When to take my DAT? Advice please!

[tayloreve]

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Hi there my little SDN family!

Today I finished summer school! WOOHOO! Now that I have absolutely nothing to do, I have begun thinking more about the DAT!

I plan on applying to dental school the summer before my Senior year. I know most people start studying for the DAT that previous Spring, and take it in May or early summer. Now heres my thing, HOW HARD IS IT TO STUDY FOR THE DAT WHILE TAKING FULL TIME CLASSES? I'm starting my sophomore year in the Fall, and am contemplating whether I should study for the DAT beginning next May through August, and take it the beginning of September before my Junior year and apply the upcoming cycle. That way, I don't have to worry about studying for other classes. The only thing is, I won't have taken biochemistry yet. Is this going to affect me at all? This year I will be completing organic, a&p2, micro, cell bio, and some other upper level bio classes.

So confused on what to do. Starting to study for the DAT next summer SEEMS SO SOON!!!! College is flying by! I want at least 2-3 months to study, so I don't want to take it after the cycle has begun (after June 1). Gotta be in that first batch!!!!

ANY ADVICE IS VERY VERY APPRECIATED!!!!!


Thanks and much love! 😍

 

[threechins]

I think it's pretty difficult to study DAT as a full-time student. But that depends on your own motivation. The DAT has 3 types of sciences, math, reading, and perception. Think of it like 6 classes. I studied DAT full time for 2 months this summer and took the test. If you were diligent, I supposed it could work if you spread it out through the year.
I don't remember encountering heavy biochem on the DAT. You will definitely need a solid understanding of ochem though. Good luck!

 

[chippy]

I studied for the DAT for 3 months while working 60+ hours a week. it sucked. i had no life. I would recommend against it.

 

[indigenoustw]

It's definitely hard to do while in school. Unless you can constantly blocking out a time a day just for the DAT, studying is nearly impossible when you are a full time student. For my first attempt of the DAT, I tried to study everyday in winter break + a few weeks into the winter semester before my test...it didn't work out because I prioritized around my classes rather than the DAT so that I could maintain my GPA. I think it's better if you study in the summer and then take it before your junior year starts. Just be ready to sit in the hot seat while your friends are out on the beach enjoying the sunshine. A summer of dedication really won't cost you more than getting a good score on the DAT.

 

[tpwelie34]

It's definitely hard to do while in school. Unless you can constantly blocking out a time a day just for the DAT, studying is nearly impossible when you are a full time student. For my first attempt of the DAT, I tried to study everyday in winter break + a few weeks into the winter semester before my test...it didn't work out because I prioritized around my classes rather than the DAT so that I could maintain my GPA. I think it's better if you study in the summer and then take it before your senior year starts. Just be ready to sit in the hot seat while your friends are out on the beach enjoying the sunshine. A summer of dedication really won't cost you more than getting a good score on the DAT.

Wouldn't your application be considered not early if you take this route?

 

[reely989]

Hi there my little SDN family!

Today I finished summer school! WOOHOO! Now that I have absolutely nothing to do, I have begun thinking more about the DAT!

I plan on applying to dental school the summer before my Senior year. I know most people start studying for the DAT that previous Spring, and take it in May or early summer. Now heres my thing, HOW HARD IS IT TO STUDY FOR THE DAT WHILE TAKING FULL TIME CLASSES? I'm starting my sophomore year in the Fall, and am contemplating whether I should study for the DAT beginning next May through August, and take it the beginning of September before my Junior year and apply the upcoming cycle. That way, I don't have to worry about studying for other classes. The only thing is, I won't have taken biochemistry yet. Is this going to affect me at all? This year I will be completing organic, a&p2, micro, cell bio, and some other upper level bio classes.

So confused on what to do. Starting to study for the DAT next summer SEEMS SO SOON!!!! College is flying by! I want at least 2-3 months to study, so I don't want to take it after the cycle has begun (after June 1). Gotta be in that first batch!!!!

ANY ADVICE IS VERY VERY APPRECIATED!!!!!


Thanks and much love! 😍

If I had it to do over, I would absolutely take the test the summer after my Sophomore year. You will most likely have just finished up Organic, which will make that section of the test extremely manageable. Hopefully you will have had the two introductory biology courses, which cover a large percentage of what you need.

