What should I do differently for a retake? Please help

[user122]

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I am considering a DAT retake. I have two months of uninterrupted study time, starting today. Is two months enough? Should I start studying as I wait to hear from wait lists? I got 19 AA, 19 TS, and 22 PAT. I had two very low scores in GC and QR (17 and 16). These are the materials I used last time:

-KBB
-Cliff's AP Bio
-Chad's Videos
-Destroyer (only once)
-CDP
-Kaplan tests
-Achiever
-Top Score

What concerns me with a retake is that having used all of these materials that allow people to score very high, I didn't do well. So, I want to know if I should use these same materials again. For example I took very thorough notes of Chad's videos, do you think I should use those notes or watch them all again? I am years removed from GC and OC now, so that also concerns me with a retake.

I think what really held me back was that I used a calculator while studying for the GC and QR sections, and that I am terrible at math and doing calculations in my head. I was expecting mostly set-up problems on the DAT, but that was a big mistake. Any points I earned in these sections were probably based purely on conceptual knowledge. Another thing, I didn't study or try nearly as hard as I should have for this first attempt, especially while using Destroyer.

I am thinking of starting off using Destroyer during my review phase of studying (so, while doing chad's and cliff's), and then continuing it into my testing phase of studying (while taking Achiever, etc. practice tests). Please let me know your opinions on what I should do this time in studying, and which materials I should use.

 

[user122]

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[user122]

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[SmithS87]

Kaplan was a waste of time and money, in my mind any way. What helped me the most was reworking all of the chad quizzes until I knew exactly how to do the questions, as well as manipulate them to ask something else from the question (does that make sense)? I got 23 orgo and 23 gen chem...coming from someone who never got an A in any chemistry course (in fact, C's were par) then this was very surprising.
Try to relax and know that you CAN do it. And honestly your scores are not bad!! You must be a perfectionist (which is good!!) but I think you did a great job on your test!
Also, I took the chemistry courses 6 years ago!

 

[user122]

Kaplan was a waste of time and money, in my mind any way. What helped me the most was reworking all of the chad quizzes until I knew exactly how to do the questions, as well as manipulate them to ask something else from the question (does that make sense)? I got 23 orgo and 23 gen chem...coming from someone who never got an A in any chemistry course (in fact, C's were par) then this was very surprising.
Try to relax and know that you CAN do it. And honestly your scores are not bad!! You must be a perfectionist (which is good!!) but I think you did a great job on your test!
Also, I took the chemistry courses 6 years ago!

Hey thanks! That makes me feel a lot better 🙂 I almost forgot about those quizzes, I will definitely use those. 23 is really amazing for being 6 years removed from the chem courses!!

 

[SmithS87]

Hey thanks! That makes me feel a lot better 🙂 I almost forgot about those quizzes, I will definitely use those. 23 is really amazing for being 6 years removed from the chem courses!!

My point exactly!! One of the best things I did was took the day before the test OFF! I thought it would fill me with so much extreme anxiety that I would explode, but I took the entire day off and I think my brain needed that to sort everything out! You don't want to go into it with your brain in a big clusterf*ck, you know? haha. Go to the zoo, movies, clean house, whatever you can to have fun! I promise it will work!! Keep me updated, smart one!

 

[clubwestpua]

I am considering a DAT retake. I have two months of uninterrupted study time, starting today. Is two months enough? Should I start studying as I wait to hear from wait lists? I got 19 AA, 19 TS, and 22 PAT. I had two very low scores in GC and QR (17 and 16). These are the materials I used last time:

-KBB
-Cliff's AP Bio
-Chad's Videos
-Destroyer (only once)
-CDP
-Kaplan tests
-Achiever
-Top Score

What concerns me with a retake is that having used all of these materials that allow people to score very high, I didn't do well. So, I want to know if I should use these same materials again. For example I took very thorough notes of Chad's videos, do you think I should use those notes or watch them all again? I am years removed from GC and OC now, so that also concerns me with a retake.

I think what really held me back was that I used a calculator while studying for the GC and QR sections, and that I am terrible at math and doing calculations in my head. I was expecting mostly set-up problems on the DAT, but that was a big mistake. Any points I earned in these sections were probably based purely on conceptual knowledge. Another thing, I didn't study or try nearly as hard as I should have for this first attempt, especially while using Destroyer.

I am thinking of starting off using Destroyer during my review phase of studying (so, while doing chad's and cliff's), and then continuing it into my testing phase of studying (while taking Achiever, etc. practice tests). Please let me know your opinions on what I should do this time in studying, and which materials I should use.

How were you doing in practice exams??

 

[user122]

My point exactly!! One of the best things I did was took the day before the test OFF! I thought it would fill me with so much extreme anxiety that I would explode, but I took the entire day off and I think my brain needed that to sort everything out! You don't want to go into it with your brain in a big clusterf*ck, you know? haha. Go to the zoo, movies, clean house, whatever you can to have fun! I promise it will work!! Keep me updated, smart one!

Hahaha! That is a good plan, when I took it last time I took a practice test the day before and that gave me a lot of anxiety!!

 

[user122]

How were you doing in practice exams??

At the very beginning I started off using the Kaplan tests, and I was getting mainly 17AA/17TS/19-22PAT range. Then I used Achiever, and I was getting in the 16-17 range for AA and TS, and 17-19 PAT range. For Top Score, I took them right before the actual DAT, on the days leading up to the exam. I remember getting 18AA/18TS/25PAT and 19AA/19TS/20PAT on the last two (but I don't know about the first). But, I remember getting a 22 QR on one of the Top Score exams, so it wasn't an accurate indicator of the real DAT QR on which I scored WAY lower. I'll look for my complete breakdowns for the practice tests, and will post them if I find them

 

[user122]

Do you guys know how much in advance I should schedule the DAT, as far as getting the date that I want

 

[Mr. Thirsty]

Do you guys know how much in advance I should schedule the DAT, as far as getting the date that I want

On the ADA website it says 60 - 90 days ahead of time to make sure you get your desired date and time.

 

[clubwestpua]

At the very beginning I started off using the Kaplan tests, and I was getting mainly 17AA/17TS/19-22PAT range. Then I used Achiever, and I was getting in the 16-17 range for AA and TS, and 17-19 PAT range. For Top Score, I took them right before the actual DAT, on the days leading up to the exam. I remember getting 18AA/18TS/25PAT and 19AA/19TS/20PAT on the last two (but I don't know about the first). But, I remember getting a 22 QR on one of the Top Score exams, so it wasn't an accurate indicator of the real DAT QR on which I scored WAY lower. I'll look for my complete breakdowns for the practice tests, and will post them if I find them

It seems that Topscore accurately predicted your DAT score. I don't know how to further improve your study method since your material usage looks flawless. But I would use AADSAS exams two~three business days before taking the second time DAT so that you would know how much you are prepared and know whether you should take the test or reschedule it. Best wishes!

 

[Msmouth]

I heard Crack Reading is very good, so maybe add that in. Also try to read for pleasure if you're not usually into that, that may speed up your reading and improve your skills.

I think taking notes can be a bit overrated, I saw many of my friends taking feverish notes in Organic Chem and the they didn't do well. Sometimes you have to just listen and make sure you truly understand....if you have to, watch Chad over and over and take the quizzes.....

At my old school for Gen. Chem we had these work books called, "Chemistry is not a spectator sport". In other words you have to do the work....do lot's of problems until you really understand them.

Now take this with a grain of salt, I haven't taken the DAT yet but that's my take on it.

Good luck!