Took TSP Test #2. I need reassurance :/

[roquer2]

I've been knocking out Destroyer OC/GC questions for the 4th time already (hitting 80-90% correct thru 150+ questions), going thru Cliff's for the 2nd time and taking DATQVault Bio tests (making notes from each test that I may not have reinforced) and just started math 2 days ago.

First TopScore Pro test was taken almost 1.5 weeks ago, I only did the science sections and hit:

Bio: 17 (Expected since I took this while in the middle of reading Cliff's)
Gen Chem: 21
O Chem: 19
TS: 19

I felt defeated because I averaged 17 on Achiever and thought the questions in Topscore were a LOT easier. I honestly thought I was going to destroy the 1st test.

Then I take the full length 2nd test today, finished 45 mins ago and this is what I receive...

Bio: 17
Chem: 15
Ochem: 19
TS: 17
PAT: 21
RC: 21
QR: 15 (I expected this since I started a couple days ago)
AA: 17

I mean what in the world!?! I assure everyone, I am not a dumb guy, at ALL. I've been studying for a good month and a half, conquering Destroyer questions and studying 8-10 hours a day. I'm REALLY shocked at my Gen Chem score. This was the subject I've been concentrating on since I started. I'm especially pissed at my Ochem score since Ochem is my forte.

My test is June 10th, and I'm now starting to freak out. I just took a practice test that almost everyone states is representative of the actual DAT, and I scored TERRIBLY.

I think I isolated my problem in terms of I'm reading questions wrong or interpreting them the wrong way. Now I have a few questions:

1.Which program, TSP or DATQVault, is the CLOSEST thing to the DAT? I'm trying to get accustomed to how the questions will be worded, and honestly I have some problem interpreting questions for the TSP sciences. I'm strongly considering getting the DATQVault sciences, but I don't want to drop another $100 if I already have a program that is closest to how the real DAT is worded.

2. Based on my scores, am I screwed?🙁

If anyone can please chime in, it would definitely alleviate some of this tension and anxiety. I KNOW MY ISH. Trust me, I know Gen Chem and O Chem almost like the back of my hand. I wish these scores were indicative of it and now I feel like my whole preparation is complete garbage. For me to conquer Destroyer questions, then switch to VERY SIMPLE Topscore questions and become defeated is like making the All-American 1st Team in sports, moving down to highschool JV and losing the game. I don't know how to explain it and now I feel like I must really exhuast any resource, need be.

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[FreezingLettuce]

I don't think you're screwed at all! The best I had on Chem on all three topscores was a 19, and Biology 18. I took my DAT today and I got a 25 Bio and 22 Gen Chem, so I don't know. I think Topscore might be falling off in it's accuracy of testing.

Plus trust me, the atmosphere is way different when it's all on the line than when you're taking a practice test!

As far as what's the closest thing, I have to say DatQVault was earily similar to the actual dat. I had a question almost straight from the first benchmark test haha!

I myself was freaking out and considered rescheduling last night before taking the exam today after my topscore tests not breaking 20AA, and today I got a 23AA on the real thing, so don't sweat it as much. Just use it as motivation to really cram!

 

[babowc]

I've been knocking out Destroyer OC/GC questions for the 4th time already (hitting 80-90% correct thru 150+ questions), going thru Cliff's for the 2nd time and taking DATQVault Bio tests (making notes from each test that I may not have reinforced) and just started math 2 days ago.

First TopScore Pro test was taken almost 1.5 weeks ago, I only did the science sections and hit:

Bio: 17 (Expected since I took this while in the middle of reading Cliff's)
Gen Chem: 21
O Chem: 19
TS: 19

I felt defeated because I averaged 17 on Achiever and thought the questions in Topscore were a LOT easier. I honestly thought I was going to destroy the 1st test.

Then I take the full length 2nd test today, finished 45 mins ago and this is what I receive...

Bio: 17
Chem: 15
Ochem: 19
TS: 17
PAT: 21
RC: 21
QR: 15 (I expected this since I started a couple days ago)
AA: 17

I mean what in the world!?! I assure everyone, I am not a dumb guy, at ALL. I've been studying for a good month and a half, conquering Destroyer questions and studying 8-10 hours a day. I'm REALLY shocked at my Gen Chem score. This was the subject I've been concentrating on since I started. I'm especially pissed at my Ochem score since Ochem is my forte.

