When should I take the DAT?

[ttranman337]

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Hey guys. So I am planning to apply not this cycle but next years, June 2019. My initial plan was to take the DAT early January 2019, using winter break to prepare, but I am now thinking it may not be realistic. I usually tend to take longer to study and I'm not sure if ~1 month of studying would suffice. The reason why I'm beginning to be hesitant is because I am taking 18 credits in the fall which includes biochem, cell molec, and physics. It is imperative that I maintain my GPA so being distracted in the fall wouldn't be the best idea. I am now thinking I should prepare this summer instead and take it in late August right when fall semester starts. I will be also taking organic 2 in the summer. Any thoughts? It seems like everything is pointing towards studying in the summer and taking it in August rather than in January. I only ask because I was dead set on January and I just wanted some feedback before I made any final commitments.


-T

 

[futuredentist59]

I do recommend taking the DAT at the end of this summer so that you can focus on you academics during the year. If you feel like that's not enough, I prefer not studying hardcore, but keep studying over the summer and winter break and take the DAT in summer 2019. I initially tried to take the DAT in February after studying during winter break, but I didn't feel ready. So I kept reviewing the information during spring semester and took the DAT early June after studying hardcore in May.

 

[ttranman337]

I think taking it over winter break is out of the question now that I've looked at the circumstances. I did think about possibly taking it Summer 2019, however, I don't know the exact details of when X gets confirmed as "official" scores etc. and how that works, so I never entertained the idea again. I was very set on having my entire application finished and sent on June 5th. I know many people take there DAT June/July but I never knew exactly how scoring and official reports go in. I may research more about it but for now, prepping for this Summer does not sound like a terrible idea. If something comes up and I end up not being prepared as I would have liked, taking it the following Summer may be an option. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Life of Pablo]

Best option: study and take it this summer. You’ll have plenty of time, and should a retake be needed (hopefully not), you have plenty of time for that as well.

Second best option: study and take it next summer. As long as you take it by the end of july, you should be fine.

Worst option (which I did): take it over winter break. Personally, this was hell for me. I studied like 10-12 hours a day for 30 days. I hated myself for doing this. I would advise against this if at all possible.

 

[Teeth4Life1234]

I wouldn't study more than 8-10 weeks for it. You start to forget things.

Also, it's also about the quality of the studying. 8 hours a day for 4 weeks is better than 4 hours a day for 8 weeks. Not sure that made sense, but hopefully haha

 

[ttranman337]

I wouldn't study more than 8-10 weeks for it. You start to forget things.

Also, it's also about the quality of the studying. 8 hours a day for 4 weeks is better than 4 hours a day for 8 weeks. Not sure that made sense, but hopefully haha

Best option: study and take it this summer. You’ll have plenty of time, and should a retake be needed (hopefully not), you have plenty of time for that as well.

Second best option: study and take it next summer. As long as you take it by the end of july, you should be fine.

Worst option (which I did): take it over winter break. Personally, this was hell for me. I studied like 10-12 hours a day for 30 days. I hated myself for doing this. I would advise against this if at all possible.

Yeah I've spoken to my siblings who've gone through the process and they completely agree with you guys. I'll prep for this summer. Thank you guys!

 

[futuredentist59]

I think taking it over winter break is out of the question now that I've looked at the circumstances. I did think about possibly taking it Summer 2019, however, I don't know the exact details of when X gets confirmed as "official" scores etc. and how that works, so I never entertained the idea again. I was very set on having my entire application finished and sent on June 5th. I know many people take there DAT June/July but I never knew exactly how scoring and official reports go in. I may research more about it but for now, prepping for this Summer does not sound like a terrible idea. If something comes up and I end up not being prepared as I would have liked, taking it the following Summer may be an option. Thanks for your feedback!

My DAT scores went through the application in 12 days!

 

[Miss Resilience]

Best option: study and take it this summer. You’ll have plenty of time, and should a retake be needed (hopefully not), you have plenty of time for that as well.

Second best option: study and take it next summer. As long as you take it by the end of july, you should be fine.

Worst option (which I did): take it over winter break. Personally, this was hell for me. I studied like 10-12 hours a day for 30 days. I hated myself for doing this. I would advise against this if at all possible.

Are you sure that taking it by the end of July is okay?? Could it hold my application back since the AADSAS portal opens in early June?

 

[mynameis24]

100% study this summer and take it before your classes start in the fall. This gives you the most amount of time to study, with all of your focus centralized on the DAT. You don't want to have to worry about classes & the DAT at the same time, on top of other commitments.