Top Score Realistic???

[Austin1]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hey guys, I just received my top score CD today. How compareable is it to the real DAT? Score wise. Thanks-

 

[Supernumerary]

Your results may differ from mine, but it seems like I was getting ~16-17 science just a few days before the test, but ended up with a 21 on the real thing. I think they make it a little tougher to scare you into better preparation. (In my case, it just scared the tar out of me cause I didn't have any time left to prepare. AHHHHH!!! 😱 Let this be a lesson in not procrastinating. 🙂 )

The PAT, on the other hand, was a hundred times worse than on TopScore. Compared to the real thing, Topscore PAT questions were like doing MadLibs in preparation for a graduate level English composition course.

I don't know of any good sources for decent PAT sample tests, but Kaplan and Topscore are far too simple for you to accurately gauge your ability. I would do the tests just to get used to the format but do try to look for other sample PAT questions.

 

[shootin4par]

Well, I was very much in the same boat a little over a year ago and all I can say is it was very helpful to me. I looked for all sorts of practice for the DAT (Kaplan, Barrons, TopSCoreETc). TO be honest Kaplan books were the best for study guides. But Topscore had very good (difficult) tests. If you score decent on Topscore you will definitely do well. I found myself getting VERY high PAT scores on both Kaplan and Topscore (my low was a 26) but like "Super" said the real thing is tougher. I did alright on the real PAT but not as stellar as I did on topscore or kaplan. All in all topscore is harder on the sciences, pretty dead-on with verbal and math, and much easier on PAT.
But it is DEFINITELY an excellent study guide and confidence builder.

 

[StarGirl]

i did better on the real test...
reading was about the same...but i can't read...so i am not a good judge on that part 😛
if you need more help:
math: sat books
PAT: old pratice exams...learn to count lines etc...(if you have problem seeing them like I do)... learn to figure out which one's the wrong answer 🙂
Chem...know the basics
Bio... you're on your own 🙂

 

[PENN Diddy]

I got my money's worth off of Top Score because it really stresses the time element. Subject-wise, I found it best prepares you for Reading Comprehension because you have to get used to scanning the words in a little box & using your mouse rather than just having the entire reading page right in front of you (as many practice exams do). The DAT is more about STRATEGY than it is about books smarts. Top Score is best in helping you polish your strategy with respect to time management, stress, & even guessing. For Bio, G-chem, O-chem, & math I would go with Kaplan & Princeton review practice exams. For PAT, I would go with Kaplan & Barrons. Remember, the DAT will offer you the opportunity to get the right answer without knowing the material by eliminating the impossible... so dont just study hard, study smart! 😉

 

[Hermey]

I agree with previous replies that Top Score was helpful for the science sections. I was discouraged when I was scoring 15-17 on the practice tests, but on the DAT my science score average was a 21. When studying I would write down each answer I got wrong on the practice test and then what the correct answer should be and why. After going through one test, you can better gauge what is on the science portion. Top Score is a good review if your have limited time to study and it has a format similar to the real DAT.

For the PAT, I found the DAT review book from Barron?s more useful than Top Score. There were some mistakes in the text/answers, however you can use these to your advantage. If you force yourself to visualize what the answer should be before looking at the answers given, then you can work through this section more quickly on test day. I was very frustrated when studying this section, but I was able to get a 24 on the PAT. I hope this is helpful ? good luck!

 

[eight143]

Austin1,

I agree with everyone that topscore is a great studying tool. I only used topscore and the Kaplan book and I did great. If you have both of these, I think it will suffice.

I would advise you to take these practice tests seriously to optimize its capabilities. I would retake the test again and again. One thing I like about topscore is that they tell you what concepts you missed. I will then write them down and review them in my kaplan book. You might even need to do it in some of the answers that you got right.

I agree that the PAT section is harder on the real thing. Just hang in there and do the PAT over and over again. I felt that even if you take the PAT 10-15 times it wouldn't hurt. They all looked the same to me that I felt like I wasn't reviewing them. Just as long as you don't end up memorizing the answers (hope this makes sense).

On another note, topscore is time sensitive, but don't throw it away. Your grandchildren can still use it if you change the time in your computer to around the time you purchased it.

Best of luck to you. You can do it!!!

 

[wimmcs]

I have a question regarding the TopScore Pro software: If I get it, (actually WHEN I get it) should I already have studied for the DAT and just take practice exams? Or is it a "study" tool like the Kaplan DAT book? Is there a book that comes with the software? I hope I make sense.
I just wonder if I pop the disk in my computer if it will actually do a review of the subjects prior to testing. I'm not nearly ready to take the DAT and wondered if I should hold off buying it until I feel like I can "tackle" practice exams after studying from other DAT books. Thanks!

 

[DesiDentist]

Isabel:

You should order Top-Score about 6 weeks prior to your DAT. It should take about a week to get to you. Since it is timed you have between 4-6 months to use it. There are three full length DAT exams on the CD. Unlike, Kaplan the Top-Score does not explain every question.

It is beneficial to get the timing down, the scoring down, etc.

I would recommend doing TopScore the same time of your exam 3 weeks prior to your exam.

Regards,

DesiDentist

 

[QSTYLE]

wimmics, I just received the CD last week and I think it is better to have studied and done all the practice exams from kaplan prior in using the topscore cd to study. The cd is strictly three test with answers, no explanations. I hope that helps.

Q