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DAT: Quantitative Reasoning (math)

As mentioned before, I performed below what most universities would consider passing with beginning math classes. Later I achieved ‘acceptable’ and leapt for joy, then washed away all the information once the class finished. I walked into QR with next to nothing, and after 2 months of approaching math differently I earned an 85 percentile. Someone with a stronger math background can use this approach and do even better.

Tools I recommend:

Barron’s SAT Math Workbook provides great example problems and explanations. The book covers almost all of the math found in the DAT. I put some of the examples into SRS with great success using LaTeX.
Math Review For Standardized Tests is a useful resource as well. Explains math from the bottom up starting with addition. Lots of excellent word problems and probability problems as well.
DAT Destroyer has some good example math problems. I have heard mixed reviews on the Math Destroyer though. I just used the above two books, DAT Destroyer, and practice exams for example problems.
Khan Academy is a collection of free online math lectures. The explanations are excellent and it helps seeing everything worked out. Highly recommended.
Secrets of Mental Math: The Mathemagician’s Guide to Lightning Calculation and Amazing Math Tricks is one of the best books I have ever bought. It gives explanations of how to do seemingly-complicated math mentally. I wish I had this book fifteen years ago! The most important thing it did for me was remove the frustration from math and make it fun. Being able to do rapid calculations entirely without pencil and paper helps too!

These resources should secure a solid QR grade. The section is straight forward and the math becomes second nature with practice.

Any more tips and tools? Feel free to share in the comments.

DAT: Introduction

As mentioned in Inflating Effort I studied a bit less than two months for the DAT while taking full time courses, working part time, and learning Korean. This was possible with SRS and by setting the deadline for myself. I realized if I had taken the test after winter break then my grade would be about the same and I would ruin my break. For the MCAT I lost half the summer because I thought I needed all the extra time. In reality I did almost all the studying in two/three weeks before the exam. It took me weeks to recover!

Therefore it is beneficial to set an earlier deadline for the DAT. Since I had two months I studied every day for the DAT without blowing a fuse because I used SRS. The work will get done, and it is much better to just get the exam out of the way than have it linger any longer than necessary.

It is helpful to study every day. With the techniques on the website it is only necessary to study a smaller time per day, so it is unnecessary to take any breaks for a whole day. I spent 30-40 minutes a day doing practice problems, 20-40 minutes adding new information, and about 20 minutes reviewing cards. 1 hour and 40 minutes a day is reasonable. Sometimes longer, sometimes shorter. I never timed myself – I just did it. I hear some people study 4-6, or even 8 hours a day for months to achieve the same score.

The DAT is straightforward. Learn things, do practice problems, and take the exam. It is a bit different because of the PAT and QR sections, though it is just practice to get it right. A good background in the sections will help, though is unnecessary.

On the ADA website there is a DAT User’s Manual that outlines all the topics on the exam. If there is a topic that is lacking knowledge: read the topic, SRS necessary information, and do practice problems related to that topic. Avoid thinking “There can only be so many problems based on this topic.” To get a high score it is necessary to know ALL of the topics inside and out.

Each section has recommendations for useful reference guides. However the DAT Destroyer covers four sections and is an excellent source of practice problems and sometimes learning material. I recommend getting it for the abundant practice problems.

Practice Exams

It is critical to do many practice problems. They should be done everyday! The DAT has a ‘format’, and it is helpful to get used to it. After 2-3 weeks of studying it is helpful to begin taking practice exams. Here are the practice exams I used:

DAT Free Sample Practice Test

DAT Sample Test that costs money (and is worth it)

TopScore collection of 3 DAT’s

I am also aware of DAT Achiever and have heard mixed things on it.

Practice exams are best taken under testing conditions: timed and without interruption.

Benefits of Self-Study

Saving money! Really. Saving tons of money.

It is also beneficial to study independently because it allows freedom of scheduling and information. Subjects can be switched anytime, lectures can be paused (Chad’s Videos), and the dread of having to go to class will be saved. The material is more fun when it can be switched anytime. I often switched subjects: “I want to study Organic Chemistry now!” and that is exactly what I did! It seems to me that the people who are willing to put effort and do well in a class are also able to do well without the class. Also, saving ridiculous amounts of money.

Organic Chemistry: Using ChemSketch to Make Molecule Drawings

ChemSketch is a great free program that allows easy drawing of molecules. ChemSketch is only available for Windows, though it should run on OSX capable of running windows programs. I am aware of ChemDoodle and ChemDraw for OSX. If anyone knows of a free solution for OSX or Linux please post in the comments and I will be glad to edit this post. These drawings can be dropped into the SRS to make effective cards using the Organic Chemistry models.

Let’s get started!

Download, install, and open ChemSketch.

First time opening ChemSketch

chemsketchintro1

Go to Tools > Structure Properties

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Select “ACS Style”

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Click “Apply” and “Set Default”

That’s all! This only needs to be done once. It just makes the drawn molecules look better.

Sketching Molecules in ChemSketch

Let’s say we want to make a card for Oxymercuration reaction. However, instead of on Wikipedia the example is in the textbook. We’ll have to draw it on the computer! Easy in ChemSketch.

chemsketch1

Select the two buttons shown. The top one allows us to draw carbon chains easily.

