Using CrackDAT, Topscore, QVault, and Achiever?

[FeralisExtremum]

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Sorry if this is a really novice question of me, but can anyone explain to me how each of the above are supposed to be used? Do any of the above offer topical questions (e.g. not full test format, just questions on individual subjects), or are they all in practice test format? For example, I want to use Destroyer in conjunction with some the above to test my subject knowledge (and practice PAT) before I start taking full practice tests, but I don't want to see those same questions showing up on the full practice exams because then I will get those right out of memory alone, and if that's the case I'd rather save them for use as full tests.

So do any of them offer topical questions AND separate questions for full practice tests?

 

[412smb412]

Sorry if this is a really novice question of me, but can anyone explain to me how each of the above are supposed to be used? Do any of the above offer topical questions (e.g. not full test format, just questions on individual subjects), or are they all in practice test format? For example, I want to use Destroyer in conjunction with some the above to test my subject knowledge (and practice PAT) before I start taking full practice tests, but I don't want to see those same questions showing up on the full practice exams because then I will get those right out of memory alone, and if that's the case I'd rather save them for use as full tests.

So do any of them offer topical questions AND separate questions for full practice tests?

don't kno how crack reading compares to the actual dat, i used it and it gets u to focus more and helped me improve my scores but i feel like reading comp is very very dependent on which passage u get and which type of questions u get... some questions on the ada practice exams are so similar to topscore while some are similar to crack. do crackpat, when u start getting high scores switch over to achiever (its hard but just makes ur eyes more sensitive imho) don't use achiever until u've mastered all the others. it is only useful for PAT, RC... it's really arguable, the passages are different and questions very convoluted. topscore questions are garbage though some say RC is sometimes representable. qvault is probably one of the best resources b/c there's some applicable things in bio chem and orgo (don't do RC its purely SND)

i haven't taken the dat yet but this is my opinion based on what i found from using them...

 

[Dentalkid434]

Sorry if this is a really novice question of me, but can anyone explain to me how each of the above are supposed to be used? Do any of the above offer topical questions (e.g. not full test format, just questions on individual subjects), or are they all in practice test format? For example, I want to use Destroyer in conjunction with some the above to test my subject knowledge (and practice PAT) before I start taking full practice tests, but I don't want to see those same questions showing up on the full practice exams because then I will get those right out of memory alone, and if that's the case I'd rather save them for use as full tests.

So do any of them offer topical questions AND separate questions for full practice tests?

Here is what I would do:

1. Start with content review and read over cliffs, do chemistry and organic
2. Do the Destroyer problems. It will be challenging at first, but it will be a learning experience. Make sure you do not memorize the answers, but understand the concepts behind the correct answer. For biology, do not just read the solutions, but study them.
3. In conjunction with the Destroyer you should do qvault to boost your confidence and see where you stand
4. One month prior to your exam you should start reviewing for the PAT section. If I had to choose between cdp or achiever, I would go for the achiever. The achiever is amazing at boosting your PAT and RC scores. Get achiever even if you only need it for those two sections. It is an investment - trust me on this!
5. KEEP reviewing and do not underestimate the reading or QR sections.

DO NOT SLACK TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR EXAM AND DO NOT POSTPONE!

As for topscore, it is pretty pointless IMO.

For summation:
The sciences: DAT destroyer and qvault (for biology add Cliffs biology [the yellow condensed version])
For PAT: achiever (get CDP if affordable)
For RC: achiever
For QR: DAT math destroyer

Best of luck studying!

Also, I never took a full length exam. My first experience was at the test center.

 

[FeralisExtremum]

Thanks a lot Dentalkid. Does this mean that Achiever/Qvault aren't set up as full practice exams? They're all just topical questions?

 

[Dentalkid434]

My pleasure!

Achiever is a program that you can use to stimulate full length practice exams. I did not really use their sciences all that much. I only did a few of their sciences and averaged 17 on them. I would say qvault biology is a better representation of what the biology on the real DAT is like. I would study destroyer for the chemistries and for the biology.

You should basically memorize the Destroyer. I went over the ENTIRE book. Cover-to-cover 5 times. Of course, I slacked a few weeks prior to my exam and the material was not as fresh so I did not do as well as I expected. Sigh. Bottom line - keep reviewing!

You can get stimulated subject tests on qvault. Or you have the option of reviewing questions based on topic. It is up to you. Qvault reading and math suck. I averaged 24 on their QR section and got a 17 on the real thing...:/

In all honesty, if you are not up for taking full length tests, I think you will still be fine. Just make sure you get your timing down for the PAT, RC, and QR by doing topical practice exams.

 

[Glimmer1991]

Also, I never took a full length exam. My first experience was at the test center.

I 150% agree that taking a full-length test is not necessary. I never did. Heck, even if I just went through two sections back to back, I found myself lacking the motivation to review the reasons behind the solutions because I was bored from doing the problems! Even using the destroyer, I would do one question and its solution at a time.

 

[Dentalkid434]

I completely agree with Glimmer. However, as I said before, getting your timing down for the PAT, RC and QR sections is critical. You do not have to do full length exams to achieve this. I would actually advise against it, for myself at least, since you lose motivation and become bored.

With regard to the destroyer: I reviewed each question on the chemistry, biology, and organic section five times. The key here is to keep reviewing and motivating yourself. By doing the Destroyer and understanding EVERYTHING, you are bound to get a 20+. Now, that "+" depends on your version of the exam. On my version there were MANY experimental questions that I did not encounter in the review materials I used and there were a few questions where the concept was supposedly simple, but the question was ridiculous. For example, on my version there was a question on density. Now, how difficult can density be, right? I mean we all know the formula is d=m/v even from grade school.... Well, they found a way to twist that question in the most obscure way. I am not sure what the writer of that problem was on when he wrote that problem. - it really was a poorly written question and did not test your ability of the concept, but rather tested your ability to understand ambiguous scientific broken english phrasing.....there went my 23 :/

Destroyer biology is good, but pay attention to every word! I had a few biology questions on the real DAT which were discussed in the destroyer in less than five words - so be VERY observant and absorb every single WORD in that biology section. As for Organic- you should be fine on that section by solely doing the Destroyer and understanding the solutions. On the real DAT I got a 21. I think I scored that low since I blasted through that section in 10 minutes to review my answers for the biology section. In the process I may have misread some of the organic questions. But those questions were very straightforward if you know your stuff.

Sorry for the long rant 🙂

Hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have further questions! You can also check out my breakdown for further reference.