One Familys Blog: Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized test used to determine qualification for admission to a school of optometry in the United States. The scores from this exam along with the work done at the undergraduate level are considered for admission at all schools of optometry in the US and the University of Waterloo in Canada. The test can be taken as many times as wished – a 90-day mandatory wait period between tests applies. The results of the last four attempts are reported on the official score report forwarded automatically to the schools selected in the application – scores are also available to schools via the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS). OAT is a computerized multiple-choice test that is available most days of the year at Prometric centers. There is an electronic application process: submit an electronic application at www.opted.org and make the test fee payment using a credit card. Once the application and fee are approved, it is processed and a notification email or letter is sent along with an eligibility number and instructions to call Prometric to schedule the test.

The OAT test is expensive with the fee at $435. The fee includes official score reporting to five optometry schools, unofficial personal copy issued at the test center, and a copy for the pre-optometry test advisor. A $35 fee applies to report scores after completing the OAT application process independent of whether 5 free reports were chosen. Partial (50%) fee waivers are available in cases of severe financial hardship.

The test is 4 hours 50 minutes long and includes a 15-minute tutorial followed by four sections and an optional post-test 15- minute survey with an elective break after the first two sessions. The actual format is below:

Scoring is based on the number of correct answers allowing for guessing. The actual scores in the testing program range from 200 to 400 with the mean at 300 for each section – there are no passing or failing scores. Unofficial test scores are immediately available after taking the test. The score report also shows a percentile figure for each section. Test preparation materials and a sample test are available from their site at www.opted.org. There is also a tutorial designed to familiarize examinees with the format of the questions at the same site. Examinees are required to complete at least one year of collegiate education, including courses in biology, general and organic chemistry, and physics before participation in the OAT – on the average, test takers complete two or three years of college before taking the test.

Below are ISBNs and Best Prices for OAT study resources:

Resource	ISBN	Best Price	Description
Cracking the OAT by Princeton Review	978-0375427572	$16.99	Access to 2 full-length practice tests. Extensive Physics review covering electricity, mechanics, kinematics, etc. Strategies for Math, Reading, and Science sections. Strategies, drills, and detailed explanations.
Kaplan OAT Strategies, Practice, and Review	978-1625233073	$52.12	Two full-length practice tests with detailed answer explanations. 600+ practice questions. Comprehensive review of all content for OAT: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning.
OAT Practice Questions: OAT Practice Tests & Exam Review by OAT Exam Secrets Test Prep Team	Kindle Edition at $9.99. Paperback at $20.71.	$9.99	Questions cover all the topics in OAT Test. Detailed answer explanations.

Gold Standard has a number of books, complete home study courses, and other materials. Click to check-out the options, if you are on the look-out for complete study material as opposed to exam preparation only.

Related Posts:

Last Updated: 04/2017.

Optometry Admission Test (OAT) – Exam Prep and Resources

1 comment :