How long should I take to study for the OAT?
Give yourself at least two to four months to study for the OAT. Many sources recommend 200–250 hours. For example, you could plan on three hours per day, five days per week, for 3-4 months. It can help to find an OAT study buddy who can help you stay motivated and on task.
What should I study for OAT exam?
The OAT consists of multiple-choice questions presented in English, and includes a battery of four tests:The Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry)Reading Comprehension.Physics.Quantitative Reasoning Tests.
Is OAT test hard?
It's recommended to take 2-4 months or 150-200 hours to prepare for the OAT. Most students find the optometry admission test to be hard as it weighs heavily on physics and math. The OAT is a long test that requires a lot of stamina to study and pass.
What score do you need to pass the OAT?
The OAT is scored based on the number of correct answers, therefore candidates are not penalized for guessing. The score ranges from 200 to 400 with a median score of 300 and a standard deviation of 40. A 320 is a very good score and a 350 is an excellent score representing approx. 90% ile.
Where do I start studying for the OAT?
The best time to start studying for the OAT is when you have finished most of your optometry school pre-requisites. The major ones include a variety of biology classes, organic chemistry, general chemistry, and physics. It is much easier to study for the OAT once you have a grounding in these subjects.
How many times can I take the OAT?
The OAT exam is computerized and examinees are allowed to take the OAT an unlimited number of times, but must wait at least 90 days between testing dates. Applicants who have three or more OAT attempts must apply for permission to test again, and from that point forward may retest only once per twelve-month period.
Can I get into optometry school with a 3.0 GPA?
Most optometry schools require a GPA of at least 3.0, however, the average cumulative GPA for accepted students is 3.5.
Is the OAT easier than the DAT?
The OAT and DAT are roughly equivalent in difficulty and both are much more demanding than the MCAT. There is no calculus or precalculus on the DAT or OAT.
Can you use calculator for OAT?
You also cannot input to the calculator by typing and instead will need to click every number and operation you want to perform, which can be quite time consuming and lead to making mistakes.
Can I get into optometry school with a 280 OAT?
Q: Is there a minimum OAT score or grade point average for optometry school? A: SCO does not have a minimum OAT score or grade point average for acceptance. The average GPA of an entering class is typically around 3.50 and the average OAT score is around 330.
Can I get into optometry school with a 300 OAT score?
Since a score of 300 corresponds to the 50th percentile, it would be best to aim for over 300. For more competitive schools, you should aim for a score of over 350. Even more, optometry schools vary in both the number of seats and expectations for their applicants.
Is the OAT easier than the MCAT?
The OAT is less complex and lengthy than the MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT, a lot of the same biology and chemistry prep will be applicable, but be sure to review OAT-specific physics and math materials.
Whats the best OAT prep course?
Top 6 OAT Prep Courses Found OnlineThe Princeton Review. The OAT prep course from The Princeton Review is one of the top options you can choose for your specific study needs. ... Kaplan. ... Varsity Tutors. ... Gold Standard OAT Test Prep. ... OAT Bootcamp. ... OAT Destroyer.
Is the OAT easier than the MCAT?
The OAT is less complex and lengthy than the MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT, a lot of the same biology and chemistry prep will be applicable, but be sure to review OAT-specific physics and math materials.
What physics is on the OAT?
Official (ASCO/ADA) OAT physics topics include the following: Units and vectors, linear kinematics, statics, dynamics, rotational motion, energy and momentum, simple harmonic motion: springs, period, angular frequency, waves and interference, fluid statics, thermal energy and thermodynamics, electrostatics, DC circuits ...
What does an OAT test tell you?
Organic Acid Testing (OAT) can aid advanced practitioners in detecting imbalances, toxicity, and inflammation in patients and indicate the functional need for specific nutrients, diet modification, antioxidant protection, and detoxification. On a cellular level, our bodies are a constant stream of chemical reactions.
How long does it take to study for OAT?
Many students spend anywhere from two to three months studying for this test. This timeframe is reasonable because it allots enough time to take an OAT course and still have time after the course to study on your own and take practice tests. It also allows you to have some sort of break before going back to school again.
What is OAT study?
OAT Study Tips and FAQs. OAT stands for “Optometry Admission Test.”. Just as the MCAT is the gateway to medical school and the LSAT to law school, so the OAT is a standardized test that every applicant to optometry school must take in order to be considered for the program. Studying for one of the most important exams of your life can feel both ...
How many questions are asked in OAT?
The subjects tested on the OAT cover the following foundational disciplines for optometry school: biology (40 questions), general chemistry (30 questions), organic chemistry (30 questions), reading comprehension (3 passages and 50 questions), physics (40 questions), and quantitative reasoning (40 questions). The natural sciences portion includes biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry, and you have 90 minutes to complete all of them at once. The reading comprehension section is 60 minutes, whereas physics is 50 minutes and quantitative reasoning is 45 minutes.
