Rating: ★★★★★

The Gold Standard company has been a big name in the MCAT industry for over a decade, but is a newcomer to the DAT prep industry. Although its new to the DAT game, its experience with the MCAT transfers over to the dental world.

Their Gold Standard DAT review course, which was released in 2013, uses a multimedia approach involving textbooks, videos, and MP3 formatted reviews to provide students with a comprehensive review of everything they need to know for the DAT. This course contains only what is necessary for the DAT, but it borrows and blends knowledge from the MCAT’s science sections.

What I like and appreciate the most about The Gold Standard review course is its simplicity in presentation and teaching. In all aspects of its review course, it is able to present the information in a simple and clear way to make understanding and learning easier.

Pros

The practice exams and simulations are presented in the same computerized format you will see on your test day, including the proper time limits, break policies, and rules for moving through the exam content. This familiarizes you with the Dental Admission Test format and helps build your confidence so you will crush it on your actual exam day.

The Gold Standard book set, with 1408 pages of information, covers every topic that will be on the DAT. This book set will help you establish a solid foundation for every section of the Dental Admission Test as well as serve as a resource to look to for understanding. This is a great resource that will serve you well in your studies. The Gold Standard Natural Sciences Video Review, along with the MP3 files, help provide a complete multimedia review of the material for the DAT.

With over 3,000 practice questions and 5 full-length practice tests, you will have plenty of problems to solve and become familiar with the format that you will see on the actual DAT. I like how they include several practice questions following every chapter in The Gold Standard book. That way, you can check your understanding after reviewing the material. They also include solutions to every practice question, which is crucial for learning and understanding.

Analysis Reports are generated for each practice test you take and help to identify your weakest areas and how to best adjust your preparation in order to improve your scores. They analyze each section of the test by question type and provide a comprehensive performance analysis.

What really impresses me about The Gold Standard is its ability to present and teach the information in a simple manner that makes it easier to understand and follow along. It offers thorough explanations about everything so that you are never left in the dark. It also has its review materials and course lined out in a simple manner that is easy to follow. In my opinion this is the hardest skill to master in education and The Gold Standard has done an exceedingly good job at stripping down difficult concepts and material and presenting it in a simple manner.

There are effective test-taking strategies for several sections of the DAT in the DAT Complete 4-Book Set. It offers multiple strategies for the sections so that you can find a strategy that works for you.

The textbooks are of a high quality and made with durable materials that will withstand the rigors of laborious studying over a long period of time. The textbooks also include quality full-color images and graphics. The print is large and easy to read which makes hours of studying easier on the eyes and body.

You can enroll online to take an online Mini DAT Practice Test for free. I’d recommend doing it before you have begun your studies so that you can see how well you do and identify what areas you will need to improve. Most likely, you will have to improve in every area, but you can at least take the free practice test as a diagnostic test to have a baseline that you can compare against.

The practice test is ⅓ the length of a full-length practice test, but offers real DAT simulation software, explanations, and instant DAT scores. No downloads are necessary and it is compatible with both PC and MAC. Forum threads through The Gold Standard website are accessible with the practice test to discuss solutions.

With a variety of materials available in different forms of media, The Gold Standard makes it possible for any type of learner to receive instruction in the way that serves them best; whether that’s by reading textbooks, watching videos, or listening to audio files.

All of the material except the textbooks, DVDs, and flashcards are available online – the textbooks, DVDs, and flashcards will be mailed to you. The only software that is necessary to download is the TopScore Pro software. The online review material through The Gold Standard is easily accessible online which means that you can access the material anywhere that there is the Internet.

Gold Standard is timely and helpful with its customer service and does great job overall. The quality of customer service by a company is a reflection of the company and its product as a whole in my opinion. I’d be reassured that a quality company like this will give you a quality product that you can trust.

Cons

The DAT Complete Package isn’t necessarily cheap, but at the same time isn’t as expensive as some of the other comprehensive review courses.

