Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (2023)

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Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (1)

Princeton Review

  • Multiple Course Options
  • Higher Score Guarantee
  • Multiple Course Options
  • Higher Score Guarantee
Our Score

9.1

  • Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (2)
  • Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (3)
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Pros
  • 55 hours of best-in-category live class sessions with specialist instructors
  • Tons of practice work with 4,600+ practice problems and 4 full-length exams
  • Fantastic hardcopy prep books with helpful insights and sample problems
  • Love the design and flow of the curriculum
  • Supplemental chemistry videos are super helpful
Cons
  • Princeton's practice problem explanations are a little on the thin side
  • On the expensive side for DAT prep

Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (7)

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Outline: Princeton Review DAT Course

  • Our Thoughts: Princeton Review DAT Coursework
  • Princeton Review DAT Books: Cracking the DAT
  • Princeton Review DAT Classes
  • Verdict: Princeton Review DAT Prep Course

As this is a lengthy review, find a jump-to table of contents above to help you quickly navigate this article. Hopefully by the end of this review, you will have a good idea of whether Princeton Review is the right choice to help prepare you for the DAT.

Our Thoughts: Princeton Review DAT Coursework

In comparison to other DAT courses I’ve studied with, the Princeton Review DAT curriculum is undeniably deep.

I knew going into this course that they had a lot of study resources to offer: 55 hours of live class time, 4,600+ practice questions, 4-full length exams, stacks of workbooks, etc. But the thing that impressed me the most was actually the structure of this course.

Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (8)

Princeton does an awesome job of synthesizing massive amounts of content that need to be learned down into a streamlined and highly digestible framework. You bite off lesson chunks in easy-to-understand amounts, and in a pattern that naturally builds on itself.

You don’t jump from topic to topic like some other courses I’ve taken, or even from subtopic to subtopic.

Princeton Review uses a rotating exam of specialist instructors to teach discrete subjects in a sequenced order. In total, you’ll see somewhere between 3 and 5 different instructors depending on which course you select and the mix of instructors they happen to have going for that round.

For me, this was four instructors. And I love this about Princeton Review’s approach.

Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (9)

DAT Bootcamp takes a similar tact, but I actually think Princeton Review pulls it off better. Their teachers are all diehard DAT teachers with really narrow focuses. Not to mention, the integrated online work is a great complement to the live class time.

Everything just seems to fit in nicely and naturally together – the live class time with assigned homework, online drills, video lessons and other study features.

It’s a very tidy but robust package that I really, really like and was quite impressed with.

Princeton Review DAT Practice Tests & Questions

So one of the core tenets of Princeton Review’s DAT prep package is practice, practice, practice. This obviously isn’t anything novel, but they back up their package with quality work. In total, you get 4 full-length, computer-based practice exams and 4,600+ practice questions.

The practice questions are spread pretty evenly among the six topics, with maybe a slight skew towards bio and chemistry.

Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (10)

Those are some pretty impressive numbers. It’s not as much as some other prep providers, like Kaplan, but solid all-around. And again, beyond the quantity, I also really liked the quality of these practice questions.

I found them to be highly realistic of real DAT problems in terms of length, difficulty and content. I think this is particularly true for Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) questions.

PAT problems are more or less the biggest problem area for prep providers in terms of providing realistic practice work, but I think Princeton Review nails it (same with DAT Bootcamp and DAT Booster).

Princeton Review DAT Prep Review (11)

Now, if there was one flaw with the Princeton Review course that I found, it was the answer solutions that accompany the practice problems. In most cases, I found them to be a little lacking.

I mean they’re not bad by any stretch – they give you sufficient detail to know why an answer choice was right or wrong, but by and large, they were just a little on thin side (especially as compared to Kaplan and DAT Cracker).

It’s really the only issue I could find with the Princeton Review prep package, and I just would like to see a little more meat around most of their text explanations.

Princeton Review DAT Books: Cracking the DAT

One of the nice bonuses about opting for Princeton Review for your prep course is that you get their legendary DAT prep books with your materials. As most people that have been around DAT prep for a while know, Princeton Review’s Cracking the DAT is a staple for DAT preppers.

It’s loaded with 800+ pages of test taking insights, content review, drills, sample problems with solving demonstrations, and a bunch more helpful study material. But despite its heft (the thing weighs a ton), it’s really well-organized.

This massive text is broken out by subject and attacks each underlying subtopic in detail before moving onto the next logical bit of subject matter.

