Took DAT today - sucks!

[MissingPolaris]

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Here are my scores:
PAT-18
QR-18
RC-17 (I have no idea what happened...)
Biology -19
GC-19
OC-18

Total Science-19
AA:18




I am a little bit disappointed on the scores, specially the RC part. The test is not hard. However, I was very nervous and kinda lost control over the time. The OC was bad too. One of the questions was like A-->B-->C---> D. What is D given the above reagent for each step...man, I was sweating. It was like the first question of the section too.

I only have a 3.4 GPA (both science and overall) .... with my very avg DAT score, Do you guys think I need to retake it? I am kinda glad that it's over but just not too happy with the score. 👎


Edit: Just want ya'll to know that the above scores can get you in dental school(S) because I got in...=)

 

[Utes]

What schools are you applying to and what state are you in?

 

[MissingPolaris]

I am in TX and plan to apply around 10-15 schools ... what do you think?

 

[bouncy_ball]

Here are my scores:
PAT-18
QR-18
RC-17 (I have no idea what happened...)
Biology -19
GC-19
OC-18

Total Science-19
AA:18

I am a little bit disappointed on the scores, specially the RC part. The test is not hard. However, I was very nervous and kinda lost control over the time. The OC was bad too. One of the questions was like A-->B-->C---> D. What is D given the above reagent for each step...man, I was sweating. It was like the first question of the section too.

I only have a 3.4 GPA (both science and overall) .... with my very avg DAT score, Do you guys think I need to retake it? I am kinda glad that it's over but just not too happy with the score. 👎

i think your scores look pretty good. nice and consistent. the rc is low, but not that bad. you can call around the d-schools you're interested in to check if they weigh the rc score heavily. or better yet, call them and ask if your stats are competitive (just read them off, you don't even have to tell them your name). the rest of your scores look great!

 

[dWiz]

jhh

 

[MissingPolaris]

thanks for your input. I know my RC is very low because the percentile was like 29% I just can't believe that!! Now the hardest part is to "re-study" DAT again! You know how it feels when you spent so much time studying and found out that you have to spend three more months with all those DAT books again... sad...

 

[Tooth Fixer]

thanks for your input. I know my RC is very low because the percentile was like 29% I just can't believe that!! Now the hardest part is to "re-study" DAT again! You know how it feels when you spent so much time studying and found out that you have to spend three more months with all those DAT books again... sad...

how long did u study and what did u use for the test to study with?

 

[MissingPolaris]

barron's, Kaplan, Topscore, some textbooks for reference... study for about 2 months -20 hrs a week. The problem with me is that I have very bad science background, my major was business and I basically had to re-learn all the sciences instead of review them. One thing I have to admit is that I did not practice any RC at all...and I paid the price

 

[bryan45876]

Here are my scores:
PAT-18
QR-18
RC-17 (I have no idea what happened...)
Biology -19
GC-19
OC-18

Total Science-19
AA:18

I am a little bit disappointed on the scores, specially the RC part. The test is not hard. However, I was very nervous and kinda lost control over the time. The OC was bad too. One of the questions was like A-->B-->C---> D. What is D given the above reagent for each step...man, I was sweating. It was like the first question of the section too.

I only have a 3.4 GPA (both science and overall) .... with my very avg DAT score, Do you guys think I need to retake it? I am kinda glad that it's over but just not too happy with the score. 👎

I took the DAT today and I imagine we had the exact same test. I agree that the A->B->C->D question was tough. I haven't seen a question phrased like that before.

Did you have the same RC passage as me? 1)Comets 2)MRI/CT/x-ray 3)neuro transmitters

 

[MissingPolaris]

I took the DAT today and I imagine we had the exact same test. I agree that the A->B->C->D question was tough. I haven't seen a question phrased like that before.

Did you have the same RC passage as me? 1)Comets 2)MRI/CT/x-ray 3)neuro transmitters

Yes, I had the same RC, they just put me asleep... well, I wish we had the same scores tho... 😕 I think plp who take DAT on the same day has the exact same test

 

[bryan45876]

Yes, I had the same RC, they just put me asleep... well, I wish we had the same scores tho... 😕 I think plp who take DAT on the same day has the exact same test

I found the first 2 interesting but that's because I know about those topics. I guess it's just the luck of the draw. Either way, you're scores are fine, you should be celebrating tonight.

 

[MissingPolaris]

Thanks for being nice about my scores...but be honest, what would you do if you score 18?? u probably would be 🙁 like me right now...give me some advice on studying PPLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAASSSS....

 

[bryan45876]

Thanks for being nice about my scores...but be honest, what would you do if you score 18?? u probably would be 🙁 like me right now...give me some advice on studying PPLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEAAAAASSSS....

