even though my exam was in the morning and the room was maybe 1/2 filled with numerous seats available. So I constantly would hear people opening and closing the door and talking in the room next to me when the door would open. So yeah I don't know what that was about. And right before the test started I was really nervous and wasn't thinking about where they would seat me. But once I chilled out and relaxed, I was like they shouldn't have put me by the door that was constantly getting slammed open and closed when there are many other seats available. I know everyone's like "that is why they give noise cancelling headphones". But they were so tight and uncomfortable! I also didn't have a real snack during the middle 15 minute break, I had 2 pieces of chocolate, and went back in to finish off lol. All in all, it worked out and I'm just sharing my experience.

Also, they were relaxed about me drawing out my PAT squares and stuff during the tutorial, since again the lady wasn't paying attention at all and she seemed laid back. So yeah whatever vibe you get from your testing center, go with it.

 

[qkrdpsk]

Yes I am! Unless of course, they don't allow 16 QR's LOL. I'm trying to stay in California, but if I only get into private schools, then I'm going to consider out of state, since tuition costs are ridiculous. But yeah California is pretty cool man. Also I forgot to mention this, but the test center I went to was oddly laid back, and let anything go. They didn't have anyone actually directly watch, and the person outside of the room looking through the window looked inattentive. The worst part was they put me by the door, even though my exam was in the morning and the room was maybe 1/2 filled with numerous seats available. So I constantly would hear people opening and closing the door and talking in the room next to me when the door would open. So yeah I don't know what that was about. And right before the test started I was really nervous and wasn't thinking about where they would seat me. But once I chilled out and relaxed, I was like they shouldn't have put me by the door that was constantly getting slammed open and closed when there are many other seats available. I know everyone's like "that is why they give noise cancelling headphones". But they were so tight and uncomfortable! I also didn't have a real snack during the middle 15 minute break, I had 2 pieces of chocolate, and went back in to finish off lol. All in all, it worked out and I'm just sharing my experience.

Also, they were relaxed about me drawing out my PAT squares and stuff during the tutorial, since again the lady wasn't paying attention at all and she seemed laid back. So yeah whatever vibe you get from your testing center, go with it.

Wow, your experience is pretty different from mine. I tested in Seattle & the people there were pretty strict. The person sitting outside would walk into the room & check up on me like every 20 minutes.. I swear I can feel his or her breath down my neck LOL. It was kinda uncomfortable. Also, I wasn't allowed to write on my laminated sheets during the tutorial so I had to make my PAT squares & stuff during the scheduled break. I also had some chocolate lol 😀

I was seated farthest away from the door, but it was still pretty noisy because this girl right beside me was slamming away at her keyboard.. It was pretty annoying. I don't understand why she was typing so intensely lol. But the headphones didn't help.. And they are uncomfortable.

One thing I would've done differently is NOT drink so much water before the test!!! I had a bad urge to go during the RC section, but I tried my best to hold off since I only had QR left... But by the time I was working on QR, I couldn't hold it so I walked out during QR. I lost so much time on that section. But I doubt I would've scored much higher than a 17. Idk why but QR just doesn't click in my head lol and I think I put the least amount of time in studying for QR.. Followed by OC lol I'm bad

 

[BioForLife]

As long as you make sure you're above the cutoff for QR for the schools you're applying to, I think your scores are pretty solid. Nice job! I second the not drinking too much water thing. 😛 Better to be a bit thirsty than rush through a section to go.

 

[Ari Rezaei]

Very nice scores, congratulations on your success! Thanks for the detailed breakdown 🙂

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Wow, your experience is pretty different from mine. I tested in Seattle & the people there were pretty strict. The person sitting outside would walk into the room & check up on me like every 20 minutes.. I swear I can feel his or her breath down my neck LOL. It was kinda uncomfortable. Also, I wasn't allowed to write on my laminated sheets during the tutorial so I had to make my PAT squares & stuff during the scheduled break. I also had some chocolate lol 😀

I was seated farthest away from the door, but it was still pretty noisy because this girl right beside me was slamming away at her keyboard.. It was pretty annoying. I don't understand why she was typing so intensely lol. But the headphones didn't help.. And they are uncomfortable.

One thing I would've done differently is NOT drink so much water before the test!!! I had a bad urge to go during the RC section, but I tried my best to hold off since I only had QR left... But by the time I was working on QR, I couldn't hold it so I walked out during QR. I lost so much time on that section. But I doubt I would've scored much higher than a 17. Idk why but QR just doesn't click in my head lol and I think I put the least amount of time in studying for QR.. Followed by OC lol I'm bad

Great advice!

 

[omarski]

Should i retake?
And I attached my proof below, someone messaged me asking for it lol. There you go!

 

[qkrdpsk]

Should i retake?
And I attached my proof below, someone messaged me asking for it lol. There you go!

Everything is 20 or above so I wouldn't retake. You have solid scores🙂 but you should make sure that 16 is okay by calling the schools you're interested in/planning to apply to cuz they may have cut offs. QR was also my lowest, a 17, and I was told I shouldn't worry so much because it's not as important as the other sections and I scored 20+ in the other sections! But the question is, are you happy with your scores? Lol cuz you should beeeeee

 

[qkrdpsk]

Lol I just realized I already responded to this post . I thought this was a new post . Fail

 

[LuckBloodandSweat]

I think you're in better shape than I am. It really depends on how you feel about it and if you want to burn yourself out studying again.