And all the while it conveys the material in a way that I found to help with material comprehension and retention. You start with content review, then move into tips and tricks for problem solving, sample problems, and then drills to reinforce. It’s a classic and effective structure.

However, the Princeton Review textbook package isn’t limited to Cracking the DAT. You also get a handful of supplemental workbooks with your Princeton Review prep package.

This includes a workbook with an additional 500 pages, compendium full of drills, and maybe most importantly, a 3D practice kit for the PAT. In my opinion, as the PAT is about the hardest part of the DAT for most people, this practice kit has extra value.

All in all, I love the suite of Princeton Review prep books and think they offer about the best written study material in the space.

Princeton Review DAT Classes

As I mentioned at the top of this article, live classes are at the heart of this Princeton Review course, and in my opinion, are one of the biggest draws of this package. In total you get 55 hours of live class time.

In addition, Princeton Review employs a team of rotating subject matter experts rather than one generalist. I don’t always mind a generalist, as some can be very good if they’ve been teaching to the exam for years, but having specialists is always a bonus. I had 4 instructors across my class time and liked all of them.

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They were all crazy smart and great communicators. In addition, they were very open and approachable. Basically, it was just clear they wanted all of their students to fully grasp all of the topics.

In short, if your main priority is live class time in your prep, I can without a doubt say that Princeton Review is one of the best in the entire DAT prep space.

Supplemental DAT Study Resources

Princeton Review offers a few cool supplemental resources, but nothing seriously worth writing home about, apart from maybe the 3D practice kit for the PAT. That is an awesome complement to the main course instruction around the PAT and a pretty big value add.

The PAT is the most difficult portion of the DAT for 90% of takers (I’m completely making that stat up, but it definitely feels like it), and this kit is a massive help.

It trains your brain to think spatially and allows you to conceptualize problems. I give it two thumbs up, but the rest of Princeton’s extras are just alright.

User Experience

One of the nice things about opting for a major prep provider like Princeton Review is that their tech is awesome. Like Kaplan, they have the resources to build out a fantastic digital platform that’s clean and easy to use. It’s modern, sleek and really responsive. I had no issues with lag times or functionality. 5 out of 5 stars on this front in my book.

The Princeton Review Money Back Guarantee

So here’s the down-low on Princeton Review’s money back guarantee. If you take their basic Fundamentals DAT prep course, you get a better score guarantee. This basically means they guarantee your score on the DAT will improve from your baseline, but not by any specific amount.

In essence, score .01 better and they’ve met their promise. So it’s a nice, but not huge promise.

However, things get interesting with Princeton’s DAT 20+. In this package, Princeton Review guarantees you will get a score of 20 or better. Yes, if you’ve done your research on what score you need to get into a solid dental school and paused, you read that correctly.

A score of 20 or better is an awesome guarantee, as it almost assures you admission to some well-rated dental school, so long as you have a decent application in other respects.

So this has instant appeal. But before you go crazy, know that you need to have a baseline score of at least 17 on the DAT to get that assured 20. So it’s not an open promise. It’s still a really nice backstop if you meet their starting thresholds, but check the fine print.

Verdict: Princeton Review DAT Prep Course

After my second class session and about an hour into studying with the online prep materials, I knew the Princeton Review DAT prep course would make of our best DAT courses list.

Their curriculum is thorough and well-structured, and the integration of content review is best-in-category. The same well-designed pattern of teaching holds throughout their live class sessions, which are a highlight of the course.

I was also a big fan of Princeton Review’s practice material. Their practice exams and questions closely replicate the real DAT, especially the PAT section, in terms of length, content and difficulty.

If there was one shortfall with the Princeton Review DAT prep package, it’s the problem explanations. Overall, I just found them to be a little thin.

But all in all, after thoroughly reviewing this DAT prep course from Princeton Review, I can without a doubt say that it is one of the most comprehensive and thoughtfully designed packages of DAT study material that your money can buy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Princeton Review for your DAT prep.

FAQs

Princeton Review DAT Prep Review? ›

As most people that have been around DAT prep for a while know, Princeton Review's Cracking the DAT is a staple for DAT preppers. It's loaded with 800+ pages of test taking insights, content review, drills, sample problems with solving demonstrations, and a bunch more helpful study material.

Is Princeton Review good for DAT? ›

As most people that have been around DAT prep for a while know, Princeton Review's Cracking the DAT is a staple for DAT preppers. It's loaded with 800+ pages of test taking insights, content review, drills, sample problems with solving demonstrations, and a bunch more helpful study material.