If it were me, I'd start studying as soon as my finals were done, and schedule the test about 1 month and a half or two months into summer. Studying more than two months to me seems excessive. There is honestly not THAT much material. The general chem and organic chem sections are extremely manageable. Biology is much more information, but if you have had 3 or 4 biology classes, it isn't too overwhelming.

Advantages to taking the DAT early: You have no worries about AADSAS deadlines, you have an incredible amount of time for a retake (as well as time to evaluate how to better prepare), you have Organic fresh on your mind (which to me was the hardest thing to pick back up), and you can take the summer of your Junior year as a vacation (other than AADSAS and supplementary stuff). I put mine off until my Junior summer after hearing how helpful this class and that class were, but it really wasn't necessary.

As far as the classes you listed: I imagine A&P II will be extremely useful, as will microbiology. Cell Biology could be very useful I imagine (mine was worthless). I think you are in great shape as far as classes that help you out for the test.

Like I said, if I had it to do over, I would most definitely take it early. I still ended up doing fine on it, but I would have loved to not deal with it while I was dealing with completing my application process, getting my committee letters lined up, etc.

 

[indigenoustw]

Wouldn't your application be considered not early if you take this route?

Hmm...like some other SDNers said, early is good for those with average stats and those who are aiming for schools that admit people on a rolling basis. If you have really good stats + ECs, pre-December interviews will come and your chances of getting in is good (from what i've been seeing from other posts)...of course, assuming your PS, LORs, supplements and other factors are all superior.

For tayloreve's situation, she's a rising sophomore. So she can use the summer between her sophomore/junior year to study/take the DAT. I was directing my comments to her post...not for ppl who's applying in the same calendar year and taking the DAT. Plus, I think the benefit of getting a higher DAT score outweighs the benefit you get from having your application complete early anyways since you are probably talking about 1-2 months difference from June.

 

[crax]

If youre going to be a junior*****:
I would spend your time now picking up some materials (kaplan & destroyers, and maybe try to bum a friends expiring kaplan). read over everything and get a little familiar, then next winter break you can do math destroyer & crack dat PAT. Then you will just need to pretty much master science over the 4 months between feb-may. if you take a light courseload, heck even a normal courseload if you seriously* nerd it up you can do it.

note:
- if youre one of those (like myself) who say youll study twice as much next semester and go out less, and then never do, i wouldnt advise this.
-i had a friend who took it mid semester and did very well, and also biochem pretty much was the only class undergrad that MADE me study, and it definitely helped prepare me for the DAT in many areas..
-lurking sdn DAT forums @ end of freshman year is unhealthy, and unnecessary

 

[tayloreve]

If I had it to do over, I would absolutely take the test the summer after my Sophomore year. You will most likely have just finished up Organic, which will make that section of the test extremely manageable. Hopefully you will have had the two introductory biology courses, which cover a large percentage of what you need.

If it were me, I'd start studying as soon as my finals were done, and schedule the test about 1 month and a half or two months into summer. Studying more than two months to me seems excessive. There is honestly not THAT much material. The general chem and organic chem sections are extremely manageable. Biology is much more information, but if you have had 3 or 4 biology classes, it isn't too overwhelming.

Advantages to taking the DAT early: You have no worries about AADSAS deadlines, you have an incredible amount of time for a retake (as well as time to evaluate how to better prepare), you have Organic fresh on your mind (which to me was the hardest thing to pick back up), and you can take the summer of your Junior year as a vacation (other than AADSAS and supplementary stuff). I put mine off until my Junior summer after hearing how helpful this class and that class were, but it really wasn't necessary.

As far as the classes you listed: I imagine A&P II will be extremely useful, as will microbiology. Cell Biology could be very useful I imagine (mine was worthless). I think you are in great shape as far as classes that help you out for the test.

Like I said, if I had it to do over, I would most definitely take it early. I still ended up doing fine on it, but I would have loved to not deal with it while I was dealing with completing my application process, getting my committee letters lined up, etc.

Thank you soo much! This was exactly what I was looking for. I think this will be the route that I am going to take! I can totally nerd it up all summer without worrying about studying for other classes.

