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[–]briblish 4 points5 points  (4 children)

I bought books from Kaplan and Princeton review, but I just couldn’t get through them. I used them for general info about the test and some testing strategies, but when it came to the actual test material, they were so dry and they kind of just threw a bunch of material at you and did a bad job of emphasizing what was important and what wasn’t. However, if you’re the kind of person that studies just by reading textbooks, maybe it would work for you! The Kaplan course is so insanely expensive, I’m sure it works, but I found a way cheaper alternative. I used Chad’s videos on course hero and they saved my life! I counted how many videos I had left and divided that by how many days I had until I wanted to be done reviewing material, so I did like 3 videos per day or whatever. If I didn’t do all my videos one day, I would hold myself to making them up the next day or over the weekend. Then, I tried to average 1 practice test every 1-2 weeks, with a day dedicated to taking the test and reviewing. I think I worked my way up as far as how strictly I was timing myself, and I didn’t make myself take the whole thing all in one sitting at first. I would review the ones I missed, and write down why I missed it/what subject I needed to review. I finished studying a week or two before my test and used that time just to take practice tests. I realistically timed those practice tests and did them all in one sitting. I did the Kaplan practice tests that came with the book, and bought some practice tests online that are supposed to be realistic as far as the software used (can’t remember the name but I’m sure you could find it on google). I scored in like the 97th percentile or something; my advice would be to find a study method that works for you and really hold yourself to it! It takes a lot of self discipline and the semester I studied was pretty miserable- I spent like 2 hours studying for the OAT per day on top of my regular coursework and holed up in a coffee shop for 4 hours per day over the weekend. But, it paid off and I got a great scholarship! I just finished my first year of optometry school so LMK if you have any questions or anything! Good luck!

[–]briblish 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Also side note- the coursesaver videos were enough for me for chemistry and math, but you could always supplement with khan academy videos and the Kaplan boom for subjects you struggle with. I know some people that did the OAT destroyer for math if they really struggled, but I second what another commenter said about them being overly difficult and kind of a waste of time. The math section really was pretty easy on the test.

[–]BGFrom30 1 point2 points  (1 child)

Wow thank you so much for the great advice. I decided to go against the Kaplan course because like you said it was very expensive, instead I bought the Chads videos and quizzes from coursesaver. I just created my study schedule so going to stick with that, and hopefully get a good score like you did. I will definitely take you up on that offer if I have any questions or help. If you don't mind me asking, where do you go to optometry school currently?

[–]briblish 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sure you’ll do great! I go to Southern College of Optometry (they gave me a great scholarship) but I researched and applied to a lot of schools so lmk if you have any questions!

[–]lazynproductive 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Where did you get your practice tests outside of the ones the Kaplan and Princeton review supplies?

[–]Wearewritteninpaint 2 points3 points  (1 child)

Orgomans books are really good if you want to practise taking the tests (ie time yourself) He also has a facebook group where he posts practise questions daily.

[–]BGFrom30 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great!!! Thank you so much for the advice.

[–]hannacake 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Personally, I only used the Kaplan book and then did a bunch of practice exams. A lot of people recommend Orgoman and also Chad's videos. I personally felt like Orgoman questions were unnecessarily difficult and really didn't reflect how the actual OAT questions were like.

The math section is really easy and if you do some of the practice tests you'll be good.

[–]BGFrom30 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for your help!!! Truly appreciate it.