Many students are interested in becoming a dentist, since their services are always in demand. However, students have to get a good score in the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in order to get admission to the dental college of their choice. This test will cover four different subjects: natural science, reading comprehension, perceptual ability, and quantitative reasoning.
The score of the student will depend to a large extent on their grasp of these subjects. Hence, they should spend time improving their skills and knowledge in each of these subjects, even getting the help of a DAT tutor if necessary. If you’re concerned about self-studying, a tutor can objectively evaluate the student and guide them to get a better score. They should also start studying more efficiently using the following tips.
Avoid Distractions
Students will usually study at home because it is most convenient. However, they should be aware that distractions can adversely affect their studies and they may find that they have not absorbed the material as well as they could have. Some of the major distractions at home are interruptions by other family members, chores which have to be completed, television, movies, food, books, magazines, or friends who may drop in. Studying is mentally very draining, and many students (even ones with the best intentions) will take a break at the first opportunity. It also takes some time to reach the concentration levels desired. Hence, it is important to plan the day, so that there are no distractions.
Study Somewhere Else
To avoid the distractions at home, many students opt to study outside of their home in a library, coffee shop, study room or similar place. Since the student only has their study material with them and has almost no distractions, they can concentrate on their study better. Since they are studying efficiently, they can complete the planned studies in less time and have more free time for other activities. The additional advantage of studying in a library is that the conditions are very similar to the test conditions, since the library is fairly quiet and there are no family disturbances.
If you are having trouble thinking of where to go to study, you can also find a DAT study program or schedule time to meet with a DAT tutor. This is a way to get out of the house and focus solely on your test preparations. It also has the added benefit of forcing you to study if you’re finding it difficult to stay motivated.
Avoid Interruptions
One of the most important tips for studying efficiently is to prevent interruptions while studying. Students studying at home should inform family members that they are focusing on their studies, and that any kind of interruption is unwelcome. This way family members and others will know not to disturb the student while they are studying. Also, all other chores should be completed before the student starts studying so that they are not interrupted. The television should also always be switched off while the student is preparing for the DAT.
Familiarize Yourself with the Test
Since the DAT is a computer-based test, the student should try to simulate the test conditions as accurately as they can while preparing for the exam. This includes taking tests on the computer and timing themselves during their practice exams. They should ensure that there is no music, television, smartphones, calculators, or gadgets nearby either. The student should also not bring snacks or eat while studying. It is advisable to get into the habit of studying at the same time of the day as the scheduled test so you can get used to focusing. This ensures that the student is mentally prepared for answering questions at that time of the day.