DrStudentDentist

When I took mine back in Aug 2006, I followed SDN extensively. I read everything I could to get a lead on the exam. I even went as far as to put together an excel spreadsheet of SDNer practice scores vs. actual scores. Nothing scientifically based but it gave me peace of mind. Sure you could do the same but looking back, it was overkill.

There are lots of ways to do well on the DAT, all dependent on the background you’re working with. Most pre-dents are biology majors but even if you’re not (I wasn’t), it’s not an issue for doing awesome. Having coached some friends through the process, I’ve come up with a few DAT hacks, a.k.a. tips that frequently get overlooked.

1) Sign up early before you start studying

You can go to ADA.org: DAT to sign up for the exam. Do this before you begin your studying. You have to receive the eligibility letter before you can set a date to take the exam. I’ve found that setting a date before studying allowed me to space my topics and practice exams backwards from my test date. When you do, see #2 below.

2) Set a date in concrete

Just as you wouldn’t change the day of your wedding because you don’t feel prepared (run off to Albuquerque, New Mexico maybe) but not push it back until you feel ready; you also don’t change the date of the DAT. The frame of mind you need to have is not study until you feel good. It needs to be: this thing is happening no matter what and I’m ready when it comes. The best thing I did for myself was schedule a week-long trip to Cancun 2 days after my test. I did this at the start of my studying and was really on the fence about doing it but there is nothing more motivating than having no back door. The option of re-scheduling is mighty enticing especially when the exam is 2 days away. If you know you have a problem with this, eliminate the escape plan. (Sickness excluded)

When should one schedule the exam?

I think it would be best to schedule it as early as possible in the application cycle. ADA’s website says it takes 3-4 weeks for schools to receive your scores. I took mine in August and the schools didn’t get it until Sept. This was a bad move as I wasn’t a super strong applicant. If you’re not a strong applicant, do what you can control and get everything in ASAP, as in Day 1.

3) Study for the exam, not the subject matter

Quell the desire to learn it all. You can’t. The field of biology and chemistry have been around for hundreds of years and there is more than you’ll ever need to know to pass the DAT. The goal you are working with is: Pwning the DAT. It is not to become an expert scientist and winning the “I know it all” prize. They can be mutually exclusive.

I’d recommend getting your hands as many review books as you can. If you know you can’t afford a mediocre score, spend the money on the review material. If you think it’s expensive now, imagine the costs of a a lousy score and how much it’ll cost to re-register and/or reapply. Make the initial investment, do it right the first time around and save yourself money, time, and kleenex in the future. Also, I will be giving my take on the different materials that I used for preparation in Taking the DAT: Materials.

For the tabula rasa: In some ways, not having an extensive background in the sciences can be used to your advantage. As long as you have taken the pre-reqs, you’ll have enough to hit the review books. Starting with a blank slate means you won’t have conflicting data roaming around in your mind making you doubt everything you read. But if you’re going to study, study from a trusted source. Don’t study Barron’s if you know it has a history of typos. Wrong input equals wrong output equals low DAT score.

For the biology major: Study for the exam and nothing more. Know what you need to know for the exam and only what you need to know for the exam, unless of course you want to. It won’t be necessary for you to dig out your advanced cell anything textbook.

4) Shoot for a 30, only, ever.

You may not get it. I didn’t but it didn’t stop me from shooting for it. I’ve always told anyone who asks, I didn’t know how to convert grams to mole and vice versa before studying. I had been exposed to it so it wasn’t hard to learn the basics fast but I always had an aversion to general chemistry, mostly because I had a terrible chemistry teacher in the 6th grade. But I set my sights on the 30 anyways and walked out with a 23. Say, if I were a little more “realistic”, I would have been happy with a 20 and maybe would’ve walked out with a 17. The only benefit that comes from aiming low is you don’t have to feel silly but I’d rather feel silly than crappy because I didn’t push myself to reach further.