Although they say it is not required for the OAT, I took micro right before I took the OAT the first time, and that was definitely the only reason I knew some of the questions they asked me. There is definitely questions that require Microbiology knowledge; however, if you have OAT study materials for Biology, I'm sure they will cover the basics that you need to know for any Microbiology-related questions you may have on your OAT.
I wouldn't say there are questions that
require micro, but having micro might help because you've had more exposure to some areas.
If you look at the scope of the test that is published by the ADA, they do not have anything that relates to micro:
Cell and Molecular Biology - origin of life, cell metabolism (including photosynthesis/ enzymology), cellular processes, thermodynamics, organelle structure and function, mitosis/meiosis, cell structure, and experimental cell biology
Diversity of Life: Biological Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa (Six-Kingdom, Three-Domain System) – plantae, animalia, protista, fungi, eubacteria (bacteria), archaea, etc.
Structure and Function of Systems - integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, immunological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous/senses, endocrine, reproductive, etc.
Developmental Biology - fertilization, descriptive embryology, developmental mechanisms, and experimental embryology
Genetics - molecular genetics, human genetics, classical genetics, chromosomal genetics, and genetic technology
Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior - natural selection, population genetics/speciation, cladistics, population and community ecology, ecosystems, and animal behavior (including social behavior).
