Took the DAT again, got the SAME AA!!!!

[Dying2beDDS]

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You guys won't believe this! I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in ALL MY LIFE!! I took the DAT again today, only to get the SAME DAMN AA!!! Here's by breakdown:
Nov '05: AA 17 PA 14 QR 13 RC 20 Bio 20 GC 16 OC 16 TS 17

Today (5-24-06): AA 17 PA 15 😱 QR 14 RC 18 Bio 17 GC 18 OC 18 TS 17


I literally could not stop crying on the way home! I cried for about an hour straight afterwards! I'm a girl, btw. Can you imagine going through all of this hell over again only to get the same AA & TS! Just typing this is making me ill!
And the worst part is I studied my a** off! I started reviewing a month & 1/2 in advance, practiced a ton w/Kaplan subjest tests and took 5 full length exams in the weeks leading up to the test! The only thing that I guess I did wrong was I didn't take any DAT Acheiver tests and I took a full length Topscore on Monday which I don't recommend! Allow yourself 2 full days before the test of nothing but review! Stop practicing at least 2 days before the real thing.
So, my question is, even though the AA is the same, does it help that I went up 2 pts each in GC, OC, and 1 pt each in PAT, and GC? If only hadn't gone down in RC & Bio, I could have gotten an 18!

Please, bear in mind that it was not easy for me to put my measly little scores up here with all of your 22s & 24s! I know I'm a sucky standardized test taker, but I'm trying VERY hard!
My advice to you guys who haven't taken it yet is, don't take the real thing until you're scoring AT LEAST a 19 in most sections of Topscore.
I made the mistake of believing since other posters went up a few points from their Topscore scores, I would too. But everyone is different!

So, obviously, I will be taking the test again in August, and I'm planning to hit submit on all my apps this week. If I get my scores up in August, you think I'll be OK this cycle?

 

[golfmontpoker]

You guys won't believe this! I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in ALL MY LIFE!! I took the DAT again today, only to get the SAME DAMN AA!!! Here's by breakdown:
Nov '05: AA 17 PA 14 QR 13 RC 20 Bio 20 GC 16 OC 16 TS 17

Today (5-24-06): AA 17 PA 15 😱 QR 14 RC 18 Bio 17 GC 18 OC 18 TS 17


I literally could not stop crying on the way home! I cried for about an hour straight afterwards! I'm a girl, btw. Can you imagine going through all of this hell over again only to get the same AA & TS! Just typing this is making me ill!
And the worst part is I studied my a** off! I started reviewing a month & 1/2 in advance, practiced a ton w/Kaplan subjest tests and took 5 full length exams in the weeks leading up to the test! The only thing that I guess I did wrong was I didn't take any DAT Acheiver tests and I took a full length Topscore on Monday which I don't recommend! Allow yourself 2 full days before the test of nothing but review! Stop practicing at least 2 days before the real thing.
So, my question is, even though the AA is the same, does it help that I went up 2 pts each in GC, OC, and 1 pt each in PAT, and GC? If only hadn't gone down in RC & Bio, I could have gotten an 18!

Please, bear in mind that it was not easy for me to put my measly little scores up here with all of your 22s & 24s! I know I'm a sucky standardized test taker, but I'm trying VERY hard!
My advice to you guys who haven't taken it yet is, don't take the real thing until you're scoring AT LEAST a 19 in most sections of Topscore.
I made the mistake of believing since other posters went up a few points from their Topscore scores, I would too. But everyone is different!

So, obviously, I will be taking the test again in August, and I'm planning to hit submit on all my apps this week. If I get my scores up in August, you think I'll be OK this cycle?

Sorry to hear about this 🙁 Everything will be ok, keep your head up! Just study harder this summer, it will pay off! You will be fine i think, do really well in August and the schools will see your dedication and perseverance! Im taking it in August for the first time... so i really only have one shot! jeez what am i doin on here? I should be studying! bah...