You want advice: RELAX

The national average is 17. You don't have a single area below that. That shows consistency, competency, and thoroughness. Your academic average is a point above the average. I don't know the rest of your stats, but I think your DAT scores are good.

 

[Babi3Ducki3]

Did you guys use Kaplan online? I'm only studying w/ that and I'm afraid it might not be enough or like the real DAT. I can't believe a 17 is 29% on RC! That's scary b/c that's what I'm getting on my practice test. How was the Gen Chem? By the way, what scores were you getting before taking the DAT? Did it increase on the real DAT?

 

[MissingPolaris]

yea, it increased exactly one point for my AA. (compare with Kaplan) 😡 this is not normal

 

[packbacker]

Wow, I had the exact same RC section as well. It makes me wonder how often they change the test. Overall, I thought it was fairly easy (ended up with a 22 and honestly thought I had a 29), but there were some crackhead questions. The biggest one that stood out in my mind was this one:

"Experts say this is the furthest planet from the sun"

A. Asteroid
B. Comet
C. Kupier Belt
D. Mercury

Nowhere in the passage was there any mention of this....

 

[JakeMUSC]

Yes, I had the same RC, they just put me asleep... well, I wish we had the same scores tho... 😕 I think plp who take DAT on the same day has the exact same test

WOW....I had that same test OCTOBER 22th of 2004!

The organic lecture's at my undergrad, CofC, are notoriously and infamously difficult. Our Orgo prof's consistently are awarded the highest orgo research grants in the nation.... needless to say, the orgo section was easy and the A-- B--C--- was a common exam question for me. Anyways, to the OP, those are great scores, but if you believe you can increase them, do it and good luck! 👍

 

[bryan45876]

Wow, I had the exact same RC section as well. It makes me wonder how often they change the test. Overall, I thought it was fairly easy (ended up with a 22 and honestly thought I had a 29), but there were some crackhead questions. The biggest one that stood out in my mind was this one:

"Experts say this is the furthest planet from the sun"

A. Asteroid
B. Comet
C. Kupier Belt
D. Mercury

Nowhere in the passage was there any mention of this....

That was a question where you had to infer the answer. It mentioned that Pluto was now considered a comet. They mentioned some certain group of comets that's between Pluto and Neptune. I had to read that one several times too.

 

[bryan45876]

Alright, so how do they normalize the scores? I thought that they normailzed the scores of everyone that took the same test on the same day. But how can that be if I started my test an hour before my scheduled time and I received my results about 30 seconds after I pushed the done button.??

 

[hockeydentist]

That was a question where you had to infer the answer. It mentioned that Pluto was now considered a comet. They mentioned some certain group of comets that's between Pluto and Neptune. I had to read that one several times too.

Bingo!

whats freeky is that I had that same exact reading section in august 2004!

 

[packbacker]

Yeah, that's what I thought and the answer I gave. Still, questions like that are open to interpretation. I also remember a few "What is the tone of this passage" type questions which are way too touchy/feely to be on a standardized test!

That was a question where you had to infer the answer. It mentioned that Pluto was now considered a comet. They mentioned some certain group of comets that's between Pluto and Neptune. I had to read that one several times too.

 

[MissingPolaris]

OMG, I wonder if I collect two problems from each person who has already taken DAT, will I have the whole Q bank?! C'mon guys, give me whatever you remember...

Also, can someone tell me if the roadmap thing really works? I didn't use it on the test, you know when I took practice test for RC Topscores and Kaplan, I always make like 20+ so I kinda like yea I can just read the questions and find the answers, don't need road map...

I could probably score a pt higher on my QR too. That testing center in Dallas was so freaking cold, even when I had my jacket on, my hands were frozen. Seriously, I couldn't move my hands fast enough to do the math...I know it sounds stupid but it's true...next time I will bring my skiing jacket!

Couldn't sleep last night, Still kinda depress over the scores...but I decided to take a week off to take care of my applications first and then start my studying again 😱

 

[hockeydentist]

Yeah, that's what I thought and the answer I gave. Still, questions like that are open to interpretation. I also remember a few "What is the tone of this passage" type questions which are way too touchy/feely to be on a standardized test!

I guess you have to be touchy feely in order to well on this exam. I agree who gives a crap about tone.

HD

 

[beannaithe]

I guess you have to be touchy feely in order to well on this exam. I agree who gives a crap about tone.

HD

I agree...I had a bunch of questions like that on my test. It's way too ambiguous to test whether or not you know the material to ask about tone.

 

[bouncy_ball]

Bingo!

whats freeky is that I had that same exact reading section in august 2004!

may 2004 as well!

 

[packbacker]

may 2004 as well!

My April 2004 RC section was different. It contained a passage on finances (which was incredibly easy), a different one on neurotransmitters, and two I can't remember. It had at least one question per passage asking the passage's tone or 'feel'. Guess I can't complain as I got a 24 on that RC section!