The Gold Standard can provide you with a solid foundation for the Dental Admission Test and has the potential to help you achieve 20+ scores on all sections of the DAT; however, if your practice scores are not as high as you would want, then supplemental materials and practice questions are always helpful and the extra materials could help make you more well-rounded and better prepared for the DAT.

The Organic Chemistry section in The Gold Standard book could be better and does not include any practice questions. They were able to make up for the lack of material and practice questions in the book by providing online practice questions and additional material for a better review of this section.

The Gold Standard offers a comprehensive and easy to follow review course. I admire their skill at presenting and teaching the information in an easy and simple way to make understanding and learning easier. They have revised some of their MCAT material for the DAT, but only include what is necessary for the DAT and have done a fairly good job at not including excess information that is unnecessary.

In order to have adequate comprehensive DAT review material at an affordable price I would suggest purchasing the DAT Complete 4-Book Set along with the additional TopScore Pro practice tests. If you prefer to have additional review videos then I would suggest either purchasing a one month subscription for unlimited access to their online videos.

I believe that any student would be adequately prepared for the DAT with this review course, but like any review course there are some weak areas. I would not think of the review material in this course for the Survey of Natural Sciences section as the ultimate resource in preparing for the actual DAT, but I still felt like it was a good resource to utilize. If you are not seeing as high of scores as you would like in this section then I would suggest additional studying from supplemental materials such as: Chad’s Videos for the Chemistry sections,  CliffsNotes for the Biology section, or J Co Review for all the sciences.

TAKE ME TO THE GOLD STANDARD!

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The Gold Standard offers three different DAT review course packages as well as the option to purchase materials individually. All three packages contain sufficient material to adequately prepare for the DAT, but only the DAT Complete Package provides you with everything that The Gold Standard offers. The other two packages have fewer full-length practice tests and are missing certain comprehensive review materials and bonus materials. Let’s take a look at the packages and see what they contain:

The DAT Complete Package offers everything you would need in order to prepare for the DAT as well as your dental school interviews. It offers a complete multimedia review with textbooks, DVDs, and MP3s. It contains bonus items as well for additional study resources and to help prepare you for your dental school interview. This package contains the following:

• The Gold Standard DAT Complete 4-Book Set with a personal online access code for additional practice material and 2 full-length online practice tests with detailed solutions. There are over 3000 practice questions in the books and online.
• TopScore Pro License Key to unlock downloadable TopScore Pro online software for an additional 3 full-length practice tests.
• The Gold Standard Natural Sciences Video Review which includes 15 hours of review on 12 DVDs.
• Three hours of summary MP3 reviews of major points for the Natural Sciences section. MP3 files are delivered via email within 1 business day.

Bonus items:

• Medical School Interview + MMI DVD: 100 min DVD that can be used to help prepare for dental school interviews.
• A full deck of 54 MCAT flashcards for additional review (ignore the Physics cards).

This DAT package offers comprehensive review material in order to prepare you for the DAT. It offers a complete multimedia review with textbooks, DVDs, and MP3s. It does not contain the additional TopScore Pro practice tests or the bonus items from the DAT Complete Package. This package contains the following:

• The Gold Standard DAT Complete 4-Book Set with a personal online access code for additional practice material and 2 full-length online practice tests with detailed solutions. There are over 3000 practice questions in the books and online.
• The Gold Standard Natural Sciences Video Review which includes 15 hours of review on 12 DVDs.
• Three hours of summary MP3 reviews of major points for the Natural Sciences section. MP3 files are delivered via email within 1 business day.

This DAT package offers comprehensive review material in order to prepare you for the DAT. It offers a complete review with textbooks and access to online teaching videos. It does not contain the DVDs, MP3s, TopScore Pro practice tests, as well as the bonus items from the DAT Complete Package. This package contains the following:

• The Gold Standard DAT Complete 4-Book Set with a personal online access code for additional practice material and 2 full-length practice tests with detailed solutions — 1 pull-out test in the book plus 1 practice DAT online. There are over 3000 practice questions in the books and online.
• Online access to 10 hours of teaching videos from The Gold Standard Natural Sciences Video Library.

