OAT Test Admission Procedure
Students who have completed at least one year of college education with biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics are eligible to take the OAT test. Some students prefer to complete two or more number of years at college before taking the OAT test. It is better to take the OAT before the 1st of February because the deadline for submitting he scores is February 15th.
Preparation for the Optometry Admissions Test
The OAT test score is not the only factor for deciding on the final admissions but a major factor. The students can try the mock tests and analyze how well they can perform. Also the weaker areas can be identified to lay highlight on. There are several books and online sources for preparing the OAT test. More than 17 American Colleges of optometry are accredited b the Council of Optometric Education of the American Optometric Association. Some schools require a bachelor’s degree compulsorily. Whereas some schools make sure tat the aspiring student have had natural sciences in the college level. Some schools feel that applicant’s exposure to optometry is very important. Every applicant must get in touch with at least one optometrist and gain some first hand knowledge to know the daily routine of an optometrist. Above all this, personal interviews are conducted. Any undergraduate course is valid to take up the OAT test. But it is better to take a science subject. It is better to take advice from the pre-optometry advisor.
Preparing for the OAT test
On the OAT test day
Reach your chosen test center early. Check beforehand for the center location to avoid any delays on the test day. By reaching early you have more time to ease yourself out before you go in for the test. Make sure you have had enough good sleep the night before. Eat a good filling breakfast to keep you calm and up throughout the OAT test. Don’t rush through the questions only to land up with wrong answers. Never leave any question unattended. Since there is no negative marking for wrong answers, you can always guess the answers if you don’t know them for sure.
After the OAT test
Once the OAT test is done, take time to relax and check on the answers you have done. Evaluate your answers to gain a confidence on your performance. Self-evaluation is always good to boost up your performance.
Retaking the Test
Every time a test aker wants to re-take the OAT test, he can do it n number of times. But a three-month gap should be maintained between one test and another. The latest four test scores or the composie scores of all the tests taken will be considered by the optometry schools.
Partial Testing
For students who do not complete a particular section scores will be given as zero. Incomplete sections have to be completed by taking in new applications and also paying up a new fee too.
Special Testing Arrangements
Students with any disability can give a written request for any special arrangements to be made. This request must be given at the time of registration itself. Previous special arrangmens made in any standardization tests must be described. Also a document stating the disability must be submitted. This document must include a medical report with the disability diagnoised. And also specific recommendations for accommodation must be submitted. Reports written by qualified professionals on a letterhead with the examiner’s certificate, address and telephone number listed only will be taken up. The report must also include the student’s name, date of birth, and date of testing, and be signed by the examiner. All these documents must be sent to the Optometry Admission Testing Program, Attn: Special Accommodation