My test is June 10th, and I'm now starting to freak out. I just took a practice test that almost everyone states is representative of the actual DAT, and I scored TERRIBLY.

I think I isolated my problem in terms of I'm reading questions wrong or interpreting them the wrong way. Now I have a few questions:

1.Which program, TSP or DATQVault, is the CLOSEST thing to the DAT? I'm trying to get accustomed to how the questions will be worded, and honestly I have some problem interpreting questions for the TSP sciences. I'm strongly considering getting the DATQVault sciences, but I don't want to drop another $100 if I already have a program that is closest to how the real DAT is worded.

2. Based on my scores, am I screwed?🙁

If anyone can please chime in, it would definitely alleviate some of this tension and anxiety. I KNOW MY ISH. Trust me, I know Gen Chem and O Chem almost like the back of my hand. I wish these scores were indicative of it and now I feel like my whole preparation is complete garbage. For me to conquer Destroyer questions, then switch to VERY SIMPLE Topscore questions and become defeated is like making the All-American 1st Team in sports, moving down to highschool JV and losing the game. I don't know how to explain it and now I feel like I must really exhuast any resource, need be.

Try test 3 GC, it's even more difficult than test 2!
Keep chuggin those questions.

 

[roquer2]

I don't think you're screwed at all! The best I had on Chem on all three topscores was a 19, and Biology 18. I took my DAT today and I got a 25 Bio and 22 Gen Chem, so I don't know. I think Topscore might be falling off in it's accuracy of testing.

Plus trust me, the atmosphere is way different when it's all on the line than when you're taking a practice test!

As far as what's the closest thing, I have to say DatQVault was earily similar to the actual dat. I had a question almost straight from the first benchmark test haha!

I myself was freaking out and considered rescheduling last night before taking the exam today after my topscore tests not breaking 20AA, and today I got a 23AA on the real thing, so don't sweat it as much. Just use it as motivation to really cram!

Hopefully I'm following the same path to getting 20+. I want to DOMINATE the heck out of the test, but my initial scores shook me up a good bit. Reading this gives me a lil hope. Thanks!!👍

Try test 3 GC, it's even more difficult than test 2!
Keep chuggin those questions.

haha thanks babowc. I can't wait 🙄

Btw, goodluck on your DAT! I think I saw you post that it's tomorrow. Go and kill it

 

[roquer2]

So out of OCD for doing bad on my TSP test #2 gen chem section, I got the DATQVault gen chem tests. I've done 6 tests so far and well, it's still not looking good at all:

Gen Chem 1st 6 tests: 18/17/17/21/18/18

Guys, I'm suffering. I don't know why I'm having a hard time interpreting the questions, but it's pretty evident I am. I'm running out of practice tests (and time) and now I'm starting to freak out. These questions are so simple, yet I'm doing terrible! Any advice? 🙁

 

[paymaant]

So out of OCD for doing bad on my TSP test #2 gen chem section, I got the DATQVault gen chem tests. I've done 6 tests so far and well, it's still not looking good at all:

Gen Chem 1st 6 tests: 18/17/17/21/18/18

Guys, I'm suffering. I don't know why I'm having a hard time interpreting the questions, but it's pretty evident I am. I'm running out of practice tests (and time) and now I'm starting to freak out. These questions are so simple, yet I'm doing terrible! Any advice? 🙁

Have you watched chad's videos for gen chem?? It might be too late if your exam is in 4 days, but his videos were really helpful.

 

[roquer2]

Have you watched chad's videos for gen chem?? It might be too late if your exam is in 4 days, but his videos were really helpful.

Looked thru Chad's, made 250ish+ notecards, did his quizzes twice. His quizzes are SO SIMPLE and easy to 'interpret', as compared to the questions on Topscore and some of the other DATQVault questions.

 

[babowc]

Make sure you know the concepts.
I think your test is tomorrow, iirc?

Goodluck!
You'll kill it.

I ended with a 20/19/22😡😡

 

[roquer2]

Make sure you know the concepts.
I think your test is tomorrow, iirc?

