OAT Exam Information and Guideline
Optometry Admission Test
Below are complete topics detail with latest syllabus and course outline, that will help you good knowledge about exam objectives and topics that you have to prepare. These contents are covered in questions and answers pool of exam.
Tutorial : 15 minutes
Survey of the Natural Sciences : 90 minutes
Reading Comprehension Test : 50 minutes
Break (optional) : 15 minutes
Physics Test : 50 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning Test : 45 minutes
Post Test Survey : 10 minutes
Pre testing up to : 25 minutes
Total Time 275 to 300 minutes depending on the number of pretest questions
The OAT is an optometry admission test designed to provide optometry education programs with a means to assess program applicants potential for success. The OAT is administered year round by Prometric test centers in the United States, its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and Canada.
The OAT is comprised of multiple-choice test items presented in the English language. The test is developed according to established test specifications. The OAT consists of a battery of four tests on the following: Survey of the Natural Sciences, Physics, Reading Comprehension, and Quantitative Reasoning. In the OAT, both the U.S. customary system and the metric system (Imperial System) of units are used.
Before starting the application process, read the OAT Guide. At the time of application, you will be required to confirm that you have read this document, understood its contents, and agree to the policies and procedures contained herein.
How does one prepare for the OAT? There are no shortcuts to the process of learning, and these test preparation materials are not designed to provide the examinee with an opportunity to bypass the extensive process of learning and understanding basic information through class participation and months of study. These test preparation materials contain samples of the four tests used in the Optometry Admission Testing Program. These are available to OAT examinees as a means of discovering possible areas of weakness in their comprehension of subjects covered by the test. They will also enable the examinee to become familiar with the types of material included in the test as well as with the general coverage and format of the various parts of the test battery.
The Optometry Admission Testing Program may include pretest questions in some test sections. Un-scored pretest questions are included on the test in order to ensure that these questions are appropriate before they are included among the scored items. If pretest questions are included in a test section, additional time will be allotted to that section of the test. Pretest questions are intermingled with the scored questions; therefore it is important to answer all questions.
The time limit is indicated on the computer screen for each section. If pretest questions ae included in a test section, additional time will be allotted to that section of the test. The Survey of the Natural Sciences and the Reading Comprehension Test are administered first. The Physics Test and the Quantitative Reasoning Test are administered after an optional 15 minute rest break.
The Survey of the Natural Sciences is an achievement test. The content is limited to those areas covered by an entire first-year course in biology, general chemistry, and organic chemistry. The test contains a total of 100 items: 40 biology items, 30 general chemistry items and 30 organic chemistry items. The time limit of the test is 90 minutes. Although the three science sections are identified, it is important that the examinees pace themselves since separate sub scores will be given for each section.
The Reading Comprehension Test contains passages typical of the level of material encountered in the first year of optometry school. Each passage is followed by 10 to 17 items, which can be answered from a reading of the passage. One should not try to answer the questions until the passage is understood thoroughly. The time limit of the test is 50 minutes. Although these materials contain only one passage, the actual Reading Comprehension Test contains three passages and has a total of 40 items.
The Physics Test is also an achievement test. The content is limited to those areas covered in a two-semester physics course. The test contains a total of 40 items. The time limit of the test is 50 minutes.
The Quantitative Reasoning Test measures the examinees ability to reason with numbers, to manipulate numerical relationships, and to deal intelligently with quantitative materials. The test contains 40 items. The time limit of the test is 45 minutes. Calculators are not permitted.