The Gold Standard DAT Biology book contains a comprehensive review of the Biology material necessary for the DAT. Chapters begin with learning objectives and end with multiple choice practice questions. This book contains 319 practice questions and access to 57 online practice questions with detailed solutions.

The Gold Standard DAT General and Organic Chemistry book contains a comprehensive review of the Chemistry material necessary for the DAT. Chapters begin with learning objectives and end with multiple choice practice questions. This book contains 130 practice questions and access to 151 online practice questions with detailed solutions for the General Chemistry section. This book contains 0 practice questions and access to 373 online practice questions with detailed solutions for the Organic Chemistry section. An equation list and tables are included in the book for the General Chemistry section. Key Organic Chemistry reaction mechanisms are included as well in the book.

The Gold Standard DAT PAT book contains a comprehensive review of the PAT material for the DAT. It also includes: information related to dental school admissions including how to improve your academic standing; information about the DAT including its structure and a recipe for DAT success; and information related to dental school interviews including sample dental school interview questions. This book also contains test taking strategies for the DAT as well as the PAT along with chapter review questions and 1 pull-out full-length practice test (GS 1 Test). This book contains 90 practice questions and access to 1,340 online practice questions with detailed solutions.

The Gold Standard DAT Quantitative Reasoning and Reading Comprehension book contains a comprehensive review of the material necessary for the QR and RC sections of the DAT. This book contains fundamentals of Quantitative Reasoning as well as chapter review questions. There are 78 practice questions in the book and access to 80 online practice questions with detailed solutions for the QR section. The Reading Comprehension section includes an explanation on the structure of this section and suggestions on how to improve your RC skills. It also includes strategies for the RC section as well as chapter review questions. The book contains 100 practice questions and access to 400 online practice questions with detailed solutions for the RC section.

The Gold Standard Video DAT Science Review DVDs contain a comprehensive review of the material covered on the Survey of Natural Sciences section of the DAT. This 12 DVD set contains 15 hours of lecture style instruction as well as a DAT study plan. There are 4 DVDs for each science subject covered on the Survey of Natural Sciences section. The DVDs can be played on a regular DVD player, laptop, or desktop with a DVD drive. No downloading is necessary. The DVDs were designed for the MCAT, but packaged for the DAT. The science sections are similar between the DAT and the MCAT, but The Gold Standard has made sure that the DVDs cover everything that is necessary for the sciences on the DAT.

You can also access the teaching videos on the DVDs through The Gold Standard website where you can purchase a monthly subscription for unlimited access to them for $40/month. Online unlimited access is also granted with the purchase of the DAT Complete Package as well as the DAT Package without TopScore Pro/bonus items. You can receive 10 hours of viewing access to the online videos with the purchase of the DAT Complete 4-Book Set. Some individual videos can be streamed for free while others can be purchased for $3 and up in price.

The Gold Standard Full-Length Practice Tests: GS 1 and GS 2 are both online tests with real DAT simulation software, explanations for answers, and instant scores. The GS 1 test is the online version of the paper pull-out exam in The Gold Standard DAT PAT book. The GS 2 test is the online full-length practice test included with the purchased of the DAT Complete 4-Book Set. Each test may be purchased online for $30. The tests can be accessed for up to 7 months or 210 days and are compatible with both PC and MAC. A free Mini Practice DAT test which is ⅓ the length of a full-length test will be automatically added to your account with the purchase of a full-length test. You will also receive 3 hours of viewing access to the online Survey of Natural Sciences videos with your purchase of full-length practice tests.

The TopScore Pro Full-Length Practice Tests can be purchased individually for additional practice. Three full-length practice tests with real DAT simulation software are included with this purchase. Access codes for the TopScore Pro software will be emailed within one business day. You may repeat any exam section as often as you want during your access period of 7 months or 210 days. This software is compatible with both PC and MAC. A free Mini Practice DAT test which is ⅓ the length of a full-length test will be automatically added to your account with the purchase of the TopScore Pro tests. This transaction is nonrefundable. For additional information on TopScore Pro click here.