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Click anywhere within the dashed lines, hold shift (keeps the carbon chain straight), and drag to create a chain.

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Select the two buttons shown. Click the carbon that the new line originates from, hold shift, and drag to desired length.

To add a double bond, simply click the line to make it a double bond.

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Reaction arrows are made by clicking the reaction arrow button on the toolbar, then the desired place for the arrow.

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Reagents are added by clicking the Reaction-Arrow labeling button, then the reaction arrow to label. Chemical names are automatically super-script and sub-scripted.

chemsketchintrosave1aa

The reaction so far will make up the “Front”, so we can save it and add it into the SRS. Go to File > Save As. Change the file type to .gif and keep the default name, or change to anything. Click Save (highlighted).

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Drag the .gif file into the “Front” section of the card.

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Draw the product. Note how the OH was made by using the single line option and the “O” selected on the left toolbar.

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Same thing. File > Save As. Choose .gif. It is okay to overwrite the file. Anki automatically copies the image and puts it into its own directory.

chemsketchintrosave2c

Drag and drop the new image into the “Back”.

chemsketchfinish

Add the card to the deck and enjoy!

With practice this becomes very quick. It is possible to draw cyclic molecules, aromatic molecules, etc. etc. in ChemSketch. All the options right there – these are the basics.

Biology: Helpful Tools

While using SRS for building memories is important, it is also important where the information comes from – and how it is explained. Better understanding will give better cards.

The Examkrackers MCAT Biology Review Book is an excellent review of Biology. It is relevant from the first introduction class through most upper-division undergraduate courses. I found it later on in my college career and used it in place of a textbook for Mammalian Physiology. It explains basic and intermediate concepts with great diagrams and explanations, and also provides extra detail that may appear in upper division courses. If I had this in my first semester, I would use it in every single Biology course I have been in.
Wikipedia can provide great explanations and answer questions if the book is lacking or a fast answer is preferred.
This list of greek and latin roots is helpful, especially when beginning science. For example: Macrophage means “Large” and “Eats.” This is helpful when memorizing what a macrophage does (it is a large cell that eats things.) Anytime there is a new greek/latin root, just make an SRS card for it. Easy stuff.
It is helpful to see mechanisms in action. This website by McGraw-Hill offers free Biology animations. This was essential for me when starting Biology especially. The course textbook may also offer online animations.
Making the most of in-class time

Inflating Effort

Edit: Khatzumoto at All Japanese All The Time wrote two excellent posts that provide a much better way to accomplish things. They are The Fork, the Choice and You and Potheads, Planners and Players. Using this now with great success.

There is a tendency to balloon effort to fit deadlines. It is common to wait until the last moments of available time to finish a project. A paper we have all semester to write? Usually finished within the last week or few days before the deadline. “We have so much to do!” is often surrendered. However, if this paper was given at the beginning of the semester with ten days before it was due, somehow it would get done. Whether we have one exam or three exams in the same day, somehow it all becomes completed.

I took advantage of this idea when studying for the DAT. I learned from studying for the MCAT that studying over a school break is frustrating and a fun leech (big problem!). I began studying for the MCAT in March of 2009 and took it in July of 2009. I received an 87 percentile and missed many great opportunities to have fun experiences during the semester and half of the summer. I began studying for the DAT in early October and could take the exam before winter break, or after winter break. Utilizing this idea of deadlines I gave myself two months to study. I achieved an overall 92 percentile. If I had waited until after winter break then I would have piecemealed to give the same amount of effort over a longer time – and ruined my winter break!

Therefore I propose setting artificial deadlines. If a paper is due at the end of the semester, make it due in a month instead. Be prepared for exams a week before it is necessary to take them. Turn in job paperwork far ahead of time. The stress of having these things lingering is far greater than the initial push of getting them started. A small nudge of effort can start an avalanche of effort into a project. Projects require the same amount of time and effort whether it is finished now or in 2 months. Might as well finish now and be able to cross the project off the list.

This is all similar to the idea of Timeboxing where we can make goals of time rather than completion. By giving yourself 10 minutes to look at flash cards in Anki, it is impossible to lose. Finish 10 minutes? That is a win! Chipping away pieces of a larger project is difficult to quantify and feel like we won. Instead of deciding to just clean the house, timebox 30 minutes to clean. Somehow the effort will balloon to fit the deadline and more will be accomplished. A partially clean house is still a “Win” by completing the 30 minutes worth of cleaning. This can be applied to homework with preference. Sometimes I like timeboxing homework, and sometimes I just like completing it. I have tried both ways and I feel like I finish the homework sooner with the same quality of work if I timebox.

Our tendencies make us have lingering projects and stress. Set up those artificial deadlines and have more time to do fun things! By setting up the deadlines, projects also become more fun and rewarding. Have you ever finished a paper a month early? It feels awesome! Taking the DAT after 2 months and getting the same score I would have if I double the time to study feels great too. These concepts can be applied all over our lives and lead to more joy and fun by turning things into a game.

Study Shack