 

[Envision]

You guys won't believe this! I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in ALL MY LIFE!! I took the DAT again today, only to get the SAME DAMN AA!!! Here's by breakdown:
Nov '05: AA 17 PA 14 QR 13 RC 20 Bio 20 GC 16 OC 16 TS 17

Today (5-24-06): AA 17 PA 15 😱 QR 14 RC 18 Bio 17 GC 18 OC 18 TS 17


I literally could not stop crying on the way home! I cried for about an hour straight afterwards! Can you imagine going through all of this hell over again only to get the same AA & TS! Just typing this is making me ill!
And the worst part is I studied my a** off! I started reviewing a month & 1/2 in advance, practiced a ton w/Kaplan subjest tests and took 5 full length exams in the weeks leading up to the test! The only thing that I guess I did wrong was I didn't take any DAT Acheiver tests and I took a full length Topscore on Monday which I don't recommend! Allow yourself 2 full days before the test of nothing but review! Stop practicing at least 2 days before the real thing.
So, my question is, even though the AA is the same, does it help that I went up 2 pts each in GC, OC, and 1 pt each in PAT, and GC? If only hadn't gone down in RC & Bio, I could have gotten an 18!

Please, bear in mind that it was not easy for me to put my measly little scores up here with all of your 22s & 24s! I know I'm a sucky standardized test taker, but I'm trying VERY hard!
My advice to you guys who haven't taken it yet is, don't take the real thing until you're scoring AT LEAST a 19 in most sections of Topscore.
I made the mistake of believing since other posters went up a few points from their Topscore scores, I would too. But everyone is different!

So, obviously, I will be taking the test again in August, and I'm planning to hit submit on all my apps this week. If I get my scores up in August, you think I'll be OK this cycle?

sorry to hear about your score. taking the DAT in august shouldnt be a huge problem bc there is a 6-8 week aadsas delay, so if you take it in august, there may be an overlap so you probably be fine. to be honest, i think a 17 in bio, a 15 in PAT, and a 14 in QR are all red flags. in fact, i know some schools have cutoffs scores below 15 so its hard to say if you'l be ok this cycle without hear about the rest of your stats. howz your gpa? ec? ps? lor? anyway, gl to you.

 

[teefie]

You guys won't believe this! I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in ALL MY LIFE!! I took the DAT again today, only to get the SAME DAMN AA!!! Here's by breakdown:
Nov '05: AA 17 PA 14 QR 13 RC 20 Bio 20 GC 16 OC 16 TS 17

Today (5-24-06): AA 17 PA 15 😱 QR 14 RC 18 Bio 17 GC 18 OC 18 TS 17


I literally could not stop crying on the way home! I cried for about an hour straight afterwards! I'm a girl, btw. Can you imagine going through all of this hell over again only to get the same AA & TS! Just typing this is making me ill!
And the worst part is I studied my a** off! I started reviewing a month & 1/2 in advance, practiced a ton w/Kaplan subjest tests and took 5 full length exams in the weeks leading up to the test! The only thing that I guess I did wrong was I didn't take any DAT Acheiver tests and I took a full length Topscore on Monday which I don't recommend! Allow yourself 2 full days before the test of nothing but review! Stop practicing at least 2 days before the real thing.
So, my question is, even though the AA is the same, does it help that I went up 2 pts each in GC, OC, and 1 pt each in PAT, and GC? If only hadn't gone down in RC & Bio, I could have gotten an 18!

Please, bear in mind that it was not easy for me to put my measly little scores up here with all of your 22s & 24s! I know I'm a sucky standardized test taker, but I'm trying VERY hard!
My advice to you guys who haven't taken it yet is, don't take the real thing until you're scoring AT LEAST a 19 in most sections of Topscore.
I made the mistake of believing since other posters went up a few points from their Topscore scores, I would too. But everyone is different!

So, obviously, I will be taking the test again in August, and I'm planning to hit submit on all my apps this week. If I get my scores up in August, you think I'll be OK this cycle?

Sorry bout that. The one thing to remember when your studying for big test is that you have to fully understand the processes being studied. I know I use to do bad on exams until I started to study and actually fully understand the material and not just memorize and be a robot. Hope this helps. Keep your head up. The second you give up is when you really fail.

 

[egots]

look below whoops posted twice

 

[egots]

im sorry to hear that, the only thing you can do is evaluate yourself, if you really want it then give yourself more then a month and a half and really understand the process memorization doesnt do much, if you go into the exam with no confidence you are only going to question yourself from section to section...take 2 weeks off and do nothing clear your mind then jump back into it 6-8 hours a day(if need be) with understanding the process along with doing practice problems, if your QR is a 13/14 that could affect your gen chem score as well through stupid mistakes during calculations...your low PAT and QR score indicate you need to do more practice problems!! for teh PAT section read over Barrons they give a good explanation on how to approach problems and for your math id suggest using a GRE book...i wish you the best...approach the test with a hateful vengence and im sure you will do much better

