- Joined
- Feb 5, 2009
- Messages
- 1,358
- Reaction score
- 6
Just in general because I know some schools see it differently.
I would think:
1) TS
2) PAT
3) AA
4) RC
5) QR
I would think:
1) TS
2) PAT
3) AA
4) RC
5) QR
Depends on the school
At virtually all of my interviews they pretty much just brought up my AA...and only once my orgo scores.
From what I heard and IMO
AA>RC>>>everything else
Everyone has their own bias. I read the studies on the ada test and based some of my opinion off it.
IMO, the problem with AA is that it is easily affected by a single 30 (rather than a 20) on a section. It bumps up your AA 2 points.
TS is much tougher to do well on because any single bad science score will severely affect it.
The studies showed that RC was not that important compared to individual science scores, TS, or AA. But IMO, it is a good indicator of whether the test-taker can speak english fluently.
QR is completely useless IMO. This makes the AA less important because someone who scores a 30 on it or a 15 is greatly affected by it.
TS=AA>>>RC>bio=orgo=gchem>>>QR
I like this...RC is only in the front to prove test-taker is not science/math genius who barely speaks english.
Thanks for the input. I thought the same about AA (that is, it accounts for RC and QR) and that is why I ranked it lower than the others.
However, where would you fit the PAT in your ranking.
Everyone has their own bias. I read the studies on the ada test and based some of my opinion off it.
IMO, the problem with AA is that it is easily affected by a single 30 (rather than a 20) on a section. It bumps up your AA 2 points.
TS is much tougher to do well on because any single bad science score will severely affect it.
The studies showed that RC was not that important compared to individual science scores, TS, or AA. But IMO, it is a good indicator of whether the test-taker can speak english fluently.
QR is completely useless IMO. This makes the AA less important because someone who scores a 30 on it or a 15 is greatly affected by it.
TS=AA>>>RC>bio=orgo=gchem>>>QR
I like this...RC is only in the front to prove test-taker is not science/math genius who barely speaks english.
I had a 27 TS not one adcom even raised there eye about it at least not to me.
In terms of RC I've heard from a few adcoms that it holds significant weight
If you can score a 30 on a section thats a feet within itself. A 4.4 is an amazing 40 yard dash but a 4.2 is legendary. When your scoring in the upper limits it becomes a game of inches.
Ok, I do agree, but you won't guess between A and B and steal two-tenths of a second.
EDIT:
Oh that 27 is beautiful...so perfect. I think your TS was just too high to talk about.
I had a 27 TS not one adcom even raised there eye about it at least not to me.
In terms of RC I've heard from a few adcoms that it holds significant weight
Hmmm...TS=AA>>PAT>RC>bio=orgo=gchem>>>QR
Also, what would you say is a good RC score then?In terms of RC I've heard from a few adcoms that it holds significant weight
So you're basically saying that RC is the most important section. I just don't see how an adcom that would favor a student with mainly 20s and a 24/25 in RC as better than one who has a 20 in RC but >20s in most of the other sections.
I know it depends on the school, I just want to know in general. Why is RC so high according to you?
TS=AA>>>RC>bio=orgo=gchem>>>QR
There have been many threads like this before and I always find it funny that some people think RC is more important than everything... even AA. Are you telling me that someone with a 18AA, 25RC will get preference at most schools over a 25AA, 18RC? Really????
Yes, I have seen the studies that show a correlation with RC and NDBE scores but that does not mean RC trumps everything. NDBE is going to be P/F soon enough anyway so who cares. If RC was so important the ADA would make the DAT consist of nothing except RC or weigh the RC x2 or x3 in the AA. Heck, most schools don't even report their RC scores but they do report their AA, TS, and PAT. And for the most part, a school with a 20 AA average score will most likely have similar 20 scores across the board.
Where would you put the PAT?I would go with:
AA>TS>bio=orgo=gchem>>>RC>>>QR
Aceofspades - from what i heard in several of my interviews ... the boards will not be p/f for some time and possible not ever. I dont know where everyone is getting this information about them definitely going p/f
I agree. If it was p/f how would schools decide between students going into specialites? Only GPA and letters? Again there has to be a test that puts all students on a level playing field like the DAT.
Nothing is confirmed, but speculation has it that if and when it does becomes pass/fail, there will be a separate test for specialty programs to decide between applicants.
Ok so a higher RC correletes with a high NDBE score. Now how does a high NDBE score correlate with being a better dentist?? Unless there are studies that tie high NDBE scores with high income and patient satisfaction, all of this is useless conjecture. I would think schools want to train competent dentists not good test takers
Ok so a higher RC correletes with a high NDBE score. Now how does a high NDBE score correlate with being a better dentist?? Unless there are studies that tie high NDBE scores with high income and patient satisfaction, all of this is useless conjecture. I would think schools want to train competent dentists not good test takers
That is an interesting study. It is also interesting that QR is said to be an indicator, but is not viewed as that important by dental schools.
