How important is the QR score?

[lthomp11]

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Okay so I took my OATs. My scores are:

Reading Comp - 400
Biology - 390
Gen Chem - 320
Orgo - 320
Physics - 320
QR - 270
TS - 340
AA - 340

So obviously I did not do well on QR. I just totally ran out of time did not pace myself well at all. I was just wondering if that QR score is going to like destroy my chances? I know the science part is more important and I also got a perfect score in reading so will that balance it out a bit? Thanks so much!

 

[Eyeguy7]

Your overall scores are acceptable, depending on where you are applying. I personally would not rewrite it, but you also have to check the school's standards. Some schools will not allow any section to be below 300, for example. If the school you're applying to doesn't have a minimum acceptable score for each section, you should be fine!

 

[Blondiechick919]

I had the same problem essentially with physics. I am awful at it. I ended up with the same 340ts and 340a a you have and I think I'm ok. Those are what most places look at. I don't think one subject is going to affect you that much, but if inhere you I would really make sure you personal statement and any supp app questions are very thoughtfully written so if they do have doubts, they can be debunked by your ability to write well.

 

[butchwally]

i just took the OAT yesterday and was pleased with my pacing and scores up through QR. I only had to guess a couple questions at the end of sections. Then in the QR I completely lost pace and had to rush about the last 8-9 questions. That was so frustrating, because in all five practice tests I took, QR was consitently one of my strongest sections (~340).

So should I retake it? I am going to visit Pacific this Monday, and that will be a topic of discussion, but I welcome any feedback here. I figure, the QR is the best one to do poorly on of all the sections. From re-checking the websites of the schools where I am applying, they just prefer scores of 300 or better in all sections.

QR.......280
RC.......340
BIO......330
GC.......330
OC.......340
PHYS....320
TS........330
AA.......320

 

[Blondiechick919]

Yeah a lot of the problem on QR is that by that point in the test you're burned out, ready for it to be over. I paced myself pretty well i guess, I just remember thinking "there are no minus points for a wrong answer, so it's best to guess than leave it blank" I think schools know this but half the problem is also that it is testing you on math most of us havent seen since about 10th grade. I forgot what an isosceles triangle was upon high school graduation, much less the formula for the area of one. I had to relearn a lot of dumb stuff and now that my oat is over I'll probably never have to think about it ever again.

 

[Sciencias preva]

I would consider retaking it if I were you guys. As Eyeguy said, a lot of schools don't want anything below a 300. They might look the other way if your AA was really high from all the other sections, but the average AA score for most schools is in the 330-340 range, which is where you are. I would talk to the schools you are interested in and ask, but I think they will tell you that it would be possible to get in with those scores but you will not be super competitive and probably sit on a waitlist for a while.

Also, Blondiechick919, it is a good idea to bone up on that 10th grade math because there will be a TON of it in your optics classes.

 

[Blondiechick919]

I would consider retaking it if I were you guys. As Eyeguy said, a lot of schools don't want anything below a 300. They might look the other way if your AA was really high from all the other sections, but the average AA score for most schools is in the 330-340 range, which is where you are. I would talk to the schools you are interested in and ask, but I think they will tell you that it would be possible to get in with those scores but you will not be super competitive and probably sit on a waitlist for a while.

Also, Blondiechick919, it is a good idea to bone up on that 10th grade math because there will be a TON of it in your optics classes.

I wouldn't mind too much. It's not that 10th grade geo is hard it's just the fact that it gets pushed aside for college calc and stats. I'd rather go back to easy math I can relearn than do differential equations (which I never understood to begin with) anyday.

 

[Sciencias preva]

I checked with one of our admissions people to make sure before I said this, but schools do take your highest score in each section. That means you could really focus on QR on the retake and let the other scores drop a bit to get the better math score.

 

[seliyaberry]

I got an average of 685;
AR 600
VR 640
QR 700
DA 800

just wondering what everyone else got? whether you got offers if it is before 2011? is this a good score? 🙂 🙂 I'm very interested to find out 🙂

 

[Soccer_optometry]

Hey guys,

Just wrote my OAT, and have mixed emotions about my scores. I want to apply to Waterloo, and for the people who may have already gotten in or wrote the test, I would really appreciate your opinion on if you think I should re write the exam. My scores are found below:

QR: 290 (42.3 percentile)
RC: 280 (39.1 percentile)
BIO: 340 (77.7 percentile)
Gen Chem: 370 (96.3 percentile)
Org Chem: 400 (100 percentile)
Phy: 330 (80.4 percentile)
TS: 370 (94.8 percentile)
AA: 340 (88.5 percentile)

I'm actually really happy with sciences, but my score with QR and RC are horrible as you can see. How badly do you think this will affect my application? I would really appreciate some input.