Take or wait?

[Cinnabans]

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So I'm planning to take the DAT on March 28th, for the first time (after moving it from the 1st) but I'm wondering if that's the right thing to do. I'm having a HORRIBLE time studying for both the DAT as well as a full load of classes (including 500 level biochem). I know it's my personal decision but I'd just like some advise from experienced test takers. Would it be better to take it on my planned date or wait to take it in June (after applying in May) when I think I'd be way more prepared (i know i'll never be 100% "prepared")? Should I just take it in March anyway and possibly plan for a re-take or wait until I'm ready/less stressed? I don't know if it'd be worse to take it in March and possibly get a really bad score or to wait, take it in June and risk having to wait another 3 months to re-take it (i NEED to do really well and apply super early because my GPA is below 3.5)......I'm babbling now...but a little help!? Thanks!!

 

[joey2007]

Hey there,

I have no experience whatsoever about this. But I do like to give it a shot, if you don't like what I said, ignore it and choose your own route k?

First off, how long have you been studying for it? Did you use any timed test such as DAT achiever or Topscore? If you did and you scored more like 17's on DAT achiever and more than 19's on Topscore, you're ready to hit the test. The anxiety will never go away, just give it a shot. If you do bad, chances are you'll be retaking it again in June. By what I've learned in this forum, even if you submit your application right on May 15, AADSAS will not mail it out until a little later. AADSAS don't need your DAT score to process your application. Again, it's your choice. You're fine both ways.

Goodluck

 

[smile101]

Hey there,

I have no experience whatsoever about this. But I do like to give it a shot, if you don't like what I said, ignore it and choose your own route k?

First off, how long have you been studying for it? Did you use any timed test such as DAT achiever or Topscore? If you did and you scored more like 17's on DAT achiever and more than 19's on Topscore, you're ready to hit the test. The anxiety will never go away, just give it a shot. If you do bad, chances are you'll be retaking it again in June. By what I've learned in this forum, even if you submit your application right on May 15, AADSAS will not mail it out until a little later. AADSAS don't need your DAT score to process your application. Again, it's your choice. You're fine both ways.

Goodluck

I agree!
I have a full time job and I am trying to study along with work...not so cool especially with an hour drive back and forth! However, if you do good on practice exams like achiever and kaplan (take it like its a real thing), then give it a shot. You will never feel totally ready for it anyway, so set a deadline for yourself and go from there.

 

[SanOnofre2002]

Do not take it if you're not ready! You can still apply in May and take the test as late as the end of June and it won't affect the timing of your application one bit. Remeber that the DAT scores are sent by the ADEA directly to the schools. So while AADSAS is taking their sweet time verifying your transcripts, you can study and then take the test by July 1st, and both your application and scores should arrive at the schools around the same time. If you take the test during a busy semester, you will be wasting your time. Also, if you retake, the schools will get both sets of scrores. Seeing bad 1st time scores may affect how much they want you.

 

[Cinnabans]

SanOnofre2002, that was my mind set about taking it during my busy semester. I don't know if it is worth it to take it "just to see what it's like" and risk a bad score (even if I came back and got a 20+ I don't think that would look good, especially w/ my below 3.5 GPA). Everyone, including D1 friends of mine advised me to take it in March anyway but the more I think about it the more it seems like a bad idea...

 

[Chga]

Wait till summer

 

[nhasifuture]

I'd say only take once you're ready.

 

[gomawum]

i'm taking on 29th and I'm in the same boat.
I was going to wait til summer, but I decided to give it a shot.

I'll do +12 study as soon as I'm done with my final and If I don't feel like i'm ready yet, than I'll postpond it like a week or two and study more since there aren't that much to study at the beginning of quater..

 

[Bizznet]

i'll agree with the other people who are saying to wait. Do not take the test if you feel you haven't studied enough. You need to go into the test feeling confident that you know your material so you don't second guess yourself everytime.

Also, this test costs way too much to just take it when you're not ready.

 

[bruin432]

my exam was scehduled for march 27th, def not ready so i pushed it back, it better to just take it when you know you are the most prepared!

 

[illbirz]

I think by taking at end of march it you have noting to lose. Benefits of taking it. 1. you go through it once. 2. if you did bad, your next attempt will be higher, and thats all it matters to dental schools. 3. you can take the test, but if you come out and act like it was just another diagnostic test then you will lose (so dont do that). When you walk out of it, if u did good then Ku-dos to you but if u did bad, that same day write out the sections which u were hesitant to answer and for the next round study those sections more closely and in detail. Negative aspects of taking it end of march are 1. you dont feel that comfortable to take it. 2. you might get a low score on it. 3. you will have used one of your 3 chances.

In my opinion, if its your first time taking it no matter what the GPA is go ahead and do it. Worst case scenario is that you perform bad and the next time you will get a higher score. THAT IS IF, once you have taken the march exam and you were not happy with the results you continue studying for your next attempt like you have never taken the DAT before.

~fine prints~
Not saying you should follow my advice, its just my opinion which is based on my current knowledge obtained through my attempt of entering a dental school. Feel free to add/correct any wrong information i have expressed, cuz then i can correct myself as well.

 

[rooney09]

So I'm planning to take the DAT on March 28th, for the first time (after moving it from the 1st) but I'm wondering if that's the right thing to do. I'm having a HORRIBLE time studying for both the DAT as well as a full load of classes (including 500 level biochem). I know it's my personal decision but I'd just like some advise from experienced test takers. Would it be better to take it on my planned date or wait to take it in June (after applying in May) when I think I'd be way more prepared (i know i'll never be 100% "prepared")? Should I just take it in March anyway and possibly plan for a re-take or wait until I'm ready/less stressed? I don't know if it'd be worse to take it in March and possibly get a really bad score or to wait, take it in June and risk having to wait another 3 months to re-take it (i NEED to do really well and apply super early because my GPA is below 3.5)......I'm babbling now...but a little help!? Thanks!!

Cinnabans I am in the exact same position as you, I'm taking my DATs on March 24 and my GPA is below 3.5. It is my first time taking it and I don't feel 100% ready at all even though its less than 3 weeks away. I am also taking 15 semester hours with alot of upper level bio courses so its tough. I've decided to take it on the 24rd because in April/May I've my application to do, final exams etc...really busy then.

It depends on how ready you feel, if you are doing really bad on practice tests and you KNOW its gonna be a bad score then postpone it. If your doing reasonable (17's, 18's) then take it.