Know the official test structure
The ADA lists four test batteries: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Perceptual Ability, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. The science survey contains Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry.
The ADA currently lists 100 science items, 90 perceptual ability items, 50 reading items, and 40 quantitative reasoning items. Check the current Candidate Guide before your exam because policies and specifications can change.
Take the diagnostic honestly
- Use the permitted tools and timing conditions.
- Do not pause to study a topic during the test.
- Mark uncertain correct answers; lucky guesses belong in the review set.
- Record when fatigue or pacing caused a late-section decline.
Review by cause, not only subject
- Knowledge gap: the concept was unfamiliar.
- Retrieval gap: you knew it but could not recall it quickly.
- Reasoning error: the facts were available but the inference failed.
- Process error: units, signs, diagrams, or answer choices were mishandled.
- Timing error: the item consumed too much time or was rushed.
Build the next two weeks
Choose two content priorities and one process priority. For example: cell biology, equilibrium, and PAT pacing. Re-test those targets after focused practice rather than taking another full exam immediately.