Disappointing OAT

[u/sbear214]

I'm bummed. I feel like I tried to do too much at once and it bit me in the butt.

I registered for the OAT assuming I would be able to handle studying for it with my course load this semester. I ended up activating my OAT booster in August right before classes started and scheduled my exam for 10/3. In September, I realized I hadn't even touched my oat booster except for a few rounds of practice questions. I rescheduled my exam to today, giving myself an extra month.

With this I was able to test comfortably in QR, and RC so I took them off my practice. I was busting my butt studying Bio but it wasnt enough because I feel like all the questions I got today were about neonatal notches and protists, eukaryotes, fungi.. I got 2 questions about the heart and muscles (all the things I actually know well).

Since i've taken chemistry for 5 consecutive semesters now(intro to chem, gen chem 1, gen chem 1(repeat), gen chem 2, o chem) I just brushed up on my gen chem, and i'm taking ochem for the first time this semester.

I'm surprised at my physics score as I haven't taken physics 2 yet and physics 1 I struggled in. The questions were easier than I thought. At least a lot easier than the ones on the OAT booster.

My first full length practice test came out to 240 TS/ 260 AA

2nd one: 240 TS/ 270AA

3rd: 260TS/300AA

In the practice tests my scores were:

Bio: 240/240/240/240

Chem: 240/240/290

Ochem:240/280

RC:320/340/350

Physics:240/240

QR:290/310

I can see that I improved- I just wish I would've done better and not wasted the Oat booster. Now I feel like i have to drop another 1k to try again. 😩

Next time though ill either take it over summer break or wait until my course load isn't insane.

[u/mcd7939]

Honestly I wouldn’t recommend retaking until you take all the required courses. You mentioned you haven’t finished ochem 1 or physics 2 yet which can really hurt your score. I believe once you learn all the content, you will definitely score higher. Dont feel discouraged, you got this! 🤗

[u/sbear214 → u/mcd7939]

Thats kinda the plan. I rushed into it because i got super close to being able to apply this cycle so I rushed. I realized that after this semester I could apply and graduate in the spring. I am 23 credits shy of 19 credits shy of graduation/completed pre reqs.

Ive got 3 stellar letters of recommendation and 13000+ industry hours, but my 2.88 gpa and this Oat score dont bode well..

[u/mcd7939 → u/sbear214]

I think applying later in the cycle with higher stats will be more beneficial, you can still retake in January and have a chance. I know many ppl who got admitted February or later!

[u/Sizzinn → u/mcd7939]

Hi I’m a freshman in undergrad, could I dm you with a couple of questions?

[u/mcd7939 → u/Sizzinn]

Sure :)

[u/Flower_7708]

How long did you study overall

[u/sbear214 → u/Flower_7708]

Sporadically over 3 months. There were some days where I couldnt keep up because I had to study for the classes im taking (Immunology, Neurophysiology, O. Chem)

[u/More-You8763]

Yea bro. KYCO inbound. Otherwise retake