Is Kaplan or Princeton Review better for DAT? ›

Both the quality and quantity of the Kaplan DAT prep course are undeniable. Princeton Review is better than Kaplan simply because it offers more high-quality live instruction. On the other hand, if you're content with just studying with the written materials, then Kaplan might actually be the better choice for you.

What is the best resource to study for the DAT? ›

  • #1 | Kaplan DAT Prep Plus. Find all the practice you need to prepare for the DAT with Kaplan DAT Prep Plus. ...
  • #2 | Mometrix Test Preparation DAT Prep Book. ...
  • #3 | The Princeton Review Cracking The DAT. ...
  • #4 | Sterling Test Prep DAT. ...
  • #5 | The Gold Standard DAT Prep Book.

Is Princeton Review 1500+ worth it? ›

Is the Princeton Review 1500+ worth it? The Princeton Review's 1500+ class is their most extensive tutoring plan from elite SAT tutors. This package guarantees a score of 1500 or above on the SAT or a 200 point score improvement. This score places one in the 99th percentile of SAT scores.

Is 22 a good DAT score? ›

If you want to get into a decent dental school, you will need to get a good score on the DAT. The score that you see on your score report is based on a 1-30 scale. An average score is 17-18, a good score is 20-21, and a very high score is anything above 22.

What DAT score do I need for Harvard? ›

Harvard Dental School Requirements
DAT Academic AverageCumulative GPAScience GPA
24.33.893.87

Is 12 weeks enough time to study for the DAT? ›

The average pre-dental student spends about 10 weeks in preparation for the DAT, however, most people can cut down that time to 8 weeks with a good schedule.

Is Princeton Review better than Target test prep? ›

Full-length practice tests: Princeton Review gives you 10, Target Test Prep gives you 2. Video lessons: Princeton provides over 50 hours of video content, Target Test Prep gives you more like 30 or 40 hours. Prep books: Princeton Review gives you books, Target Test Prep does not.

What is the average score for DAT booster? ›

✅ Average (19-20)

Receiving a 19-20 AA on the DAT puts one at the lower end of the competitive range for admission. Many students gain admission with a 19-20 AA, which is great news!

Is 3 months enough time to study for the DAT? ›

Give yourself at least three to four months to study for the DAT. Many sources recommend 200–250 hours. Plan on three hours per day, five days per week, for three months. Find a DAT study buddy who can help you stay motivated and on task.

Is it hard to get a 22 on the DAT? ›

Scoring becomes much more competitive in the 75th percentile, where a score of 19 or 20 puts you ahead of three-quarters of DAT test takers. The cream of the crop will come in at the 98th percentile or better, with scores of 22-23, putting them in the top 2% of test-takers.

Is one month enough to study for DAT? ›

Overall, aim to study for at least 300 hours for the test. Two months should be a sufficient amount of time to study for the DAT if you spend enough time per week studying. To reach about 300 hours of prep in two months, you would need to dedicate around 35 to 40 hours a week.

Is Princeton Review harder than the actual test? ›

Generally, yes, they are harder. Also, sometimes there are two correct answers to Princeton Review SAT tests. So, yes, in some cases, it's harder. Sometimes there are mistakes in questions.

Can I get into Princeton with a 1500? ›

In other words, a 1440 places you below average, while a 1570 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute SAT requirement at Princeton, but they really want to see at least a 1440 to have a chance at being considered.

Is Princeton academically rigorous? ›

There is no doubt that Princeton is academically rigorous. With a history of grade deflation and a last report average undergraduate GPA of 3.49, Princeton has some of the most stringent grading in the Ivy League.

What is 50% percentile on DAT? ›

The average DAT score, aka 50th percentile, is an academic average of 18.66 with a perceptual ability score of 18.86.

How many questions can you miss on the DAT to get a 20? ›

Generally speaking, you can only miss around 5 questions in each individual science and math section to score a 20, the average for acceptance. Scores of over 23 are very rare. You can miss around 20 questions in the perceptual test to score a 20.

Has there ever been a 30 on the DAT? ›

Frequently asked questions about DAT scores

Scale scores are neither raw scores (i.e., the number of questions answered correctly) nor percentiles. DAT scale scores range from 1 to 30.

What is the minimum DAT score for UCLA? ›

Dental Admission Test (DAT)

Although there is no minimum score requirement, scores of 20 and above are considered competitive for our program. 2. What is the latest date the DAT can be taken for fall admissions?

