OAT and Application Tutorial

UWO Pre-Optometry Club 2012

OAT
y A standardized examination designed to measure

general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information y All schools and colleges of optometry in the United States, and the University of Waterloo require the OAT y Fee: $220 y It is recommended to take the test after your second year of undergraduate studies.

What is tested on the OAT?

y Biology y General chemistry y Organic chemistry y Reading comprehension y Physics y Quantitative reasoning y Specific Requirements

When can I take the OAT?

y Anytime! y 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 y Only scores from the four most recent attempts and the total number of attempts will be reported

Prometric Test Center

y The exam is computerized and is taken in a

Prometric Testing Center (you can go on their website to find the one closest to you). y You will not be allowed to bring anything into the testing room with you, but lockers are provided to store your belongings during the exam.

Prometric Test Center

y An optional computerized tutorial is available before

you begin the exam!



Question marking function

y You will be provided with two small white boards

and markers to work on calculations. y A basic on-screen calculator is provided for the quantitative reasoning questions ONLY.


General chemistry and physics calculations must be done without a calculator. Keep this in mind when you are studying!

Test Schedule
Optional Tutorial Survey of Natural Sciences Reading Comprehension Test Optional Break Physics Test Quantitative Reasoning Test Optional Post Test Survey 15 minutes 90 minutes 50 minutes 15 minutes 50 minutes 45 minutes 15 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 4 hours and 40 minutes

15 Minute Break
y The test is LONG. So make sure to take advantage of

the 15 minute break. y There will be lockers outside the test room where you can keep food and a drink and you will be able to use the washroom at this time. y Computer screen can be hard on your eyes so be sure to take a break! y Also, you can bring a snack.

How is the test scored?

y OAT scores are based on the number of correct

responses; therefore there is no penalty for guessing. Answer every question! y Scores used in the testing program range from 200 to 400, and there are no passing or failing scores. These are standardized scores which allows for tests written by applicants at different times to be compared. y A score report will be printed immediately after you finish writing the exam and official score reports will be sent to your designated schools.

What score do I need to get in?

y Waterloo:  Minimum OAT score required: 300  If you have a total science or section score below 300, they recommend re-taking the OAT  Average OAT score for 2011 Waterloo Optometry applicants: 370

US Schools:
o average OAT scores of the entering class range from 300 to 349 depending on the school

Test Preparation Materials

y OAT Prep Course  Kaplan, The OAT Professor y OAT Prep Book  Kaplan y MCAT or DAT Prep Book y Studying course notes

Test Preparation
y You may become familiar with the computer testing

experience through Prometric's Test Drive. In 30 minutes, you will experience an overview of the testing experience you will encounter on the actual testing day. During the overview, you may participate in:
     

The scheduling and registration process The complete check-in process Introduction to test center staff and surroundings A live 15-minute sample test (generic test not a sample OAT) demonstrating the testing process Full preparation for the real test Cost: $30

y Test Drive Website y There is also the option to do a computerized testing

option for free via the Kaplan website

Laura
y How I studied: MCAT book and OAT book y Tips:  Physics formulas MEMORIZE and look over before exam  Math section 50 questions in 45 minutes do simple calculation questions first do word problems last  Diversity of Life you cant know everything
Mushroom is to Basidiomycota as moss is to: (A)Myxomycophyta (B)Bryophyta (C) Rhodophyta (D) angiosperm (E)gymnosperm

Tina
y How I studied: Kaplan OAT review book and practice

exams: Kaplan book + ADA and Kaplan online y Tips:

 

Study in a way that is effective for you for me: note taking Studying for approximately 2.5 months seems to be enough time I would try to keep the time between 1-4 months Do practice tests TIMED!
Which organic compound is classified as a primary alcohol? A. Ethylene glycol B. Ethanol C. Glycerol D. 2-butanol

Fred
y How I studied: Kaplan OAT review book + OAT

destroyer y Tips:
 

Biology: section worth the most among sciences RC: for technical passages, search-and-destroy is viable (relatively easy to do b/c of format). For other passages, doesnt work so well. Probably best to practice both. OAT requires you to answer quickly, but dont rush yourself. Do questions you can do within a minute or two first, and then come back to more difficult ones. Remember, OAT is a standardized testing: you may happen to get a more difficult set of questions, but dont freak out b/c everything is relative.

Darren
y How I studied: Kaplan OAT review book + practice

tests, AOA + ADA practice tests y Tips:



  

Physics: dont worry too much about the physics, the actual test is easier than the problems in the OAT practice test Biology: very broad, study everything Math: KNOW YOUR TRIG The test is not designed to trick you, the questions are generally straightforward, you need to be able to complete the questions QUICKLY, mark unsure questions and go back to it, DO NOT STALL.

Questions about the OAT?

Waterloo Application

y Step 1: Apply Online y Step 2: Fill Out Application for Admission to the

School of Optometry y Step 3: Interview

Applying Online
y apply online using the University of Waterloo/Ontario

Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) website. y This must be done by the deadline indicated on the UW Optometry website (usually some time in September). y Online application fee: $200 y The on-line system will collect:
    

Program Choice Personal Information: Basic identification, citizenship, OAT status etc. Postal and E-mail Addresses Post-secondary Academic Background Transcripts: If you are attending an Ontario university, you must use the on-line system to request your current university transcripts. There is an extra fee associated with this.

Application for Admission to the School of Optometry Paper Application

y Within two weeks of submitting your online

application, you will receive an email from Waterloo with a PDF file attached; this is your application. y Sample application y You will fill the form electronically and print a copy. y Mail the printed copy and all supporting material directly to the School of Optometry by the deadline for that year.

Confidential Assessment Forms

y One from a professor y One from an optometrist y The CAFs must be sent directly from your references

to the school. y Be sure to give your references enough time to fill out the forms and write your letter (and allow enough time for them to be mailed to the school before the deadline).

Interview Day
y If the admissions committee is impressed with your

application, they will invite you for an interview at the school. y The interview is closed file; your interviewers will not have access to your application and will not know anything about you. y Dont be too nervous! The interview day is exciting and everyone is very welcoming and friendly. y The day consists of your interview, a tour of the school and a discussion with current students.

Applying to US Schools
y There are 20 schools of optometry in the United

States. y There is a centralized application system called OptomCAS through which you will apply to your schools of choice. y US schools have rolling admissions; meaning that they interview and accept people throughout the year. y The application deadline is not until March, but it is highly recommended to apply early while there are still seats available.

Letters of Reference and Prerequisite Courses

y Note that schools in the states may have different

requirements for your reference letters. Pay close attention to what each school asks. Some schools require that you have:
 

a reference letter from an optometrist TWO reference letters from professors

y It is also important to be aware that US schools may

have different prerequisite courses that are required. Make sure to plan ahead and make sure that you take the required courses for the schools you are interested in.

Interviews at US Schools
y Although it can be expensive, if you are invited to

interview at a school in the US, they require you to visit their campus. They do not conduct phone interviews. y Be sure to keep this in mind when deciding which schools to apply to (flights and hotels can be expensive and the more schools you apply to the more expensive the application process will be). y Different schools have different interview formats (some are open file, some are closed file; some are one-on-one, and some are in front of a panel).

Pre-Optometry Forums
y Very good source of information and feedback from

other pre-optometry students in the process of applying y Very useful for US interview preparation y A good way to communicate with other students who are going through the same things you are y The Student Doctor Network

Questions/Comments?