So before you guys tell me I didn't use BC correctly just know I really did try, I spend my money on it twice and I was really trying to get my moneys worth.
I'm currently planning on retaking the DAT for my 3rd time. I'm going to tell you guys about my personal experience from the past 2 times I've taken it.
A bit about me, I recently graduated this past December. I am a 23-year-old mother of 2 very active toddlers and a wife. I began pursuing dentistry during my junior year in college. My GPA is a 3.3 so my DAT score has to be pretty high to increase my chances of entry in Texas schools.
My first time studying I purchased Bootcamp solely. It was okay but I feel like it was only good enough for the easy questions that they ask you. So the difficulty of the exam varies. There are a few "easy" give away questions. But they also have difficult ones.
During my first DAT I began watching the videos offered by BC I followed by answering questions on both GC and Ochem.
It got to the point where I began memorizing the questions instead of comprehending and a lot of the questions seemed repetitive.
For Biology, I used the notes that BC offered. At this time I felt rushed because I spend a lot of time on GC and Ochem.
My 3-month subscription was ending and I began to panic because I didn't want to spend more money on renewing.
So I crunched my time studying. I scheduled the test for the following month.
During this month I practiced on the QR section by only practicing on the questions BC offered "because they were the most related to the exam". I did this because one guy scored a 19 on the practice exams and scored a 28 on the real thing. I believed that theory and figured that it was enough to stop on the 5th practice exam because I was scoring around 19-20.
This also applied to the RC part. REAL EXAM I SCORED A 15 on QR & RC.
I took the test and began to panic because 75% of the questions I was given did NOT resemble the BC practice exams. I do feel like my nerves were part of the reason I didn't do well but if I was more prepared those nerves would have not existed. I scored a16AA .17AA TS.
After reading so many more success stories on BC somehow I managed to think that I didn't use BC the "right way". So I purchased it again. And well the same thing happened. 17AA. 17TS.
Lets be realistic, BC will not work if you use it alone. You should not pressure yourself into studying those 3 months and thinking you are going to learn everything.
I don't know whyyyyy I didn't use different resources the 2nd time. I think it was because the group had a lot of negative reviews on the destroyer. I guess now I can see why Dr. Romano gets frustrated. I am sure he has heard my story 1000x and is tired of people purchasing the wrong resources. So if his attitude is hurting your feelings and you would rather give away your money to BC go ahead.
Remember you must be prepared for all type of version of the exam. On my first exam the PAT was less difficult compared to the second.
I do plan on purchasing and ONLY using Destroyer and the resources that Dr. Romano provides. I have not applied to the cycle yet. I believe that the "overkill" destroyer questions will prepare me for 75% of the difficult questions on the DAT.
Im retaking the exam Early August, and will post my outcome and all of my scores!
Just an FYI: This is my experience, I am not getting paid to say any of this. I just don't want this to happen again. You should not take the exam more than once.
I'm currently planning on retaking the DAT for my 3rd time. I'm going to tell you guys about my personal experience from the past 2 times I've taken it.
A bit about me, I recently graduated this past December. I am a 23-year-old mother of 2 very active toddlers and a wife. I began pursuing dentistry during my junior year in college. My GPA is a 3.3 so my DAT score has to be pretty high to increase my chances of entry in Texas schools.
My first time studying I purchased Bootcamp solely. It was okay but I feel like it was only good enough for the easy questions that they ask you. So the difficulty of the exam varies. There are a few "easy" give away questions. But they also have difficult ones.
During my first DAT I began watching the videos offered by BC I followed by answering questions on both GC and Ochem.
It got to the point where I began memorizing the questions instead of comprehending and a lot of the questions seemed repetitive.
For Biology, I used the notes that BC offered. At this time I felt rushed because I spend a lot of time on GC and Ochem.
My 3-month subscription was ending and I began to panic because I didn't want to spend more money on renewing.
So I crunched my time studying. I scheduled the test for the following month.
During this month I practiced on the QR section by only practicing on the questions BC offered "because they were the most related to the exam". I did this because one guy scored a 19 on the practice exams and scored a 28 on the real thing. I believed that theory and figured that it was enough to stop on the 5th practice exam because I was scoring around 19-20.
This also applied to the RC part. REAL EXAM I SCORED A 15 on QR & RC.
I took the test and began to panic because 75% of the questions I was given did NOT resemble the BC practice exams. I do feel like my nerves were part of the reason I didn't do well but if I was more prepared those nerves would have not existed. I scored a16AA .17AA TS.
After reading so many more success stories on BC somehow I managed to think that I didn't use BC the "right way". So I purchased it again. And well the same thing happened. 17AA. 17TS.
Lets be realistic, BC will not work if you use it alone. You should not pressure yourself into studying those 3 months and thinking you are going to learn everything.
I don't know whyyyyy I didn't use different resources the 2nd time. I think it was because the group had a lot of negative reviews on the destroyer. I guess now I can see why Dr. Romano gets frustrated. I am sure he has heard my story 1000x and is tired of people purchasing the wrong resources. So if his attitude is hurting your feelings and you would rather give away your money to BC go ahead.
Remember you must be prepared for all type of version of the exam. On my first exam the PAT was less difficult compared to the second.
I do plan on purchasing and ONLY using Destroyer and the resources that Dr. Romano provides. I have not applied to the cycle yet. I believe that the "overkill" destroyer questions will prepare me for 75% of the difficult questions on the DAT.
Im retaking the exam Early August, and will post my outcome and all of my scores!
Just an FYI: This is my experience, I am not getting paid to say any of this. I just don't want this to happen again. You should not take the exam more than once.
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