Michelle Lee | 26 AA
Take as many DAT Practice Tests and DAT Questions as you can do under the same computerized testing environment before your test date. CrackDAT system was great in that it provided you an arsenal of practice tests and questions to tackle and automatically graded your performance and showed weaknesses. This way, you are acclimated to the same interface so when you show up to the day of the test, it will feel like another practice exam for you. The last thing you want to do is show up to the test unprepared and get the actual test started off in the right foot. That’s why you want to do it right the first time around! Who wants to risk having to retake the DAT again, which means paying another $500 to register for the DAT, restudy for another few months or risk not getting into dental school? Not me! And hopefully not you either.
How did you use Crack the DAT to prepare for the DAT?
I first started by taking a diagnostic test to determine where my strengths and weaknesses were. This helped me come up with a gameplan. Then, I started watched the 100+ Hours of CrackDAT Video Crash Courses they provided. They were godsent! Coming from a different career background, it helped me master these subjects in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, Math and Perceptual Ability (not taught in college). This way, it reinforced my foundation so I was battle tested and ready to take the mock exams.
Then I began taking a full length test to see if I was seeing improvements. I was. However, I realized I needed to score higher on my Perceptual Ability so I focused in on their PAT Generators (Angle Ranking, Cube Counting, Hole Punching, Pattern Folding). Their generators helped me build my speed, confidence and accuracy. I would do the PAT Generators any down-time I had. I was thrilled that I could even do these PAT Generators through their mobile app for my iPhone and iPad when I was laying in bed. It felt like a game and I was getting better and better every day! Before CrackDAT I was getting 15 but on the actual test I scored 22.
After each full length test I would take, I would use their analysis tool to identify my strengths and weaknesses. I would watch the video explanations for the questions I missed so I didn’t make the same costly mistake on the actual exam.
What would you do differently to prepare for the DAT?
Well I can’t say I would change much since I did pretty well on the Dental Admission Test. I must say that I liked how CrackDAT provided me with 6 months of access (which allowed me to get a headstart), whereas other preparations only provided 3 months. That’s one of the main reasons why I went with CrackDAT was because it provided longer access period and it was much more affordable than others. A no-brainer. The longer access period was beneficial because it enabled me to get started on the Perceptual Ability (PAT) section. Fun fact I wish I knew earlier: The PAT is actually one section that you can do months or even years ahead of your actual DAT. There isn’t any memorization or studying so you can easily do this on your downtime or when you’re taking college courses. Because of CrackDAT’s generous 6 months access, I started early on the PAT and got this section out of the way.
Because I started chipping away at the PAT section 6 months before my test date, my studying and preparation was made much easier and paved my way for success.