When is the best time to take the DAT?

[predentprobz]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I am going to be applying next summer for the 2016 cycle, and have all my pre-reqs done already besides physics. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on when the best time to take the DAT for the first time would be?

 

[7amsho]

this summer.. schedule it for late august or right before your semester starts and begin studying now

 

[hl808]

If you are applying for the 2016 cycle, I would recommend taking the exam sometime in Winter (and start studying now!). Say you take it in February, you will have a lot of time to work on your app and be able to apply early in the cycle. If you didn't do as well, you have to wait 3 months before retaking it so you can schedule to retake in June and still be considered early if apply by July. And do begin studying now. Starting early, even for just an hour a couple days a week will dramatically improve your knowledge and most importantly confidence as you hit the books harder come closer to your exam.

 

[ajj70]

Similar question--hope you don't mind me tagging along, applying summer of 2016 (graduating spring of 2017). Took bio and gen chem freshman year (last year) taking O Chem, Physics and Anatomy this year. When is the best time to take the DAT?? I've read some say right after O Chem, but is this summer too early? Plan was to take it at the end of winter break next year (so a year from now about).

 

[DAT Destroyer]

Similar question--hope you don't mind me tagging along, applying summer of 2016 (graduating spring of 2017). Took bio and gen chem freshman year (last year) taking O Chem, Physics and Anatomy this year. When is the best time to take the DAT?? I've read some say right after O Chem, but is this summer too early? Plan was to take it at the end of winter break next year (so a year from now about).

I am going to be applying next summer for the 2016 cycle, and have all my pre-reqs done already besides physics. I was just wondering if anyone has any advice on when the best time to take the DAT for the first time would be?

Hi, I noticed in your post you said "take the DAT for the first time", your goal should be to take the DAT, "1" time only if at all possible. Do not rush to take the DAT, be fully prepared. Many of my students took the exam August 2014 and were accepted into dental schools for the 2015 cycle. It's always best to check with the dental school you are applying to for their time and cutoffs, etc. But the best advice I can give any student is" Do NOT take the DAT until you are fully prepared", trying to rush and take it prematurely often gets less than desired results.

Hope this helps....Nancy

 

[matardug]

I can honestly say I agree with Nancy about waiting until you're ready. I took the DAT and the first time I wasn't fully prepared and didn't perform well. The next time I felt good about taking it because I knew I had prepared to the best of my abilities. Good luck with your studies

 

[ajj70]

I guess it is the 'ready" part I am unsure of. Would a rising junior be "ready" after completing O Chem as a sophomore or wait until winter/spring of junior year and taking whatever science classes then. All the basic pre-req's will be completed at the end of this school year, bio, chem, o chem, physics. Will also have a semester of anatomy and a semester of genetics done by the end of sophomore year. So, study this summer and take the test before school starts fall of 2015 or study fall/winter 2015 and take the test sometime 2016 for a 2017 graduation/dental school start (hopefully).

 

[elhammy]

After O Chem is when I took it. I started prepping little by little ~2 months before spring semester's final for ochem 2. This time is ideal because ochem is probably the most straightforward science section and people underestimate how important it is to keep it fresh going into studying. Most of the DAT is ochem 1 with some ochem 2 basics like oxidation/reduction of carbonyls, EAS reactions, etc.

 

[ajj70]

Ok--trying again, after O Chem is at the end of sophomore year, is that too early? Will have physics and o chem done sophomore year, junior and senior year will all be elective science classes. Trying to define "ready" I guess. Will apply summer before senior year. Mainly need to decide which study materials to get to start studying if taking this summer.