I was planning on taking easier classes this fall as I wanted to study for the DAT. My advisor insisted I should take Micro and Biochem or at least 1 of them while I am studying for it this next semester.
Are these essential for the DAT, as in how heavily are they tested? Would I be okay self-studying them to get at least a 21/22? If not, which one should I take while studying?
However, I really do not want to take any hard classes alongside studying as I want to focus as much time as possible for the DAT, and I know myself and I would not be able to keep up/get burnt out.
Microbiology and Biochemistry are both valuable courses, but neither is required to do well on the DAT.
The DAT Biology section covers a wide range of topics, including genetics, cell biology, physiology, evolution, ecology, microbiology, and some biochemistry. While both subjects appear on the DAT, they are not tested at the same depth you would see in a full college Microbiology or Biochemistry course.
If you already know that taking difficult science courses while studying for the DAT is likely to leave you overwhelmed, that is something to consider carefully. Many students do better when they can focus on learning the DAT material thoroughly rather than trying to juggle too many demanding commitments at once.
If you decide to take one of the two courses before the DAT, I would probably lean toward Biochemistry because some of those concepts seem to be appearing more frequently on recent exams. That said, I have heard from many students over the years who performed very well on the DAT without having completed either course beforehand.
For DAT preparation, Dr. Romano's Biology Review and the DAT Destroyer cover the microbiology and biochemistry material you need to know for the exam. The goal is not to learn every detail from a college-level course, but to develop a solid understanding of the concepts that are commonly tested.
At the end of the day, you want a schedule that allows you to maintain a strong GPA while giving yourself enough time to prepare properly for the DAT. Be honest with yourself about what you can realistically handle. A plan that you can follow consistently is usually better than taking on too much and burning out.
DAT Destroyer:
Free DAT and OAT Study Materials:
Facebook Study Group (you can download Dr. Romano's Biology Review free of charge from the Files section):
Wishing you the best,
Nancy
Orgoman LLC
DAT Destroyer
