Taking the DAT as a Sophomore

[jeo]

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Long time lurker, first time poster--go easy. 😀

I'm currently finishing up general chemistry II this semester and planning to take biology I & II and organic I & II in the fall and spring of 2011-2012. After finishing that sequence, I would be finishing my sophomore year, leaving all summer to study for the DAT and eventually take it. I know the routine approach is to take the DAT in the spring or summer of your junior year, so I would be taking it approximately a year early. Has anyone taken this approach, and if so, how did it work out?

I would be prepared for the DAT in terms of fundamental didactic coursework. However, Could lack of upper level biology courses hinder my abilities to score well in the biology section on the DAT?

I've put together some possible pros and cons of taking the DAT as a sophomore in the summer:
Pros:
All summer long to study for the DAT
No school distractions
Can retake if not content with my final score
It would free up my junior year/less stress

Cons:
No upper-level biology courses
Mentally not prepared for such a Goliath test with only two years of college under my belt

Can I get some input on this proposal? Surely I'm not alone in wanting to get this test over with as quick as possible.

 

[TeethRgreat]

test scores are usually only good for 2 years

 

[bing12]

Long time lurker, first time poster--go easy. 😀

I'm currently finishing up general chemistry II this semester and planning to take biology I & II and organic I & II in the fall and spring of 2011-2012. After finishing that sequence, I would be finishing my sophomore year, leaving all summer to study for the DAT and eventually take it. I know the routine approach is to take the DAT in the spring or summer of your junior year, so I would be taking it approximately a year early. Has anyone taken this approach, and if so, how did it work out?

I would be prepared for the DAT in terms of fundamental didactic coursework. However, Could lack of upper level biology courses hinder my abilities to score well in the biology section on the DAT?

I've put together some possible pros and cons of taking the DAT as a sophomore in the summer:
Pros:
All summer long to study for the DAT
No school distractions
Can retake if not content with my final score
It would free up my junior year/less stress

Cons:
No upper-level biology courses
Mentally not prepared for such a Goliath test with only two years of college under my belt

Can I get some input on this proposal? Surely I'm not alone in wanting to get this test over with as quick as possible.

depends, I believe if you scored well enough in the science courses you would have completed by the time your sophomore year is complete , then go ahead ( 3.5+). if you struggled with the sciences, I say wait another year for maturity sake, and get familiar with upper level bios and improve your study habits so that when you do take the DAT, you will be better prepared.

 

[bing12]

test scores are usually only good for 2 years

2-3 years

 

[doc toothache]

The best time to take the DAT is when the material is freshest in the mind, and if you happen to be a Doogie Houser you could even apply after your sophomore year.

 

[jeo]

Would I be missing out on any needed information for the DAT with the upper-level biology courses such as biochemistry, microbiology, histology, etc?

 

[klboehm]

I took the DAT the summer between my sophomore and junior year. I did well, and I am so glad I took the test early. I'm currently a Junior and getting ready to apply in June. It is such a relief to have the DAT out of the way, so I can focus on other aspects of the application process. I took 2 semesters of the following classes before I took the DAT: gen chem, biology, anatomy/physiology, calculus, organic chemistry.

Here's my breakdown of the DAT: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=749916

 

[TalkingTom]

I did the same as the above. Honestly, I had taken most of the classes required before I took it --- and also forgotten most of that material. I really don't believe that it matters that much, as I was able to get a 23TS without remembering any of what I actually learned at school.

If you get the right materials and study them correctly, you will be fine even if you havn't taken the course at school.

 

[flabernak]

Would I be missing out on any needed information for the DAT with the upper-level biology courses such as biochemistry, microbiology, histology, etc?

Micro, Biochem, Anatomy/Phys, Genetics, etc... They ALL help on the Bio section of the DAT. Not required, but seriously they help. Plus as said before DAT scores are only valid for 2-3 years. Maybe check with the schools you want to attend about specifics on dates before you register for the DAT.

