Opted Score =(

[fkajoshaj]

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Hey guys,

havent started studying SERIOUSLY yet, but i did take my very first practice Oat from the opted.org site. I was going insane b/c I didnt know exactly what I needed to study so I thought I would begin taking the studying seriously after I had taken my first sample practice test. I am not pleased with my scores and i dont know how similar the opted.org oat is to the REAL DEAL. My exam is on Dec 29th...judging by my scores, is there any hope? lol

Bio: 270
Gchem: 310
Ochem: 320
RC: 300
Phy: 270
QR: 280

Overall: 290

Also, I have a 3.01 overall gpa, so what do you think my cut off score is?

 

[beatnik10884]

Honestly the Opted sample was easier than the real deal. LONG RESPONSE B/C I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION. You can do it, but you have your work cut out.

This is what I would have done after taking the OAT and studying for two months (seriously studying three weeks, 6-8hrs a day)

Bio: read, read, read, the material on the exam is random, but doable. Not so much A&P. read about plants (structures and such),heart, and pictures..HINT you have seen this pic plenty of times and your asked on the exam to identify what it is. If I where you read bio everyday until your exam!!!

O.chem: focus on SN1/SN2 E1/E2 mech, like substrate strength and stability, identify which is sub, is likely to go under what rxn. Read on acid/base. This helped me out: memorize all name rxns....wittig, wolf-kischner....etc

Chem: not bad, just review basic calc, % comp, yield, and stoich...doable study intense for a week, just on this, so it can become second nature and you'll be fine. very similar to sample test.

Physics: memorize equations for kinematics and use them..and use them again, I study for like only a week on physics (I had taken physics two years before)😱 and I was not happy with my score (300). Do study the liquid equations, this surprised me.

RC: I'm worried to see you had such a low score, b/c it was way easier than the real deal,I'm talking night and day. So I suggest you read online some science journals and practice pacing your time reading. The way to do well is to read the questions and look for the answers, but don't spend too much time on one passage, (this messed me up, but I did ok) keep moving along.

QR: practice your timing, I used OAT Achiever which helped with all of the timing, the math is not too difficult, its the timing. There are questions on calc interest, area and such. Any standard test prep will suffice. practice on time.

 

[Oogilily]

Yup, you gotta study some more. I agree in saying that the opted OAT test is a easier than the real thing overall. So, if you are scoring low on that test you better get studying. Get the big Kaplan book to study in. That will help focus your studies.

Also, your GPA is on the verge of being too low. I wouldn't apply with less than a 3.0. Take some more classes and get good grades in it to raise your GPA.

 

[pienfoo]

i think you should aim towards getting a 350+ AA/TS and 330+ on every section to make up for your GPA. and apply early! g'luck 👍

 

[TheZoosh]

what is considered early at this point??

 

[fkajoshaj]

Thanks for the breakdown guys, well I already graduated college so its too late to take more classes for my gpa. I will get crackin on the studying though. I know my bio, but since I was a bio major in college, I guess I overanalyzed the questions.

 

[pienfoo]

Thanks for the breakdown guys, well I already graduated college so its too late to take more classes for my gpa. I will get crackin on the studying though. I know my bio, but since I was a bio major in college, I guess I overanalyzed the questions.

Actually, you can improve your GPA big time by taking pre-req classes at a JC. Most schools input your gpa into their own system and the GPA which determines whether you get an interview or not is based largely on what ends up showing up in their calculation. So whatever you take after you graduate will be counted and will help boost your GPA.

As for the OAt, take a look at what helped everyone on SDN and see what works for you. You can improve your physics score by doing alot of easy-medium level problems on topics that are covered by the OAT.

g'luck!! 👍

PS. i think if you apply right now it's still considered early. It dosen't matter how early you send in your application, what's more important is that you get your application file COMPLETED (ie transcripts, LOR ) asap.