Taking DAT this winter

[AJAAJA]

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Hello all,

I decided to take DAT this winter, and I plan to start preparing for DAT now. I know it is pretty long preparation time, but I want to achieve the best score.

I do not know where to start. Since DAT Bootcamp is only for 90 days, I am planning to get DAT Bootcamp before 3 months of DAT. Can you guys suggest me any plan? Where should I start?

 

[Roc Marciano]

Before purchasing Bootcamp you can watch Chad's videos, read CliffsAP (or whatever source you're using for Bio), take notes, make and review flashcards etc. Then there's quizzes for Chad's videos (if you purchase the Coursesaver version) and tests in CliffsAP. After that you'll be ready to start DAT Destroyer if you're using it. DAT Destroyer will take a while so before completing it you might be ready to buy Bootcamp, start their practice tests and begin prepping for PAT. If you want to start prepping for PAT earlier and budget isn't an issue you can also buy Crack DAT PAT which doesn't have a time limit. I haven't used it though so I'm not sure how good it is. For RC you can just read a lot if you feel like it'll help.

 

[AJAAJA]

Before purchasing Bootcamp you can watch Chad's videos, read CliffsAP (or whatever source you're using for Bio), take notes, make and review flashcards etc. Then there's quizzes for Chad's videos (if you purchase the Coursesaver version) and tests in CliffsAP. After that you'll be ready to start DAT Destroyer if you're using it. DAT Destroyer will take a while so before completing it you might be ready to buy Bootcamp, start their practice tests and begin prepping for PAT. If you want to start prepping for PAT earlier and budget isn't an issue you can also buy Crack DAT PAT which doesn't have a time limit. I haven't used it though so I'm not sure how good it is. For RC you can just read a lot if you feel like it'll help.

Instead of watching Chad's videos, do you recommend reading the text first? I feel like I forgot gen chem and I need to build good foundation again. Or would chad videos' enough?

 

[deleted903013]

I took it in January. I started studying in August and did relatively well. Be aware: burnout is VERY real. I studied a few hours a week during the school year which mostly consisted of me studying during class. I watched all of Chad's and read all of Feralli's during the school year. This gave me a great base. Then, I studied all day during winter break and was able to mostly practice which helped a lot. Still, I started to feel worn out because I'd studied so much and for so long (months!). Don't plan on studying hard soon. You'll not only get burned out, you'll also forget what you learned. I honestly don't think I retained much from August lol.

 

[AJAAJA]

I took it in January. I started studying in August and did relatively well. Be aware: burnout is VERY real. I studied a few hours a week during the school year which mostly consisted of me studying during class. I watched all of Chad's and read all of Feralli's during the school year. This gave me a great base. Then, I studied all day during winter break and was able to mostly practice which helped a lot. Still, I started to feel worn out because I'd studied so much and for so long (months!). Don't plan on studying hard soon. You'll not only get burned out, you'll also forget what you learned. I honestly don't think I retained much from August lol.

Thank you for sharing your experience. When did you get Bootcamp? Should I just take it in August and be done with DAT?

 

[deleted903013]

Thank you for sharing your experience. When did you get Bootcamp? Should I just take it in August and be done with DAT?

100% get it done and take it in August. You have all summer to study. Don't push it back. You'll thank yourself later. 2 months is PLENTY of time. You'll only wanna get one BC subscription so time it so you buy it before it runs out. I think a subscription lasts ~2 months.

 

[AJAAJA]

100% get it done and take it in August. You have all summer to study. Don't push it back. You'll thank yourself later. 2 months is PLENTY of time. You'll only wanna get one BC subscription so time it so you buy it before it runs out. I think a subscription lasts ~2 months.

I am taking a summer class and I have to shadow as well. Also, I did not finish ochem 2 and upper level bio classes that would help me for DAT. This was why I was planning to take DAT later. Do you think I should still take it in August?

 

[deleted903013]

I am taking a summer class and I have to shadow as well. Also, I did not finish ochem 2 and upper level bio classes that would help me for DAT. This was why I was planning to take DAT later. Do you think I should still take it in August?

I think the only thing holding you back would not finishing ochem 2. It's tough to say whether you should take it, honestly. I took the DAT practically a year after taking ochem and had forgot pretty much everything. In fact, before I started studying, I bet I couldn't name you a single reagent lol. Watching Chad's taught me everything I needed to know. So, if you're motivated enough, I think you could absolutely do it, but I wouldn't fault you for waiting until ochem 2 either. It's really up to you. I also don't think upper level bio classes would be that much of an advantage. Most of the bio info will be in Cliff's and at the very least ferralli's as well. The DAT I took was almost entirely surface level for Bio. My recommendation would be to watch chad's videos and take thorough notes. If you feel like you get ochem down, perhaps take it. Worse case scenario, you take really good notes on chad's, but still aren't ready. Just use those notes to keep studying and you should be fine only watching chad's once. I watched Chad's in August and used the notes until January, only watching it once.