Any suggestions?

[overstressed]

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Hi everyone,

I am currently under major stress because I screwed up on my OAT test. I did very bad and I am waiting to retake it in 3 months. I wonder if you guys can give me any suggestions on how to study for this test because I think i studied on my own and turned out to do so bad on the test. Any course or any program or any suggestions on how to study for the test would really help me right now. And also, if I retake this test, I have doubt that I would get accepted into the optometry school this year 2007 since there are so many outstanding students who apply this year. I am very sad and under pressure. I only scored 260 for AA and TS is only 250. My GPA is only 3.2. What should I do? 🙁
Should I just wait for next year term which is 2008? I don't know. I really wanted to be in the optometry school in 2007. Please give me some advices. I really appreciate it.

 

[a1bui]

Retake, and apply. I studied on my own and did okay, besides the RC section. I suggest getting OAT Achiever (topscore was bad), taking their practice tests, and working on the subjects that the questions cover. Make a lil study aid/your own notes for each test subject. If motivating yourself doesn't work, then take the Kaplan course. Good luck, and don't give up!

 

[overstressed]

Thank you so much for your advice. How did you study for the test? How long did you have to study before you took the real test? Did OAT achiever help you? I heard a lot about Kaplan but I am not sure if it would really help. Since it costs a lot of money, I really hope to find out whether it's worth taking the course. Once again, thank you for the advice.

 

[a1bui]

Between work, and interning, I studied about a good 2 1/2 months. Though, I didn't do intense studying until 3 weeks before, haha.

I actually used Topscore, and not OAT Achiever. That's how I know Topscore wasn't that great. The only thing it tells you is the topic, and subtopic...but to me, it's kinda obvious by looking at the question. OAT Achiever actually has the explanations to the answers; not just the topic it covers.

I also used Kaplan and MCAT Examcrackers. I went through the books, looking at what each had to say about a certain topic I was trying to cover...like Digestion for bio, or projectile motion for physics. Then, I compiled it into note format so I could review and study it later on. On the last couple days, all I did was review my notes.

Hope that helps, and good luck!

 

[pippistrellodaq]

I actually used Topscore, and not OAT Achiever. That's how I know Topscore wasn't that great. The only thing it tells you is the topic, and subtopic...but to me, it's kinda obvious by looking at the question. OAT Achiever actually has the explanations to the answers; not just the topic it covers.

I used Topscore also, and for me the lack of answer explanations was actually a good thing. On several questions I missed I would get the answer and then, because there was no explanation for the answer, I'd look it up in my old textbooks. Not only would I get the answer directly from the book, but I'd also read a bit before and after to bring it into context.
For example, I've probably missed this question 3 times in other classes: Q: At what structure do the sperm and the egg meet at fertilization? A: the fallopian tubes. I know, it's obvious if you know it, but like I said, I missed it several times before and never learned it. When I again missed that question on Topscore the day before my OAT, I looked it up and relearned in depth about the anatomy of the femal reproductive system. Sure enough, I had that same question on the real OAT plus another female reproductive anatomy question! (OAT biology section score 370)
It's just my opinion, but if I have to look something up, I'll remember it.

 

[a1bui]

True, but with topscore, some of the answers I couldn't even find, if I did look it up. Though, I did use that technique too. I'm sure if you used Achiever, you could look up why its the answer FIRST, then look at the answer explanation via Achiever. That's what I did with the Kaplan practice exams. This helps because sometimes the answer explanations are different; plus, it tells you why the other answer choices are wrong.

I guess I'm bitter at topscore because I found a couple wrong answers from them that they made mistakes on, and they didnt give me the guarantee ($10). 🙁 When they proved me wrong on one of them...it didnt make sense because the explanation I sent (via textbook), prove their explanation wrong. For the other ones I found ...they never responded (after several attempts)...they probably knew I was right.

 

[eyedoc12]

i know where you're comin from here. i got a 300 AA and 290 TS. i was alright with it at first although i was shootin for a 320. its kinda intimidating on here when people brag about their oat scores of 370 and stuff like that. just take it again and dont sweat it. its more than just grades. i have a 3.21 gpa, but with my work experience and volunteer work i got interviews at chicago and philly. although philly wants me to take the oat again to 'strengthen' my file im going to wait and see how chicago goes next monday. trust me i know how you feel ive went through all the ups and downs the last few years with grades and all and worrying. i studied about 2-3 months out sporadically and more intense about 2 wks before. i was also workin 30-35 hrs a wk and taking 4 summer classes so many times it was hard to find motivation. i used topscore pro and my friends kaplan mcat books. topscore pro didnt seem to help much other than to help me get my timing down. i also used the oat professor which i thought was helpful. if you have any questions dont hesitate to ask. who knows i still may end up takin it again...