The Gold Standard DAT: A Review

The Gold Standard DAT is an awesome addition to your DAT prep armamentarium!
I was given the opportunity to review the products and there is much to be said about them.
The Gold Standard brand has been around for quite some time and has been a house hold name in the medical field, particularly with MCAT prep.  It is fairly new to the DAT arena with it's launch of DAT test prep materials around early 2013. Since then, it has been a great contender among popular DAT preparation materials.

If I were to describe The Gold Standard DAT package in one word it would be COMPREHENSIVE.

I spent a couple weeks going through the materials because I really wanted to do it justice. Upon opening the package that I received, my initial reaction was one of awe. Before I opened any of the books I was taken aback by 1) the packaging: the books come enclosed in a hard covered box that keep the books nice and secure and 2) the quality of the books/pages: the book covers are of really high quality with a matte finish; and the pages are thick and glossy which makes the illustrations, pictures and diagrams really pop. I have honestly never seen test prep materials of that kind of quality. One of my first thoughts was "wow, someone really paid attention to detail and someone really cared about the quality of products that they produce." As I perused the pages of each book, I realized that those sentiments were not only true for the packaging and pages but also of the information within the pages as well.

The materials are, as stated before comprehensive. The Gold Standard DAT takes on a multimedia approach with their collection including textbooks, MP3s, Videos, flashcards, online resources, etc. It does not skimp on the details but is concise and to the point enough that it is easy to go through. The books are broken down into pretty short chapters which has practice questions at the end of each with solutions provided throughout the book. The illustrations and pictures on each page are also well depicted. Not only do you receive books with good, solid and pertinent information to do well on the DATs but many tools to augment your studying and to continuously test yourself throughout your preparation process.

My Opinion:
It has been several years since I took the DAT exam and I am sure there have been some amount of changes. If I were taking the DAT around this time I would honestly consider The Gold Standard for my DAT prep. While the prices aren't the lowest, there are several packages that you can choose from based on what fits your budget, your need, and/or your study habits. Plus, I am of the belief that you get what you pay for.
If you like going through textbooks then perhaps the four (4) book set will work well for you. It does come with 2 full practice tests. Likewise, if you prefer software and/or other online tools there are options for that as well. I think the different packages cater to each individuals' study style.

I have outlined all the packages below for your convenience, and I must mention that all their items are currently discounted.

The Complete Course Package  COST $499.00 $399.00

• Complete four (4) book review set (1408 pages)
• (DAT Bio, DAT Chem, DAT QR&RC, and DAT PAT) 
• 2 full practice tests
• Online access code with 3000+ practice questions
• Compatible with PC and Mac
• 15 hours of Natural Sciences review with 6 months online access
• 3 hours MP3 review files for the natural sciences 
• TopScore Pro software
• 3 full computerized DAT practice tests and 18 exams
• 7 months online access
• Compatible with PC and Mac
• 52 flashcards
• Interview DVD
• Bonus: Medical School Interview + MMI DVD: 100 min (can be used to help with Dental School Interviews)
• Bonus: Science review flashcards (just ignore physics)

The Complete Package (minus Topscore Pro)  COST $399.00 $299.00

• Complete four (4) book review set (1408 pages)
• (DAT Bio, DAT Chem, DAT QR&RC, and DAT PAT) 
• 2 full practice tests
• Online access code with 3000+ practice questions
• Compatible with PC and Mac
• 15 hours of Natural Sciences review with 6 months online access
• 3 hours MP3 review files for the natural sciences 
• 52 flashcards
• Interview DVD

The Gold Standard DAT 4-book set + Interview DVD + Science flashcards

The Gold Standard DAT 4-book set + Interview DVD + Science flashcards

Flashcards

Flashcards

The Complete Four Book Review Set  COST $199.00 $149.00

• Complete four (4) book review set (1408 pages)
• (DAT Bio, DAT Chem, DAT QR&RC, and DAT PAT) 
• 2 full practice tests
• Online access code with 3000+ practice questions
• Compatible with PC and Mac

Individual Books  COST $49.95 $29.95

DAT Biology

• Comprehensive Biology review with over 300 practice questions with solutions
• 400 pages

DAT Chemistry

• Comprehensive Chemistry review with 650 practice questions with solutions
• 414 pages

DAT QR&RC

• Comprehensive review of Math and English skills with 350 practice questions
• 314 pages

