Topic areas that I should focus for the DAT

[blankguy]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Since I'm taking the prereq courses, I would like pointers as to which topic areas in chem, orgo, bio and/or physics(if any) I should pay particular attention. That is not to say I will disregard what the professor is emphasizing, because I will have to kick butt on the courses.

 

[croco]

Go buy Kaplans book and see what areas in each course are covered on the actual DAT. You can also check the ada website for the topics at www.ada.org

 

[Balki]

I would do not pay special attention to a particular section because it might appear on the test. Try to do as good as possible in the course and you'll cover most of the sections of the Test. You might also like an aspect of a particular course and want to do additional research (Happened to me, did research in Organich Chem) So what I am saying is enjoy the classes and be open to new ideas, concepts and disciplines. Do not worry about the DAT until few month before the test, when you'll actually start Studying. You can however try to familiarize yourself with PAT. And Orgo, I thought, was a one of the first courses that developed my Perceptual ability. I think a course in engeneering and geometry would be helpful as well.
At any rate, I wish you the very best in your classes.

-Balki-

 

[savvysearch]

blankguy, good news..there is no physics on the exam! My opinion...just study well for you classes. Don't worry about the exam until 3 months before you take it. Really, I think you only need 3 months to prepare well for the DAT. If you want to start right now, just work on PAT and math. It will take so much time off of your studying.

 

[blankguy]

The reason why I was asking this was the issue of being able to retain any information if I did well in the classes. It would be a shame if I forget some of it and have to relearn it within 3 months what I learned over 2 yrs.

 

[Balki]

Trust me if you did well in your classes the chances are you won't forget what you have learned. I tool G- chem in the freshman year and took the Dat summer of my senior year, but few weeks of Chem review was more than enough. Besides you are going to major in sciences, you are going to use the information over and over. Also I know there are many people who return to school/ change career. And those people probably took their sciences like 5-7 years ago and they still do good on their DAT. It's just something you don't forget (Once you understand what a mol is you'll probably remember is for long, if not forever) If you are still worried, Do well in classes and then sign up for a tutoring position , this way you get paid and refresh everything! :😉