OAT Results 7/17/08!!!

[dukeopt]

Here are my results from the OAT I took today and the opted sample test:
Actual..................Opted Sample
AA 380.................380
TS 400.................380
BIO 380................370
CHE 350................370
OCH 400................370
PHY 400...................380
QR 400.......................400
RC 340(52.5 percentile)...400 ..................On Kaplan AA 350 TS 320, Achiever1 AA 330 TS 320, Achiever2 AA 320 TS 290, and Topscore AA 330 TS 360.

I was really surprised at the results. The test seemed harder in difficulty from the opted sample but my overall scores were actually better. I hope that I can provide some info that may help some people in preparing! Here are my thoughts on each subject:

BIO: After about 20 questions, I was thinking it seemed harder than the opted sample and had some slightly obscure questions. I was getting a little down and just kept pushing through it. As I finished the section, I thought I was going to get around a 330 for this subject and was very surprised to get a 380. I had time to check all my answers and I think I was able to make a lot of good educated guesses and eliminations which probably led to my high score.

CHE: This had been my strongest science section in the practice tests I had taken and it was my lowest on the actual test! It didn't seem too much harder than the opted on the real OAT.

OCHE: I was very shocked that I got a 400! I felt like I guessed on several and am assuming that I was able to guess right through my intuition and eliminating wrong answers. The 1st semester of ochem is by far the most important to UNDERSTAND!

PHY: This section I felt was very similar to the opted in difficulty level. I finished really early and was able to check all my answers. The 400 wasn't totally shocking in this one.

QR: This was a section I knew I had a chance at getting a 400 on when I first started studying for the OAT. I think it was slightly harder than opted, but I finished like 7 min early and was able to check answers. I've just always been good at that type of math.

RC: This section really threw me off and it kind of pisses me off. First of all the practice tests from Kaplan, achiever, topscore, and even the opted do a bad job of preparing you for it. I always was crunched for time with the practice tests and I had plenty of time on the real test. This had also been one of my top sections in all my practice tests except the crazy way achiever scores it. I had been getting 400's and at least 350. The real test passages weren't very long and two of them were relatively easy to follow. A lot of the questions seemed pretty straight forward. Some were tricky and you had to agree whether a statement was true/false and if a reason for the statement was true/false/or true but not correlated to the statement. I had time to check some answers and thought I was going to do well on the section. I only got in the 52.5 percentile and still got a 340 so I'm very thankful that I was still able to get that high score. I don't know how you would really prepare for this section. It just seems like you have to see how it goes.

Notes: Even though I was frequently running out of time in my practice tests, I finished each section early on the actual. The Kaplan and especially Achiever tests are significantly harder than the real thing. The opted test seems pretty accurate just like many have said on this board. It is accurate in both difficulty and actual score you'll receive. I think some of the questions were very similar if not the same from the opted test, so definitely take it and know all the answers.

Please let me know if anyone would like to know anything else!

Here are my study materials for sale: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7002061#post7002061

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[hmarie224]

Here are my results from the OAT I took today:

AA 380
TS 400
BIO 380
CHE 350
OCH 400
PHY 400
QR 400
RC 340

I was really surprised at the results. The test seemed harder in difficulty from the opted sample but my overall scores were actually better (opted AA 380 TS 380). I'll talk more about the test later and am more than happy to answer any questions!

WOW is all I have to say. CONGRATS!
What the heck did you do to get scores like that?

 

[dukeopt]

I studied 3-4 hours a day for 2 months. I used the kaplan dat book for biology and gen chem, examkrackers for physics, and organic chemistry as a second language for ochem. I bought the small kaplan oat book and took those two practice tests, took 2 oat achiever practice tests, a topscore practice test, and the opted practice test. I also did some practice problem sets.

If I were to do it over again, I think I would've gotten the 1300 pg kaplan oat book from someone and used that for all the subjects. The DAT kaplan book seemed to cover enough for gen chem and bio. It's ochem section didn't seem very good. I really liked the examkrackers physics book. I would recommend getting a good understanding of the 1st semester of ochem as you can use this knowledge to figure out almost everything on the actual test.

 

[jvelos3]

wow...awesome scores!! where are you planning to apply?

also...isn't the percentile score for the RC really weird? 52.5 percentile for a 350??? and I got 69.4 percentile for a 360. I thought the trend was lower scores for the RC because of the switch to computer?

EDIT: I just read your post on my thread saying the same thing about the percentiles lol. but yeh i always thought the trend was lower scores...weird

 

[Brightereyez]

Great scores seems like everyone is getting amazing scores on the OAT this summer

 

[dukeopt]

wow...awesome scores!! where are you planning to apply?

also...isn't the percentile score for the RC really weird? 52.5 percentile for a 350??? and I got 69.4 percentile for a 360. I thought the trend was lower scores for the RC because of the switch to computer?

