mrsweasley Posted November 19, 2007 Report Share Posted November 19, 2007 Hey guys, I just recently decided that I want to be a dentist, and I was hoping to write the DAT in February. I checked the website and there's still spots left, so before I register I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting myself into. How do I prepare for the DAT? I wrote the MCAT in August and I took the Princeton Review course for that (I don't recommend it) but should I take a course for the DAT? What does carving consist of? Should I order the soaps and the "DAT preparation kit" from the CDA when I register? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdom_tooth Posted November 20, 2007 Report Share Posted November 20, 2007 Hey guys,I just recently decided that I want to be a dentist, and I was hoping to write the DAT in February. I checked the website and there's still spots left, so before I register I just want to make sure I know what I'm getting myself into. How do I prepare for the DAT? I wrote the MCAT in August and I took the Princeton Review course for that (I don't recommend it) but should I take a course for the DAT? What does carving consist of? Should I order the soaps and the "DAT preparation kit" from the CDA when I register? 1. If you already took the MCAT and have princeton review materials for bio and chem then just study that, and don't take a course for DAT, unless you're really poor at carving. In addition you need to practice PAT (perceptual ability) and it wouldn't hurt to keep practicing reading comp and of course practicing soap carving 2. You are given a soap that is rounded at both edges, you are asked to carve a specific structure, they are usually troughs, flutes, squares and triangles protruding from the ends. I know all of this doesn't make sense so yes definately order the soaps and the DAT preparation kit from CDA, but they don't really give you any practice samples, so I advise you to buy the IQ publications soap carving or barron's. If you try those manuals and you still don't get it, then find a private tutor to help you out I just don't think it's worth dishing out $800+ on a dat prep course like Kaplan when you already know the fundamentals after studying for the MCAT or try rock the dat, i think it's a two day thing, where they go over everything but most importantly they go over carving and PAT. good luck, -wisdom tooth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dentsrthebest Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 I took the Rock the DAT prep course and found it really useful for learning how to carve. They give lots of one-on-one advice and it's a way cheaper alternative to the Kaplan courses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dindin23 Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 if u are in the area around toronto, there is a course by the u of t dental student it cost about $150, they have good carving practices and lots of one on one carving help...its abt 2 days only but they do lots of practice for carving, PAT, and reading comp. they use the corrected Barron book for the pat and reading comp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dentin Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 if u are in the area around toronto, there is a course by the u of t dental student it cost about $150, they have good carving practices and lots of one on one carving help...its abt 2 days only but they do lots of practice for carving, PAT, and reading comp. they use the corrected Barron book for the pat and reading comp. hey dindin23, wehne is the course at uoft offered . Is it a weekend kind of course? Do you have any infos? Dentin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dindin23 Posted December 3, 2007 Report Share Posted December 3, 2007 Hi Dentin, Yea thats a weekend (two days 9am-4pm) course! thats their email address torontodatprep@gmail.com. I am pretty sure it is offered in late January just before the Feb DAT. it is run by second year U of T dental student, a very helpful group of people. as i said there is lots of carving and I think their tips and hints are very useful. you may wanna email them to get more info about the course and registrations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsweasley Posted December 4, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2007 how many soaps should i buy to practice on at home? i actually have no idea! i think i will take rock the dat though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dindin23 Posted December 4, 2007 Report Share Posted December 4, 2007 how many soaps should i buy to practice on at home? i actually have no idea! i think i will take rock the dat though! since the CDA soap is a bit expensive ( about $7/piece) many ppl use candle first, there is white candle they are about the same size i think you can get them from any kosher store or even Fortinos or Loblaws. although carving with candles will be different from the soap since candles are soft and does not crumble when carving (the soap break) but its a good way to start then u can start practicing on soaps. Oh its a good idea to have the IQ publication booklet for carving, they have about ten practice diagrams and there is some useful tips. hope this helps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bright_Smile Posted January 8, 2008 Report Share Posted January 8, 2008 Just so you know, those candles are called "Shabbat Candles" (Sabbath Candles) - if you want to ask for them at the store. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dentalhopeful Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 In the canadian DAT are we going to have scrap paper to use (I know the American DAT does) or is the only paper we are able to write on is the exam itself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wisdom_tooth Posted January 9, 2008 Report Share Posted January 9, 2008 In the canadian DAT are we going to have scrap paper to use (I know the American DAT does) or is the only paper we are able to write on is the exam itself? The two times that I wrote at the UofT location, we were not provided with scrap paper. You should be fine writing on the booklet itself, since most of the chem questions don't require too much calculations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.