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OAT Prep for Optometry School
What is the OAT?
The OAT is the Optometry Admission Test. The exam is a prerequisite for admissions to almost all optometry schools in Canada and the US, as well as some programs in other countries. The OAT is specifically designed to evaluate candidates on their knowledge of science, analytical thinking, reading comprehension, and quantitative reasoning skills—key abilities for success in optometry school. Tutor STEM offers preparation courses for the OAT, tailored to help students navigate each section of the exam. The OAT is composed of four main sections: Natural Sciences (including Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning. This exam rigorously tests the foundational knowledge and critical skills that optometry schools expect from incoming students. The OAT is widely regarded as one of the more challenging standardized exams, and most optometry schools set a minimum cut-off score that applicants must meet to be considered viable candidates. Admissions officers, who are responsible for selecting incoming students, use the OAT as a predictive tool to assess applicants' potential for success in optometry school.
What sections are on the OAT and how long is the Canadian OAT?
The OAT consists of 4 sections:
1) Survey of Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry)
- 100 questions total - 40 questions for Biology, 30 questions for General Chemistry, 30 questions for Organic Chemistry
- Biology (40 questions) - Covers a wide range of biology topics, including cell and molecular biology, genetics, evolution, ecology, diversity of life, vertebrate anatomy and physiology, developmental biology, and basic concepts in microbiology.
- General Chemistry (30 questions) - Includes fundamental chemistry concepts such as atomic structure, periodic trends, stoichiometry, chemical bonding, states of matter, solutions, acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and equilibrium.
- Organic Chemistry (30 questions) - Focuses on organic chemistry principles, including structure and bonding, functional groups, nomenclature, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, synthesis, aromatic compounds, and the chemistry of biological molecules.
2) Reading Comprehension
- 50 questions total - the 50 questions are distributed unevenly and randomly amongst 3 reading passages.
- Covers three reading passages on various scientific topics, while testing the applicant's ability to read, organize, analyze, and remember new information in both the optical sciences and the basic sciences. The applicant's ability to comprehend thoroughly when studying scientific information will also be challenged. The reading material are typical of content encountered in the first year of optometry school and require no prior knowledge of the topic other than a basic thorough understanding of undergraduate preparation in science.
3) Physics
- 40 questions total
- The Physics section is designed to evaluate the applicant’s understanding of fundamental physics principles and problem-solving skills.
4) Quantitative Reasoning
- 40 questions total - Includes questions on math skills and quantitative problem-solving.
The Quantitative Reasoning section assesses general math knowledge, including algebra, probability and statistics, geometry, trigonometry, and data analysis.
How long is the OAT?
The OAT is a total of 4 hours and 50 minutes, including breaks. The actual testing time is 4 hours and 20 minutes, broken down as follows:
- Survey of Natural Sciences: 90 minutes
- Reading Comprehension: 60 minutes
- Physics: 50 minutes
- Quantitative Reasoning: 45 minutes
There are optional breaks totaling 30 minutes: a 15-minute break between the Survey of Natural Sciences and Reading Comprehension sections and another 15-minute break between the Reading Comprehension and Physics sections.
Is it possible to be granted more time on the OAT?
Applicants with documented learning disabilities or medical conditions that may affect their performance can apply for extended testing time or other accommodations. This adjustment aims to provide an equitable testing experience for all individuals, ensuring compliance with accessibility requirements. Applicants without a documented condition are generally expected to complete the OAT within the standard allotted time.
What are the chances of getting into Optometry School?
Securing admission to optometry school is a significant challenge, particularly in Canada, where opportunities are limited. The country has only two accredited optometry schools: the University of Waterloo School of Optometry and Vision Science and the Université de Montréal École d'optométrie. This scarcity intensifies competition among applicants.
In contrast, the United States offers more options, with 24 accredited optometry schools.
While this greater number of institutions provides more opportunities for prospective students, admission remains highly competitive. The quality and reputation of the optometry school attended can significantly impact future career prospects, whether as an optometrist, optician, ophthalmologist, or other eye care professional. Enrolling in a highly respected program enhances the likelihood of establishing a successful career in the field.
Achieving admission to a top-tier optometry school, or one that ensures strong career support, requires strategic preparation, especially for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Engaging in professional tutoring or test preparation tailored to the OAT can significantly improve a student's chances of admission. Specialized companies with a track record of guiding students through the specific requirements and challenges of the OAT can make a substantial difference in outcomes.
For instance, recent data from 2024 indicates that students who prepared for the OAT with Tutor STEM achieved an average score increase of 73%, underscoring the effectiveness of targeted test preparation. With the right support and guidance, students can navigate the competitive application process with greater confidence and an enhanced probability of acceptance into top optometry programs.
Tutor STEM's OAT Tutoring Program
What preparation and tutoring does Tutor STEM provide for the OAT?
