Took the DAT today

[steelrfan8]

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This is my 2nd time and the results are a bit bittersweet.

Bio - 19
GChem - 21
Orgo-20
PAT - 17
RC - 17
Math - 16
Total science - 20 (92%)
AA - 19 (85%)

I'm shocked about the PAT score, I seriously thought I smoked this section. On my 1st DAT, I got an 18 and felt like I was much more prepared this time... almost puked when i saw the 17.
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The scores from my 1st exam were:

PAT - 18
QR - 14
RC - 17
Bio - 17
Gen Chem - 18
Organic Chem - 18

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=589684

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Felt like the PAT was harder this time relative to CrackPAT texture.... I remember thinking multiple times "are they Fn kidding with these shapes?" I was smoking the CrackPAT tests... averaging 20s and felt like I really understood the concepts.... but the real exam throws some serious curve balls at you.

For those interested, since its fresh in my head, I would say that the CrackPAT is much easier for aperature passing and pattern folding. Cube counting on real exam is easier on average. Angles are similar to CrackPAT and TFE is about the same on average. Hole punching is about the same also... although I would say its a bit easier on the real exam. My score for PAT leads me to believe that I bombed the aperature passing and pattern folding, and the angles are a crap shoot so luck wasn't with me on these.

Anyway, my science GPA is about 3.6 and cumulative is 3.5. I have good shadowing hours, 2 really solid letters of recommendation from 2 really tough classes/proffessors where I was ranked high in the class. Have about 40 hours of volunteering and a BS in Bio.

I know its kinda late but I'm going to take a shot at applying since my average scores are a bit above averge from I can tell. If anyone who had similar scores/GPA and got accepted/rejected wants to chime it, it would be greatly appreciated.

Also, would a dental school look at like my PAT score from last time which was an 18 and sort of make the 17 a bit forgiving?

If people show interest, I'll go over what I did different this time than first time.

Thanks for the feedback in advance.

 

[FutureDent020]

hmmm... I think you are confused on your percentages. I got a 19 AA/19TS/ 21 PAT. Now, my 19 AA was 77% and 19 TS was 76%. So for your 19 AA to be 85% and 20 TS to be 92%, something is wrong. Anyways, I applied in July and have 4 interviews (UNC, NYU, Louisville, and Tennessee). My GPA is 3.5 and 3.6 sciGPA. So we are very similar. Applying this late will be very detrimental to your success though. Many schools are done with pre-december invites and a 19 may not be competitive enough to receive post december invites.

 

[steelrfan8]

I wrote the percentiles that are on the sheet they print out with all the scores, just double checked it again in case I made a mistake and the percentile for AA is 85 and for TS is 91 (typo in OP for TS). To be honest, I'm not 100% sure what exactly the percentile represents but thats what it says... I'm assuming it varies depending when you take the exam but I don't know, if someone know and would explain it would be appreciated.

Anyway, would you say that my score/backgrounds would be much more competative if I applied early in the next cycle? I mean, I'm going to apply this time but wondering about a possible retake for next year mostly because of the PAT score.

 

[wantVCUdental]

i think you might have entered some section score wrong, because your sections add up to an AA of 18.33, doesn't that round to 18?

 

[FutureDent020]

That's interesting and I have no idea why percentages would be that much different, unless the group you are compared to did poorly overall. But yes, if you applied early next cycle (1st of 2nd batch) you have a pretty good chance of getting several interviews, which could be all you need. I don't know what schools with think about your 17 PAT and 17 RC... Your science scores are good though. It's difficult with your situation. 19AA/20TS/17PAT with your GPA does not look bad at all. It's just those two 17's and 16 that stand out. You may want to call schools and ask them. It would be in your best interest. Especially if you don't get in anywhere this cycle.

 

[FutureDent020]

i think you might have entered some section score wrong, because your sections add up to an AA of 18.33, doesn't that round to 18?

Maybe that's why I am struggling feeling out your situation. I have never seen a 19AA with two 17's and a 16.. Now your TS could bring it to a 19, but I just don't know

 

[steelrfan8]

Will do, thanks for the advice.

Yea, I'm looking at the sheet they print out at Prometric and stamp it, the percentiles are as I posted.

And just to be sure, the previous DAT scores are completley irrelavent for each application cycle, right?

 

[steelrfan8]

I guess my next question would be, do dental schools look at the percentile when evaluating the scores or do they just look at the score? And if they do look at the percentile, would that make it a bit more competative?

I apologize if I'm asking dumb questions.... I just never really looked into the whole scoring/testing/percentile ordeal.

 

[FutureDent020]

Will do, thanks for the advice.

Yea, I'm looking at the sheet they print out at Prometric and stamp it, the percentiles are as I posted.

And just to be sure, the previous DAT scores are completley irrelavent for each application cycle, right?

Depends on the school. They will see both, but a lot of schools just base their decision on the most recent DAT attempt.

I guess my next question would be, do dental schools look at the percentile when evaluating the scores or do they just look at the score? And if they do look at the percentile, would that make it a bit more competative?

I apologize if I'm asking dumb questions.... I just never really looked into the whole scoring/testing/percentile ordeal.

And I have no clue about the percentages. They usually correlate with the score, but in your case its different. And I also don't know what sample population the percentages are based on.

 

[lazybummy]

1. Schools do not get to see percentiles.

2. The percentile is based on test version AND the time period in which the test was taken. i.e. July-Aug: peak period.. a lot more people taking the test.. the percentile tend to be lower. A 20 around July/Aug was around 80 something percentile. a 21 was around a 92. I took the test in early June (not peak period yet).. my 21 was a 97%.

 

[Blarelli]

Is an AA of 19 really the 85th percentile?