chhabneh97
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2023
- Messages
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- Reaction score
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DAT Breakdown:
Background/overall thoughts:
I graduated with a biology degree in 2019, and have worked in various positions (all dental related since then). I felt reluctant to write this, because my score isn’t anything spectacular, but I hope you may take something from this. My GPA wasn't anything exceptional either, but I felt the pressure to start studying during my undergrad. My first attempt in Spring 2019 didn't go as planned. I tried using Kaplan, but with working and full-time school commitments, it was overwhelming. I used DATBootcamp and created my own (poor) study schedule, leaving sections like QR untouched like two days before my exam.
I completed my undergrad at UW and moved to SF right after my first attempt for an AmeriCorps position, here I was directly involved in the SF community and subsequently was offered interviews from UW and UCSF. I ultimately was rejected from both schools due to my low AA. During the pandemic in 2020, I decided to take the DAT again, but my studying was all over the place. I tried DAT Booster this time, but without a disciplined study routine. I was also distracted; I got a puppy and didn’t have strict deadlines, which hampered my progress. I think the pandemic was a weird time for everyone. Some adults still need deadlines, and that’s perfectly ok! I think I am one of those people. I was not studying diligently, or having moments of intentional study time.
After working as a dental assistant at UW and getting some hands-on experience, I decided to give the DAT one more shot. I decided this has to be my last time!! I went all-in with DATBooster and followed their 10-week study guide diligently. I’m grateful to have lived at home during undergrad and set my future-self up for success, because I truly needed to reduce my working hours in order to prioritize this exam. My focus was on relearning the extensive biology material, which I found particularly challenging. I saw many breakdowns that emphasized “breadth over depth,” but I went into depth. This test requires a lot of discipline and I made myself memorize even the randomest of details (specifically in bio). I will say, I faced a handful of personal issues during this attempt; a death in my family, a breakup two weeks before my test. It’s so hard not to get caught up in life, and I commend you for trying your absolute best.
Individual Section Breakdown:
I also did not know that noise-canceling earphones existed (I know, where was I?!) I recently also discovered foam ear plugs. Please utilize either of those. I would be in Starbucks where it felt like I was studying at the club.
I will attribute my score to the Booster crash courses. And I will also mention that I took the bio crash course twice. It’s really important no matter which crash course you take (if you chose to) to come in with an overall understanding. It’s not meant to reteach you material, it’s there to focus on high-yield information. After all, although we are (re)learning material, we are all still taking a standardized test. It may be an anomaly for some to have the opportunity to take a crash course twice, but I’m so grateful I did. I took it a month before my exam, and the second time, 2 days before my exam. Here, I was able to reaffirm what I learned from the bio videos. The instructor was interactive, and on-top of being accessible to students.
I also took the time to come up with mnemonics to help myself understand the role of certain hormones. For example, calcitonin and PTH have opposite roles. I saw that calcitonin has an L, for lowering calcium levels. It’s random and weird, but trust it will help you to remember it. As I would read questions, I would ask myself, “What are the creators of this exam truly asking me?” Go with your gut feeling! While taking practice tests, I would mark answers and change them with 30 seconds left- I usually always ended up getting them wrong, and my first choice was correct. You’ll be surprised at how straightforward and “easy” the questions are day of.
I also took the QR crash courses. If you have the funds available, this is the one I would recommend the most. The instructor was amazing, so interactive, and he would teach shortcuts to answering the questions. I did feel like my QR was a lot harder on my exam than practice tests, I felt I put an appropriate amount of time studying towards this section, and wished I had received better results, because I know the work I put into it. If you’re using the calculator for each question, you’re going to be screwed. Try to do as much mental math as you can, I had a lot of algebra questions and you can easily get messed up if you miscalculate. The creators of the DAT want you to give up by this section, it’s an easy way to bring down your score because you’re either exhausted or stressed about the Natural Sciences section. Don’t fall into the trap!! I remember the first time I took the DAT, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I’m going to get my results in 45 minutes, and what will my parents think, and I put 3 months towards this? Get rid of your Tito, the Anxiety Mosquito and just focus completely on the questions. All the answers you need are right in front of you!
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you’re able to take away some from it!! Best of luck to you!