 

[JMoney]

hey MissingPolaris I took the DAT in April at the Dallas testing center. I have about the same breakdown except a few lower and a few higher.....anyways....pm me so we can talk....I have already talked to San Antonio, and Baylor dean's (one in person and one via email).

 

[naithgirw]

I hate RC on ANY test. I just get so NERVOUS when test day comes around, that I shake, and get too scared to even attempt the question. I read the first sentence, and get paranoid, just incase I did not read it properly, or if I read it wrong, or if I didn't understand it. When I read Science Text books - The same thing happens, but to a lesser extent. I don't think I have a problem learning/reading, I just have a problem absorbing a lot of information fast and efficienlty, you guys got any tips, since I noticed there aren't that many books out there that 'teach' how to tackle this section of the test. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

 

[cowsgomoo]

I hate RC on ANY test. I just get so NERVOUS when test day comes around, that I shake, and get too scared to even attempt the question. I read the first sentence, and get paranoid, just incase I did not read it properly, or if I read it wrong, or if I didn't understand it. When I read Science Text books - The same thing happens, but to a lesser extent. I don't think I have a problem learning/reading, I just have a problem absorbing a lot of information fast and efficienlty, you guys got any tips, since I noticed there aren't that many books out there that 'teach' how to tackle this section of the test. Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

Man you think it is bad now what are you going to do when you get into dental school and you have to read 100 pages a day for one class (I may be exaggerating but I hear it is a lot).

 

[KaryoKinesis]

Man you think it is bad now what are you going to do when you get into dental school and you have to read 100 pages a day for one class (I may be exaggerating but I hear it is a lot).

LoL.....it all depends on how smart you are.....obviously ian isnt too bright....so he wont even get accepted to dental school in the first place

 

[naithgirw]

LoL.....it all depends on how smart you are.....obviously ian isnt too bright....so he wont even get accepted to dental school in the first place

THIS IS SO ANNOYING!!!

IANWRIGHT IS NOT ME, AND I AM NOT IANWRIGHT


IT'S ACTUALLY ME (THE CHOSEN ONE ) HAVING THE LAST LAUGH, BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN FOOLISHLY TRICKED INTO THINKING THAT I'M SOMEONE I'M NOT!!!

 

[Say_Cheese]

Ha! Well obviously ian has applied 5 times, so he knows how the process works. Maybe 6th time is a charm.

 

[naithgirw]

Ianwright has develped some kind of reputation here 🙄 To me, he seems like a mysterious figure, like Zoro! The way people describe him, makes him sound notorious!

 

[vasco]

Here are my scores:
PAT-18
QR-18
RC-17 (I have no idea what happened...)
Biology -19
GC-19
OC-18

Total Science-19
AA:18

I am a little bit disappointed on the scores, specially the RC part. The test is not hard. However, I was very nervous and kinda lost control over the time. The OC was bad too. One of the questions was like A-->B-->C---> D. What is D given the above reagent for each step...man, I was sweating. It was like the first question of the section too.

I only have a 3.4 GPA (both science and overall) .... with my very avg DAT score, Do you guys think I need to retake it? I am kinda glad that it's over but just not too happy with the score. 👎

I Had the same score a 18 AA and a 19 science. It was my math score that brought me down. I applied to twelve schools and got interviews from 7 of them. However with my scores I was only able to get into private schools. My state school shut me down and so did the other state schools that I applied to. So i'm sure that you can get into dental school with those stats but you won't have as many playing cards as you would if you would retake it and do better.

 

[beard]

I Had the same score a 18 AA and a 19 science. It was my math score that brought me down. I applied to twelve schools and got interviews from 7 of them. However with my scores I was only able to get into private schools. My state school shut me down and so did the other state schools that I applied to. So i'm sure that you can get into dental school with those stats but you won't have as many playing cards as you would if you would retake it and do better.

i made 18 AA and i also did bad in math. glad it was math and not biology though.
_________________________
LSU Dentistry class of 2009

 

[DrTacoElf]

Yes, I had the same RC, they just put me asleep... well, I wish we had the same scores tho... 😕 I think plp who take DAT on the same day has the exact same test

wow i had this exact same exam over a year ago 😱 (June 2004)

I remember that ABCD orgo question vividly. I was like WTF this is gonna be a hard section (just made an educated guess on it) moved on and got a 29 on that section 😀

 

[MissingPolaris]

you did not! how did you guess through that and get a 29?

 

[DrTacoElf]

you did not! how did you guess through that and get a 29?

The only question i made an educated guess on was the end product of the first one. I remember thinking yeah i could do the mechanisms but honestly i don't feel like it lol 😀 Other than that i was 100% certain on everything else.