The OAT is a standardized test used by optometry schools to assess the skills and abilities of applicants in specific subjects.
The Exam
The OAT is divided into four sections; Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and
Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning.
Overall the test contains about 220 questions and takes about 275 minutes (5 hours) to complete. Similar to the DAT, applicants are required to register for the exam through the use of the OAT PIN.
Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning.
Overall the test contains about 220 questions and takes about 275 minutes (5 hours) to complete. Similar to the DAT, applicants are required to register for the exam through the use of the OAT PIN.
Scoring
Students can register for this exam by going to the ASCO website and clicking on the "Optometry Admission Test" link at the top. The OAT can be taken a maximum of three times a year and costs $330 per exam.
Immediately after completing the exam students receive an unofficial score but it will be another few weeks until they know their official audited scores. The OAT scores are on a 10 point scale and range from 200-400 with the average being around a 360.
To be a competitive applicant, students should aim to make a score above a 360. Note, the test score is based on the number of correct answers submitted (so if you were to run out of time, guess away!)
Immediately after completing the exam students receive an unofficial score but it will be another few weeks until they know their official audited scores. The OAT scores are on a 10 point scale and range from 200-400 with the average being around a 360.
To be a competitive applicant, students should aim to make a score above a 360. Note, the test score is based on the number of correct answers submitted (so if you were to run out of time, guess away!)
Helpful links and websites
- Need practice exams? These guys have that and many more.
- What do optometrists do? Find out here.
- The ASCO released an optometry school admission requirements a few years ago. It might be a long read but it is well worth it. (I have also included the file below).
Resources
- http://www.testpreppractice.net/OAT/oat-test-format.aspx
- http://www.opted.org/
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/majors/health-professions-related-clinical-sciences-preoptometry-studies
- https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/careers/health-diagnosis-treatment-optometrists