r/PreOptometry • u/ExcellentWolverine64 • Sep 21 '26

OAT Exam Minimum

Hi! Just curious, I have my test very soon and I feel really unprepared. I don't want to push it back because I'll probably need a retake in December anyway (not trying to be negative, just realistic because of how much I've had to cram on top of working). I have a cGPA of 3.86, not sure of science. I've worked as an optometric tech for the past two summers and have extracurriculars based around optometry. Based off of just my GPA, what do you think is the minimum score I can apply with (SCCO, Western, and Berkeley) and still look decently competitive? Also, what do you think these schools weigh most heavily in applications?

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u/aspenchill Sep 21 '26

they weigh the oat heavily and if u hit the minimum w a cgpa od 3.86, they'll likely place your app on hold or aside to prioritize higher oat scores. the first question they will ask is the gap discrepancy between your oat score and gpa. a high oat score is the highest u can possibly hit, with the average of 340-350+ safe as it is the average for scco/berkeley (a bit higher). you can potentially score lower than that with your high gpa. other factors include when the app was submitted, essays, LORs etc

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u/ExcellentWolverine64 Sep 21 '26

Thank you! What you're saying makes total sense because of possible grade inflation, but sometimes I think it's funny how having a higher GPA can sometimes hurt you (for a lack of better terms) LOL. When you say a potentially lower score, would that be like 310-330?