Kaplan and opted comparisons

[Dena1342]

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Which of the sample tests are most like the real thing?

I have the Kaplan 300 pg oat guide, topscore pro, and the opted sample test. I've taken them all and have had the following scores:

Kaplan--320 AA
Opted--370 AA
Topscore 330 AA

which one of these do you guys think is most likely to reflect my actual score when I take this darned test next week?

Thanks!

 

[Pre Opt Student]

Hey,

Everyone on this forum says the Opted sample test is most like the real thing. SO Im guessing you will get close to 370 and kill the test!!

I have a question, though. I just did my first ever OAT tonight...and did pretty badly....it was a kaplan test by the way..here is the breakdown:

TS: 290
AA: 280

Bio 300
Chem 300
Orgo 350
RC 280
QR 270 (I left ALOT of this blank too)
Physics - pretty much left the whole thing blank because i didnt kno the formulas by heart! and got a 200!!!

I feel like by the physics and QR I stopped trying as much cuz i was so tired..and i felt like there was no hope because I thought I was doing really badly!

So how bad is this for my first try? CLEARLY i need to do some serious physics practice..but QR I think i can bring up...

I havent studied everything and still have quite a ways to go..but I was just wondering how bad this is for a first test?

 

[Pre Opt Student]

anyonee???

 

[BobDoleX]

i believe the opted is the closest to your actual score (or so i've been told). I've never actually taken it and i just stuck with the kaplan stuff.

for the other question, it's not bad depending on how much time you have left to study. i took my exam a couple days ago and got AA: 380, TS: 390. I took my first practice exam back in november or december or something and got...

TS: 290
Bio: 330
G.C: 260
O.C: 320
R.C.: 280
QR: 340
PHY: 300

so obviously, my initial scores weren't too high but ended up getting a really high score for my actual.

 

[Pre Opt Student]

But that was back in december! That was over 8 months ago!! My test is supposed to be at the end of this month...does it really take that long to improve? Should I be considering pushing it back?

 

[blysssful]

But that was back in december! That was over 8 months ago!! My test is supposed to be at the end of this month...does it really take that long to improve? Should I be considering pushing it back?

No one here can tell you what would be best for you. Consider the options:

A. If you push it back a month or two and study HARD, you're better off than taking it now when you may not be ready for it and have to wait THREE MONTHS before you can take it again. (This may not be an issue for you if the schools you're applying to accept later scores.)

B. Kaplan tests are infamous for being harder than the actual exam, so if you feel confident that you can focus on the subjects that you're not so great in, and you're satisfied with your scores in the other sections, then don't push it back.

Personally, I'd decide based on the schools I'm applying to. If they have really high average OATs, I'd take the extra study-time. If they accept later scores, I'd rather send them one great score. If their averages are on the lower end (around 320), then I'd spend the next few weeks completely MIA from social events, studying hard and see what happens. You might surprise yourself.

 

[BobDoleX]

i know with me, i pushed back my OAT a couple times until i felt that i was ready. i was getting about an average of 350's on my kaptest and got a 390/380 on my real test.

already its getting late to take the test so the more you push it back, the harder it'll get. if you only have a half a month, i would honestly push it back, but its all up to you. a couple weeks can definately make a difference if you try hard enough.

from your current scores, you'll most likely get something like 320 or something on the actual test currently. that's fairly average so you should be fine there depending on your other qualifications.

like blysssful said, we cant really tell you what's best to do mostly cause we dont know you well enough. you're gona have to figure out what's best by yourself, but good luck with it

 

[Pre Opt Student]

This was really good advice, thanks guys! Well this is my current plan..first of all...ALL ive been doing lately is studying lol..i really just want to kill the test and get it over with..and need alot of improvement over the next two weeks...So Im thinking Im going to keep studying and keep taking practice tests...and ill see what im scoring in about a week..i think if i can get physics and QR above 300...I will take the test...and if not..then im gonna postpone it, only by two weeks though. So hopefully it wont postpone my application by that much...anyways ill keep u guys posted and let u kno of any improvements! Thanks again for the advice.

 

[blysssful]

This was really good advice, thanks guys! Well this is my current plan..first of all...ALL ive been doing lately is studying lol..i really just want to kill the test and get it over with..and need alot of improvement over the next two weeks...So Im thinking Im going to keep studying and keep taking practice tests...and ill see what im scoring in about a week..i think if i can get physics and QR above 300...I will take the test...and if not..then im gonna postpone it, only by two weeks though. So hopefully it wont postpone my application by that much...anyways ill keep u guys posted and let u kno of any improvements! Thanks again for the advice.

You know that you can send your applications without a test score, right? Some of the schools even offer acceptance on a contingency basis.

 

[Pre Opt Student]

yeah thats true..Ive applied to SUNY and ICO already...I called both the schools today and they said they arent even going to start looking or wont even have the applications processed until early september..so its definately not getting "late" to write the OAT...even if i postpone it to september..because they said to email them the scores when you get them so they can get them right away.