5 Common Mistakes Students Make on the PAT—and How to Fix Them
The Perceptual Ability Test (PAT) is often one of the most intimidating sections of the DAT. Unlike the science or reading sections, the PAT tests your visual-spatial reasoning skills—something most students have never practiced formally. Even high-achieving students can struggle if they approach it the wrong way.
In this post, we’ll break down the 5 most common mistakes students make on the PAT, and more importantly, give you proven strategies to fix them and boost your score.
❌ Mistake #1: Not Practicing Under Timed Conditions
✅ Fix: Start timing yourself early in your prep
Many students start their PAT prep by casually practicing questions without any time pressure. While this helps in the very beginning, they’re often shocked by how difficult it is to finish all 90 questions in 60 minutes.
Why this hurts your score:
Timing is a huge part of the PAT. If you can’t finish, you'll leave easy points on the table.
Solution:
Start using timers within your first week of prep.
Work up from individual sections (e.g., 10 minutes for Keyholes) to full timed PAT sections.
Use tools like DAT Bootcamp or DAT Booster that simulate test-day conditions.
❌ Mistake #2: Skipping Strategy and Relying on Intuition
✅ Fix: Learn proven techniques for each question type
While visual-spatial intuition helps, students who rely solely on “gut feeling” often get stuck or second-guess themselves.
Why this hurts your score:
Each PAT subtest has unique patterns and tricks. Without strategy, you’ll be slow and inconsistent.
Solution:
Learn section-specific strategies, such as:
Angle Ranking – Use reference angles and corner anchors
Hole Punching – Use line-of-symmetry and fold-tracking techniques
Pattern Folding – Identify anchor shapes that appear in multiple answer choices
❌ Mistake #3: Ignoring Weak Sections
✅ Fix: Focus your energy where you lose the most points
It’s tempting to only practice the sections you enjoy, but that won’t raise your overall score.
Why this hurts your score:
PAT scoring is not weighted—each of the six sections contributes equally. Struggling in just one can drag down your total.
Solution:
Take a full PAT practice test and analyze your weakest areas.
Spend extra time drilling those sections for several days before rotating.
Use targeted generators (like on Booster or PATCrusher) to isolate problem areas.
❌ Mistake #4: Not Reviewing Missed Questions
✅ Fix: Keep a PAT mistake log
Many students rush through practice questions, check their score, and move on. But skipping review = skipping growth.
Why this hurts your score:
If you don’t understand your mistakes, you’re likely to repeat them.
Solution:
Log every missed question in a PAT error journal
Include:
Section type (e.g., Cube Counting)
What you picked vs. correct answer
Why you got it wrong (timing, visualization, misread question)
Revisit these questions weekly
❌ Mistake #5: Waiting Too Late to Start Practicing PAT
✅ Fix: Begin PAT practice early—even before sciences
Students often underestimate the PAT and focus only on sciences at first. Then panic sets in a few weeks before test day.
Why this hurts your score:
PAT skills take time to build. You’re training your brain to think in 3D.
Solution:
Start practicing PAT from day 1 of your DAT study plan
Aim for 20–30 minutes daily during your first 2–4 weeks
Ramp up to full-length section practice after that
🚀 Final Thoughts: PAT Success Is About Smart Practice
The PAT is beatable—but only if you avoid common traps. By focusing on strategy, consistency, and targeted review, you can build the visual-spatial skills you need to score 21+ on test day.
Need extra help? Our expert DAT tutors at Dental School Declassified specialize in PAT prep, offering both 1-on-1 and group coaching to help you overcome your specific challenges.
👉 Learn more or book a session here: https://www.dentalschooldeclassified.com
