Taking DAT in September?

[bluebit]

Advertisement - Members don't see this ad

Hello all,

I'm currently planning to take the DAT sometime this summer or fall depending on your kind answers...

Let me just say that I have recently come back pursuing a career in dental from another major, and am planning to apply to school this year for 2010 matriculation.

I took the first semester of Organic Chem about 3 years ago but received an C-, mainly because I had decided to quit pursuing a dental career.

Now, I'm back for real, but still need to finish Org Chem. Considering I got a C- and it was 3 years ago I plan to retake part 1 and part 2 of Org Chem this summer.

The problem is, I can't take the DAT until I'm done with the summer Org sessions which will be mid-August, and I'd like to allow myself as much studying time as possible before taking the DAT.

I will need the extra study time because it was about 3 years ago when I took Gen chem and Biology. I have just begun studying for Bio but with a full time job and a full time class schedule, it's hard to find some free time between job, classes, and homeworks.

When would you recommend me to take the DAT? My initial thought was at the end of August, but now I'm afraid I wouldn't have enough time to study for it. Is it possible to take DAT in September to a minimal disadvantage? I will submit the application early in June as soon as it opens, but will have to leave the DAT score blank until few months later. Is this OK?

Thanks for taking your time to read this. I'd very appreciate any comments.

J

 

[gentile1225]

The best advice I can give you is not to rush taking the dat!!! i did my first time and was extremely pissed off and frustrated with myself knowing that i had to retake when i couldve done as well as i wanted to if i didnt rush it. if you have the time, wait. to tell you the truth, unless you have some off-the-chart scores, youre chances of getting accepted after handing your scores in in september is slim to none. wait it out, study, schedule a test, and see how prepared you feel. you can always postpone the test if anything, its definitely not going anywhere.

if youre having problems with organic after the summer i would suggest using kaplan bb to review and summarize and then kill it with destroyer. if you can go through destroyer forwards and backwards you could almost guarantee 20s. the orgo on the dat is in my opinion fairly simple. they ask concept questions (i.e. carbocation stability, reactivity, basicity, acidity) and small reaction sequences (some one step, some three). practice, practice, practice is the best thing to do for orgo.

 

[fishstalker73]

Is it possible to take DAT in September to a minimal disadvantage? I will submit the application early in June as soon as it opens, but will have to leave the DAT score blank until few months later. Is this OK?

J

I am also looking for an anwer to this question, please give some input.

 

[doc toothache]

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=527651

 

[DDS4tehwin]

Take it when you're ready. I took it on the last day of September and still got in by December. Good luck.

 

[klutzy1987]

You can definitely take the DAT in September after submitting your application in August. However that will also hurt your chances of getting an acceptance on Dec. 1 are significantly reduced. I would suggest taking the DAT no later than the end of August. If thats not possible then take it as early as you are ready.

 

[Broncos85]

As everyone as said already dont take the DAT until your ready and dont rush to take it. Make sure your fully prepared first and good luck with everything!

 

[doc3232]

Postponing a month is better than having to wait three.

 

[bluebit]

Thank you all! It looks like September is the way to go, unless I feel confident by the end of August.