Goodluck!
You'll kill it.

I ended with a 20/19/22😡😡

I'll hop on Chad's whenever I wake up and just watch the vids of concepts I'm having problems on.

And nah my test is not till Monday. But hopefully I will kill it.

And nothing wrong with 20/19/22! Solid scores my man!

 

[babowc]

Yeah man, you'll do great.
My tests were nothing like tsp; achiever, nor DAT destroyer.

I felt that I got more wrong that it shows, but I guess I made great "educated guesses"!

Goodluck and happy studying!

 

[berrydenta]

Best of luck on your test!!! Sounds like you did a lot of good prep =) I just started studying this week

 

[roquer2]

Yeah man, you'll do great.
My tests were nothing like tsp; achiever, nor DAT destroyer.

I felt that I got more wrong that it shows, but I guess I made great "educated guesses"!

Goodluck and happy studying!

I'm a sports guy, and one of the best sports quotes I've heard was: "The harder you practice, the luckier you get". I don't know a single person who knows exactly what to do on EVERY SINGLE QUESTION on a standardized test. Majority of the time, those who get good scores are those who study hard enough to get 'lucky' on a lot of questions

I bet you those "educated guesses" were more educated than guesses. You worked your tail off and your scores reflect it. Go get some sleep and celebrate later today. You deserve it man 👍

Best of luck on your test!!! Sounds like you did a lot of good prep =) I just started studying this week

Thanks! Trust me, I made it a religion to wake up 7:30 am and study till 8-10 pm the past month and a half. I'm hoping that my preparation pays off BIG TIME, regardless of the bad test scores.

If you need any advice, just throw me a PM. I'll be more than willing to help out!

 

[berrydenta]

I'm a sports guy, and one of the best sports quotes I've heard was: "The harder you practice, the luckier you get". I don't know a single person who knows exactly what to do on EVERY SINGLE QUESTION on a standardized test. Majority of the time, those who get good scores are those who study hard enough to get 'lucky' on a lot of questions

I bet you those "educated guesses" were more educated than guesses. You worked your tail off and your scores reflect it. Go get some sleep and celebrate later today. You deserve it man 👍



Thanks! Trust me, I made it a religion to wake up 7:30 am and study till 8-10 pm the past month and a half. I'm hoping that my preparation pays off BIG TIME, regardless of the bad test scores.

If you need any advice, just throw me a PM. I'll be more than willing to help out!

Great thank you! 🙂 I will keep it in mind. I am working while studying but definitely trying to use all the free time I have on the DAT

 

[roquer2]

Great thank you! 🙂 I will keep it in mind. I am working while studying but definitely trying to use all the free time I have on the DAT

Funny trend I've noticed. People who are working tend to pull in the nice scores 🙄

When are you thinkin about scheduling your DAT?

 

[berrydenta]

Funny trend I've noticed. People who are working tend to pull in the nice scores 🙄

When are you thinkin about scheduling your DAT?

End of August or first week of September before the semester gets busy. Didn't pay attention, but I hope that trend works! 😛

 

[roquer2]

End of August or first week of September before the semester gets busy. Didn't pay attention, but I hope that trend works! 😛

Sounds like an eternity till the day arrives. Plenty of time to study. No worries 👍

So update!: I just took the last TSP test, #3, and I'm still having problems with Gen chem! 😡😡😡

TSP #3:

Bio: 17
Gen Chem: 17
Ochem: 23

TS: 19

Bio: Though I missed 11 questions, I recognized EVERY question. I just have to study bio hardcore today and tomorrow and I should be hitting my stride of 20+, hopefully

Gen Chem: Missed 9 questions. I'm getting SO FRUSTRATED because I'm sure those missed questions were simple ones. I'm going to review all gen chem questions missed and keep working away on DATQVault. I'm pretty sure the ones I marked were the ones I missed.

Ochem: Missed 3. Finally, my score is indicative of my knowledge for Ochem.

Couple of questions:

1. I'm confident in my Ochem and Bio capabilities (don't let that 17 in Bio fool ya), but again it comes down to my gen chem. I need advice! I thought watching Chad's/doing his quizzes and destroying questions in Gen Chem Destroyer would make simple questions presented on TSP and DATQVault a sinch, I mean these questions are way too simple!!! Is it bc I've only exposed myself to the hard questions, am I lacking practice in the easy ones?

