I used this along with Kaplan and TopScore to prepare for the DAT. This book was helpful for the PAT section only. The PAT section offers several tips on how to finish the questions quickly and accurately. The perceptual section on the actual DAT was more difficult than in this book however, so I still didn't score as well as I would have liked, but I think this book helped some. For the price, it's worth buying for the PAT section, but look to Kaplan for better science review, and topscore for better practice tests. The practice tests in Barrons are worth doing to get a feel for the types of questions, but they are all on paper, which is much different than a computer, and also cross-check every question you are unsure of with a textbook; there are numerous errors! The last comment I have is that the reading sections in the book are not very representative of the types of passages on the real DAT. Nearly every Barrons passage focused on some study or detail within the field of dentistry with which I was unfamiliar making them difficult to follow. On the DAT I had questions about broader topics in science that were much more familiar from my college science classes and thus easier to follow.

I only bought this book because of the practice exams. I thought the more I could practice, the more confident I would be when the exam day came. Having taken all the Kaplan and TopScore exams (both of which I highly recommend), I decided to take one of the Barron's exams two days before the test. Although some of the questions were a little bit tricky (which is fine), overall the exam was quite easy. However, upon grading the exam, I realized I had at least one fourth of the questions wrong. Comparing the book's answers with mine it became obvious the book was wrong even in some VERY easy questions. I don't think frustration quite describes what I felt. Anger might.
After having taken the DAT (AA=25, TS=24 and PAT=27) my honest advice to anyone looking for practice exams is to get TopScore and Kaplan. They are both somewhat similar to the real thing, although I found the real DAT to be have a few VERY specific questions.
Overall, I found this book completely useless. I guess I got what I paid for.

I give this book 5 stars because it is exactly what I expected it to be: A wonderful tool that I can use to practice Perceptual Ability. But that's it! Do NOT, I repeat DO NOT use this book as a comprehensive study guide. There is a reason you took Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Biology. This book's purpose is NOT to learn those subjects. If you use this book for ONLY I repeat ONLY to get some practice for the PAT section of the DAT, you'll be very satisfied. Learn you science elsewhere.

Well, I read some of the reviews of this book and I wasn't sure whether or not to spring for it. Now, after purchasing it and using it as a study aide, I feel obligated to share that it is a MUST HAVE for anyone who wants do well on the DAT--I am reporting back to let applicants know that this book was invaluable!!! Yes, there were a couple of type-O's, but they didn't get in the way of me being able to benefit from the advise offered. I bought into the approaches and strategies given in the PAT section and I did incredibly well on the DAT. I liked the unique sections of the book that went beyond the basics of a prep book (e.g., what to expect in dental school and in the field). This is not an adapted MCAT book---it's a great DAT book!

I am a returning student and have been out of college for some time. This book is not an adequate review for returning students. The review sections are very basic. I would reccommend getting the Schaums outlines for Biology and Chemistry instead. However, the PAT section of this book is very good. It is well worth the cost just for this section of the book. I would also reccommend getting the Top Score CD for a more adequate representation of the DAT. If your wondering how I did, I made a 20 on the Academic Average and an 18 on the PAT. Not bad for someone who hasn't looked at a textbook in 3 years.