Test day tips

[diene]

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My DAT is on Wednesday. If anyone has any tips for the test day..things that worked well and things that didn't, I would really love to hear about it. What did you guys eat for breakfast/snack? Any input is appreciated! Thanks 🙂

 

[dymm]

My test center was quite far away from where I live so I stayed at a motel right down the street to my test center. I think that really helped me overcome my anxiety related to getting up early (8am test) and driving for about an hour.

The night before the test I was unable to sleep at all. I think I stayed up the whole night checking the clock every 5-10 minutes, because I didn't want to sleep through my test or be late for it. I think I was solving all sorts of DAT problems in my head that whole night even though I tried hard to sleep.

Got outa bed at 4AM-ish.
- reviewed bio notes (even though I don't think it helped me that much to be honest)
- did mini tests on CDP (i.e. just angle ranking section to get myself in that fast-decision making mode; PF section b/c I don't feel comfortable what that section.. ended up doing bad and it kinda brought my confidence down haha)
- looked at some trig identities, and solutions for some math word problems

At 6AM ate a light breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage, pancakes with lots of syrup (needed glucose in my systemic circulation to power my brain lol), and water (no coffee.. they say it increases GFR 😀).

Studied some more for a bit, did light exercises, showered, and drove down one block to the testing center. Meditated (as in being aware of inhalations and exhalations) while in the waiting room at Prometrics.



I hope that was helpful (sorry it was so long.. got carried away.. but I guess its good practice for RC Lol). Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[diene]

My test center was quite far away from where I live so I stayed at a motel right down the street to my test center. I think that really helped me overcome my anxiety related to getting up early (8am test) and driving for about an hour.

The night before the test I was unable to sleep at all. I think I stayed up the whole night checking the clock every 5-10 minutes, because I didn't want to sleep through my test or be late for it. I think I was solving all sorts of DAT problems in my head that whole night even though I tried hard to sleep.

Got outa bed at 4AM-ish.
- reviewed bio notes (even though I don't think it helped me that much to be honest)
- did mini tests on CDP (i.e. just angle ranking section to get myself in that fast-decision making mode; PF section b/c I don't feel comfortable what that section.. ended up doing bad and it kinda brought my confidence down haha)
- looked at some trig identities, and solutions for some math word problems

At 6AM ate a light breakfast consisting of eggs, sausage, pancakes with lots of syrup (needed glucose in my systemic circulation to power my brain lol), and water (no coffee.. they say it increases GFR 😀).

Studied some more for a bit, did light exercises, showered, and drove down one block to the testing center. Meditated (as in being aware of inhalations and exhalations) while in the waiting room at Prometrics.



I hope that was helpful (sorry it was so long.. got carried away.. but I guess its good practice for RC Lol). Good luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh gosh, that is horrible! Didn't you get sleepy during the exam? Mine is at 1pm..now im scared..if I can't sleep then by 1pm, I will be exhausted lol

 

[dymm]

Oh gosh, that is horrible! Didn't you get sleepy during the exam? Mine is at 1pm..now im scared..if I can't sleep then by 1pm, I will be exhausted lol

I felt like there was no time to get sleepy, especially with all the fight or flight response kicking in for me during the test. I can't really give you good advice on that issue, but I've heard of people taking sleeping pills the night before the test. I just opted not to do that because I just didn't want to experiment with pills and stuff one night before my exam.


Good luck

 

[clcrdh08]

If you get nervous just sit at the computer and look around and relax. Write notes on your dry erase board. When you are calm then hit the computer button to start. Nothing begins until you click the mouse to start.

 

[Greenvneck]

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[diene]

If you get nervous just sit at the computer and look around and relax. Write notes on your dry erase board. When you are calm then hit the computer button to start. Nothing begins until you click the mouse to start.

So you could draw out your grids and stuff before the test even starts? lol
did you use all of your tutorial time or skip it after drawing/writing out the necessary stuff?

