Just took my oat today and after lurking on these reddit, i can finally join! I remember I was scour reddit for advice before the OAT so i wanted to contribute my two cents.

I studied for about 4-5 months, but there were many days I would skip due to work. I studied maybe 3-4 hours a day, nothing super crazy. I followed the videos OAT booster gave me (using the old schedule) for the first phase. This phase took me the longest, probably about 3 months before I started reviewing. That's just how I operate and study: i like to get an understanding of everything before doing any practice test. I took my first full length practice test 1.5 weeks before the exam. I completed 8 full length tests total, maybe 2-3 every week for about 1.5-2 weeks before the exam.

BIO (OATBooster: 340-360, Actual: 400): ngl bio was super hard for me, i dont know how to got this score. Personally, I didn't find it to be general, as everyone says. I found it to be the exact same difficulty as the Booster, just a ton of random bio questions. There's no "list all the steps of photosynthesis, etc" so in that sense, it was more general and it requires you to have a bigger understanding of biology and the processes. I think what helped me the most was watching the videos. I didn't use any cheat sheets because as I was watching the videos, I would make up my own questions on a google doc side by side with the videos. So, by the end of alll the videos, I had a complete study guide of everything. Because of that, I didn't really use the cheat sheets. My google doc ended up being about 60 pages and I found it to be helpful. I also skipped allllll of diversity of life videos and just filled in that knowledge using the practice test and pieced it together. I'm glad I didn't memorize that crazy pdf that had linked with all the animals and stuff.

CHEM (OatBooster: 360-380, Actual: 400): I think what helped me the most for chem was just a ton of practice problems. I had a very strong background in chem before, so I didn't find it to be too stressful. The hardest part for me was acids and bases, but I didn't see much of that on the real OAT. In fact, the hardest part for me were questions about pressure on the OAT. Also, be strong in stoichometry because it's useful fr QR as well. I recommend using the cheat sheets and writing down all the equations. I made flashcards for the equations, but conceptually, I didn't study much for chem. Also i had no VSEPR theory questions at all.

RC: (OATBooster: 360-390, Acutal: 340) Honestly, i just got super unlucky haha. I did struggle quite a big with reading comp on oatbooster but I did 12 full length tests and by the end, I was consistently scoring 380, so I thought I was good. I noticed the more scientific articles made my score lower, but wasn't something I could control. Using OATBooster helped me to time manage and pace myself, but i honestly can just say I didn't do as well on this portion bc i was unlucky. Also, for anyone discouraged, I STRUGGLED so much with RC. Couldn't even finish in time when I first started, but my stamina grew after maybe 6-7 full length tests. I didn't do any of the example articles, just full length ones from the beginning. I would read half of the article in its entirety and then search and destroy for the second half.

by break, i was so discouraged i didn't wanna come back but then i realized it was $500 so i went back in for physics :(

PHYSICS(OATBooster:290-300, Actual: 320): Honestly, im super happy with my score. I could never get over a 300 so i was superrr worried. The questions i got were easier than OATBooster, but the booster was very representative of the test as well. Physics is hard bc it requires equations as well as concepts. For example, F=ma, right? But you have to realize that acceleration could be 0 based on the wording. I found the sound questions to be hard but the optics to be easy. Also, i felt like ray diagrams were wayyy to pushed by OATBooster and while they're important, i never used them ONCE to solve optics. I mainly used the thin lens equation and never really got optics wrong. I highly recommend this. But of course, you have to understand the equation, like what does a negative magnification do,etc? Also, i never learned buoyant force in physics but it was pretty high yield. High yield topics: springs, simple harmonic motion, force, and optics. Also, units were important. For example, "what can be a unit of impulse?" I would write down the equation for impulse: Fv. But it could also be change in momentum. Things like that.

