Which practice tests are more representative?

[mbvc28]

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I am taking the DAT test this coming Tuesday (in 2 days) and have just completed a few practice tests to estimate my level of preparedness. I scaled the score of all tests (even those with bootcamp, qvault, etc) with the scale from the 2009 ADA test so the scores would be more similar to each other. The results varied dramatically.

BIO: 1) Free Bootcamp test: 40/40 = 30
2) Free QVault test: 40/40 = 30
3) 2007 ADA exam: 40/40 = 30
4) 2009 ADA exam with errors: 37/40 = 24
5) 2009 ADA exam with corrections: 39/40 = 28
6) 2009 Barron's DAT Exam A: 40/40 = 30
7) 2009 Barron's DAT Exam B: 40/40 = 30
8) 2013 Kaplans DAT: 39/40 = 28

GC: 1) Free Bootcamp test: 27/30 = 23
2) Free QVault test: 26/30 = 22
3) 2007 ADA exam: 30/30 = 30
4) 2009 ADA exam with errors: 30/30 = 30
5) 2009 ADA exam with corrections: 30/30 = 30
6) 2009 Barron's DAT Exam A: 28/30 = 24
7) 2009 Barron's DAT Exam B: 27/30 = 23; with errors corrected: 29/30 = 26
8) 2013 Kaplans DAT: 28/30 = 24

OC: 1) Free Bootcamp test: 29/30 = 27
2) Free QVault test: 26/30 = 21
3) 2007 ADA exam: 30/30 = 30
4) 2009 ADA exam with errors: 24/30 = 19
5) 2009 ADA exam with corrections: 25/30 = 20
6) 2009 Barron's DAT Exam A: 27/30 = 22
7) 2009 Barron's DAT Exam B: 27/30 = 23; with errors corrected: 29/30 = 27
8) 2013 Kaplans DAT: 27/30 = 22

As you can see, the 2007 ADA exam was pretty easy (perfect 30s in the sciences).

The 2009 ADA exam was somewhat more challenging, but was also full of errors. There were some questions for the OC section that I still don't understand and have never seen before in any of the other tests.

The Bootcamp and Qvault questions seemed to be inbetween the 2007 and 2009 test in terms of difficulty.

The 2009 Barron's DAT 2nd Edition asked some fair and challenging questions that have been seen in other practice exams, only slightly reworded, etc. However, it also had several flat out wrong answers for some questions in the GC and OC sections as well as a few questions that seemed too easy to be ever asked on a real DAT exam.

Which of the practice tests would be more similar to the real DAT?



P.S: Going to take the Kaplan 2013 DAT and 2009 Barron's DAT 2nd Edition practice tests now. Will post scores later.

Edit: Added practice test scores from 2009 Barron's DAT 2nd Edition.
Edit: Added 2013 Kaplan DAT practice test scores.

 

[customx]

I know I'm not answering your question, but if you are getting scores like that, I think you have nothing to be concerned about on the real exam. You will get scores in the 20s across the board, so you probably have nothing to worry about.

 

[StumpMT]

Mother of God!! I'll be anxiously awaiting your breakdown 🙂

 

[Minion]

How long have you been studying ?

 

[mbvc28]

Updated with some more practice test scores.

I know I'm not answering your question, but if you are getting scores like that, I think you have nothing to be concerned about on the real exam. You will get scores in the 20s across the board, so you probably have nothing to worry about.

I hope I can get 20s across the board based on my performance on practice tests. But since I am relying on my DAT to make or break my application, I am aiming for the mid 20s.

How long have you been studying ?

I started studying seriously for the DAT since the beginning of July. I ordered some study books off eBay (Kaplan DAT 2013, Cliff AP Bio 3rd Edition, and 2009 Barrons DAT 2nd Edition: Total cost shipped was ~$35.00) at the end of June and studied them when they arrived. I also used the free videos from Chad's website for the GC and OC sections. The majority of my studying was done with Kaplan's MCAT subject review books (leftovers from my roommate which he donated to me). The MCAT review books covered the same materials (Bio, OC, GC) and had questions at the end of each section.For bio review, I also used Feralis notes.

Do you want to know what the funny thing is? The MCAT subject review books were the exact same material as the Kaplan DAT 2013 book. Word for word exact same copies. (So don't spend money on the Kaplan DAT 2013 book if you have the MCAT subject review books). The MCAT subject review books were even more useful than the Kaplan DAT 2013 book because the Kaplan DAT 2013 book didn't even have review questions at the end of every section.