DAT PAT

• Complete and innovative preparation for the PAT
• 280 pages

DAT Practice Tests

• TopScore Pro  COST $65.00
• 3 computerized practice test
• 840 comprehensive questions
• Gold Standard Online Practice Tests   COST $60.00
• 2 full length practice tests
• ADA format

DAT Videos

• The Medical School Interview
• DAT Natural Sciences Review  COST $199.00 $98.00

*Disclaimer: This is not an ad. I do not work for/with The Gold Standard DAT*

Consultations for Pre-Dental Students

Having gone through the entire pre-dental and dental school process and having advised and mentored many pre-dental students, I know the pre-dental school process well and I know how very confusing and overwhelming it can be. I have decided to offer Consultations for Pre-Dental Students that will make the entire process a lot easier and smoother.

These consultations will include but not limited to application building, personal statement editing, DAT study tips and gems (and possibly access to materials and resources), interview coaching, etc.

More information on this to come very soon so stay tuned. In the meantime, feel free to inbox me with any questions you many have or to simply send me a note of interest in this new service: Patrice@stu-dentdiaries.com

Crack the Dental Admissions Test! (DAT)

There are a myriad of materials/resources out there geared towards you doing really well on the Dental Admissions Test (DAT), and as we all know getting into your desired dental school sometimes hinges on the kind of scores you receive on this test (among other things). Needless to say, it is imperative that you not only do well on the DATs but that you ACE it!
Having gone through the entire dental school process (from application to graduation...and beyond) and have advised and mentored many pre-dental and dental students, I am familiar with a lot of the materials/resources that seem to always come through. One such product is CrackDAT.

I used a combination of different resources when I studied for my DAT back in the day and I distinctly remember CrackDAT being tremendously helpful, especially for the PAT section. Now fast forward a couple years later and their products and services have drastically improved and is even better than before.
I got the opportunity to use the newest version of CrackDAT software recently, specifically the bundle package and was amazed at how very similar it was to the actual DAT. The software is seamless and closely resembles the real test. In addition, they have tons of practice tests and an updated database of questions that cover all the pertinent questions that are often times asked on the DAT - and they constantly free updates!

CrackDAT provides the largest arsenal of practice tests for the DAT. They provide video tutorials covering tips, tricks and strategies, soap carving tutorials for Canadian students, video explanations for many of the questions, and a new feature called "Compare your Scores" which enables you to see how you performed and scored against other pre-dentals across the country.

Unlike other preparation tools which have expiration periods, CrackDAT does not expire. Therefore, you get unlimited access to all the material, thus you can get a head start as early as freshman year!
Further, there are free updates so you're never left with an outdated version.

You can also rest assured that all you questions will be answered and your problems (if any) troubleshooted as they have an outstanding support that responds right away.

Lastly (drumroll) they provide an annual SCHOLARSHIP!!  This year they will be awarding $2000 to deserving pre-dental students. You must atleast be a junior in college with an interest in pursuing a career in dentistry. See here for more of their requirements

To learn more about CrackDAT visit their website, and also feel free to contact me with any questions you may have about any part(s) of the dental school application process. I will be happy to answer or direct your questions accordingly.

Stu-Dent Diaries In the Neighborhood

I recently came across an article on the world wide web featuring my little corner on the internet: my blog. It hales all the way from Austin, Texas entitled How to Experience Dental School Vicariously, you can read article here. It's a blog for a dental practice and intended to ease patient's nervousness about getting dental procedures done. It points to my blog as an example to show the training that us dentists go through in an attempt to further one's knowledge and appreciation for dental care.

When I started my blog some six years ago, my only intention was to help individuals that faced similar challenges in applying to dental school. I was the first in my family to attend dental school, or any field in healthcare for that matter. Because of this, I had to do and research everything about going to dental school on my own - with no help or advice from anyone. It was quite a task. I thought that surely if I was in that situation then others may be in it too - and the stu-dentdiaries blog was born.

Throughout the years I chronicled the steps I took in preparing to apply and applying to dental school, getting accepted to dental school, my journey through dental school, and now Orthodontics residency.

I did it because writing (my thoughts down) is a hobby and I genuinely wanted to help those who were as confused and flustered as I was. I believe I have accomplished (and still accomplishing) my task.

I get a little embarrassed when people I go to school or attend conferences or different networking events with, recognize me and ask if i'm "that girl from the stu-dentdiaries blog." Most times they tell me that it helped them, and for that I am exceedingly glad.

I will continue to do what I do in my little corner on the www. And, as usual don't hesitate to email me with questions or concerns.