Total cost if DAT prep materials?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

TheSandlapper

Full Member
7+ Year Member
Joined
May 11, 2015
Messages
197
Reaction score
77
Hey I'm looking into taking the DAT again to strengthen my application for the 2017 cycle. This past cycle I didn't have a very thorough study plan and only ended up using one old prep book. I looked into study guides put together by other people and they used MANY resources. I was wondering is this typical and and what is every one paying for all this?
 
I've spent around $500 total on Chad's Videos, ($50/ month for three months), $160 for DAT Destroyer, and $100 for DAT Bootcamp. I bought large sticky posters to post stuff on my wall for each section of the test to help me memorize formulae, and I spent money on a hole puncher to help me practice my weakest section on the PAT: the hole punching. I made it my priority to stress to loved ones that I needed help with these resources for the holidays.
 
Look around on Ebay, I managed to find DAT and Math destroyer along with Cliff's AP Bio and KBB (didn't really use KBB though) for $150. Both destroyer books were a year old but that didn't seem to matter.
 
Around $450 total. Its not something you want to skimp out on, as the real cost is when you end up having to write it twice (besides buying resources, cost of no acceptance for a year, cost of not being to work a summer job etc).
 
Mine was in the $400 range too.
 
$400-500 ?
When looking into the materials I've seen people using the figure I found seemed to be much higher.
 
I agree with the $400-500 cost. I do not recommend taking a course. When I originally decided to apply to dental school a few years ago, I took a Kaplan class and hated it. Did much better studying on my own this year following the DAT boot camp guide.
 
$400 is about right.
Check out the classifieds section on SDN. Lots of people selling stuff cheap. You can get destroyer for a fraction of the price. Chads is worth every penny so I wouldn't skimp on that. Also it looks like Bootcamp is having a 20% off sale. 3 months of tough studying shouldn't run more than 400. Feralis' notes, Cliffs AP bio PDF, 2007 & 2009 DATs are floating around the Internet somewhere so those are free as well. Plus there's always Khan if you need it.
I wouldn't worry about getting a lot of materials. MASTERING those that I've listed is good enough for a 22+
 
Materials: DAT Bootcamp, Chad's Videos, Cliff's AP Bio 3rd Edition

Total Cost: $117 + $42 + $9 = $168

Studying Duration: 2 weeks
 
Last edited:
-$42 or so for Chad's (there's a coupon floating around somewhere) for 1 month
-$100 for bootcamp
-$200 for DAT destroyer and Math destroyer
-I already had AP Bio (Cliff's) from high school
-$0 for feralis notes
= $342
 
Reasonably around ~$400. Some of the really good materials are a little on the pricey side. Plus, with studying from different aids the cost does add up. Consider it an investment.
 
$400 is about right.
Check out the classifieds section on SDN. Lots of people selling stuff cheap. You can get destroyer for a fraction of the price. Chads is worth every penny so I wouldn't skimp on that. Also it looks like Bootcamp is having a 20% off sale. 3 months of tough studying shouldn't run more than 400. Feralis' notes, Cliffs AP bio PDF, 2007 & 2009 DATs are floating around the Internet somewhere so those are free as well. Plus there's always Khan if you need it.
I wouldn't worry about getting a lot of materials. MASTERING those that I've listed is good enough for a 22+
Yup, you can get lots of stuff second hand - this is a great way to maximize your buck (as in most things in life)
 
Top