 

[speedy3816]

You guys won't believe this! I don't think I've ever been so disappointed in ALL MY LIFE!! I took the DAT again today, only to get the SAME DAMN AA!!! Here's by breakdown:
Nov '05: AA 17 PA 14 QR 13 RC 20 Bio 20 GC 16 OC 16 TS 17

Today (5-24-06): AA 17 PA 15 😱 QR 14 RC 18 Bio 17 GC 18 OC 18 TS 17


I literally could not stop crying on the way home! I cried for about an hour straight afterwards! I'm a girl, btw. Can you imagine going through all of this hell over again only to get the same AA & TS! Just typing this is making me ill!
And the worst part is I studied my a** off! I started reviewing a month & 1/2 in advance, practiced a ton w/Kaplan subjest tests and took 5 full length exams in the weeks leading up to the test! The only thing that I guess I did wrong was I didn't take any DAT Acheiver tests and I took a full length Topscore on Monday which I don't recommend! Allow yourself 2 full days before the test of nothing but review! Stop practicing at least 2 days before the real thing.
So, my question is, even though the AA is the same, does it help that I went up 2 pts each in GC, OC, and 1 pt each in PAT, and GC? If only hadn't gone down in RC & Bio, I could have gotten an 18!

Please, bear in mind that it was not easy for me to put my measly little scores up here with all of your 22s & 24s! I know I'm a sucky standardized test taker, but I'm trying VERY hard!
My advice to you guys who haven't taken it yet is, don't take the real thing until you're scoring AT LEAST a 19 in most sections of Topscore.
I made the mistake of believing since other posters went up a few points from their Topscore scores, I would too. But everyone is different!

So, obviously, I will be taking the test again in August, and I'm planning to hit submit on all my apps this week. If I get my scores up in August, you think I'll be OK this cycle?

first of all, you are scaring me b/c im horrible with standardized tests as well... but anyways, sure, still apply... go for it. although ad coms do put a lot of weight on the test, don't forget that it isn't the ONLY thing they look at... there is much more to your application. keep your head up!

speedy

 

[DDS:)]

Dont give up, keep ur head up. Make sure you do lots of practice before u take it again. 🙂

 

[Generallee]

IMO, it shouldn't be too much of a hinderance if you retake the DAT's in August, only if you score 19 or higher in most sections. Don't get too down on yourself, you are right there! Just getting a few more questions right could have boosted your scores up to 18's and 19's. Keep your head up!

 

[BallDontLie]

If you havent already done so, I'd recommend getting your hands on some advanced biology and chemistry textbooks. For me, the Kaplan materials didnt really do a good job of helping UNDERSTAND things. Sure, Kaplan covers everything you need, but it doesnt go into the deep detail that you need to understand the topics. For example in biochem, sure, you dont need to go into all the intricate little detaills of glycolysis, TCA cycle, ETC cuz its not on the DAT. But if you get your hands on a biochem book and try to study these little details, it might help you understand the basics stick a little better. A lot of people on here say the DAT materials alone are fine, but thats assuming you already have a solid science background. I mean yeah, Kaplan was enough for me, but thats cuz i had already taken biochem, genetics, pchem, physiology, immuno, cell bio, mol bio, etc. If I hadnt taken those classes, theres no way in hell that Kaplan stuff would have been sufficient.

 

[food4thots]

other than QR and PAT's your scores aren't too bad...

QR may be overlooked by some schools.. but PAT's are quite a different story.. i say you really concentrate on this section.

don't believe people that say that you either got it or you don't with PAT's...i got a 16 on my first try and 20 on 2nd try.. so it's possible to improve it..

 

[Chrono1984]

I agree with food4thots, you really need to boost your PAT. Getting a 20+ PAT is attainable, you just need to practice. I got a 13 on my diagnostic test and a 22 on the actual test. It is possible!

Everyone has their trouble sections with the PAT. For me, I really couldn't do the hole punch stuff at first. So I went through a lot of toilet paper for practice (cheap and square!), emulating the folds and punches for a better visualization.

Remember for the patternfolding, to fold INTO the paper, I went about 1 month thinking to fold outward, NO. Also, don't actually fold the entire thing, just look for odd shapes for the clear ones, and patterns for the shaded ones.

I am willing to wager your main problem with the PAT is time. This section is the hardest to finish without rushing (in my opinion). This is why practice is essential.

