EduReviewerTest PrepThe Princeton Review DAT Prep Review

The Princeton Review DAT Prep Review

By Alina Burakova, Updated March 13, 2024

Rating
4.1

Our opinion here is not influenced by the company reviewed, even if we are partners. Read how exactly our team scrutinizes online services here.

About Princeton DAT
Lowest price$1999
Charged per course
Promo CodeN/A
My Verdict Pros & Cons
Recommended

Quality

  • The quality of the course material and live classes is impressive and in-depth, with comprehensive coverage of important topics.
  • Engage in 55 hours of interactive live instruction.
  • Access 4 computer-based practice tests for comprehensive evaluation.
  • Tackle 4,600+ DAT exam-style practice questions to enhance preparation.
  • Benefit from the expertise of 3 to 5 subject-matter experts, each uniquely certified in specific topic areas.
  • Learn from instructors who not only teach but have also studied and mastered the material they are imparting.
4.1

Value for Money

  • While priced slightly higher, this course is also extensive and promises ‘better’ test performance and prep material quality.
  • Princeton Review offers a money-back guarantee for their DAT prep courses, ensuring value for money.
  • The Fundamentals DAT prep course provides a "better score guarantee," assuring an improvement from your baseline score without specifying a minimum increase.
  • Princeton's DAT 20+ package takes value to the next level, guaranteeing a score of 20 or better, a significant assurance for dental school admission.
  • While this guarantee is appealing, it's essential to note that a baseline score of at least 17 on the DAT is required to qualify for the assured score of 20, adding a reasonable threshold to the commitment.
  • By providing different levels of guarantees based on the course selected, Princeton Review ensures that students receive tangible value corresponding to their chosen package.
4.0

Student Feedback

  • Students highly value the live classes offered by Princeton Review, considering them a standout feature of the course.
  • The use of rotating subject matter experts, rather than a single generalist, is praised as a notable advantage.
  • Instructors are noted for their approachability and openness, creating a supportive learning environment.
  • For students prioritizing live class time in their preparation, Princeton Review is unanimously considered one of the best in the entire DAT prep space.
4.3
Pros
  • 55 hours of live classes.
  • Money Bank Guarantee (Subject to terms and conditions).
  • Comprehensive and realistic practice questions, particularly excelling in the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT).
  • Engaging and balanced distribution of practice questions across the six DAT topics.
  • Well-structured DAT prep books, notably Cracking the DAT, offering insights, drills, and effective study material.
  • Inclusion of supplemental workbooks and a 3D practice kit for the PAT adds substantial value to the prep package.
Cons
  • Answer solutions accompanying practice problems are perceived as somewhat lacking in depth, especially compared to some other competitors.
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If you’re gearing up for the Dental Admission Test (DAT), you need the best prep. I looked into Princeton Review DAT to weigh its benefits and potential drawbacks. In a nutshell, here’s what you need to know. I would rate the Princeton Review DAT prep at 3.5/5 stars, here’s why:

The Princeton Review DAT 20+ course ensured my competitiveness in US dental school admissions with a ‘guaranteed’ score of 20+ (subject to stringent terms and conditions, of course). Offering four realistic, computer-based practice tests, the program thoroughly prepares me for the Dental Admission Test (DAT).

Exclusive resources included comprehensive workbooks and a 3-D practice kit for the Perceptual Ability Test. I could benefit from the expertise of the best instructors who provide efficient strategies honed through in-depth knowledge of the test. While it’s a relatively good company for DAT prep, it still has many aspects to improve.

Features of TPR DAT Prep

Live Classes and Plenty of Practice Questions:

 If, like me, you’re a future dentist seeking top-notch DAT prep, Princeton Review offers standout features. Explore how it works and my personal journey using DAT 20+. Let’s dive in.

Targeted Prep Resources:

In my experience with DAT 20+, the prep course boasts features that could help you achieve a competitive score in minimal time. There are the stand-out aspects which were the most important for me:

  • Live Instruction: 55 hours of live instruction led by 3 to 5 subject-matter experts, each uniquely certified in specific topic areas.
  • Practice Tests: 4 computer-based practice tests to simulate real exam conditions.
  • Practice Questions: Access to 4,600+ DAT exam-style practice questions for comprehensive preparation.
  • Tailored Materials: A wealth of resources, including the extensive 880+ page “Cracking the DAT” textbook covering all exam aspects.
  • Workbooks: 500+ pages of practice materials for in-depth subject coverage.
  • Supplemental Lessons: Video lessons focusing on Organic Chemistry and General Chemistry for additional support.
  • In-Class Compendium: 180+ pages of drill exercises to reinforce learning.
  • 3-D Practice Kit: A unique kit for the Perceptual Ability Test, utilizing actual 2D and 3D objects for effective visualization.