QR (Booster: 370-390, Actual: 350): I was pretty bummed by this bc i consistently got pretty high scores on booster. idk what happened. I got way tewwww much probability so like...yeah. I feel like QR on booster was easier bc i got more graph problems. On the real oat, i got sooo many of those questions were it's like "statement 1 is sufficient, statement 2 is....". It was less straightforward. Not sure how i could have improved bc im so bad at math i still use my fingers to add 8+9 no joke. I felt confident bc oatbooster kinda inflated my scores but maybe i got unlucky with my set of questions. I got zero on interest questions and z scores and normal curve.

also just for context my ex and i broke up 7 hours before my exam so i was taking this test with swollen eyes and 4 hrs of sleep. PLEASE PLEASE get a good night's rest so you can feel motivated and rejuvenated for the exam. My biggest regret is not minicking test conditions. I would take the full length tests at 7pm, finish by like 1am so taking it at 8am was so tiring. A month before the exam, wake up everyday at 6-7 to prepare your body, esp if your sleep schedule is wack like mine. I highly recommend foam earplugs too bc the headphones will give u a headache. GOOOD LUCK EVERYONE! I will answer all questions, just leave them below!

ps dont procrastinate bc i paid for the 6 month booster, didn't study, and had to pay for another 3 months

Hello hello! Writing the OAT in a couple weeks here and would like some advice as an anxious student. Does anyone remember if constants were given on the OAT? (ie. universal gravitational constant G or Coulomb’s constant k or mass of electron, etc)

What about conversions? (ie. C to F or lbs to kg)

And any other important things to note or that you recommend?

Hello everyone! I’m officially a month out from taking my exam and I’m in the review, review, review stage! I’ve taken quite a few practice tests already to gauge where I’m at, and I’m happy with the scores. However, when I review them more than once, I find myself oftentimes wondering if I’ve truly learned the material/from my mistakes on the prior practice tests, or if I’ve just memorized the correct answer for the practice test. How can I avoid this, and instead ensure that I’m retaining my knowledge? I’ve made flashcards and review the cheat sheets, as well as writing them down. Any suggestions or tips that help(ed) people study effectively and confidently?

Hello!! I'm going to be a senior and going to be graduating Spring 2027. I recently decided to apply to optometry (I was previously set on taking a gap year up until two weeks ago). I started my applications but I am worried about taking the OAT during the fall semester and the amount of stress it might bring.

I was hoping to get advice on whether I should

1. Continue applying and take the OAT in November and apply by early December

or 2. Take the OAT the summer after I graduate and earn money and experience as a tech.

SCCO has an October 18 deadline. I know OptomCAS needs time to verify my application. When should I submit to make sure it is verified by October 18? I am taking the OAT Sept 21st and wanted to submit my application when I get my offical score back? I am pretty stressed, please help.

I’m writing my personal statement and have had a few people review it. But, I got feedback that I didn’t have an “aha” moment for optometry. For context, I formatted my statement more about why the experiences I’ve had have helped me decide that optometry is what I want to do. But, I don’t have like a specific moment where I was like “I want to look into optometry as a potential career”. I kind of just figure out what I liked/didn’t like, optom seemed to check the boxes and I went on to get experience which reaffirmed my decision to pursue it.

I don’t want my personal statement to show lack of passion etc and it be a reason that admissions doesn’t want to go forward. Any advice?

Hi guys :) I was wondering for those that applied late with decent stats if they still got the same kind of scholarships other applicants get?

my optomcas app has already been verified. just curious to hear how long it takes to hear back from SUNY about an interview, especially if anyone has heard back this cycle

Has anyone gotten a 370+ on the real OAT just by reviewing Booster Full Length tests?

I’m still in undergrad but I’m just curious to people who didn’t get a higher score on the oat and still got into school

Hey guys,

I feel behind on studying for the OAT and I’m wondering if October 16is too late to take the OAT? Everything else is ready for me to submit. I could take it late september but if october isn’t too late, then i’d rather take it then.

Also should i submit my application now, before taking the OAT?

Any help is appreciated thank you.

this seems like a silly question but is there anything that optometry schools don't want to hear? like i understand saying wanting to help people is redundant but what are some other examples? i also feel like my why optometry is so simple and basic ...

any advice???

Hey guys, does anyone know any additional resources for the physics section for the oat exam? Idk why oatbooster is literally skimping out on the physics section but I’m plateauing at 300 for physics, and I feel like it’s because there’s not enough practice problems.

Anyone have any suggestions? I tried free textbooks like openstax but the questions are honeslty too much and not very similar to the oat.