What percentile is 23 on DAT? ›

What is a Good DAT Score?
DAT ScorePercentile
17-1850th
19-2075th
22-2398th

Does DAT or GPA matter more? ›

GPA matters more. Over and over again you can see students with 19s and 20s get rejected from schools because of low oGPA and sGPA. a 19 DAT is nearly the average for most admitted students and is acceptable. If I were in your shoes, I would focus on boosting your GPA in order to be more competitive.

Is taking the DAT 3 times bad? ›

Taking the DAT multiple times does not look bad at all. In fact, most experts recommend that you take it a second time if you believe you can improve your score. This can also be especially helpful for students with test anxiety as they will know more of what to expect the second time through.

Is it common to retake the DAT? ›

Even schools will ask you to retake the DAT if they feel that you are a good candidate and can improve your DAT. Taking the DAT second or third time is completely fine. It only looks bad if you cannot improve your score the third time around and continue to take the test again.

What happens if you fail the DAT 3 times? ›

Candidates with three (3) or more attempts on the DAT must apply for permission to test again, providing proof of recent application to dental school with each subsequent application to test. Subsequent to the candidate's fifth DAT attempt, the candidate may retest only once per 12-month period.

What is Princeton Review known for? ›

We are a market leader in test prep books, with more than 35 million copies sold and more than 150 test prep and admissions counseling books in print, including The New York Times Best Seller Cracking the SAT® and our annual Best Colleges book.

Who is Princeton Review competitor? ›

princetonreview.com 2nd most similar site is petersons.com, with 885.0K visits in May 2023, and closing off the top 3 is prepscholar.com with 4.2M. shemmassianconsulting.com ranks as the 4th most similar website to princetonreview.com and blueprintprep.com ranks fifth.

How much does Princeton Review Prep cost? ›

Princeton Review SAT Pricing

There are three different course offered by Princeton Review. The most popular course option would be the Live Online for $899. You can also choose the Self-Paced Plus course package ($299) or the In-Person ($899).

What percentile is a 21 DAT score? ›

DAT Score (Quantitatively)PercentileDAT Score (Qualitatively)
17-1850thAverage
19-2075thUsually Good
22-2398thVery High

Is DAT bootcamp or booster better? ›

Both courses are eerily similar. However, if study notes, cheat sheets and an emphasis on perceptual ability is important to you, go with DAT Booster. But if video lessons, problem solutions, and lots of practice material are more important, go with DAT Bootcamp. To be honest though, we really like both.

What is the lowest DAT score? ›

DAT scores are reported by the American Dental Association (ADA) as eight standard scores. The first six scores are from the individual tests themselves, i.e. biology, organic chemistry, perceptual ability, ect. The raw score is then converted to a scaled scoring range 1 (lowest) to 30(highest).

Is DAT easier than bootcamp? ›

No question we ask on DAT Bootcamp is harder than something you could see on the real test. But we have fewer easy questions than the real DAT, which overall makes our tests slightly more challenging. Ultimately, the scores you get on your practice tests don't mean anything.

Is there biochem on the DAT? ›

Yes. The DAT contains sections on biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry that require a substantial knowledge base.

Can you study for the DAT in 6 weeks? ›

The DAT study Schedule- 6-week study schedule

This study schedule requires you to put in about 50 hours of work every week for six weeks. Study dedicatedly from Monday through to Friday and take Saturday off to help recharge your brain.

Is DAT harder than SAT? ›

The Dental Admissions Test is required as part of your application to dental school. The test is science-based, and Sul described it as similar in structure to the math and science section of the SAT–except harder.

What is the easiest dental school to get into? ›

Some of the easiest dental schools to get into are the University of Mississippi, A.T. Still University - Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health, East Carolina University School of Dentistry, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, and Ohio State University College of Dentistry.

What percentile is 17 on DAT? ›

What DAT score do I need? For each administration, the average scaled scores are approximately 17 for each section; this equates to the 50th percentile.

Is there a lot of math on the DAT? ›

The mathematics section of DAT can be a challenging area for many test-takers, but with enough patience, it can be easy and even enjoyable! Preparing for the DAT Math test can be a nerve-wracking experience. Learning more about what you're going to see when you take the DAT can help to reduce those pre-test jitters.

How many times do people take DAT? ›

While three attempts are permitted, it is wise to prepare for and study for the DAT as if you are only going to take the test one time. If you can get a good score the first time around, you should have no problem getting into dental school.

How long is DAT bootcamp? ›

DAT Bootcamp Pro

90 days of access to everything you need to get an awesome DAT score. Great for students of all types. ✏️ 60 representative DAT practice tests with thorough explanations and illustrations that are easy to understand.

