freaking out.

[tigereyes]

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i'm applying this fall for optometry schools and I have everything in for applications minus my OAT scores because I kind of still didn't take them! I know i'm SUPER late but i keep postponing it but i'm finally taking them this november 20th and i'm totally freaking out. i thought i was doing pretty ok, i've gone over the big blue kaplan book a couple of times for all the sections but when i took a kaplan test yesterday i did horrible. i know everyone says kaplan tests are hard but i can't seem to think thats how the real OATs are! i didn't even complete the reading comp and the passages are such a hard read. i was wondering if anyone had advice at this point. i don't know how to read faster or like just understand the passage because it's fact after fact and i just get overwhelmed and freak out. and is the real physics as hard as kaplan?!! it makes me like 2 hours to complete the subject tests online! any advice on how i should prepare, what more resources i could use..anything!

 

[FL Opt Girl]

I feel the same way as you do. I had good intentions of taking my OATs in Aug., but then I got really sick and couldn't get out of bed for like a month, so now I have to study for them during the schoolyear, which is next to impossible with all the science classes I'm taking. Sigh...I think the big blue Kaplan book is definitely the best way to study, though. I've also heard good things about TopScore (the computer program) because it gives you computer practice tests. As far as the time limits go, I think that everyone has that same problem with the reading comp. (I know I do!), and I feel like the optometry schools will look mainly at your total science score anyway.

 

[pienfoo]

hi there. don't freak out, u'll score 50 points higher if u relax

you have roughly 20 days to study for the test, which is plenty of time since most people don't study hardcore until 2 weeks before the test anyway; so i hope you're ready to devote alot of serious studying time until the day of your test. as for study materials, i think you should get the achiever to practice doing probs on the computer, which will take out the surprise factor of a computerized exam. However, don't spend alot of time going over the problems in achiever cuz it's not representative of the real OAT. I didn't do any problems in the big kaplan MCAT book, but found the review sections to be very helpful, but not enough in certain areas such as physics and chemistry. For bio, make sure you know the basics about plants cause it's not covered in the kaplan book. The practice problems in kaplan's smaller OAT review book is pretty helpeful overall, but in my opinion it's only useful if you already knowall of your basic information. Otherwise, any review book out there for all the subjects in the OAT is helpful, you just need to know how to use them to your advantage. g'luck !!!

 

[CherryberryMint]

dont worry!!! im sure you are going to do fine, especially since you have already been studying forever.

the kaplan test scores are never too accurate. my real score was (AA)40 points higher than what kaplan told me i had when i took my last practice test. ( TS was 60pts off!) haha so dont worry too much!! maybe get the destroyer if you want more good practice! 🙂

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Oogilily]

Sometimes practice tests suck for that very reason. If you score horrible on a practice test everybody thinks it is the end of the world. It's not! Most practice tests are designed to be a lot harder than the real think. I really think the best indicator of how you are doing is the "official" practice test from opted.org. Although easier than the real think, it more reflected my exam scores than any other practice test (curse you OAT Achiever!!).

Like it was said above, don't freak out! Most people freak out for no reason. They go in and take it, do great, and wonder why they stressed out so much before they took the test. Just study as much as you can, then take it! You can't put it off forever. That will probably only hurt you. Get it done!

 

[pienfoo]

AHHHHHHH I AM FREAKING OUT! AHHHHHHH noooooo!!!!!!

sorry. had an impulse.

 

[MojaOD]

Your freaking out? I am about to shoot myself! I have to study at home and I live with 7 other LOUD ppl. My family just doesn't understand how to leave ppl alone and they won't let me go study elsewhere. Life Sucks... so sad how one test will determine ur future. I feel like mine is falling apart.

 

[pienfoo]

man i was just kidding about the ah thing. but i know this test is really frustrating, i've had my share of taking it twice. but the good thing is, if you put in the effort, read all the posts on SDN about what worked for people, and study all the right stuff, then you will get a good enough score to get into an optometry school when you apply with good intentions and plenty of experience and community service (even if you have a crap GPA - with reasons backing the crap GPA, of course - i know many people disagree with this) in midst of your fruatration. remind yourself that ur lucky enough to have a big family who loves and wants you around. cheers.