To Take, or not to Take?? Advice, please.

[blueyes34]

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Hello, I am scheduled to take the DAT this Friday. Unfortunetly, I am bombing the Achiever practice tests and I am really worried about taking the actual test this Friday. I have completed 2 years of undergrad with all the basic sciences (Bio, Zoo, Botany, Gen Chem 1 and 2, O. Chem 1 and 2) and will complete my degree in the spring. I am taking Physics 1 and 2 starting next week and will be finished mid-July. I figured taking the DAT before Physics would allow me to focus on Physics and writing my personal statement to finish my application. I have a 3.98 GPA with about 150 hrs. shadowing with plenty of extra curriculars. I do not want a bad DAT score to ruin my application....but I my practice tests are showing that I do not know my stuff like I should. So, what do you guys think...should I take the DAT this Friday and most likely not do so well, or should I reschedule to take it in August so that I have more time to prepare myself? I'm not sure how much DAT studying I can accomplish while taking 6 hours a day of Physics for 6 weeks. Please, I could use some helpful advice!!

 

[ddhm]

Hello, I am scheduled to take the DAT this Friday. Unfortunetly, I am bombing the Achiever practice tests and I am really worried about taking the actual test this Friday. I have completed 2 years of undergrad with all the basic sciences (Bio, Zoo, Botany, Gen Chem 1 and 2, O. Chem 1 and 2) and will complete my degree in the spring. I am taking Physics 1 and 2 starting next week and will be finished mid-July. I figured taking the DAT before Physics would allow me to focus on Physics and writing my personal statement to finish my application. I have a 3.98 GPA with about 150 hrs. shadowing with plenty of extra curriculars. I do not want a bad DAT score to ruin my application....but I my practice tests are showing that I do not know my stuff like I should. So, what do you guys think...should I take the DAT this Friday and most likely not do so well, or should I reschedule to take it in August so that I have more time to prepare myself? I'm not sure how much DAT studying I can accomplish while taking 6 hours a day of Physics for 6 weeks. Please, I could use some helpful advice!!

If I was in your situation, I'd take the test only when I felt prepared well enough for it -- and not budge from that mentality for the sake of anything else. Sounds like you have a high gpa and good ec's to round yourself out. Set yourself on achieving a high DAT score to match the rest of your application.

As for physics -- this is only what I myself would personally do -- I'd cancel those summer sessions and use the summer to study for the DAT instead. 1) Physics is not on the DAT 2) You can still take it this fall and next spring semesters to satisfy the Physics pre-req.

I took o-chem 1 & 2 with labs during the summer one year, and I had no time to study for anything else. It may turn out the same for you with physics in the summer.

So my suggestion would be to use the summer to study for the DAT and take it in August before fall semester starts. Take physics during the regular academic year.

And if you decide to move the date back, don't forget to do it two days (or was it three?) prior to your current date.

Good luck.

 

[HurricaneAlana]

ugh.. i'm in the same situation 🙁 physics 2 summer session 1, orgo 2 summer session 2... I'm scheduled to take the DAT july 14... I haven't been doing anything but studying studying studying, and I'm really concerned about balancing my DAT and course studying. I need to take these courses to graduation, and I don't have the option to spend another semester. I can't decide if I should reschedule for later :-\

good luck with w.e. you decide... but I personally think I'm going to end up rescheduling (and i don't have such a kicka$$ gpa, so I really can't afford to not to do awesome)

 

[Lonely Sol]

Well if you wait then you will not have time to take it again, but if you take it now and are not prepared then you will bomb it. So, I mean its either or situation. Personally, I would study another week or so hardcore and make sure i know all the stuff I am studying for and prepare yourself to feel like you are ready and then take it!

Good luck!

 

[PD3]

ugh.. i'm in the same situation 🙁 physics 2 summer session 1, orgo 2 summer session 2... I'm scheduled to take the DAT july 14

Do you think you will have trouble taking the DAT without having organic 2? For those who have taken it, does it mainly cover orgo 1?

Thanks.

 

[HurricaneAlana]

definitely a concern of mine... I have been scoring poorly on the practice for orgo, like 16/17... I am devoting a disproportional amount of time to it since I am worried... However, I'm the type of person who never goes to class (eek... i'll probably have to change this in dental school) and I honestly feel I've completely self-taught myself my entire undergraduate career, so I hope it'll get me through the DAT.. I guess we'll see :-\

 

[blueyes34]

Thanks for all of your advice and input. I have decided to gun it, continue my hardcore studying, and take it Friday. I am not submitting my application until mid-end July (when my transcripts are updated saying I completed Physics 1 and 2), so I will still have time to retake the DAT in the beginning of September in case I bomb it Friday. I'm not a good standardized test taker (I never have been) so I will just have to do what I can and keep my nose in the books!! Keep me in your prayers for Friday 🙂

 

[andyjl]

Do you think you will have trouble taking the DAT without having organic 2? For those who have taken it, does it mainly cover orgo 1?

Thanks.

DAT covers all three quarters of ochem i believe, without having taken organic 2, i'd say you would have a difficult time