When Exactly Are Your Breaks During The DAT?

[NonTradHopeful]

Hey guys,

This might be a dumb question (b/c I've taken a few practice tests), but when exactly are the breaks during the DAT? One practice test had me taking a break before PAT, another had my 15 minute break after PAT.

So, is your first 15 minute break after the science section?....or is it after the PAT section? And when is the second 15 minute break?

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[DrRoyal Pains]

Besides the tutorial before the natural science section, you only get one 15 minute break after the PAT. It's also optional. What program are you using that gives you a 15 minute break before the PAT? That's pretty weird. You need to conact them and tell them to get their ish together.

 

[thejamespark]

just [1] 15 minute break after your PAT. thats when you go peepee or poopoo if u must and still have time to write down numbers before reading =D 👍

 

[NonTradHopeful]

just [1] 15 minute break after your PAT. thats when you go peepee or poopoo if u must and still have time to write down numbers before reading =D 👍

Thanks for the responses. So I guess if I need to draw out stuff for the PAT section, I should do it during any remaining time I have left at the end of the sciences section.

 

[ChapelHillT]

Thanks for the responses. So I guess if I need to draw out stuff for the PAT section, I should do it during any remaining time I have left at the end of the sciences section.

Do it before you start the exam, your time in the sciences is very valuable. If I remember correctly, when you sit down to begin you have a tutorial that takes just a couple minutes to complete. So take that extra time to write down all your stuff for PAT and any equations you want for chem. Then collect yourself, and proceed to kick some arse.

Good luck!

 

[OnlygoalDentist]

During my 15 minute tutorial in the beginning I drew all my stuff out for pat on the front and on the back I wrote all my math stuff because it was fresh in my mind and I didn't want to forget any formulas. I made sure to utilize the whole 15 minutes. I also wrote 1 thru 50 for my reading comp. This way I used the other sheet for my scratch work and switched it for a new one if I needed to. The beauty of the permanent markers is that it doesn't smear or anything so you don't have to worry about the front page smearing when you write on the back... If that makes sense..

 

[kster]

I thought during the 15 minute break between PAT and reading I'd be able to review my math notes. But they said food and drink only, and while they didn't actually check, I didn't take any chances. So don't think of it as a "lunch break" where you can do anything you want like i wrongly assumed. I had read of people going to buy a sandwich during the mid-test break, so that may have been why. Anyone else have a different experience during the mid-test break?

 

[Demps]

I will pretty much say what other people already said plus some more:

15 minutes break is right after your PAT. and this is your only break. Go to bathroom // have a snack // drink some water ... etc during this time.

Possibly helpful tip during this 15 minute break:

Write down some conversions for QR section if you have trouble memorizing it all.

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Other than what other people have said, I think this is a helpful tip for you and everyone for future DAT takers:

Don't just go right into the Science Survey section. Use the 15 minute tutorial section to take a deep breath. and make sure to check your calculator is functional. If your calculator responds fast enough, then use it as much as you can. It may save you quite some time. If it its not, well you are shiat outta luck... then you know you rather just do it by hand. Either way, it saves you from screaming WTF OMFG during QR section.

 

[kster]

Don't just go right into the Science Survey section. Use the 15 minute tutorial section to take a deep breath. and make sure to check your calculator is functional. If your calculator responds fast enough, then use it as much as you can. It may save you quite some time. If it its not, well you are shiat outta luck... then you know you rather just do it by hand. Either way, it saves you from screaming WTF OMFG during QR section.

My calculator was laggy...it would respond quickly sometimes, but would miss keys at other times. Just had to not push the keys as fast, and it was still quite useful. I'm good at calculating by hand, and still would've preferred a slightly laggy calculator to doing it by hand on some of the questions.

 

[dniderman]

What do you guys mean "write down all your stuff for PAT"? I wouldn't say I write that much when I do PAT but I also suck at it so if there's something I should be doing please share tips!!!

 

[BYU4you]

What do you guys mean "write down all your stuff for PAT"? I wouldn't say I write that much when I do PAT but I also suck at it so if there's something I should be doing please share tips!!!

Make 15 grids for hole punch.

And make little chart for cube counting. (Which I didn't do)

 

[Cello]

I was not allowed to write ANYTHING during my tutorial. The ADEA apparently forbids writing during this time and my center enforced this rule. They watched me like hawks during the tutorial. Some centers may vary, but they seem to be cracking down on this.

 

[510586]

I was not allowed to write ANYTHING during my tutorial. The ADEA apparently forbids writing during this time and my center enforced this rule. They watched me like hawks during the tutorial. Some centers may vary, but they seem to be cracking down on this.

Thats unfortunate. I find PAT is hardest due to time not actual questions. That extra 2 minutes or so making the little grids and charts for cube counting can really be a difference for some people

 

[Cello]

They give you laminated scratch paper with a nice grid on one side. It is actually great for the hole punches.

Also, using saliva to erase things on the board works exceptionally well. Unfortunately, so does sweat... Haha

 

[510586]

They give you laminated scratch paper with a nice grid on one side. It is actually great for the hole punches.

Also, using saliva to erase things on the board works exceptionally well. Unfortunately, so does sweat... Haha

I feel like I should bring a small cup and just spit into it before the test starts LOL. The ADEA workers wouldn't even know what to say

 

[Cello]

They will tell you that you can't bring the cup into the testing area. 😉

 

[pulltheleverkronk]

For my test, I wrote my PAT stuff during the tutorial and no one cared. I think it's very much based on what your testing center is like.