To summarize, the main features of their DAT prep courses include four realistic, computer-based practice tests, exclusive resources such as comprehensive workbooks and a 3-D practice kit for the Perceptual Ability Test, and expert instructors specializing in specific topic areas. My experience with the Princeton Review DAT 20+ course has been mostly positive, with the highlight being the focused and mastery-based teaching from certified experts.

Often, studying for an important test  can become a lonely and overwhelming journey, especially for an introvert like me. The opportunity to learn from live classes with expert tutors breaks up the monotony of extensive studying, which helps me energize. It’s also super-handy to have someone go through complex academic concepts through a virtual ‘classroom’, which can be useful to mentally clarify everything I’ve been learning at home.

Quality of DAT Prep Material

Discover the brains behind Princeton Review DAT classes, the guarantees, and what sets them apart. A comparison with DAT Bootcamp and Kaplan breaks down the prices, quality, and features. A comparison table, like this one here, illustrates Princeton Review’s standing against competitors.

Princeton DAT 20+ Kaplan DAT Limitless Prep DAT Booster
Price $1999 $699 $299
Subscription Length 3-4 months 3 months
Videos 3000+
Live Online Hours 55 70+ N/A
Practice Questions 4600+ 7000+ 8900+
Practice Tests 4 7 60
Books Included Yes Yes No
Guarantee Yes Yes No

The coursework is structured with 55 hours of best-in-category live class sessions featuring specialist instructors, ensuring a deep understanding of the material. Some testimonials of the tutors who instruct the live classes:

Princeton-Review-DAT-Tutors

The practice-focused approach sets Princeton Review DAT course apart, offering 4,600+ practice questions and four full-length exams that closely mimic the real DAT, particularly excelling in the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) section.

The inclusion of Princeton Review’s legendary textbook, “Cracking the DAT,” adds significant value, providing 800+ pages of insights, content review, and drills. While the Princeton Review DAT prep is on the expensive side, its well-designed curriculum, practice materials, and the DAT 20+ guarantee make it a worthwhile investment for those aiming for dental school admission.

Well-Balanced Practice Questions

Regarding the DAT course books, I have some personal insights to share. According to my personal Princeton DAT review, the distribution of these practice questions was methodically balanced across the six topics, with a subtle emphasis on Bio and Chemistry. Engaging in Princeton’s PAT (Perceptual Ability Test) practice questions proved to be a revelation, closely mirroring the intricacies of the real test. The numbers, while not as extensive as some competitors like Kaplan, held their ground impressively, showcasing a solid all-around offering.

The real magic, however, lay not just in the quantity but in the quality of Princeton Review’s practice questions. They stood out as highly realistic simulations of actual DAT problems, encompassing the right blend of length, difficulty, and content. The PAT section, notorious for posing challenges in terms of realistic practice, emerged as a strength for Princeton Review, akin to the effectiveness seen in DAT Bootcamp and DAT Booster.

Potential Flaw

The only ‘flaw’ that stood out to me, was the answer solutions accompanying the practice problems. While not inherently deficient, these solutions, I observed, lacked the depth I desired.

However, they provided sufficient detail to discern the correctness or incorrectness. This is, obviously, just my opinion – yours might be different, as everyone has a unique learning journey.

Cracking the DAT

Turning the pages to the DAT prep books provided by Princeton Review, I found myself immersed in the legendary “Cracking the DAT.” Boasting a weighty 800+ pages, this comprehensive tome became a staple for DAT preppers. Its well-organized structure, breaking down subjects and subtopics with meticulous detail, set the stage for effective learning. Beginning with content review, progressing through problem-solving tips and tricks, and culminating in reinforcing drills, the classic structure proved both timeless and effective.