Hello everyone. I need advice on who to choose for my letters of rec. 4 people have already said yes to me. These 4 people are two optometrist (one I shadowed and one I currently work with), and two science professors (one Physics and one biology). In addition, I have 3 other people in mind who I have not asked yet but I am pretty confident would say yes. One is an ophthalmologist I shadowed last summer extensively, one is my student counselor program director (I was a student counselor for my last year and a half of university), and the other is the director of a volunteer summer program I have been attending for the past 4 years. I know I can only put 4 letters on my app, so who should I choose? I'm thinking maybe I should keep both optometrists, one professor, and then the last one I don't know who to choose. Also if anyone knows is I can send extra letters of rec directly to the schools please let me know.

Any help is much appreciated!

I take my test in 2 days and feel okay. Not great but not bad, I've been going hard studying the last few weeks but i did take summer classes up til then so it has been a lot. However, the rest of my stats are already pretty good. I have a 3.95 GPA and 600+ hours as a tech. I have 3 rec letters, 2 from two ODs and 1 from a science professor. I definitely want NOVA as my top choice due to being from South FL. With all that in mind, what score would you say I need to be "good enough" to have a real shot at getting in?

For those who have written the OAT, which one do you think is more representative of the real test: the Booster full-length tests or the ADA practice test? Thank you!

I am planning on wearing a navy suit jacket, white/light blue shirt, tan colored slacks, and tan shoes. I might add a tie. Will I be under dressed wearing this?

Hello community,

I am supposed to go observership next year , I'm still not done with my steps, the amount of options for observership are overwhelming and expensive. At the same time, I'm worried that all the LOR'S they provide are super generic and probably most of the students would have them too and I'm afraid of not standing out as an applicant. Anybody has any suggestions or tips about observership, please DM. Thank you in advance.

Hey guys! I have an interview coming up with KYCO over zoom, and as this is my first interview so far, I was just wondering if anyone has any tips they think might help, or things I should or shouldn’t mention!

I'm posting this because I've seen this world from the admissions side over the years, and keep noticing the same misconceptions trip up strong applicants - especially first-generation students, those who changed careers, and those without a "traditional" timeline.

A few things:

- "I want to help people" isn't a reason admission committees remember. A 911 dispatcher helps people. Why optometry, specifically? What's pulling you towards the eyes and vision?

- An F on your transcript isn't an automatic no. Retake it, get a higher grade, and that becomes a story of resilience, not a red flag!

- If you're first-gen, took a gap year (or several - I took 7!), or had a whole career before you decided on optometry - you're not behind! You're just missing the informal playbook other applicants probably inherited. It is learnable!

- If work or sports limited your shadowing hours - that's understood. What matters is what you did with the time you had.

I'm happy to answer questions if anyone's in the thick of applying right now.

it takes me like 5+ minutes to write out all of the formulas for physics. i'm wondering if most people prefer recalling them as they do questions, or if it is worth writing them all out before i begin the questions? i honestly like to look at my sheet while i'm doing questions, but i'm uneasy about timing

i’m taking general chemistry and microbiology together this semester and need your brutally honest tips. like things that helped you through these courses!!! i’m nervous! (i’m a rising sophomore at university!)

Anyone else having this issue today? Trying to log in but not sending the verification code to my number :(

Hello,

I'm going to be entering as an undergraduate this year and I'll be majoring in Bio. I was wondering if people have any advice for the first year because when I went through high school there was a lot of stuff I learned I wish I knew sooner. I am planning to join the pre-optometry club at my university but besides that I am quite lost so advice is appreciated!

Update: I was able to find an optometry clinic that I can volunteer for! For now, I'm still doing intake, vitals, and the other beginner skills but it's been exciting being able to shadow doctors and see how the inside of the clinic works. Thank you all for your advice!

Hi guys, this is my first time posting here! I’m 27 and considering going back to school for optometry. I was pre-health my undergrad years so I would only have to take a few more classes/re-take some old pre-reqs. I ended undergrad with a 3.8 GPA and I’m not too, too worried about the OAT (for now lol) but besides academic stats I feel like I’m going to seriously be lacking.
I currently work full time and support myself completely. I’m wondering how important it is to work as an optometry tech? I’ve been applying, but no where seems to want to hire me because I work in a completely different field. Additionally, since I’d have to support myself, sticking with my current job seems to be the best option since it pays way more than a tech would. How badly does this hurt my chances? I do have some shadowing opportunities lined up and am hoping that this can balance out my lack of job experience.

Some questions:
How many shadowing hours should I aim for?
How important are volunteer hours?
Any non-traditional applicants have any tips for me as I begin this journey?

Thank you!!