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thanks!
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OAT scores... I really need advice please!!!
- Thread starter OD4eyes
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Well, this is obviously demonstrating that you are not a great test-taker just like many of us. But hard work pays off so I'd say study really hard and re-take the test. At least you can show them that you can do it by improving your scores each time you take it. I am sure you can do much better as long as you don't panic during the test. You know like most, when you panic, you tend to blank out even with the subjects that you are most confident and know it inside out. Just remember, Breath and think positively the next time you take it again. Make sure this time you have a a surplus amount of time to study... studying, reviewing, and practice each topic would definitely helps a lot. Try to get as much practice test as you possibly can Like Achiever, Topscore, Destroyer. I know you have Kaplan so that would help a lot too.
I know i haven't taken my test yet, I took it once but over a year ago.. I remember I took it without any preparation. I didn't study and I thought I'd probably score avg.. but turned out that I did horrible just because I came into the test Guessing on every questions. Now that I have been studying, I know exactly what to expect and what not. At least I know a lot more than what I used to. I'd say I was a procrastinator before by not studying a head of time for exams so the materials can stick in my long-term memory which I regretted it because i have to re-visit and review and study everything like I've never taken the course before. Now i know why study makes a person's brain fatter... imagine all those knowlege that you can carry.
For RC, I'd suggest you practice with your speed. I'd say a good way to help yourself with every subject is to read review books. However, when you are reading the review books, I'd say try to read as fast as you can by strengthening your eye muscles.. good practice to make your eyes stronger. When you can strengthen your eye muscles, you can make then work faster.. By me saying this, reading the review books the first time will not help you remember, but agian with practice.. keep on reading as fast as you can... each time you read it over, you will remember the materials a little bit each time.. by the many times you've read them.. you will probably remember almost A LOT! This not only just helping your reading speed but absorbing all other concepts that will help on the tests. Still making sure though that you have to do a lot of Practice tests and study why you get them wrong.
Well, This helped me. It takes a great amount of time... but if you don't have time.. Just try to study what you can but make sure you understand all the concepts and apply them.
Btw, Math does consume a lot of time, just make sure you skip those that require a lot of time for calculation then come back later to solve when you have more time at the end. =) I learned it the hard way until I've used others suggestion from SDN.
Good luck
For RC, I'd suggest you practice with your speed. I'd say a good way to help yourself with every subject is to read review books. However, when you are reading the review books, I'd say try to read as fast as you can by strengthening your eye muscles.. good practice to make your eyes stronger. When you can strengthen your eye muscles, you can make then work faster.. By me saying this, reading the review books the first time will not help you remember, but agian with practice.. keep on reading as fast as you can... each time you read it over, you will remember the materials a little bit each time.. by the many times you've read them.. you will probably remember almost A LOT! This not only just helping your reading speed but absorbing all other concepts that will help on the tests. Still making sure though that you have to do a lot of Practice tests and study why you get them wrong.
Well, This helped me. It takes a great amount of time... but if you don't have time.. Just try to study what you can but make sure you understand all the concepts and apply them.
Btw, Math does consume a lot of time, just make sure you skip those that require a lot of time for calculation then come back later to solve when you have more time at the end. =) I learned it the hard way until I've used others suggestion from SDN.
Good luck
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Do NOT take the test again until you are adequately prepared for it. From your post it seems as though English may be your second language. Have you considered taking more English courses? The reading comprehension section is difficult for many people, but I would imagine it being especially difficult for a non-native speaker.
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Actually, English is not my 1st language but I am far more superior in english than my native language. In all my english and philosophy courses I received A's, which are 5 courses and mandatory at SJU. I hate to admit this but I am probably my biggest enemy when it comes to standardized tests. I suffer from a serve case of stage fright. In the biology section, I was so sure I had it down this time, but I somehow seemed to justify the wrong answer. My QR went down greatly; 310 to a 270. 🙁... And reading comprehension, I was so nervous and tried to read quickly but it almost felt that the voices in my head interpeted my trian of thought.
I spoke to NECO and PCO and they both encouraged my to retake and apply. They both claim that they do not penalize students for retaking the test numerous of times as I have. As much as it pains me, I have no choice but to retake. This is the only thing that is keeping me away from a great school. I know that if given the opportunity I can be great doctor. Thank you for the advice! I will retake in Dec.
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Actually, English is not my 1st language but I am far more superior in english than my native language. In all my english and philosophy courses I received A's, which are 5 courses and mandatory at SJU. I hate to admit this but I am probably my biggest enemy when it comes to standardized tests. I suffer from a serve case of stage fright. In the biology section, I was so sure I had it down this time, but I somehow seemed to justify the wrong answer. My QR went down greatly; 310 to a 270. 🙁... And reading comprehension, I was so nervous and tried to read quickly but it almost felt that the voices in my head interpeted my trian of thought.
I spoke to NECO and PCO and they both encouraged my to retake and apply. They both claim that they do not penalize students for retaking the test numerous of times as I have. As much as it pains me, I have no choice but to retake. This is the only thing that is keeping me away from a great school. I know that if given the opportunity I can be great doctor. Thank you for the advice! I will retake in Dec.
It's fairly obvious that you've identified the problem. I have not taken the OAT in over 15 years, so I may not be the best person to offer advice on this but I'm saying this as a general statement:
Don't psych yourself out! Obviously, you know that and I understand that it's much easier said than done sometimes but in most standardized tests, the incorrect answers usually have some plausibility, or if it's a math question that people commonly use the wrong formula, the answer that you get using the wrong formula will appear as one of the choices.
Take the test again, but I would not study hard. The problem is not that you're not studying hard enough. In fact, it might be that you are studying too hard. Review very lightly. Go over basic concepts and forumlas in a light way. Take the test, and make a commitment before you start that unless you are 1000% sure that something you have marked down is in fact incorrect, that you will not change it. And when I say 1000% sure, I mean 1000% sure.