The Medical School Interview + MMI DVD is a 100 minute DVD that can be used to help prepare for dental school interviews. The DVD contains sample dental school interview questions and tips for the interview. A dental school interview is very similar to a medical school interview so this is a good representation of what you can expect and how to prepare for it.

The Gold Standard mobile app is available on both iPhone and Android mobile devices. The app contains review flashcards of the most tested DAT concepts in Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. It offers 361 high quality DAT questions that are divided into three categories: Knowledge, Most Tested and DAT 30. Scores are saved to keep track of your progress and there is an option to mark difficult questions for later review. The application is in color with illustrations to make the difficult concepts easier to understand.

Bonus: This app also contains 30 videos- for all 3 science subjects (over 2 hours in total!) with a clear teaching style.

There are also subject specific apps available for purchase for $1.99 for each section of the sciences — Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry.

The Gold Standard offers two DAT packages specific for the Canadian DAT. It offers a Canadian DAT Complete Package as well as a Canadian DAT Package without TopScore Pro/bonus items.

The Canadian DAT Complete Package offers everything you would need in order to prepare for the Canadian DAT as well as your dental school interviews. It offers a complete multimedia review with textbooks, DVDs, and MP3s. It contains bonus items as well for additional study resources and to help prepare you for your dental school interview. This package contains the following:

• The Gold Standard DAT Complete 4-Book Set with a personal online access code for additional practice material and 2 full-length online practice tests with detailed solutions. There are over 2500 practice questions in the books and online.
• TopScore Pro License Key to unlock downloadable TopScore Pro online software for an additional 3 full-length practice tests.
• The Gold Standard Natural Sciences Video Review which includes 10 hours of review on 8 DVDs.
• Three hours of summary MP3 reviews of major points for the Natural Sciences section. MP3 files are delivered via email within 1 business day.

Bonus items:

• Medical School Interview + MMI DVD: 100 min DVD that can be used to help prepare for dental school interviews.
• A full deck of 54 MCAT flashcards for additional review (ignore the Physics cards).

This Canadian DAT package offers comprehensive review material in order to prepare you for the Canadian DAT. It offers a complete multimedia review with textbooks, DVDs, and MP3s. It does not contain the additional TopScore Pro practice tests as well as the bonus items from the Canadian DAT Complete Package. This package contains the following:

• The Gold Standard DAT Complete 4-Book Set with a personal online access code for additional practice material and 2 full-length online practice tests with detailed solutions. There are over 2500 practice questions in the books and online.
• The Gold Standard Natural Sciences Video Review which includes 10 hours of review on 8 DVDs.
• Three hours of summary MP3 reviews of major points for the Natural Sciences section. MP3 files are delivered via email within 1 business day.

• You can purchase all five available full-length practice tests for a discounted price of $115 instead of $125 if purchased individually. The five tests include the two Gold Standard tests as well as the three TopScore Pro tests.
• The Gold Standard member homepage includes useful information such as: a DAT pic of the week, a science video of the week, a DAT question of the day and other resourceful links. The links contain information related to: registering for the DAT, ADA practice tests, an Organic Chemistry summary of reactions, a breakdown of DAT scores and average scores at dental schools, and a DAT study schedule and advice. The information on the homepage can be accessed for free once you register for an account and sign up for the free Mini Practice Test.
• The Gold Standard website offers an online community forum where you can ask questions and receive support from other users and site administrators.
• Shipping is $5 per item to the continental United States and Canada. Shipping is free if your total purchase is over $100. All items ship within 48 hours and are delivered between 3-7 business days.
• Any purchase from The Gold Standard is nonrefundable, but they promise to do their best to resolve any issues you may have with any of their materials.

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Gold Standard DAT Review Breakdown

Feature Ranking	STRENGTHS
1.	Exam Identical Software
2.	Comprehensive Multimedia Resource
3.	Helpful Practice Questions
4.	Simplified Interface
5.	Great Customer Service
6.	Free Mini Dat Practice Test