Anyone have any input whether I have enough time to get prepared and still be considered? I got a letter from my state school saying they need me to retake my dat and do better and then they would be able to finally decide on an outcome for me!Think I have a chance? I feel like they would of just denied me if they weren't interested in me! But even if i would take my jan 29, any chance to still get accepted?Any info will help! Thanks
Told to retake DAT to be further considered, enough time?
- Thread starter Jricha08
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I'd say if you could study over break and re-take it, then your chances seem promising, just because they asked you to do better!
Good luck, and I know it's a killer exam, but if a few weeks of studying means you're in, then I'd say it's worth it!
Good luck, and I know it's a killer exam, but if a few weeks of studying means you're in, then I'd say it's worth it!
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I was in a similar situation 2 years ago...best advice is to take a step back, understand the areas that you're weak in, and take your time preparing for the next attempt. Dont waste an attempt. Sounds to me like your foundation is very weak. Prepare for next cycle.
I understand I just didn't weakly in in organic chemistry and the math portion 14 and 14. My foundation isn't terrible I did alright in bio and gen chem on dat! I feel like I was teaching my self more things I needed to know on the dat that wasn't taught to me in my undergrad. this left no extra time to spend on math and ochem!
which school offered you an interview with those scores? A retake is must. You can do the retake by Feb.
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So what did you do 2 years ago? retake? and are you in dental school now? I'm very curious because I'm also in a similar situation as OP. Thanks.
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I had a high GPA also, i got rejected with a 15, then with a 16....finally got in with a 19/20/21. Not only was I a non-trad student, but my story was unique to say the least. I didnt understand how I could work so hard in the classroom, yet do so poorly on the DAT. By my 3rd attempt, I realized that I rushed my previous attempts, I also acknowledged how under-prepared I was. To jump from a 14 to an 18 in 6 weeks isnt impossible, but I dont think you truly understand your weaknesses. Staring at a book and memorizing information wont get you through math, or the chemistries. I wish you the best of luck, but id hate to see you burn through your 2nd attempt...assuming this will be your 2nd. Best of luck and sorry for the brutal honesty...only advising from firsthand experience
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To OP, try to use Chad's videos. I think they helped me quite a bit! His videos + quizzes, and little review sheets were good. And DAT Destroyer roadmaps are invaluable tools. I really wish I had spent more time memorizing the roadmaps--I only memorized 2 out of 9 or something, but those 2 in themselves were so helpful!!
Oh I see you what you're saying! So how did you realize what you truly needed to improve on? I mean taking time is good and all but how did you change your study habits to go from a 16 to a 19? Your honesty is respected, my fear is blowing through my second chance!
I know its crazy, I'm in a juxtaposition. I believe if i just score higher I have a great chance of getting accepted, although I don't want to blow through another DAT test and have another excuse when interview time arrives. If they deny my straight out instead of send me the letter saying, retake DAT and do better they're still interested, I'd definitely take all summer to retake!
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What materials did you use to study for the DAT? Studying with the correct materials make a vast difference.
I think you should retake. Go for it because they are interested in you enough to give you an interview AND contact you. If all goes well and you are accepted, that's great! If they don't, then you will be prepared for the next cycle and leave this one with no regrets. When you retake, don't take it until you are ready.
Good luck!
I think you should retake. Go for it because they are interested in you enough to give you an interview AND contact you. If all goes well and you are accepted, that's great! If they don't, then you will be prepared for the next cycle and leave this one with no regrets. When you retake, don't take it until you are ready.
Good luck!
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Gosh! I am in a similar situation, average GPA, older student, dismal DAT! an interview tomorrow at LLU, have a feeling they will ask me to do a retake by end of January 🙁
Absolutely, I used Kaplan book, cliffs bio, chads videos, and destroyer! I really felt a lot better about the other sections, but ochem and math I definitely didn't put as much time into, I studied 5 weeks 5 hours a day! I felt I was teaching myself a lot! This time I think my foundation is a little stronger! Any other suggestions on study materials!? Thanks for the words of encouragement, you're right, no regrets!
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I think DAT Achiever and TopScore definitely helped me, too!
For math, all I used was CRACK the DAT (I bought the entire bundle...waste of money I know...) but it helped me gain speed. I think it made me over confident though, because each of their tests is so similar, so I would be scoring high 20s on their test, but got a 20 on QR on the actual DAT, but it's just an additional source too.
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+1
I was in those shoes just 2 years ago as well. I retook my DAT and scored average but also when back and got an MS. Nothing like two years to self-reflect and REALLY tackle your weaknesses.
Just because you retake doesn't mean you have to get in the top 2% but anything lower than AA18-19/TS18-19 usually will result in rejection. I too could have re-taken and crammed OR I could have waited until next cycle (2012-2013) and really prep myself rather than half arse it and waste my time & money. I chose the later, and finally received 2 interviews this year, 1 acceptance.
Good luck!
Study 8+, 6 days a week if you don't have classes. Take practice tests..don't retake unless your practice tests scores (topscore, qvault) are good. Pay the $25 to reschedule rather than doing poorly and having to wait 90days, plus losing your shot at this cycle.
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I took the DAT twice. Achiever helped me a lot, especially for the PAT section (CDP was just too easy for me compared to the real DAT). For OC and GC, you can't go wrong with Chad's videos and Destroyer. But you have to make sure you understand the material. Quality studying vs. length of studying. The roadmaps in Destroyer are priceless for OC. The notes from Chad's videos are also priceless (make sure you take notes when you watch Chad's Videos). For Bio, Cliff's AP Biology was good enough and I took notes and modified Alan's Bio Notes. For QR, Math Destroyer is all you need (the separate book for Destroyer). I had a 15QR on my first DAT and it jumped to a 21QR on my second and last attempt. Go through that book as many time as you can... make sure you understand how to do it... just don't memorize the answers. After going through that book 1-2 times, start timing yourself. Timing is the killer for a lot of people in the QR section.
I, too, have the Kaplan blue book but shoved it aside after reading a couple pages. This book is just not good enough and is a waste of time IMO.
Schedule a date, and schedule yourself to study such and such each day. Get it done. You can do it. Good luck!
I, too, have the Kaplan blue book but shoved it aside after reading a couple pages. This book is just not good enough and is a waste of time IMO.
Schedule a date, and schedule yourself to study such and such each day. Get it done. You can do it. Good luck!
Thanks for all the advice, I really would wait till next cycle if my state school would've said, denied! Although I have to believe any improvement on my dat would dramatically increase my chances! My states school average is an 18!
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