The textbook package expanded beyond Cracking the DAT, offering a diverse set of supplemental workbooks. A 500-page workbook, a compendium teeming with drills, and a 3D practice kit for the PAT added layers of value. In my estimation, the PAT practice kit held particular significance, acknowledging the notorious difficulty of this section for many DAT aspirants.

In conclusion, my journey with Princeton Review’s DAT practice questions and books was a nuanced exploration of balance—between quantity and quality, and between commendable strengths and minor imperfections.

While not devoid of areas for improvement, the suite of resources offered by Princeton Review undeniably carved a substantial niche in my DAT preparation, making it a recommended choice for those navigating the challenging path to dental school admission.

An ideal companion for DAT success

The platform’s tech-savvy design ensured a seamless user experience for me. While I tried and realized that there was some thinness in the answer solutions for practice problems, the Princeton Review DAT prep was still pretty comprehensive and prepared me suitably for the DAT.

Of course, it goes without saying that I spent many hours studying and practicing for the test thoroughly myself too – there’s no substitute for hard work and self-esteem. If you’re determined to work diligently, then believe that you can achieve your goal. With this in mind, I’d say the Princeton Review DAT 20+ Prep course is ideal to boost your test performance.

Pricing of The Courses

Untangle the costs of Princeton Review DAT courses and understand their pricing structure. Is it worth the investment? Let’s break down the numbers.

The DAT 20+ LiveOnline Course is priced at $1999, but at the time of writing this review, I found it was discounted to $1699. This includes, of course, the course materials and the live prep classes as well. This seems like an eye-watering amount to invest in your prep, but there’s the 20+ score guarantee, with the promise of a refund if I didn’t achieve it, which I found attractive.

However, it’s important to read the fine print on this guarantee before you commit, so that you aren’t hit with nasty surprises later on. Since things may change between the time I’ve used this course and when you actually read this review, I’d suggest checking out their website to find the latest pricing and course structure details. Here’s a snapshot of their pricing structure:

priceton-review-prices

Student Feedback & Reputation

Besides my personal opinion, you’ll want to hear from others who have used the course too. Here’s a snapshot of what another student thinks about the DAT prep course by Princeton Review:

dat-princeton-review

However, please note that this is the user’s personal opinion, and is possibly because of how the prep course is priced. The benefit is that Princeton Review’s practice tests are similar to the actual DAT though.

Pros
  • 55 hours of live classes.
  • Money Bank Guarantee (Subject to terms and conditions).
  • Comprehensive and realistic practice questions, particularly excelling in the Perceptual Ability Test (PAT).
  • Engaging and balanced distribution of practice questions across the six DAT topics.
  • Well-structured DAT prep books, notably Cracking the DAT, offering insights, drills, and effective study material.
  • Inclusion of supplemental workbooks and a 3D practice kit for the PAT adds substantial value to the prep package.
Cons
  • Answer solutions accompanying practice problems are perceived as somewhat lacking in depth, especially compared to some other competitors.

Conclusion

While Princeton Review DAT is a solid choice, improvements are in order. The practice material is a great resource for thorough study and provides comprehensive training for the test. The live classes also add a nice personal touch to the preparation journey, which could help you consolidate your understanding of various complex concepts. You can explore the quality, value for money, and student feedback in our final verdict. We cautiously recommend this platform.

In conclusion, Princeton Review DAT offers commendable quality, good value for money, and positive student feedback. Though improvements are needed, it’s a reliable choice for DAT preparation.

FAQ

How much does Princeton Review DAT cost?

Princeton Review DAT costs $1999, and is sometimes available on discounts.  Please check their official website for current pricing.

Are Princeton Review DAT crash courses worth it?

Crash courses can be beneficial, depending on your learning style. Evaluate if they align with your study needs. While the Princeton Review DAT prep courses offer extensive study resources to help you prepare, you’ll still need to put aside dedicated study time to achieve your goals.

Is Princeton Review or Kaplan better for the DAT?

If you’re confused between Kaplan or Princeton Review DAT prep, both have their strengths. Consider your preferences and goals before choosing. The Princeton Review DAT course is ideal for those who prefer live classes, as it offers 55 hours of live class time, along with its other prep course material.

Does Princeton Review have good DAT tutors?

Reviews suggest positive experiences with Princeton Review DAT tutors, but individual results may vary. You could also research online on DAT prep Kaplan vs Princeton Review, to have an overview of their prep tutors.

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