Where to start with PAT?

[TheDanger]

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I'm about to start studying for the PAT section and I'm not sure where to start: with problems in KBB or find youtube videos or just dive into CDP/Achiever/Bootcamp? How did you guys approach studying for this portion of the exam?

Also, which materials did you use out of CDP/Achiever/Bootcamp and which was the most helpful? I took a practice test from Kaplan a while back and scored a 20 on PAT so I'm not sure how much preparing I have to do for it, but I've also heard that Kaplan's exams are easier than the real thing. I'm trying not to spend too much money since the destroyer and AADSAS fees are adding up.

I'm leaning toward either Achiever or Bootcamp since they include other sections of the DAT too. I'm aware there's a million and one breakdowns each with detailed explanations of which program is better, but it's a little overwhelming sifting through that. Any opinions/advice?

 

[studentdentistwish]

For me I thought the youtube tutorials were very helpful. I literally just sat there and youtubed every section and watched multiple videos. I kinda figured out the strategy that works best for each section. Then I looked at my kaplan book and tried to use these techniques on a couple of questions per section ( you can even google some examples). When I was comfortable with the whole "PAT idea" I bought CDP and used practice tests. A lot of people suggest buying Bootcamp because it has better explanations and you can get help whenever you need it. Bootcamp also has angle/holepunch/cubecounting generators. So you can focus on those if they are your weak point. Some people buy both as well. You can always buy the 5 test version of cdp and bootcamp. I can't vouch for bootcamp yet, but I'm sure it's just as great. PAT involves practice and both programs will give you the practice needed.

 

[hl808]

As I have told many people who asked me how to approach the PAT section, it really requires a ton of practice. Even if you work on just a few PAT questions every single day, it it better to do that than devote entire days in the week just for PAT.

With that said, I found CDP and Bootcamp both helpful, but preferred Bootcamp because the explanations/solutions were thorough and the best by far, the difficulty was a little harder than the real thing, and those awesome random generators everyone keeps talking about were amazing! I took the first 3 CDP exams and used several others just for their TFE and keyhole sections but bootcamp, I used the generator every day. It was nice to take a break between the heavy science sections by practicing PAT. Pretty sure I got 15/15 for hole punch and cube ccounting because I practiced with the generators so much!

I would go with bootcamp because you not only get PAT practice but for all the other sections as well, unlike CDP. But again, the more practice you get, the better. Maybe get bootcamp first and if you feel like you need more problems (although angles, cube, and hole punching are "unlimited"), maybe invest in CDP then? Also, bootcamp let's you test out one entire free exam so check it out first! 🙂

 

[sdnlurkeress]

For me I thought the youtube tutorials were very helpful. I literally just sat there and youtubed every section and watched multiple videos. I kinda figured out the strategy that works best for each section. Then I looked at my kaplan book and tried to use these techniques on a couple of questions per section ( you can even google some examples). When I was comfortable with the whole "PAT idea" I bought CDP and used practice tests. A lot of people suggest buying Bootcamp because it has better explanations and you can get help whenever you need it. Bootcamp also has angle/holepunch/cubecounting generators. So you can focus on those if they are your weak point. Some people buy both as well. You can always buy the 5 test version of cdp and bootcamp. I can't vouch for bootcamp yet, but I'm sure it's just as great. PAT involves practice and both programs will give you the practice needed.

I've been curious about the OP's question topic and I have a question regarding the Youtube videos that you used. What specific youtube user did you watch for the PAT review? I literally entered "PAT" and "PAT techniques" in the search box and kept getting weird rap videos as a result instead.

 

[TheDanger]

I've been curious about the OP's question topic and I have a question regarding the Youtube videos that you used. What specific youtube user did you watch for the PAT review? I literally entered "PAT" and "PAT techniques" in the search box and kept getting weird rap videos as a result instead.

If you search the type of question better videos come up. Try "PAT Keyhole" or whatever technique you're looking for.

 

[sdnlurkeress]

Thank you! I haven't really looked at the type of PAT questions yet so I didn't really know what to search for.

 

[TheDanger]

Thanks guys. I think I'll start off with Bootcamp (I just saw they're both about $100 and Bootcamp covers more material) and see how it goes. Is Bootcamp really helpful for the other sections, too?

Also, does anyone know how the online practice KBB exam they have once in a while compares to the real DAT?

 

[hl808]

Thanks guys. I think I'll start off with Bootcamp (I just saw they're both about $100 and Bootcamp covers more material) and see how it goes. Is Bootcamp really helpful for the other sections, too?

Also, does anyone know how the online practice KBB exam they have once in a while compares to the real DAT?

Yes! Bootcamp was extremely helpful in all the Sciences and QR. Bootcamp prepared me the best for O Chem and all the taxonomy questions I got on my exam were from bootcamp! You really can't go wrong with bootcamp because the entire program is the best I've used so far (with Chads videos and Destroyer = triple threat! 😛) I felt like bootcamp RC was way more tone based than the actual exam but definitely prepared me for the worse for reading comp. Good choice! 🙂

 

[TheDanger]

Thanks for the advice 🙂

I just checked out your breakdown. Great scores! Did you prepare with the Destroyer by any chance?