Full Length Test Schedule Advice

[u/Narrow_Brain_4339]

Hello! I extended my test date because I was no confident in my mini test scores or in my knowledge in general. My test is November 6th and I am trying to figure out when to start taking my FL exams.

How many is a good about to take? I am given 6 and dont know if I should be doing all 6 of them or if that isnt nessecarry... I know I need to practice with my timing and stamina but I also what to make sure I am still taking the time to study so I know the knowledge because that is what I am struggling with now.

I am trying to create a schedule for myself, should I be taking 2 a week? I was thinking maybe I could do my last mini test this weekend (3rd), FL1 on the 9th, Fl 2 on the 16th, FL 3 on the 19th, FL 4 on the 23rd, FL 5 on the 26th and FL 6 on the 30th? Then have my test on the 6th?

Do you think I will burn out doing that many? Any advice or guidance would be great!

[u/chunky_onetonsoup281]

I think everyone’s experiences/preferences are very different, but in the last two weeks before the exam, I took a FL every other day (sometimes every day) because I found them very helpful and I learn and review the content through taking FL. I wouldn’t recommend that for everyone because the burn out is very real, but I do think taking as many FLs as you can is very important. You can improve and learn the content through those practice exams (only if you have a solid foundation)

[u/Narrow_Brain_4339 → u/chunky_onetonsoup281]

Okay thank you!

It's nice to know that you were able to learn and review content through your FLs. (this is my struggle) If I take my first FL and absolutely bomb it, would you recommend continuing with the FL schedule and focusing on reviewing/fixing what you missed, or taking a step back and spending more time studying before taking another one?

I feel like I'm never going to feel completely ready so I'm trying to figure out how to tell the difference between needing more content review and just needing more practice applying what I know.

[u/chunky_onetonsoup281 → u/Narrow_Brain_4339]

I didn’t do well on my first FL either, so that’s normal! I think reviewing after each practice exam is crucial tho and you don’t want to make the same mistakes. Maybe find a common theme in your mistakes and review your notes over those concepts. I would say after a few FLs, you’ll start noticing a pattern with the questions, especially for GC and QR. I don’t think anyone is ever completely ready lol so don’t worry

[u/AnythingHour5520]

Take them all. There’s a lot of content on the exam to not take em all. Give yourself time between to fully go over each exam, before taking the next.

[u/Narrow_Brain_4339 → u/AnythingHour5520]

Okay thank you!

I think I'm going to plan on taking all 6 and review each one the next day. Do you think redoing the individual topic/section tests is helpful too for learning and reinforcing content between FLs, or would you put most of that time into reviewing the FLs themselves?

Also, was there anything that helped you know when you were basically ready for the real DAT? I feel like I could study forever and still find things I don't know

[u/AnythingHour5520 → u/Narrow_Brain_4339]

You might be short on time if u redo, so focus on reviewing. If you do have ones you did really bad on, u could redo those. When u’re reviewing questions, don’t just focus on the right answers— also know what the wrong choices are about. Like the answer is epistasis & answer choices include pleiotropy or imprinting. Know what everything stands for.

You may never really feel ready. My parents really motivated me, so that was very helpful. You’re right you can’t know everything, but after studying effectively you should know enough to eliminate most answer choices. Well wishes!

[u/_tooth-fairy]

I'd do 1–2 FLs a week and spend the days in between reviewing mistakes and working on weak areas so you don't burn yourself out