Why is practice important in OAT?
Practice, practice, practice! Practice tests are very important because they simulate the real OAT and they give you an idea of where you stand and what your score could look like if you took the test that day. Kaplan offers free practice tests, and because they are slightly harder than the real test, they help better prepare you and in turn make the real thing seem less scary.
How many times can you take the OAT?
The maximum number of times you can take the OAT will vary depending on the optometry school to which you would like to apply. To take the test more than three times, however, you will need special permission from the optometry schools that have rejected you.
How long does it take to complete a natural science course?
The natural sciences portion includes biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry, and you have 90 minutes to complete all of them at once. The reading comprehension section is 60 minutes, whereas physics is 50 minutes and quantitative reasoning is 45 minutes.
Why is it important to study with a diagnostic test?
This means taking a practice test before you even begin to study anything so that you can see your areas of weaknesses and construct a study schedule.
How Long Do You Actually Need to Study for the OAT Exam?
Most experts recommend that you spend at least two to three months studying for the OAT.
How long does it take to study for OAT?
There are courses you can take that will help prepare you. You can start the course three months out from the test. You will then have time to take several practice tests and review any areas of weakness.
What Types of Questions Can You Expect on the OAT Exam?
The OAT is divided into four sections: a survey of natural sciences, reading comprehension, physics, and quantitative reasoning. Let’s break down what you’ll have to do in each section.
How is the OAT Scored?
The OAT is scored on a scale between 200-400. Each question is worth one point. You will receive a point for each correct answer. You won’t be penalized for wrong answers, so it’s to your benefit to answer every question. As you take the test, spend time on the items you feel confident answering and then spend the last minute or so of each section guessing on any unanswered questions.
What is the average score for optometry?
If you score around 300-349, you’ll be in the median range of test-takers and should be able to get into many optometry schools. If you’re applying to one of the more competitive schools, you should aim for a score of 350-389. This score will put you in the top quarter of all test takers and should make you an attractive applicant.
What is an OAT test?
The Optometry Admission Test, or OAT, is a test taken by all applicants looking to get into optometry programs. It’s not a test taken at the end of your optometry training, but rather at the very beginning – right between taking your general education courses and starting optometry school.
What is a good OAT score?
If you can score anything over a 390, you will definitely have a competitive edge. You’ll be in the top tenth of the test takers. Your OAT score, along with a good college record, should get you entry into the optometry school of your choice.
How often is OAT given?
The OAT is given once a month, year-round, and can be taken at multiple testing centers throughout the United States.
How to increase your OAT score?
Materials like practice tests and study guides, are just as important, if not more important than the video lectures themselves. Sharpening your skills with workbooks and practice sets will help increase your score exponentially. The materials that go along with the prep courses will also help you become more adept at taking the OAT in a timed setting, so that come test day, you will go in prepared. Both Kaplan and The Gold Standard offer additional materials, while Varsity Tutors is purely lesson based.
What is Kaplan OAT review?
Kaplan OAT Review is known for providing some of the best coaching and courses to help individuals clear any certification exam – and that includes the OAT. Touted as the only self-study test prep guide out there, this particular course will help you master all the critical concepts of the OAT exam, from science review to strategy. And it will teach you the practical strategies you need to improve your score.
What is an OAT prep session?
During an OAT prep session, the tutor will formulate a baseline assessment that clearly defines the areas where you’re excelling and those that require more focus. He or she will also set specific benchmarks to measure your progress throughout the OAT classes. A customized plan like this is invaluable. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find this level of personalization in other prep classes.
What is an OAT tutor?
Working with an OAT tutor gives you the chance to interact with a qualified educator who can answer your questions and openly communicate about the material and any weak areas you have. Your tutor will focus on honing your skill level in those weak areas, while helping you to learn the best way to study and retain information.
How many formats are there for OAT prep?
OAT prep courses are available in four main formats. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the right one for you depends on your budget, schedule and preferred learning style. We list them below in order from least expensive to most expensive.
What does a tutor do for OAT?
Qualified tutors will help create an optimized learning process that will enable you to hone your study skills and solidly prepare for your test. Development of Test Taking Skills – Just about everyone experiences test taking anxiety at some point, especially when the test is an important one. The OAT is no exception.
What do you need to know about OAT?
It will teach you everything you need to know about the OAT from scratch to get you started on the right foot. Second, you need a OAT study schedule that will show you exactly what you need to learn day-by-day to ace the OAT and get into optometry school. Becoming an optometrist is a difficult, yet rewarding journey.
What is the study schedule?
The Study Schedule is an updated day-by-day manual that covers exactly what materials to study and when to study them to best prepare you for the OAT.
Is becoming an optometrist hard?
Becoming an optometrist is a difficult, yet rewarding journey. It will require a lot of work and sacrifice on your part. But I can tell you firsthand, the moment your first patient smiles and says "thank you" – will make all the years of studying more than worth it.