If youre going to be a junior*****:
I would spend your time now picking up some materials (kaplan & destroyers, and maybe try to bum a friends expiring kaplan). read over everything and get a little familiar, then next winter break you can do math destroyer & crack dat PAT. Then you will just need to pretty much master science over the 4 months between feb-may. if you take a light courseload, heck even a normal courseload if you seriously* nerd it up you can do it.

note:
- if youre one of those (like myself) who say youll study twice as much next semester and go out less, and then never do, i wouldnt advise this.
-i had a friend who took it mid semester and did very well, and also biochem pretty much was the only class undergrad that MADE me study, and it definitely helped prepare me for the DAT in many areas..
-lurking sdn DAT forums @ end of freshman year is unhealthy, and unnecessary

Hahaha. I have been lurking SDN since senior year of high school. Talk about UNHEALTHY! Lol. No seriously, I've learned SO much from being on SDN these two years!!! I will forever be addicted (and grateful)!

 

[KittySquared]

Take it after you take organic chemistry. Give yourself a few months to study. And nail that suckah.

 

[ScarletKnight24]

Hi there my little SDN family!

Today I finished summer school! WOOHOO! Now that I have absolutely nothing to do, I have begun thinking more about the DAT!

I plan on applying to dental school the summer before my Senior year. I know most people start studying for the DAT that previous Spring, and take it in May or early summer. Now heres my thing, HOW HARD IS IT TO STUDY FOR THE DAT WHILE TAKING FULL TIME CLASSES? I'm starting my sophomore year in the Fall, and am contemplating whether I should study for the DAT beginning next May through August, and take it the beginning of September before my Junior year and apply the upcoming cycle. That way, I don't have to worry about studying for other classes. The only thing is, I won't have taken biochemistry yet. Is this going to affect me at all? This year I will be completing organic, a&p2, micro, cell bio, and some other upper level bio classes.

So confused on what to do. Starting to study for the DAT next summer SEEMS SO SOON!!!! College is flying by! I want at least 2-3 months to study, so I don't want to take it after the cycle has begun (after June 1). Gotta be in that first batch!!!!

ANY ADVICE IS VERY VERY APPRECIATED!!!!!


Thanks and much love! 😍

You should do a search before posting. This topic has been discussed millions millions of times.

 

[tayloreve]

You should do a search before posting. This topic has been discussed millions millions of times.

Sorry I don't feel like sifting through the millions of threads to search for my answer when I can begin a new one.. SHEESH!

 

[dieseldent]

I treated DAT studying like a full-time job and it worked well for me. It will be the most important thing in your life for a short period of time - I suggest making sacrifices in other areas (school/work/social life) to focus solely on the DAT for a month or two. I studied 8-12 hours per day for 7 weeks - from one week after my spring semester finals to July 8 when I took my DAT. I was still in the first batch and my scores reflected my effort: 21 Total Science, 23 PAT, 22 Academic Avg. PM me if you have additional questions.

 

[ddslove789]

I would definitely suggest taking the exam sooner rather than later. I know that the summer between sophomore and junior years seems very early to study, but believe me... it will pay off! By that time, you should basically be done with your pre-req classes, so the info will be the most fresh in your head (biochem isn't really tested on the DAT, other than knowing the basic equations for glycolysis and the Krebs cycle). Prepping for the exam during that summer will also allow you to dedicate your full attention to the DAT instead of worrying about maintaining your GPA while dedicating time to the test. I took the Kaplan course from June-August the summer between years 2 & 3 and took the DAT for the first time at the beginning of September. I personally wasn't completely happy with my scores, so I also re-took it in January and ended up with 21 AA, 21 TS, and 23 PAT. Let me tell you, it was SUCH a relief to have started so early because I was able to take it twice before most of my friends had even taken it once, and I was only forced to study for the exam on top of studying for classes at the beginning of January. It's a good thing that you are thinking about this now... take it early so that you have one less thing to worry about come app time. A great goal to set would be to take the DAT in Sept of junior year, start thinking about your personal statement over winter break/re-take the DAT if necessary, request all your letters of rec and have a solid draft of your PS by spring break. That way, you will have plenty of time after spring break to get all the kinks sorted out in your app and be ready to submit come the beginning of June. I hope this helps! If you want any more advice on studying/planning out a timeline, PM me 🙂 Good luck!!