Meet Katherine Le, a happy DAT Bootcamp customer who recently conquered the DAT. I’ve asked Katherine to share her DAT experience with us as the featured student of July.

What is one piece of advice you would give to another student preparing to take the DAT?

The most important factor for me in staying motivated to study for the DAT was probably taking a real interest in the material. I think it is very important for you to be fascinated in the material you are studying. I remember telling myself that even though the task seemed daunting, the DAT was just the beginning of a journey of lifelong learning. If you are passionate about becoming a dentist, then the motivation to stay committed and to learn voraciously should come naturally. Having said that, preparing for the DAT can become stressful, and I learned that it was essential to take time off once a week to relax.

How did you use DAT Bootcamp to prepare for the DAT?

At the beginning of my DAT journey, I attempted to condense Ari’s 10-week study schedule into 5 weeks by tackling two days’ worth of material in one day. After 3 weeks of doing this, I realized how impossible this was and that I wasn’t ready to take this exam with only 6 weeks of studying. Although many people said 6 weeks would be possible, I eventually learned that everyone was different. I postponed my exam another 4 weeks, finishing Ari’s study schedule a few weeks ahead of schedule, and using these extra weeks to review my notes and redo practice tests and problems.

Bootcamp’s practice tests are essential in successful preparation for the DAT. They are extremely helpful in anticipating what type of questions will be on your actual DAT. Aside from condensing the schedule at first, I followed Ari’s schedule exactly.

What would you do differently to prepare for the DAT?

The biggest thing I would have done differently was not take the QR section for granted. Math has always been my strongest subject, and the two weeks leading up to the exam, I focused on the other sections instead. Because of this, on the day of the exam, I found myself a lot slower on the QR section and actually did not even complete it in time. I saw a drastic difference in my practice test scores and my actual one. No matter how comfortable you are with a particular subject, reinforcement of it throughout is key.

I also wish I had realized sooner that different people study differently, and to not be upset about taking more time. Only you will know what kind of study method will work best for you. I had an incredibly stressful initial 3 weeks of studying when I was attempting to do an accelerated study schedule, and was immensely relieved when I postponed my exam. Be honest with yourself throughout your DAT journey. It may seem impossible at first, but if you take the time to fully prepare and really grasp the material, the knowledge and scores will come.

• Biology22
• General Chemistry29
• Organic Chemistry27
• Reading Comprehension24
• Perceptual Ability20
• Quantitative Reasoning21
• Academic Average25

Get a better DAT score

Get instant access to 60 practice tests, Mike's Chemistry Videos, PAT generators, the full-length test simulator, and a lot more.

Upgrade Your Membership