 

[uclaDDS101]

Long time lurker, first time poster--go easy. 😀

I'm currently finishing up general chemistry II this semester and planning to take biology I & II and organic I & II in the fall and spring of 2011-2012. After finishing that sequence, I would be finishing my sophomore year, leaving all summer to study for the DAT and eventually take it. I know the routine approach is to take the DAT in the spring or summer of your junior year, so I would be taking it approximately a year early. Has anyone taken this approach, and if so, how did it work out?

I would be prepared for the DAT in terms of fundamental didactic coursework. However, Could lack of upper level biology courses hinder my abilities to score well in the biology section on the DAT?

I've put together some possible pros and cons of taking the DAT as a sophomore in the summer:
Pros:
All summer long to study for the DAT
No school distractions
Can retake if not content with my final score
It would free up my junior year/less stress

Cons:
No upper-level biology courses
Mentally not prepared for such a Goliath test with only two years of college under my belt

Can I get some input on this proposal? Surely I'm not alone in wanting to get this test over with as quick as possible.

I took the dat after my 2nd year. During that summer, I was working and taking classes. I was studying for about 6 weeks. I know you may want to devote 100% of your summer to studying, but I would recommend against that. Having one or two activities will help you stay balanced, and will help you focus on studying when you need to go back to it and concentrate.

Some may speak differently, but I wouldn't worry about the lack of upper-level bio. I hadn't taken any either at the time and was still able to get a 30 on bio. Also, since the chems were more or less fresh in my mind (as doc said), I was able to get 30s on those too. Don't be afraid of taking it. If you feel confident in how you've performed in classes up to this point, taking the dat "early" (it's actually not early, and I know plenty of students who've taken it at that time) should not be a problem.

 

[dentalWorks]

Long time lurker, first time poster--go easy. 😀

I'm currently finishing up general chemistry II this semester and planning to take biology I & II and organic I & II in the fall and spring of 2011-2012. After finishing that sequence, I would be finishing my sophomore year, leaving all summer to study for the DAT and eventually take it. I know the routine approach is to take the DAT in the spring or summer of your junior year, so I would be taking it approximately a year early. Has anyone taken this approach, and if so, how did it work out?

I would be prepared for the DAT in terms of fundamental didactic coursework. However, Could lack of upper level biology courses hinder my abilities to score well in the biology section on the DAT?

I've put together some possible pros and cons of taking the DAT as a sophomore in the summer:
Pros:
All summer long to study for the DAT
No school distractions
Can retake if not content with my final score
It would free up my junior year/less stress

Cons:
No upper-level biology courses
Mentally not prepared for such a Goliath test with only two years of college under my belt

Can I get some input on this proposal? Surely I'm not alone in wanting to get this test over with as quick as possible.

you really should take the DAT in that summer (between soph and junior year).

That way, you can devote all your summer period (between Junior and senior year) applying and not having to worry about this test.

The ONLY time the upper level sciences "might" help you is in the biology section. However, don't expect it to give you that much of an advantage. It might be the difference between a 20 to 21-22 but thats about it..

Generally speaking, majority of the biology questions are basic stuffs, approx 30 of the 40 questions will be free-giveaways. Meaning if you just have high school level biology, you'll get them right. 5 will be, what I call "brain busters", you'll be able to arrive to the correct answer but they do require you to elevate your thinking.... the last 5, I categorize them as "WTFs"... could be things you've never seen, or studied, or just didn't know where they came. These are the 5 that makes the difference between a perfect 29-30 to a 20 score.......

 

[Maygyver]

Would I be missing out on any needed information for the DAT with the upper-level biology courses such as biochemistry, microbiology, histology, etc?

I think if you are a good self-learner you will be safe. Yes, it is helpful to have taken those courses because you've sat through lectures/exams which cover the material, but if you are able to just read through the material and understand it you should be fine. The majority of the material on the bio section comes from general biology, but the upper levels just give you a little bit more background education to help understand the topics deeper.

 

[Muggsy Bogues]

Just take it prior to the summer before senior year. No point in taking it before then. Just will cause undue stress and you may be more mature and ready to take it the further along in your studies you are.

 

[therock21]

I took it after my sophomore year and I think it was definitely the best way to go. I start d-school in the fall.