EDIT: I just read your post on my thread saying the same thing about the percentiles lol. but yeh i always thought the trend was lower scores...weird

I am having a tough time narrowing down the schools to apply to. Right now the list is at 14. It seems like the reputation of the school does not matter from what I have heard. I guess I will base my decision on cost and where I want to live for 4 years. Any advice on how to choose? I am all ears!!

 

[jvelos3]

I am having a tough time narrowing down the schools to apply to. Right now the list is at 14. It seems like the reputation of the school does not matter from what I have heard. I guess I will base my decision on cost and where I want to live for 4 years. Any advice on how to choose? I am all ears!!

Im going by where I want to live...ICO, SUNY, NOVA, So. Cali.

Where do you go for undergrad?

 

[dukeopt]

Im going by where I want to live...ICO, SUNY, NOVA, So. Cali.

Where do you go for undergrad?

I go to Baylor in Texas, where do you go? I lived in southern california my whole life and am here now for the summer. I am actually going to an admissions workshop for SCCO next week.

 

[fluffinski08]

Congrats on the awesome scores!! I had a question about the physics section. Did you feel that most of the questions came from the 1st semester material (kinematics, waves, fluids, etc)??

 

[Pre Opt Student]

how does everyone do so good!?

 

[Grover3060]

Great scores!

I have been studying for the OAT for the last couple months studying a few hours each day using the Kaplan class material. I have been going through all of the information a lot and I don't think there is very much more I can really do. I also bought that Kaplan practice OAT book that has 2 practice tests in it and before I take those I took the couple practice sections in the book and wasn't getting scores I wanted in the Physics, Chemistry, and QR sections. Because of this the last couple weeks I have really been hammering those sections and I'm hoping that will pay off.

For the physics and chemistry sections on the OAT, did you find the questions more conceptual based or are there calculations involved. From what I understand a calculator isn't allowed so I imagine there would be more basic questions than quantitative questions but if you could enlighten me on your experience I would appreciate it. Also did you find the QR section on the actual test easier than the Kaplan QR sections? For some reason I'm a little nervous on the word problems and such.

I hoping to take the test in the next week or two. I'm rather nervous. I hate how so much emphasis is put on this test and it can dictate your future with the profession and such. I've wanted to be an optometrist since 5th grade so I'm hoping I'll do well. I think I've prepared well though so in the end I think it will pay off though. Anyways, thanks in advance for your advice.

brian

 

[dukeopt]

Congrats on the awesome scores!! I had a question about the physics section. Did you feel that most of the questions came from the 1st semester material (kinematics, waves, fluids, etc)??

Hmmmm...It's hard for me to remember...I definitely know there was stuff with electricity, magnetism, circuits, etc but there probably was more from 1st semester. With that said I don't think there was enough focus on 1st semester to change how one would study. Unlike ochem where if you have ochem 1 down you can figure out a lot of the ochem 2 stuff and still get a very high score. Hope this helps!

 

[dukeopt]

Great scores!

I have been studying for the OAT for the last couple months studying a few hours each day using the Kaplan class material. I have been going through all of the information a lot and I don't think there is very much more I can really do. I also bought that Kaplan practice OAT book that has 2 practice tests in it and before I take those I took the couple practice sections in the book and wasn't getting scores I wanted in the Physics, Chemistry, and QR sections. Because of this the last couple weeks I have really been hammering those sections and I'm hoping that will pay off.

For the physics and chemistry sections on the OAT, did you find the questions more conceptual based or are there calculations involved. From what I understand a calculator isn't allowed so I imagine there would be more basic questions than quantitative questions but if you could enlighten me on your experience I would appreciate it. Also did you find the QR section on the actual test easier than the Kaplan QR sections? For some reason I'm a little nervous on the word problems and such.

I hoping to take the test in the next week or two. I'm rather nervous. I hate how so much emphasis is put on this test and it can dictate your future with the profession and such. I've wanted to be an optometrist since 5th grade so I'm hoping I'll do well. I think I've prepared well though so in the end I think it will pay off though. Anyways, thanks in advance for your advice.

brian

Physics and gen chem were very conceptual compared to what you'll see on any practice test besides the opted. Any questions that required more than an extremely simple calculation, would have the answer choices as unsimplified calculations with numbers plugged into an equation like P=nRT/V for example. For QR, I always was extremely rushed finishing in practice tests and sometimes did not finish. I had about 7 min left on the real test. The real test was probably easier than Kaplan for QR although QR was always my best section so I didn't pay as much attention to it. Make sure you know inequalities and remember to use the answers to plug in if you can't figure it out "normally." Also I believe the small Kaplan book has 50 q's in 45 min when it is 40 q's in 45 min on the real thing...

In general, I would say try not to stress! It's easier said than done, but I think this will only hurt you on test day. Take a look at my practice test scores for kaplan, achiever, and topscore and you can see how much better you'll do. I also had extra time for every section on the real test which was never the case on practice tests. Good luck and you will most like do better than you think!

 

[zyg0te]

Great scores seems like everyone is getting amazing scores on the OAT this summer

Maybe because those 300 or 320 guys are too embarrassed to post their scores.

