OAT Books & Advice?

[Tara M]

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Hello, I am currently preparing myself for the OAT (I'll be taking it in July).
I was wondering if those who have taken it have any advice concerning which books to study from and where to get them exactly...for example the kaplan OAT book only comes by doing their courses and that honestly seems pointless for me, I rather have the books and study on my own...

Also, any advice concerning old class notes? Worth studying those or Kaplan is a better "tool".

I'm planning to purchase the Kaplan OAT 5th edition when it will be released (2 full tests on each subject).

Finally, anyone have any suggestions on how to study and what to concentrate more on?

Thanks a lot!

Tara M.

 

[ah0315]

Hello, I am currently preparing myself for the OAT (I'll be taking it in July).
I was wondering if those who have taken it have any advice concerning which books to study from and where to get them exactly...for example the kaplan OAT book only comes by doing their courses and that honestly seems pointless for me, I rather have the books and study on my own...

Also, any advice concerning old class notes? Worth studying those or Kaplan is a better "tool".

I'm planning to purchase the Kaplan OAT 5th edition when it will be released (2 full tests on each subject).

Finally, anyone have any suggestions on how to study and what to concentrate more on?

Thanks a lot!

Tara M.

OAT prep books are scarce and far in between, but I highly recommend that you buy at least one online, such as the Kaplan OAT 5th edition book that you mentioned, so you have a general idea of the OAT format. I personally invested money in Kaplan tutoring and it was extremely helpful in keeping me motivated to review all the old material I had learned in undergrad. Plus, they taught me test-taking shortcuts that I probably couldn't have known even with self-study.

Old notes are always useful. The ones you will most need are the organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and physics material, as those subjects are the hardest in my opinion. I hope this helped.

 

[hopefuloptom]

Hi Tara,

I've used Chad's videos to brush up on some subjects that are tested in the OAT, he's an excellent teacher and I definitely recommend him. I've heard that Biology can be very random in the test and that it's best to study everything. I've used Barron's AP Biology to cover everything, its a very good book, it covers everything it "understandable" English, if you know what I mean. A lot of individuals on SDN also recommend that book. Some also use the MCAT review book.

For practice I used the OAT Destroyer (GC,OC, Bio, QR, and Physics). It's an excellent way to get a grasp of the questions that will most likely be similar to the OAT exam itself. I've also used the Kaplan OAT practice book (which you can usually find in bookstores and such), it has two full exams, also very helpful.

Well, I hope that this has helped somewhat in giving you ideas about where to start studying!

 

[Tara M]

Thanks a lot to both of you! I will be sure to use your advice. However, for Kaplan I simply find it a little too expensive their courses...

Also, I've read a lot about the QR section and it seems to be the section where most people found it relatively hard. How did you guys find it? It basically covers Cal I & II and Linear Algebra?

Thanks again,
Tara M.

 

[hopefuloptom]

Thanks a lot to both of you! I will be sure to use your advice. However, for Kaplan I simply find it a little too expensive their courses...

Also, I've read a lot about the QR section and it seems to be the section where most people found it relatively hard. How did you guys find it? It basically covers Cal I & II and Linear Algebra?

Thanks again,
Tara M.

No problem! Regarding the QR, they will in no way test us on Cal 1 and 2! Lol, its basically just basic stuff; Geometry, Algebra, Trig, and some Arithmetic. People find it difficult because of the time constraints really, trying to solve all the problems within the given time period is itself problematic. Just practicing while timing yourself really helps though.