I spoke with Baylor today and they told me (which I've heard before on these forums) that dental schools have been told to expect lower QR scores because of changes they've made to it. Here is how the lady at Baylor told me they view DAT scores:
AA>TS>all other scores except for QR>QR
Where would you put the PAT?
I spoke with Baylor today and they told me (which I've heard before on these forums) that dental schools have been told to expect lower QR scores because of changes they've made to it. Here is how the lady at Baylor told me they view DAT scores:
AA>TS>all other scores except for QR>QR
There is no better predictor. gpa and letters are not the best indication of competence. Currently DAT and NBDE are all we have really.
I frikin KNEW IT!!! My QR score was a frikin 19 and I've always been good at math... Damn that thing really was hard.
I gotta disagree with you here doc. I think GPA is a better indication of perhaps not competence but work ethic because no one can maintain a A/A- GPA without continued effort and dedication, and this holds true even at a low tiered university since its safe to assume that no one is born with knowledge of orgo/bio/physics etc. To be honest, I think it takes less smarts(not no smarts) but more so dedication/better work ethics to be a good dentist.
I gotta disagree with you here doc. I think GPA is a better indication of perhaps not competence but work ethic because no one can maintain a A/A- GPA without continued effort and dedication, and this holds true even at a low tiered university since its safe to assume that no one is born with knowledge of orgo/bio/physics etc. To be honest, I think it takes less smarts(not no smarts) but more so dedication/better work ethics to be a good dentist.
on the same token it takes ability to learn and then execute under pressure.....A person who had a 4.0 GPA but a 19 on the DAT tells me something is up. If they repeat and get like a 21 then sure they may have just not prepared but if you have an outstanding GPA and a significantly lower DAT score that has to mean something.
A standardized measure is needed to compare students across the board. All programs are not the same and all teachers do not grade the same.
Hey thats like me. 3.96/4.0 and a 19 Dats. well... 19.4 -_- what luck. In my own defense, I did a quick switcheroo over to dental and I only had two weeks to study for it.
However, I think anyone who spends a tremendous effort in a short amount of time say a few months can get a 20+ on the Dats. However, GPA is over a longer period of time and cannot be raised through significantly over a short period of time. As for you friend, I never go to class aswell, however I study my ass off when test time comes. But most of the time i'm just chillen which is probably the impression you got from your friend. Orgo is orgo anywhere, nobody gets an A+ by not going to class AND not studying.
Maybe not at your school or my school. But his school...he really does ace EVERYTHING and he is not smart. I am just trying to show some schools are easier than others.
Hey thats like me. 3.96/4.0 and a 19 Dats. well... 19.4 -_- what luck. In my own defense, I did a quick switcheroo over to dental and I only had two weeks to study for it.
However, I think anyone who spends a tremendous effort in a short amount of time say a few months can get a 20+ on the Dats. However, GPA is over a longer period of time and cannot be raised through significantly over a short period of time. As for you friend, I never go to class aswell, however I study my ass off when test time comes. But most of the time i'm just chillen which is probably the impression you got from your friend. Orgo is orgo anywhere, nobody gets an A+ by not going to class AND not studying.
Don't even remind me of that class.....Orgo is orgo anywhere, nobody gets an A+ by not going to class AND not studying.
But I wanted the schools to weigh more on PAT but unfortunately they dont as much as I wanted...
(BTW, I got 16 on RC & got in...)
So according to most of the posts, PAT is not that important. So what is the point of the PAT and why do people freak out and buy multiple programs (CDP, etc) for it?
Just restating my question:
Interesting, how many schools interviewed or even accepted you?
But your "16 RC and got in" might be due to other things you had going for yourself though. Although it does throw a twist in the discussion.
Dentists have to be able to work on teeth upside down and at weird angles so it's important for them to have that perceptual ability. I guess thats the justification for the section.
That's exactly why I would think that dental schools rank it somewhat higher than some of the posters. I remember reading somewhere that there is a correlation between PAT and how well people adapt to the clinically years. Anyone else hear about this??
I agree. PAT is only predictor of success in clinic during d-school. BUT AA is based on 5 sections and TS is based on 3. I feel like those are more important that PAT.
I did place TS and AA above PAT. However, I find it ironic that we are talking about the RC correlation to NBDE but not the PAT to clinic.
I 100% agree. PAT is the only thing that matches with clinical.
RC did not show a great correlation from what I saw...