Background/overall thoughts:
I graduated with a biology degree in 2019, and have worked in various positions (all dental related since then). I felt reluctant to write this, because my score isn’t anything spectacular, but I hope you may take something from this. My GPA wasn't anything exceptional either, but I felt the pressure to start studying during my undergrad. My first attempt in Spring 2019 didn't go as planned. I tried using Kaplan, but with working and full-time school commitments, it was overwhelming. I used DATBootcamp and created my own (poor) study schedule, leaving sections like QR untouched like two days before my exam.
I completed my undergrad at UW and moved to SF right after my first attempt for an AmeriCorps position, here I was directly involved in the SF community and subsequently was offered interviews from UW and UCSF. I ultimately was rejected from both schools due to my low AA. During the pandemic in 2020, I decided to take the DAT again, but my studying was all over the place. I tried DAT Booster this time, but without a disciplined study routine. I was also distracted; I got a puppy and didn’t have strict deadlines, which hampered my progress. I think the pandemic was a weird time for everyone. Some adults still need deadlines, and that’s perfectly ok! I think I am one of those people. I was not studying diligently, or having moments of intentional study time.
After working as a dental assistant at UW and getting some hands-on experience, I decided to give the DAT one more shot. I decided this has to be my last time!! I went all-in with DATBooster and followed their 10-week study guide diligently. I’m grateful to have lived at home during undergrad and set my future-self up for success, because I truly needed to reduce my working hours in order to prioritize this exam. My focus was on relearning the extensive biology material, which I found particularly challenging. I saw many breakdowns that emphasized “breadth over depth,” but I went into depth. This test requires a lot of discipline and I made myself memorize even the randomest of details (specifically in bio). I will say, I faced a handful of personal issues during this attempt; a death in my family, a breakup two weeks before my test. It’s so hard not to get caught up in life, and I commend you for trying your absolute best.
Individual Section Breakdown:
- AA: 17 → 17 → 19
- TS: 17 → 18 → 19
I also did not know that noise-canceling earphones existed (I know, where was I?!) I recently also discovered foam ear plugs. Please utilize either of those. I would be in Starbucks where it felt like I was studying at the club.
- Bio: 16 → 15 → 24
I will attribute my score to the Booster crash courses. And I will also mention that I took the bio crash course twice. It’s really important no matter which crash course you take (if you chose to) to come in with an overall understanding. It’s not meant to reteach you material, it’s there to focus on high-yield information. After all, although we are (re)learning material, we are all still taking a standardized test. It may be an anomaly for some to have the opportunity to take a crash course twice, but I’m so grateful I did. I took it a month before my exam, and the second time, 2 days before my exam. Here, I was able to reaffirm what I learned from the bio videos. The instructor was interactive, and on-top of being accessible to students.
I also took the time to come up with mnemonics to help myself understand the role of certain hormones. For example, calcitonin and PTH have opposite roles. I saw that calcitonin has an L, for lowering calcium levels. It’s random and weird, but trust it will help you to remember it. As I would read questions, I would ask myself, “What are the creators of this exam truly asking me?” Go with your gut feeling! While taking practice tests, I would mark answers and change them with 30 seconds left- I usually always ended up getting them wrong, and my first choice was correct. You’ll be surprised at how straightforward and “easy” the questions are day of.
- GC: 17 → 18 → 17
- OC: 18 → 15 → 18
- QR: 15 → 16 → 17
I also took the QR crash courses. If you have the funds available, this is the one I would recommend the most. The instructor was amazing, so interactive, and he would teach shortcuts to answering the questions. I did feel like my QR was a lot harder on my exam than practice tests, I felt I put an appropriate amount of time studying towards this section, and wished I had received better results, because I know the work I put into it. If you’re using the calculator for each question, you’re going to be screwed. Try to do as much mental math as you can, I had a lot of algebra questions and you can easily get messed up if you miscalculate. The creators of the DAT want you to give up by this section, it’s an easy way to bring down your score because you’re either exhausted or stressed about the Natural Sciences section. Don’t fall into the trap!! I remember the first time I took the DAT, I couldn’t stop thinking about how I’m going to get my results in 45 minutes, and what will my parents think, and I put 3 months towards this? Get rid of your Tito, the Anxiety Mosquito and just focus completely on the questions. All the answers you need are right in front of you!
- PAT: 17 → 19 → 20
- RC: 21 → 20 → 21
Thank you so much for reading, I hope you’re able to take away some from it!! Best of luck to you!