2. Based on my 3rd TSP scores, anyone care to give me an estimate on how prepared I am for my DAT?

Thanks for those coming in with advice and for others dropping by!

 

[babowc]

You'll be great for your DAT man.
I was doing 17-18 and ended with 18 on GC/bio due to randomness and 21 on OC

 

[roquer2]

UPDATE:

So I decided to retry the 1st Topscore test (just the Natural Sciences). It's been almost 2 weeks since I took it so I wanted to see see if I remembered the concepts and my mistakes. I went in not really remembering the answers, but just the concepts I picked up on. I was honest with myself and treated it like I have never seen it before.

Topscore Test #1:

Bio: 21 (missed 4)
Gen Chem: 25 (missed 1)
O Chem: 23 (missed 3)

TS: 23

Going thru it again, it felt a lot more simple. I mean there's no point in NOT reusing your resources, plus I feel like this is a great way to gauge where I stand since I did give myself a good bit of time between now and my 1st time taking it. I will retake the 2nd test in a little bit. I feel this will definitely be a LOT more challenging since this is the test I bombed (especially on Gen Chem). Hopefully I've made a lot of progress!

My question to everyone is, is there any real benefit in the method I'm doing? Or is it not that effective since I've at least been exposed to the questions? Like I said, I'm treating each question like I've never seen it before and just solidifying the concepts I'm ran into.

 

[lowkeydr]

Are you missing more conceptual questions or more calculation questions on GC?

but I agree with ya on the hard Q's vs easy ones. I've been so exposed to so many hard questions, I tend to look over easy questions and make lots of silly mistakes on GC and fall for easy trick problems. Make sure you are reading questions carefully and know what the question wants from you. I tell myself this, but I still make silly mistakes.. so ironic lol

 

[roquer2]

Are you missing more conceptual questions or more calculation questions on GC?

but I agree with ya on the hard Q's vs easy ones. I've been so exposed to so many hard questions, I tend to look over easy questions and make lots of silly mistakes on GC and fall for easy trick problems. Make sure you are reading questions carefully and know what the question wants from you. I tell myself this, but I still make silly mistakes.. so ironic lol

Conceptual questions. I tend to either a) Overthink the concept, or b) Misinterpret the question and try to force a wrong concept in place of a correct one. When I first started studying, I put ALL my initial focus on the calculations, but not as much with the concepts. I'm starting to pick up on em though. I might just watch all of Chad's gen chem vids again in fast forward and pick up on concepts I missed/didn't hear before.

I wouldn't say it's ironic. A mistake is a mistake, you know? An easy concept to you could be a nut buster to another. I guess for the both of us, we were so hesitant to get started on the really tough stuff that we took for granted the other things. But hey, as long as we isolate those weaknesses and make them our strong points, right?

 

[J777]

You may also want to look at the old ACS chemistry exams. They offer some very good conceptual questions.

 

[berrydenta]

Hey roquer2, I just wanted to drop by and wish you the best of luck!!! You will be great 🙂

 

[roquer2]

You may also want to look at the old ACS chemistry exams. They offer some very good conceptual questions.

Thanks for the reference J777. Always here to help those in need 👍

Hey roquer2, I just wanted to drop by and wish you the best of luck!!! You will be great 🙂

Thanks Berry. Less than 24 hours. I'm just gonna review and breathe in the fresh air after my DAT.

 

[lowkeydr]

Good luck!! Some tips I heard were go over the conceptual questions on the GC destroyer again and from all the ones you missed to completely understand them.
Tell us how it goes!

 

[roquer2]

Good luck!! Some tips I heard were go over the conceptual questions on the GC destroyer again and from all the ones you missed to completely understand them.
Tell us how it goes!

Thanks lowkey! I definitely will skim the Destroyer material and Chad's quizzes when I get to Gen Chem. i'm timing myself right now and just skimming every section for a good 1.5 hours. I finished off with 20's for the last Bio and Gen Chem tests on DQV and I'm leaving that on a good note!

I'm slowly preparing to do work and unleash everything I've retained