OAT sections
The OAT test consists of four sections and all the sections only have multiple-choice questions. It is necessary that the student has had one year of college education that includes subjects like biology, general chemistry and physics. The four section of the OAT test are as below
- Reading Comprehension
- Quantitative Reasoning,
- Survey of Natural Sciences
- Physics
Survey of the Natural Sciences
This section is an accomplishment section in the OAT test. The subject topics covered in this section are taken only from first year subjects in biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry. This section has totally 100 questions. 40 questions are based on biology, 30 on general chemistry and 30 or organic chemistry. A total of 90 minutes are allotted to complete this section. Each section will have a separate score so it is important for good and serious preparation for every section. The Survey of the Natural Sciences is further divided in to Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry
Biology section deals with cell and molecular Biology, which includes topics like origin of life and metabolism of the cell. Also processes like cellular processes, life diversity, Anatomy and physiology of life are focused.
General Chemistry covers general concepts of chemistry and the areas dealing with general chemistry.
Organic Chemistry deals with Mechanism SN1, SN2, elimination, addition, free radical, and substitution mechanisms; Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules and Organic Analysis - inter- and intra-molecular forces, separation, introductory infrared spectroscopy, 1HNMR spectroscopy, 13CNMR, chemical identification, stability, solubility, and polarity; Stereochemistry - conformational analysis, optical activity etc.
Reading Comprehension
The element of purpose and content of the section will be the same all the time. The passages will be taken from materials available at the optometry school. Questions asked have to be answered based on the passage read. One must read through the given passage thoroughly in order to answer the questions correctly. 50 minutes are allotted to complete this section. About 3 passages are given with about 10 to 15 questions. Only the length of the passages and the number of questions asked will differ. Also the time will vary according to the increase in the questions. Each passage will have about 10-15 questions asked with a maximum time range of 50 minutes.
Quantitative Reasoning
This section has about 40 questions asked with a time span of 45 minutes allotted. Mathematical area like Algebra - equations and expressions, inequalities, exponential notation and logarithms, absolute value, ratios and proportions and graphical analysis; Numerical calculations - fractions and decimals, percentages, approximations, and scientific notation; Probability and Statistics; Geometry; Trigonometry, and Applied Mathematics (Word) Problems will be the prime areas.
Physics
This section has question revolving around items like Units and vectors, linear kinematics, statics, dynamics, rotational motion, energy and momentum, simple harmonic motion, waves, fluid statics, thermal energy and thermodynamics, electrostatics, D.C.Circuits, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Only multiple-choice questions will be asked