When should I take the DAT?

[mp5491]

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I wanted to know when the best time to take the DAT is, so that after I graduate in 2 years I won't have a year gap or anything.
I am currently a sophomore, and will haven taken by the end of this semester, GChem 1&2, Orgo 1&2, and Physics 1. Will be taking Bio 1 in the summer and will be finished BCP by the end of this year (Fall 2016- Bio 2 and Physics 2), as I will have completed by first semester as a Junior.
So, when should I take the DAT? I keep hearing a lot of things about "cycles", which I still can't seem to figure out, and it worries me that if I take the DAT too late, and if I get accepted anywhere, I might have a year gap, which I really don't want.
Should I take it next summer before my senior year, and when do I apply if I haven't taken the DAT yet? Would it be more sensible to take it this winter, which I'm not sure about because of my coming course load?
Thanks to all that reply!

 

[JLT223]

Summer of junior year

 

[mp5491]

Summer of junior year

Just to make sure, you're saying the summer before my senior year?

 

[JLT223]

Just to make sure, you're saying the summer before my senior year?

Yup

 

[Samin23]

Yup

Wouldn't that be the same summer in which OP is applying? (I'm in the same predicament). I was planning on studying for it this summer and taking in this August because I have all my Chem/Bio/etc completed

 

[meeshii00]

I'd say the latest would be to take it the summer after your junior year and no later than mid-July. Since it takes about 4 weeks for your actual scores to show up on your application. And yes this will be the same summer you apply to dental schools. Have at least 2 months to study. I took mine the end of June and was fine.

 

[JLT223]

Wouldn't that be the same summer in which OP is applying? (I'm in the same predicament). I was planning on studying for it this summer and taking in this August because I have all my Chem/Bio/etc completed

There's nothing wrong with doing that. Myself and many others have taken it even after submitting the AADSAS app. I would not take it in August, try for July.

 

[Samin23]

There's nothing wrong with doing that. Myself and many others have taken it even after submitting the AADSAS app. I would not take it in August, try for July.

I was planning on taking it in July, but due to unexpected circumstances, I got stuck taking physics 2 this summer as a 10-week course, and it won't end until the middle of August. So my plan now is to take the DAT about a week or two after my summer classes end