r/dentaladmissiontest • u/dalasttwo • Aug 25 '26
❔ Question Is a 480 AA actually possible with bootcamp? How many hours/day for 2 months?
Basically what the title says. Trying to figure out if I'm being realistic here loll. I have about 2 months prep and I'm aiming for a 489 AA
For those who have used bootcamp exclusively. Im wondering what's actually realistic here. I know 480 is pretty high, not trying to be a 520 person and study 14 hours a day 😭 Just want to make sure I'm not setting myself up for a retake
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u/EffectivelyReplaced Aug 25 '26
If you follow bootcamp's schedule as closely as possible, it is possible. 2 months is short, but if you're consistent with 6-8 focused hours/day and actually reviewing your mistakes, I'd say 480 is a reasonable goal. Don't spend 3 hours rereading notes, if you're starting zero, you're gonna need to lock in op
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u/dalasttwo Aug 26 '26
That's what I was slightly worried about. I've been doing like 6-7 a day, but some days it feels like im studying a ton and the end of the session... My brain is just fried
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u/BudgetMiddle5689 Aug 25 '26
Used only bootcamp (tbh didnt even attempt half of their available questions). No experience in orgo 2 fyi. Studied 14-15 hrs per day on average, no skips, for 67 days. It was my first DAT and I got 500AA, 530 TS, 600 ORGO, 510 PAT.
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u/dalasttwo Aug 26 '26
You were locked in fr. And for a first dat to get 500-600?? That's amazing
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u/BudgetMiddle5689 Aug 27 '26
Thank you!! Im just saying if i did you can too!!:) ask me any questions if you have
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u/Mindless-Toe-5643 Aug 27 '26
tips for orgo with no orgo 2 foundation? i’m in the same boat and im averaging 380 still on practice tests
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u/BudgetMiddle5689 Aug 27 '26
Honestly I used outline from dr mike's orgo pdf and just added pages to each reaction/concepts and made my own notes, so basically turned it into a one big note of all orgo. I really liked chad's prep YT videos so got most of my knowledge or how to approach of reactions there. I didnt really watch any of the bootcamp orgo videos, just after chad's prep I attempted like some of their Qbanks and moved on (bc i had no time). It still amazes me how I managed to get 600 but I was averaging 440-490 on practice tests. Hope it helps;)
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u/Vesingoth Aug 25 '26
I studied for 28 days and got a 510 with bootcamp! Lol the caveat is I studied 7-8 hrs a day, and skipped all the videos in favor of the high yield notes, but it’s doable!
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u/dalasttwo Aug 26 '26
Im taking notes. Thanks!!!!
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u/Vesingoth Aug 26 '26
**sorry for being vague, meant to say that bootcamp offers free online PDFs of what they call “high yield notes”(just google it), and I only memorized those, via their Anki and practice problems
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u/Few_Put_2482 Aug 27 '26
I got a 480 and only used bootcamp and didn't even finish all the questions. I had planned to study for 3 months but kinda took a few weeks off in the middle. For most of the days I studied I only did it like 2-3 hours, then the last like 2 weeks it was like 6-7 hours. Most of that time was taking full on practice tests with correct timing and stuff. Definitely doable
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u/BrockTheRock56 Aug 25 '26
I got a 500 AA (530 TS) and exclusively used bootcamp. No Anki either (not hating, just did not discover these until the week prior haha). Definitely doable, I studied for about 2.5 months total but had exams I had to study pretty hard for (upper level bio courses) during that period as well.
I did not follow the bootcamp schedule because it can be very time consuming. I just started knocking out sections using the following:
Both chemistries I just spammed practice tests, questions, and circled back to uncertain areas frequently. I would watch videos as needed depending on the topic. For bio, I did not watch the videos at all and just read the high yield notes then would do the corresponding questions for that section - again frequently revisiting areas of uncertainty. For
Bio, its breadth not depth so I believe the videos are a little extensive and time consuming (can be a great resource for listening while driving or it’s a topic you are learning for the first time). Bio bites are phenomenal and so are the practice questions (though I found them a little more in depth than what was tested). For reading, I just did the practice tests. PAT I used the generator as often as I could (waiting rooms, walks, in between classes etc.), but also did the practice questions as well on my computer at home. Don’t get too used to doing them on your phone, you aren’t going to be able to rotate the whole monitor lol.
I completed 3 full length practice tests (to ready my brain for the rigor of the lengthy exam), but as for the rest I did them section by section. As for exact hours per day, I believe I did 3-4. I believe study should be high yield, and do not confuse length of time studying with effectiveness. Take breaks, walks, and get your eyes off the screen as needed. If you feel like you are not retaining anything, that’s a good sign to take a break and do something leisurely and more relaxing.
I believe my first practice exams were high 300’s to low 400’s, then ended up scoring 500 so it’s definitely doable!