A
The Story

Most students don't
struggle with effort.
They struggle with direction.

AceTheDAT was built after seeing how many capable people study hard and still don't get the score โ€“ not because they can't, but because the system they're following doesn't work.

Why This Exists
"I figured out how to study in a way that actually translates to results. That's what AceTheDAT is built around."

I built AceTheDAT after seeing how many people spend months studying for the DAT without actually improving their score. Not because they aren't capable โ€“ but because they're following systems that don't work. Too much volume. Not enough precision. And no real understanding of how the exam is actually structured.

I scored a 25 on the DAT (99th percentile), but more importantly, I figured out how to study in a way that translates to real results on test day. That meant understanding the difference between a knowledge gap, a conceptual misfire, and a strategy failure โ€“ and addressing each one differently.

This isn't just tutoring. It's a system designed to help students focus on what matters, eliminate wasted effort, and approach the DAT with clarity and confidence.

Most of the students I work with are retakers or nontraditional applicants who feel stuck. My role is to simplify the process, identify what's actually holding them back, and help them move forward with a clear plan.

Adding Farwa to the team was deliberate. Once you have your score, the application is the next gate โ€“ and most students underestimate it. She's an incoming D1 dental student with 10+ years of tutoring experience who specializes in exactly this. We're both entering dental school this fall โ€“ we know this process from the inside. Together, we cover the full journey.

Thomas Cordell โ€“ Founder, Ace The DAT
Founder ยท AceTheDAT
Thomas Cordell
Incoming D1 ยท DAT Lead Coach ยท University of Illinois Chicago
510
AA Score
New 200โ€“600 Scale
(25 on old scale)
99th Percentile
Incoming D1 dental student ยท University of Illinois Chicago, 3.9 GPA post-bacc sciences
All DAT sections โ€“ Bio, GChem, OChem, SNS, PAT, QR, RC
2 ร— 75-min sessions per week per student
Specializes in retakers and nontraditional applicants
The Approach

Precision over
volume. Always.

The traditional approach to DAT prep is more โ€“ more practice tests, more flashcards, more hours logged. AceTheDAT is built on a different principle: identify the specific reason a student isn't performing, and address that directly. Everything else is noise.

This means every session starts with data. Every missed question gets classified. Every session is structured around what the data says you need โ€“ not what you feel like working on.

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99th
Thomas's national percentile ยท 510 AA on the new 200โ€“600 scale (25 on old scale)
3
Weekly live sessions every student receives โ€“ 2 with Thomas, 1 with Sarah M.
5โ˜…
Student-rated program โ€“ every review verified
What We Believe

The principles behind
the program.

01

Data, Not Feelings

You can't fix what you haven't measured. Every session starts with score data. Every error gets classified. Prep decisions are made based on what the numbers say โ€“ not what feels productive.

02

Strategy Over Volume

Doing more practice tests doesn't help if you don't know why you're getting questions wrong. Understanding the type of error is more valuable than the volume of material covered.

03

Specialists, Not Generalists

I coach every section of the DAT. Sarah M. adds specialist depth on PAT and QR. Farwa owns the application. Everyone operates in their zone of excellence.

04

The Full Journey

Getting a great DAT score and then submitting a weak application is still a rejection. AceTheDAT is built to follow students from diagnostic to acceptance โ€“ not just to test day.

05

Accountability That Works

Weekly study portals and regular score tracking exist for one reason: accountability keeps prep from stalling. The structure is built into every session โ€“ not bolted on after.

06

Honest Fit

Not every student is the right fit for AceTheDAT โ€“ and we'll say so on the strategy call. This program is for students who are serious, ready to commit, and prepared to follow the system.

Ready to Talk

Start with a
free strategy call.

Thomas reviews your current position, your target schools' score requirements, and whether AceTheDAT is the right fit for your timeline. No pressure, no pitch โ€“ just clarity.

Book Free Strategy Call โ†’