Hey everyone,
So I just took the DAT and I got some pretty decent scores. Huge thanks to @dentalWorks and @orgoman22!
To start off, I used the stickied sample DAT study schedule which I found incredibly helpful. This track includes CDP, Kaplan's DAT Blue Book, Cliffnotes AP Biology, Chad's GChem and OChem videos, DAT Destroyer (2015), and Math Destroyer (2015).
PAT: I used Crack DAT PAT and I found my practice scores pretty close to my actual scores.
RC: I did the sample 2009 DAT RC section (which I thought was way harder) along with a DAT Genius RC test which was pretty similar to the real thing, but DAT Genius was harder. I used BYU4You's balanced RC strategy which I found extremely helpful for me. I think the most important part about this section is to try as many methods as necessary to find a strategy that gets you the best scores. I tried using Viper's S&D method and I was terrible with it; however, I then tried BYU's and I was scoring much better. You need to find a method, use it a few times to build your confidence in it, and then stick with it. Confidence in your method and yourself is crucial here.
BIO: This section was really mixed. I used Kaplan's Blue Book and Cliff's AP Bio notes to prepare me for problems in DAT Destroyer. I found DAT Destroyer to cover a lot of material even though the real DAT had questions that weren't nearly as challenging. Luckily, DAT Destroyer prepares you for the large scope of material instead.
GChem: This section was way easier than DAT Destroyer problems. I also used Chad's videos to prepare me with the material and I found it extremely helpful.
OChem: I used Chad's videos and DAT Destroyer to help me out here. I found DAT Destroyer to be crucial here.
Overall, I would highly recommend Chad's Videos and DAT Destroyer (any version - I used 2015). They helped me study and retain the material pretty well. As far as CDP goes, I would recommend something else that's more challenging. Although my CDP scores were similar to my actual PAT score, some sections are just too easy in CDP (Keyholes, TFE, and pattern folding) and I think it prevented me from improving my weaknesses. For Biology, I would recommend using Cliff's notes along with something else - the questions I got wrong in Bio were not covered with the review books that I used. DATBootcamp would probably be a great resource to add in.
Lastly, thanks to everyone here for providing incredibly valuable study information and tools. I could not have done it without your help.
So I just took the DAT and I got some pretty decent scores. Huge thanks to @dentalWorks and @orgoman22!
To start off, I used the stickied sample DAT study schedule which I found incredibly helpful. This track includes CDP, Kaplan's DAT Blue Book, Cliffnotes AP Biology, Chad's GChem and OChem videos, DAT Destroyer (2015), and Math Destroyer (2015).
PAT: I used Crack DAT PAT and I found my practice scores pretty close to my actual scores.
- Keyholes - I thought CDP was too easy with them compared to the real DAT because the figures were more complex on the real thing, but my other PAT scores balanced out my final one
- TFE - Again, the real DAT was harder on this section
- Angles - Slightly harder than CDP. I didn't really use a strategy, just went with my gut on this section
- Hole punching - Slightly harder than CDP because I got some funky folds on the real deal; however, this section was pretty comparable
- Cube counting - CDP was way harder than the actual exam, but good preparation
- Pattern folding - CDP was slightly easier than the real exam, but I got a good idea of what to expect
RC: I did the sample 2009 DAT RC section (which I thought was way harder) along with a DAT Genius RC test which was pretty similar to the real thing, but DAT Genius was harder. I used BYU4You's balanced RC strategy which I found extremely helpful for me. I think the most important part about this section is to try as many methods as necessary to find a strategy that gets you the best scores. I tried using Viper's S&D method and I was terrible with it; however, I then tried BYU's and I was scoring much better. You need to find a method, use it a few times to build your confidence in it, and then stick with it. Confidence in your method and yourself is crucial here.
BIO: This section was really mixed. I used Kaplan's Blue Book and Cliff's AP Bio notes to prepare me for problems in DAT Destroyer. I found DAT Destroyer to cover a lot of material even though the real DAT had questions that weren't nearly as challenging. Luckily, DAT Destroyer prepares you for the large scope of material instead.
GChem: This section was way easier than DAT Destroyer problems. I also used Chad's videos to prepare me with the material and I found it extremely helpful.
OChem: I used Chad's videos and DAT Destroyer to help me out here. I found DAT Destroyer to be crucial here.
Overall, I would highly recommend Chad's Videos and DAT Destroyer (any version - I used 2015). They helped me study and retain the material pretty well. As far as CDP goes, I would recommend something else that's more challenging. Although my CDP scores were similar to my actual PAT score, some sections are just too easy in CDP (Keyholes, TFE, and pattern folding) and I think it prevented me from improving my weaknesses. For Biology, I would recommend using Cliff's notes along with something else - the questions I got wrong in Bio were not covered with the review books that I used. DATBootcamp would probably be a great resource to add in.
Lastly, thanks to everyone here for providing incredibly valuable study information and tools. I could not have done it without your help.
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