Ray's Detailed Breakdown for a 30 in Reading Comprehension

Background

I graduated from Northeastern University in 2023 with a degree in Biology. Following graduation, I worked at a dental lab for a year. When I began preparing for the DAT, I realized I had to relearn much of the material from my undergraduate studies. My approach to studying has always been unique—I avoid taking extensive notes, instead focusing on lectures and building a strong foundation of the concepts. However, the DAT presented a different challenge compared to typical college exams. While preparing, I found it crucial to capture screenshots of key information for later review.

Study Schedule

I studied approximately 6 hours a day, 4 days a week, over the course of three months. I didn’t adhere to a rigid schedule but prioritized subjects like Biology and Organic Chemistry because of their heavy reliance on memorization. I also devoted significant time to practicing PAT problems. Initially, I tackled individual section tests to build confidence in each subject, saving the last five full-length practice tests for the week leading up to the exam. It’s important to leave the day before the test as a rest day, focusing on light review to ensure a clear and refreshed mind on exam day.

PAT (Perceptual Ability Test)

Time management is critical in this section. I began by practicing PAT problems without a timer to understand the strategies for solving each problem type. Later, I practiced under timed conditions to simulate the real test environment.

• Strategies:
  
  • Use the grid method for hole punching and the tally method for cube counting.
  • During the tutorial period, draw grids and write down numbers to save time during the test.
  • Start with Angle Ranking, Hole Punching, Cube Counting, and Pattern Folding sections first, as these are quicker. Then return to Keyholes and TFE.
  • Apply the process of elimination, especially for Keyholes, Pattern Folding, and TFE.

Quantitative Reasoning

This section is similar to the math portion of the SAT, with time being a significant factor. It’s essential to skip and guess on problems that cannot be solved within a minute.

• Study Approach:
  
  • Practice problems were the most effective preparation.
  • Since I hadn’t taken a math class in four years, I reviewed forgotten topics by taking practice exams.
  • The formula sheet provided by Bootcamp was an invaluable resource for consolidating key concepts.

Survey of Natural Sciences

My approach to all three science sections involved watching video lessons, immediately followed by solving practice problems. I also captured screenshots of key summary slides for quick reference.

• General Chemistry:
  
  • Emphasize foundational concepts and basic math skills.
  • Focus heavily on the first few chapters, as understanding general trends and patterns can help with more advanced problems.
• Organic Chemistry:
  
  • Memorization is key; spend time learning all the reactions.
  • Use resources like Anki decks and reaction sheets for effective study.
  • Understand general reaction trends for making educated guesses on difficult questions.
• Biology:
  
  • This section covers dense material and relies heavily on memorization, so I dedicated the most time to it.
  • Mnemonics from lessons and personal creativity were invaluable for memorizing the large volume of information

Balanced Reading Comprehension Strategy:

I developed this strategy for the Reading Comprehension section of the DAT by combining my natural approach with insights gained from practice tests. It blends aspects of the "Vanilla" and "Search and Destroy" methods, emphasizing a balance between understanding the passage and efficiently answering questions.

1. The strategy begins with dedicating about 9 to 11 minutes to reading and understanding the passage. After reading each paragraph, I would jot down a brief summary—just a few words—along with the paragraph number. These summaries are meant to be concise and should not take more than a few seconds per paragraph. The goal is to create a general passage map that allows quick reference when answering questions.

2. When tackling the questions, I focused on identifying keywords in each question to guide my search for the answers. Using the paragraph summaries as a reference, I pinpointed the relevant sections of the passage and skimmed them to locate the answer. This approach saved a significant amount of time and made it easier to manage the questions efficiently.

3. To ensure proper time management, I aimed to complete each passage and its 17 questions within 20 minutes. This included spending 9 to 11 minutes on reading and mapping the passage and about 9 to 10 minutes answering the questions. If I encountered a challenging question, I would mark it, make an educated guess, and move on, returning to it later if time allowed.

This method proved highly effective in both Bootcamp practice tests and the actual DAT. By balancing time spent on understanding the passage and answering questions, I was able to approach the section with confidence and efficiency.