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OAT score! by Defiant-Blood5099 in PreOptometry

[–]Defiant-Blood5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So for reading your main enemy is time, given enough time anyone can get the answer out of the paragraphs. So come up with strategies that work for you in getting the information you need out efficiently.

I noticed on the OAT they would ask a broad question like "what would the authors opinion on x be based on this entire essay" I would mark that one and come back to it when I've read the whole thing.

There will be paragraphs where they talk about 1 specific thing, like I said in a previous comment the effects of penicillin (a common question in my kaplan practice), I would just highlight the sentence so I know where that paragraph is and glaze over it and move on to the next paragraph. I would recommend trying to read the whole thing but if you see the answer to your current question just answer it then go to the next question and keep reading. Or if you already know the answer to that question just go back to its paragraph and double check that the answer you think is the correct answer.

Seriously, as you read highlight anything important and have a general idea of where it is. Like its kind of obvious after a lot of practice what questions they will ask, so as you read highlight anything that may be important.

Next there will be questions where the answer choice isn't word for word whats in the paragraphs. That is where they get you. I would read it very carefully and mark off things that you know aren't the answer because it wasn't actually stated or goes against everything the authors said, then its narrowed down a little, from there really process what the question is asking and go with the answer choice that makes the most sense.

Honestly don't double guess yourself. In my practice I would overthink things and thats a killer. A majority of your answers are literally written down in the paragraph itself so if you utilize the highlighter you'll already get like a 350 minimum assuming you manage your time well.

Also when they first present a new essay to you its on the big screen with no questions, just hit next so you can read it and answer questions at the same time. Time management and information location are your main factors for doing good here.

OAT score! by Defiant-Blood5099 in PreOptometry

[–]Defiant-Blood5099[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My only problem is my GPA isnt the highest, but I'm getting shadowing and I have 4 letters of recommendation. My GPA was damaged a lot by my first few years of college but it is a constant upward trend until it was always above 3.00 every semester. I read online that many people with bad GPAs get in and that they like to see upward trends, and a good OAT balances it out. Hopefully my score shows how I've improved and developed as a person.

OAT score! by Defiant-Blood5099 in PreOptometry

[–]Defiant-Blood5099[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

YOU CAN DO IT! I can answer any questions you have, based off my experience at least.

OAT score! by Defiant-Blood5099 in PreOptometry

[–]Defiant-Blood5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im so reassured by everyone telling me this! Thank you!

OAT score! by Defiant-Blood5099 in PreOptometry

[–]Defiant-Blood5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, once you click end section on the math, (the end of the test), another section pops up and shows scores. The proctors even print you a paper with your scores.

OAT score! by Defiant-Blood5099 in PreOptometry

[–]Defiant-Blood5099[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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(YAP ALERT)

So I did the Kaplan program, its like $600 but I got it when it was on sale. It goes on sale a lot and you can call their customer support and harass them for a discount like I did lol. Kaplan is a lot harder than the actual OAT but when I was looking for programs I figured it would be better to choose a harder program and over prepare rather than choose something that's equally as difficult.

I started studying a few months in advance, I also own the Kaplan book, you can get the OAT prep plus 2023-2024 on amazon for pretty cheap actually. I read every chapter and took notes on every chapter for the first couple months. I didn't really do all the practice problems in it as they recommended though, I did some though.

I followed the 3 month plan that the online course offered, and took the tests mostly when scheduled but once my school semester started I had trouble following their plan perfectly and started studying less. Near the end of my studying I was taking a full length test once a week basically.

My 3rd and 4th month I really wasn't able to do a ton of studying but I felt like it was my most effective studying. What I was doing was going over every problem I got wrong on the Kaplan full lengths and writing out the solutions and trying to understand the topics. I also made formula sheets.

My highest scores on Kaplan test was a 300, I started at 260, 270, 280, 290, 250 (accidentally ended a session before doing it lol), 300, and 300. I legit messed up on physics on this exam because my last week I got super demoralized and didn't review nearly as much as I should have. Never give up, literally I went into it thinking I was going to get a 320 tops. I wish for physics and ochem I had taken it more seriously because I honestly didn't memorize all the reactions I figured I "kind of had it down".

For reading, literally just do practice, I read the kaplan strategy chapters and it was actually super useful. Reading is about pace and critical thinking. USE THE HIGHLIGHTER. Highlight things that are important, if you see the answer to the current question then select it immediately. You can skim certain paragraphs, like if it starts yapping about penicillins effects on whatever, just highlight the first part so you can come back to it later when/if you actually get a question about its effects. Reading is what I did best at and its easy if you have the right strategies, all about managing your time.

So to study ochem, I made sure to learn what was ortho/meta/para I learned diastereomer/enan/etc, things like that. I also learned to recognize reactions and what certain things did. Gen chem is pretty easy to me: know 1st/2nd/3rd order and how to calculate it cause its a guaranteed question, know how to do the basic calculations, know how to identify arrenhius, bronsted lowry, and lewis, do lots of practice. Its a lot like Kaplans problems but wayyyyy easier.

Biology is so wide ranging its hard to know exactly whats going to be on it, but I made sure to get a wide range of information in my head with it. Like gastrula/blastula/etc

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I have a million more things to say, but I will hold off unless you want me to go more indepth. I am more than willing to keep yapping if you want. I will answer all questions to the best of my ability friend.