 

[diene]

hey im taking it tomorrow too best of luck i'm sure we will both rock the DAT, lets inform each other how we do 🙂

Goood luck! Hope we both do really well 🙂

 

[dental24]

So you could draw out your grids and stuff before the test even starts? lol
did you use all of your tutorial time or skip it after drawing/writing out the necessary stuff?

When I took the DAT last November 2011, I skipped the tutorial! DO NOT DO THIS!!

During the tutorial time, you can draw out whatever diagrams and equations you know youll forget. (Squeeze it in and dont make it large because you wont be given that many dry erase sheets and its a pain erasing them).

During the Break: rest up, have a snack, reload on caffeine if needed and review some math equations you know youll forget by the time you get back in. That way as soon as youre in you can jot those down on your erase board.


Even if you dont jot down your eq., diagrams, etc. just use at least 5mins to calm your nerves and being confident because as soon as you see that first question (and if its hard) youll start to panic.


If youve studied well youll do fine! I'm retaking mine this August 2012 so i know the pressures on lol

GOOD LUCK AND KILL IT🙂

 

[diene]

When I took the DAT last November 2011, I skipped the tutorial! DO NOT DO THIS!!

During the tutorial time, you can draw out whatever diagrams and equations you know youll forget. (Squeeze it in and dont make it large because you wont be given that many dry erase sheets and its a pain erasing them).

During the Break: rest up, have a snack, reload on caffeine if needed and review some math equations you know youll forget by the time you get back in. That way as soon as youre in you can jot those down on your erase board.


Even if you dont jot down your eq., diagrams, etc. just use at least 5mins to calm your nerves and being confident because as soon as you see that first question (and if its hard) youll start to panic.


If youve studied well youll do fine! I'm retaking mine this August 2012 so i know the pressures on lol

GOOD LUCK AND KILL IT🙂

Are you allowed to look over notes during the break? :O is that what you meant by review? or mentally review? lol

Thanks for the advice! good luck to ya!

 

[OUDent88]

Are you allowed to look over notes during the break? :O is that what you meant by review? or mentally review? lol

Thanks for the advice! good luck to ya!

Well I had this same question last summer about reviewing notes during the break...I reviewed a bit of QR outside the testing center and my score almost got voided so I think it's a no no lol. According to the people at my testing center, they said the rule was (and this is a very ridiculous rule):

"you can review material during your break, but you can only do it using your cell phone"

Someone tell me if that makes any sense because I thought cell phones werent allowed...moral of the story, use ur break to relax and take a breather or clear your head whatever you need to do to get ready for the last couple sections

Good Luck!

 

[dental24]

Are you allowed to look over notes during the break? :O is that what you meant by review? or mentally review? lol

Thanks for the advice! good luck to ya!

Well i had to lock my things in a locker. And when i unlocked it i got my stuff out (an actual review sheet) and went outside in the hall to study. The ppl at Prometric were really cool and nice about it. As long as I didn't take it inside of the room and they double checked me. HOWEVER, some testing centers are really strict. 🙁

If you're only allowed to use your phone, then take pics of your notes and eqs and review it like that outside during your break lol...

 

[ushaseos]

Don't worry about reviewing in the break...all the hard stuff comes before the break. After break its just RC and QR. Neither of which benefit much from reviewing. QR might need a little with formulas, but there aren't really too many you need to remember so just take an actual break.

My center people told me very clearly that my cellphone needs to be OFF and in the locker the whole time. They also said that in my break I can go to my locker and eat the special K bar I had or drink water, but I couldn't review notes. The funny thing was that these ridiculous rules were being enforced by the nicest, most understanding people I've ever dealt with in an exam situation.

 

[clcrdh08]

Do your grids and formulas for QR if needed. This will not be my 1st time taking it; lets just say I know the drill and getting better at how to prepare surfing around. However, I was interviewed (Feb, 12) and placed on the waiting list this year and spoke to the Director of the school I am wait-listed and recommended I do a re-take and reapply this cycle.