This seems to becoming a common thing..

[discensdentibus]

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I am about a couple weeks out from my exam and I have taken two of the free bootcamp practice tests recently in testing conditions. I scored a 30 in ochem and a 26 in bio. Now my question isn't am I prepared to take the DAT, my question is why are people getting so hyped up about certain scores for bootcamp? If anything, these two scores have given me a bigger head and may cause me to lessen my intensity. The 21 for bio on the other hand from qvault, makes a bit more sense to me. Not because of the score itself, but more because I know I still have learning to do; it is pushing me, and I am sure achiever will do the same when I take it on Thursday.

Should I just save the other free bootcamp tests until right up before my exam and focus on harder practice tests?

I'm looking for a good mindset here, not trying to bash anyone or anything.

Also, I think I know the answer to this, but for those who have taken the DAT, if you had about two weeks left, would you rather have spent that time going through another round of 516 bio questions in destroyer (first round I got about 80% right) or go through all of feralis', cliffs, your notes one last time?
I feel that RC will be lower than math and bio will be my lowest science score at the moment; I am not gonna let down on the other subjects, though.

I appreciate anyone and everyone's input.

 

[Daneosaurus]

I would read the sections in cliffs you're stilly iffy on. Mix it up with practice problems. The more varied your exposure, the better off you'll be, IMO.

 

[BrazilianRider]

I did both... Kind of. The weeks leading up to my exam, I did 80 Bio problems, 40 GC, 40 OC, 40 QR and reviewed 10 pages of Ferralis a day.

 

[discensdentibus]

Alright. Preciate it. Kinda what I had in mind @BrazilianRider
I can already see during my second run through of destroyer with the chems that it is taking way less time; it is good to know that doubling up on destroyer is doable. I wasn't sure if that on top of sparsed qvault tests is far too much bio

 

[Ari Rezaei]

I actually talk about this very situation in one of the strategy posts. Our tests should be used as a study tool first and score estimator second. Personally, I wish I could take out estimated scores. Some students become nervous when they’re projected a low score (rarely do people start off acing practice tests anyway), while others become overconfident and stop studying once they hit 20+. Both situations are very dangerous! Our practice tests should be used to find out what you need to review, not what you’ll score on the real DAT. Only the ADA practice exams can accurately estimate your score, take those right before your DAT to determine whether you need to postpone your DAT or if you're ready to take it.

Those scores very commendable though! It's pretty tough to score that high, congratulations.

 

[discensdentibus]

I appreciate the insight and your program @Ari Rezaei
I had been recommended the program by a friend, and I wanted to better gauge if I felt I "needed" them before its too late because he and a lot of people are insisting they are essential but for possibly different reasons. I consider everything's value as a learning tool, not necessarily a score estimator so I am glad to hear that.

I saw in one post that you had posted what topics were testable for gen chem. Do you have one for ochem, or do you know if UV/Mass spec and polymers are testable material? I'm not asking if anyone has seen a question like on an exam btw because I am pretty sure that is not allowed.