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Dat Questions And Ualberta Application


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Hey everyone, I'm a second year undergrad doing my DAT this November and I'm trying to apply for the U of A program. I've got a few questions regarding preparation for the DAT and things to consider when applying. 

 

  • Could anyone give me some tips on how to approach the fluted square ends for carving? My flutes end up asymmetrical and my edges tend to be chipped. 
  • How long did it take for you guys to prepare timewise for the carving and how many soaps did you go through to prepare for the exam? I know people can range from 1-2 packs to about 100 soaps but I'm curious. I've been through about ~40 soaps for the MDT on and off since May. I'm hovering around 35-45 minutes on average right now for each carving and I still need to clean up details like 90s for angles. 
  • For the PAT, I've got Crack the DAT and the IQ Publications books. Are there any other resources that are worth taking a look at for more practice? DAT Bootcamp seems like something I could use for light daily practice on top of doing practice tests every week but I'm concerned about it being too perfect compared to what I'll get to the actual exam and having to drop more money for another program. There were some other links on the forum showing generators from Bootcamp and addressing the rock keyholes from recent years are good examples of what I'm trying to look for. 
  • How did you prepare, if you did prepare, for the reading comprehension? 
  • As for applying at the U of A, does anyone actually know if they look at the sciences score at all for the DAT? The general consensus amongst the dental students and the Rock the DAT manual suggest a pass (15/30) is needed to be considered. However, I emailed the admissions a few months ago and they said they only looked at the minimum cutoffs for the PAT, RC, and MDT which is stated on the website too. I'm assuming their word is final but I wanted to make sure if anyone has heard anything similar. 
  • For the minumum requirement of 60 credits, could these be acquired through any courses as long as the pre-requisite courses are finished? The reason I ask is because I will be over my 100-level course limit by the end of this year by 1 course. As far as I know, that 1 course won't count towards my degree but I'm hoping it won't affect anything for my application.

 

Any help would be much appreciated! 

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  • 4 months later...

Hey TeamOnodera,

 
This is a little late for this years round of the DAT, so I hope it all went well for you!
In case you are rewriting, or anybody else looks at this and it helps, I'll throw in my 2 cents:
 
1. for the fluted ends, I found it best to indicate the square on the end with the scalpel, and then carve away very gradually, increasing the angle a little bit at a time. I also held the soap horizontally and carved towards me. I would finish one side of the fluted square before starting another. Then, let's say I did the top side of the square first, I would do the bottom side second. To deal with the chipped sides, make sure you go very gradually. Also, the actual DAT soap when I took the DAT was a LOT softer than the practice ones you get. 
 
2. I think I carved a total of 18 soaps. Remember: all people are different and there is a huge spread of how many soaps everyone needs. Practice limiting yourself to the 30 minutes. It'll force you to get better in that time period. 
 
3. I did Crack the DAT for PAT
 
4. I read a reading comp booklet with 3 practice tests, but I don't think there's really any specific practice that helped me with it. Just read in your spare time. 
 
5. do NOT worry about the sciences for UofA - studying for it is a huge waste of your time, and they really don't look at it (at least not last year, and I don't think the policy changed) - use it as a break in the DAT for the other sections :)
 
6. I think it would count towards your dent admission - I don't see why not. BUT, I probably would just keep working towards a degree because the upper courses are not really worse, and this way you keep that door open without having to put in extra work later to finish a degree (if you happen to ever be in that situation)
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Thanks for the responses. Can confirm for PAT Bootcamp was a bit harder and Crack the DAT was much easier afterwards but was somewhat representative of what you'll get on the DAT. 

 

Just another question for anyone that happens to go to UofA, I heard from a friend in med that the admissions committee would not be taking 2nd and 3rd years after this cycle for med and dent. I know this would be the case for the med program based off my friend's word and the UofA med subforum but I have heard nothing from anyone on the dent side. Could anyone perhaps confirm if they have heard anything for the dent program?

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