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www.datbootcamp.com © 2017 1 Ari’s 2017 Study Guide For DAT Domination Preface

www.datbootcamp.com © 2017 1 Ari’s 2017 Study Guide For DAT Domination Preface Since the first publication of this study guide in 2013, thousands of students have worked through this schedule with great results, including some of the highest scores I’ve ever seen being achieved in 2016! The DAT Bootcamp team and I are proud to present to you, the newest generation of future dentists, the blueprint to an excellent DAT score. In this updated study guide, you’ll find the latest recommended materials to use, general DAT advice, a day-by-day study schedule to keep you on the track to success, and a breakdown on how to tackle each section of the DAT. Here are some updates for the 2017 DAT. First, a quick look at the latest scope of the test in the 2017 DAT Guide does not mention geometry, trigonometry, or conversions in the Quantitative Reasoning section, and these sections have been replaced with “Quantitative Comparison”. In a previous DAT Newsletter, the ADA specified Quantitative Comparison “includes, but is not limited to, conversions; probability and statistics; geometry; and trigonometry”. Therefore, please do not neglect trigonometry, geometry, etc. because you heard the DAT was changing. All these subjects are still important for you to know to do well on the test. My recommendation is to study how we always have, and that is the path to the highest score. If you continue to work hard and study, you will do well, and that will always be true. Finally, 3 quick tips as you prepare for the DAT: 1. Create a study schedule that goes over what you need to do day-by-day and stick to it. Readjust the study schedule if necessary. 2. Take regular breaks. Try to study for 50 minutes and then take a break for 10 minutes. Take one day off a week to relax so you don’t burn out. 3. If you don’t feel ready to take the DAT, reschedule the test for later. It was the best decision I made while studying. To your success, – Ari, Founder of DAT Bootcamp Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine, Class of 2018 www.datbootcamp.com © 2017 2 Introduction So, you want to dominate the DAT? This guide is a combination of everything I have learned about test taking, the best study materials, and the DAT itself. I’m Ari, founder of DAT Bootcamp, and in this guide I will outline a study plan that has worked for myself and many other people. I’m going to go through some general DAT advice, the recommended materials to use, and a breakdown on how to tackle each section on the DAT. Before we get started, it’s important to note there are many ways to ace the DAT. This is just one way that’s been used by many students. Some students only study 1-2 weeks and ace the DAT, others like myself take up to 3 months. Some students only use their college textbooks and notes while others buy review guides. It all depends on how good of a foundation you have in the basic sciences, along with your test taking skills and endurance. You can personalize this study guide to reflect your strengths and weaknesses. Register to Take the DAT http://www.ada.org/en/education-careers/dental-admission-test/ Be sure to follow the steps exactly as specified on the ADA’s website. Read all of the guides and checklists provided so that you don’t run into any trouble on test day. Apply early so that you can get your first choice of when and where you want to take the DAT. Also, it would be wise to order the 2009 DAT practice test at this time too. Yes, you have to actually print out the form and mail a money order or certified check (old school style). You can also order the web-based version of the 2009 DAT, but I don’t recommend it (read why: http://datbootcamp.com/blog/do-i-need-the-paid-2009-dat-practice- test/) www.datbootcamp.com © 2017 3 “When Should I Take the DAT?” The majority of students study for the DAT while enrolled in classes, in the summer between junior and senior year. They start studying around April and take the test in the summer, around June through August. It's challenging, but it isn't anything harder than what you're going to do in dental school. If you're really rusty on your basic sciences, you can go through the first half of the study schedule on your own time, just to get a foundation back. Afterwards, then you can restart the study schedule, and move through everything a little faster since you've already studied it somewhat, and it'll be more of a review instead of learning the material for the first time. Also, the DAT is the same difficulty throughout the year; there is no advantage to taking it in during the summer or winter. I'd recommend taking an easier course load during the semester if possible, and starting studying around late March, planning for a June test date. That way you start studying while in school, then finish up finals, and can dedicate some more time just to the DAT towards the end during the summer. You can also reschedule the test to later in July if needed without compromising your application. It’s more important to take the DAT when you’re ready rather than early. “Should I take a test prep course like Kaplan, or self-study?” This is one of the first questions people have when they begin to study for the DAT. It depends on your studying style. People normally either take a test prep course or self-study, and there are students who are successful both ways. One of the advantages of a commercial test prep course, like Kaplan, is that it's all preset and designed ready to go, so there is no work on your side to research what to do and what to study. The downside is you're stuck with the resources they provide, which in my opinion aren’t worth the price tag, and it's quite costly at $1400. An advantage of self-study is that you get to decide what you want and tailor your study schedule to exactly what works for you. Plus, it's significantly more affordable and provides better course materials. Most importantly, I think students that self- study score better because they motivate themselves to study, and aren’t waiting for someone else to tell them the next step. The downside is that you'll have to spend some time designing your own study plan. Fortunately, we’re providing a self-study plan that has worked for many dental students and can be easily personalized to your own liking. www.datbootcamp.com © 2017 4 “How is the DAT Scored?” The DAT grades you on 6 different subjects: Biology (BIO), General Chemistry (GC), Organic Chemistry (OC), Perceptual Ability (PAT), Reading Comprehension (RC), and Quantitative Reasoning (QR). Each subject is scored on a standardized scale out of 30 points. The average test taker will score a 17 (50th percentile). In addition to the 6 scores you’ll receive above, you’ll get an Academic Average (AA) score, which is the most important number. The AA is the mean of your scores, without the Perceptual Ability score (i.e. AA = (BIO + GC + OC + RC + QR) / 5), rounded to the nearest integer. You can use DAT Bootcamp’s AA Calculator to help you calculate your estimated AA. “What Do I Need to Score on the DAT?” The average for acceptance is a 19-20 AA (~85th percentile). This is just an average though, a quick look at the ADEA Guide to Dental Schools shows that students get accepted with lower scores as well! Many schools also have cutoffs for minimum DAT scores. Each school has a different cutoff, and some have no cutoff. I know of one student who was accepted to the University of Florida with a 14 in QR, on the condition that he retake the DAT and score at least a 15 in each section to meet their cutoff. Talk about pressure! “How Many Questions Do I Need To Answer Correctly To Get a 20?” Generally speaking, you can only miss around 5 questions in each individual science and math section to score a 20, the average for acceptance. Scores of over 23 are very rare (98th percentile and up). You can miss around 20 questions in the perceptual test to score a 20. And lastly, you can miss around 10 questions in the reading comprehension section to score a 20. These are just averages, there are many different versions of the DAT being tested at the same time. Every DAT is scaled differently according to its own difficulty. The point is there isn’t much room for error on the DAT. In addition, you don’t have a lot of time for each question. You have to know how to get to the correct answer and the fastest method to get there. Using DAT practice tests will help you build these skills. www.datbootcamp.com © 2017 5 A Word About Retakes First, you should NEVER take the DAT just uploads/Ingenierie_Lourd/ dat-study-guide 2 .pdf