 

[UWpreop]

If you were to choose between the OAT destroyer or the 1300 pg Kaplan book, which would be better to get? Also, do they both come with lots of practice questions? I have the smaller Kaplan OAT book, but it only has ~40 questions per section...which isn't really enough...

Thanks

 

[dukeopt]

If you were to choose between the OAT destroyer or the 1300 pg Kaplan book, which would be better to get? Also, do they both come with lots of practice questions? I have the smaller Kaplan OAT book, but it only has ~40 questions per section...which isn't really enough...

Thanks

I would definitely choose the 1300 pg kaplan book. I would assume that it has lots of practice questions...

 

[thanotoriousfob]

I studied 3-4 hours a day for 2 months. I used the kaplan dat book for biology and gen chem, examkrackers for physics, and organic chemistry as a second language for ochem. I bought the small kaplan oat book and took those two practice tests, took 2 oat achiever practice tests, a topscore practice test, and the opted practice test. I also did some practice problem sets.

If I were to do it over again, I think I would've gotten the 1300 pg kaplan oat book from someone and used that for all the subjects. The DAT kaplan book seemed to cover enough for gen chem and bio. It's ochem section didn't seem very good. I really liked the examkrackers physics book. I would recommend getting a good understanding of the 1st semester of ochem as you can use this knowledge to figure out almost everything on the actual test.

Congrats on your awesome scores.

I was just wondering did you use both O-Chem as a second language books or just the first one (first semester)?

And where can you find this 1300 pg kaplan OAT book?

 

[bd722]

The 1300 pg Kaplan book is only sold by Kaplan when you buy their $1300 course. I took the course and the class was pointless but this book and the other books are amazing. PM if you want to buy it because I am selling mine!

 

[thanotoriousfob]

The 1300 pg Kaplan book is only sold by Kaplan when you buy their $1300 course. I took the course and the class was pointless but this book and the other books are amazing. PM if you want to buy it because I am selling mine!

Well I actually just purchased some books but thanks though! how did you do on your OATs?

 

[dukeopt]

I used both ochem as a second language books, but I think the first one was only worthwhile. The 2nd goes into depth you do not need for the OAT. I think you just need to memorize and be familiar with some main reactions of the second half.

 

[blysssful]

First off, congrats, those are amazing scores (like you didn't know that ). Second, this is so refreshing. I'm prepping (with a Kaplan class, Destroyer & TopScore) now to take the exam at the end of August, and my scores have been scaring the **** out of me. I knew that the prep material tests are harder, but I didn't think people did THIS much better on the actual test.

Mind if I borrow your scores for my applications? Thanks.

 

[dukeopt]

First off, congrats, those are amazing scores (like you didn't know that ). Second, this is so refreshing. I'm prepping (with a Kaplan class, Destroyer & TopScore) now to take the exam at the end of August, and my scores have been scaring the **** out of me. I knew that the prep material tests are harder, but I didn't think people did THIS much better on the actual test.

Mind if I borrow your scores for my applications? Thanks.

I was definitely worried about my practice test scores, but then I started reading on here that they were harder. I was saving the opted until a week before the test and once I took that I was very relieved. I'm glad that I could help save someone some unnecessary anxiety. Good luck!

 

[blysssful]

I was definitely worried about my practice test scores, but then I started reading on here that they were harder. I was saving the opted until a week before the test and once I took that I was very relieved. I'm glad that I could help save someone some unnecessary anxiety. Good luck!

Haha, well I still have plenty of anxiety to go around.

I'm saving the opted test for later too... is it self timed?

 

[JMU07]

I am having a tough time narrowing down the schools to apply to. Right now the list is at 14. It seems like the reputation of the school does not matter from what I have heard. I guess I will base my decision on cost and where I want to live for 4 years. Any advice on how to choose? I am all ears!!

Cost. If you want to graduate with as little debt as possible, SCO is probably the way to go. Lowest tuition and lowest cost of living. If you want to live in Memphis, there is a ton of stuff to do, Beale Street, museums, LOTS of clubs and bars where you can watch bands, casinos in Mississippi . There's the city life, or you can live in the suburbs where it's a little slower. Plus, a lot of the schools have outrageous out of state tuition rates.

 

[dukeopt]

Cost. If you want to graduate with as little debt as possible, SCO is probably the way to go. Lowest tuition and lowest cost of living. If you want to live in Memphis, there is a ton of stuff to do, Beale Street, museums, LOTS of clubs and bars where you can watch bands, casinos in Mississippi . There's the city life, or you can live in the suburbs where it's a little slower. Plus, a lot of the schools have outrageous out of state tuition rates.

SCO is my number 1 right now. I don't think I'd like to live in a huge cities like NYC, Boston, Philly, Chicago, and Houston. I've heard good things about SCO and the price is one of the lowest, so hopefully I'll get in and love it when I interview there!

Side note:
I put all my study materials for sale in the classified section: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=7002061#post7002061

 

[seminolefish]

Maybe I'll see you there Dukeopt.