10mins keyhole, 10-15 mins orthographic, 5-10, angles, 5ish hole punch, 5-10 cube counting, 10-15 pattern folding. This is a rough estimate of the times you should be shooting for. If you are having trouble with one particular problem, mark it and move on. You cannot dwell on questions in this section.

You mentioned not having DAT achiever, this program alone, will greatly boost your PAT score, so get it.

Good Luck!

 

[teefie]

You mentioned not having DAT achiever, this program alone, will greatly boost your PAT score, so get it.

Good Luck!

I second that, achiever is great practice. Hole punch is a B****h though.

 

[Dying2beDDS]

Thanx for all of the kind words, guys. Today I'm feeling a little better about it, and trying to stop myself from saying "what if" and "shoulda woulda coulda" and just put my best foot forward and hope for the best in August! I've decided that this time, I'm going to review the material and do some sort of practice once a week to keep things fresh in my head. This way I won't have to go through the cramming process again.
I didn't post this to scare you guys out there who are planning to take the DAT. I think my situation was rare, and people usually go up the 2nd time. The stars just weren't aligned for me, and the biology was TOTALLY random. You absolutely CANNOT rely on Kaplan's bio review for the test. They really need to update their material, b/c it's simply not efficient enough for the bio section. Their GC and OC review is great, but the BIO on the real thing is so obscure, and I don't really know how anyone can really be 100% prepared for that section. This wasn't the case for me last time I took it though. I got a 20, b/c I just happened to get a ton of questions on material I was familiar with. It's a crap shoot. Thanx again guys!

 

[marinojones]

Thanx for all of the kind words, guys. Today I'm feeling a little better about it, and trying to stop myself from saying "what if" and "shoulda woulda coulda" and just put my best foot forward and hope for the best in August! I've decided that this time, I'm going to review the material and do some sort of practice once a week to keep things fresh in my head. This way I won't have to go through the cramming process again.
I didn't post this to scare you guys out there who are planning to take the DAT. I think my situation was rare, and people usually go up the 2nd time. The stars just weren't aligned for me, and the biology was TOTALLY random. You absolutely CANNOT rely on Kaplan's bio review for the test. They really need to update their material, b/c it's simply not efficient enough for the bio section. Their GC and OC review is great, but the BIO on the real thing is so obscure, and I don't really know how anyone can really be 100% prepared for that section. This wasn't the case for me last time I took it though. I got a 20, b/c I just happened to get a ton of questions on material I was familiar with. It's a crap shoot. Thanx again guys!

i am very curious, did you take kaplan course and have access to all of the bio subjects tests, quizzes, full online length tests?

or are you simply talking about the bio/chem review in the blue/white book?

🙂

 

[mellowt]

YOU CAN DO IT!! Shoot for the stars and don't give up!! Sorry thats the only advice I have but goodluck!!

 

[mawall81]

Geez I hated that DAT!!! If you are afraid that you won't be accepted after your third try then I have some advice for you...Here at Loma Linda School of Dentistry, there is a program called the Bio-Dent program. It is for students that haven't performed well on the DAT but show a lot of interest in dentistry. It isn't easy to get into but if you do then you have a chance to prove yourself. This program allows non-dental students (bio-dent) to take 1 or 2 classes each quarter for 1 year with the dental students. If you perform well enough then you will be accepted into the freshman class the following year. This program isn't easy but it is definately a worth while option. One of my best friends was accepted into dental school this way. If you have more questions about this program then let me know...

 

[ArmoredTooth]

To the OP:

Although you're disappointed with your second test result, I am damn envious of your Biology and O-Chem score!!!!

 

[jorUW]

With the QR and PAT, are you running out of time? Also dont take the high numbers on here as the average. Most people on SDN are over-achievers. Good luck in August. I really admire your determination.

 

[Tikal]

Don't give up, are you going to take the DAT again?

 

[bigsilvo]

NO WORRIES, I got about those same scores, even lower on the QR my first time taking it. Its game time this summer though. Just bust your ass everyday for it. I made sure that I knew that Kaplan book from cover to cover. I also took notes along with it so that I could review them easier. The flashcards were good for reactions, definitions, and a lot of the biology. I also went out and purchased little quick study subject notes at my school bookstore. They have them for g chem, bio, o chem, algebra etc. I also bouth one for zoology which there seemed to be a lot of on the DAT. Your job this summer is the DAT, even if it entails 8-10 hour days at your library or whatever, but don't give up that test is a biotch!