Tutor STEM offers individualized tutoring sessions between carefully selected, highly qualified, high aptitude, experienced OAT instructors and students/applicants seeking to take the OAT examination. The academy exclusively offers private 1-on-1 tutoring sessions, as 1-on-1 style teaching is far more effective than group classes, because the OAT instructor is only focusing on one student during the class. The OAT preparation the academy offers is intended mainly for students & applicants in Canada and the US, however individuals from other countries may still enroll.
The academy offers in-person & virtual options for students & applicants taking the OAT Preparation Course. The in-person classes will either take place at our academy or at the student's/applicant's home (in-person classes at the academy follows the standard rate equivalent to the virtual rate; whereas, in-person classes at the student's/applicant's home is subjected to additional premiums due to the instructor's travel time & travel cost). The in-person tutoring sessions for the OAT will take place at our OAT Department which is located at our Markham Campus in Toronto, Canada. The academy also offers virtual tutoring which takes place online, using an online whiteboard software, where the student can see everything the teacher writes, draws, posts, explains, etc. and the teacher can see everything the student writes, draws, posts, explains, etc. This mode of tutoring is preferential to students who are not at a commutable distance to the academy hosting the OAT Preparation. Virtual tutoring is 100% as effective as in-person tutoring. Some students may prefer in-person tutoring over online tutoring, or vice versa. Both modes of tutoring are available and effective.
The OAT Preparation Course includes free materials and resources that are intended to heighten the students' understanding on concepts tested on the OAT.
How is the OAT Prep course structured?
1) Applicant registers for the OAT Preparation Course.
2) An assessment is held during the first tutoring session. The assessment is an accurate version of the most current version of the OAT. Based on the results of the initial assessment, an individualized plan that is tailored towards the applicant's strengths & weaknesses will be created by the Tutor STEM administration and the applicant's assigned OAT instructor based on the questions and concepts incorrectly answered on the assessment.
3) The majority of the materials, including the video lecture materials, practice tests, mock exams, and online resource drills will be distributed during the first class after the assessment is completed. The OAT instructor will devise a study plan with the student, after considering the students' other commitments (i.e. school or work), in order to ensure the self-studying that occurs outside of the 1-on-1 tutoring sessions the student has with the OAT instructor is spent efficiently.
4) The basis of the 1-on-1 tutoring sessions the student will have with the OAT instructor from the second tutoring session and onwards is based on the individualized plan, which is formulated using the data from the initial assessment the student completed during the first session. Essentially, the concepts the student was found to not understand or comprehend will be the focus of the 1-on-1 tutoring sessions.
5) The tutoring sessions will begin with the student asking the OAT instructor any questions they may have relative to the OAT, whether it be from the video lectures assigned to them or from any other resource. Typically, the first 15 minutes of every session is used to answer the students' pre-existing questions. Once the student has finished asking their questions, or if the student does not have any questions during the start of class, the OAT instructor will commence with the pre-planned lesson.
6) As the tutoring sessions come to a finish, the remaining materials and resources will be distributed to the student. The Blueprint, which is a free resource that is complimentary to the OAT Preparation course, is the last material/resource that will be distributed to the student. The Blueprint is a condensed study guide that organizes all of the concepts the student is expected to be tested on during their exam. The OAT instructor will thoroughly go over the Blueprint with the student, and will answer any questions the student may have pertaining to the concepts on the Blueprint.
7) The last tutoring session will consist of the student completing a diagnostic test, which is similar to the initial assessment the student will write during the first tutoring session. The diagnostic test is an accurate version of the most current version of the OAT. The student will complete the diagnostic. Based on the data of diagnostic results, the OAT instructor will be able to graphically and numerically show the student their improvement & progress throughout the OAT Preparation course. The OAT instructor will also give recommendations to the student on which concepts to prioritize self-studying based on the results of the final diagnostic.
8) During the final moments of the last tutoring session, the OAT instructor will devise a self-study plan with the student, for them to use and follow after the tutoring sessions have ended and before the date of their examination.
What resources & materials are included?
Resources and materials are included with the OAT Preparation Course for free. There is no additional cost for the resources and materials provided alongside the tutoring.
The resources and materials provided for the OAT are different from the resources and materials provided for other science based standardized tests like the MCAT for medical school or the DAT for dental school. These resources are specific to the OAT.
For students enrolling into the OAT Prep Program:
The resources and materials that are distributed to students prior to their OAT examination include:
- 1350 video lectures - 250 videos on Biology, 250 videos on General Chemistry, 250 videos on Organic Chemistry, 250 videos on Physics, 250 videos on Quantitative Reasoning, and 100 videos on Reading Comprehension.
- A collection of Practice Tests and Mock Exams that resembles similarly structured questions on the most recent versions of the OAT
- A collection of Multiple Drills and Question Sheets that resembles the same types of questions expected on the OAT
- Blueprint for the OAT - A concept sheet that is essentially a condensed study guide that organizes all of the concepts the student is expected to be tested on during their exam. The Blueprint is ordered from a third-party organization and is complimentary with the tutoring.