Is Princeton harder than MCAT? ›

The Princeton Review Practice Tests

Like other practice tests, The Princeton Review (TPR) practice tests are often reported as being harder than the real MCAT. Many test takers found that the Critical Analysis and Reasoning section (CARS) was very different compared to what they saw on the MCAT.

Is the Princeton Review made by Princeton University? ›

The Princeton Review is headquartered in New York, NY. The Princeton Review is not affiliated with Princeton University.

How long is the Princeton Review course? ›

Princeton gives you access to 500+ detailed video lessons, 2,500+ practice problems, 16 full-length practice tests, and 40+ live instruction hours (assuming you're taking a live course).

Is a 33 good enough for Princeton? ›

Admissions Summary

Princeton University is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 6%. Students that get into Princeton University have an SAT score between 1470–1560 or an ACT score of 33–35.

Is Princeton harder to get into than Harvard? ›

Princeton University

Princeton University is one of the hardest schools to get into and has one of the lowest acceptance rates of any college in the world. Some might argue it's the hardest Ivy to get into, even though its current acceptance rate is not quite as low as Columbia or Harvard.

How many people get off Princeton waitlist? ›

Data shows that Princeton waitlists an average of about 1,100 undergraduate applicants each year, and about 800 students accept that spot and agree to play the waiting game. It was recently reported that as many of 16% of these 800ish are eventually accepted in recent history.

What are the disadvantages of Princeton? ›

The school can be very challenging, with many students feeling the pressure to maintain high grades while also engaging in extracurricular activities and community service. This can lead to stress and burnout for some students.

Which is more prestigious Harvard or Princeton? ›

Most know Harvard as the most famous of the Ivy League schools, but by many metrics, its New Jersey-based sister Princeton deserves equal acclaim. Princeton began life in 1746 as the College of New Jersey and has only grown in esteem in the following centuries.

What is the least popular major at Princeton? ›

But what about the least popular? Princeton awarded only 3 degrees in 2020 for Linguistics, making it the least-popular major of any discipline.

Are Princeton Review exams harder? ›

The Princeton Review exams are unbelievably hard, and you can expect your score to easily be 8-10 points higher on the real deal.

Are Princeton Review ACT tests good? ›

Overall, The Princeton Review offers a bunch of different ACT prep options which vary greatly in price, structure, and support. Based on our experience, we'd recommend the 31+ Course for those starting below a 29 composite score, and the 34+ Tutoring Package for those who are already scoring at or above 29.

Is Princeton Review more difficult? ›

I've been told the tests from the Princeton review prep I've taken are considerably harder than the real SAT and College Board practice tests. One persons even told me to expect a 100 point increase on the real one in comparison to what Princeton offers.

What is the average score on the Princeton Review MCAT? ›

Average MCAT Scores 2017–2018
ApplicantsMatriculants
MCAT CARS125.7126.9
MCAT BBLS126.4127.9
MCAT PSBB126.5128.0
TOTAL MCAT504.7510.4
1 more row

Is Kaplan MCAT harder than AAMC? ›

Kaplan Practice Scores

The general trend for Kaplan practice exams is that they are based heavily on content and may present as much more difficult than the real MCAT. Many students claim that Kaplan practice exams are not representative of the official MCAT exam.

Is a 32 on ACT good enough for Princeton? ›

The 25th percentile ACT score is 32, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35. In other words, a 32 places you below average, while a 35 will move you up to above average. There's no absolute ACT requirement at Princeton, but they really want to see at least a 32 to have a chance at being considered.

Does Princeton look at Superscore? ›

Princeton has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section." This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit.

Is 33 ACT good for Princeton? ›

Princeton University is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 6%. Students that get into Princeton University have an SAT score between 1470–1560 or an ACT score of 33–35.

What is the #1 party school in the US Princeton Review? ›

1. Penn State University, State College, Pa. 2. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

Should you study the day of a test? ›

Review the day of the test. Before you take the test, give yourself time for a quick review. Shuffle through those flashcards a couple of times or re-read your chapter outline. This will ensure the material is fresh in your mind.

How can I study for a test in 2 days? ›

At Home:
  1. Organize your notes. Rewrite or type them up so you can actually read what you've written. ...
  2. Review the material. ...
  3. If you don't already have them, make flashcards with a question, term, or vocabulary word on the front of the card, and the answer on the back.
  4. Stay focused!
Aug 11, 2019

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