Paper or erase board

[oceanblue392]

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So I'm taking the OAT for the 2nd time this friday (Oct 31) and I just called the prometric center who informed me that they provide erase boards rather than paper. This is the same test center that I took the OAT for the first time, and they supplied paper and pencil.

I asked the receptionist if this was a recent change, and she told me yes and that it was instructed by the OAT. I was wondering if any of you who might have taken the test recently were given paper or erase board? I have messy handwriting and am especially concerned with smudging the board as I write notes (particularly during the reading portion)...anyone who has taken the test and have problems with that?

 

[REJ815]

I was given 2 dry erase sheets (you can write on the front and back of each), 2 markers, and an eraser. The markers I had were drying up after awhile and were writing very thick, so I had to ask for new ones during my break and the new ones were not much better. Also, my writing is big so I was wasting time by erasing the sheets too. I didn't have any problems with smudging though... they dried pretty quick. I'd just recommend to make sure your markers write well before you begin and write small so you don't waste time erasing. Good luck!!

 

[br015535]

I took the OAT on Saturday and they gave me 2 markers, 2 dry erase sheets and an eraser too. I agree with REJ815, make sure that your markers write before you start the test. And you will probably need new markers for the second part because mine dried out or just stopped writing very well. I didn't have any problems with it smudging but I erased the sheet after every problem.

 

[oceanblue392]

thanks for the feedback!

I'm a bit nervous.. Im not a big fan of dry erase. I like plain 'ol paper, but what can i do i guess? i tend to write small and messy, so, as long as the markers are fine point, that'll be good.

 

[itek2OD]

its in the rules on pg 13 or 14 that it _HAS_ to be dry erase markers and board. not looking forward to it, but no way out, either. no point doing the OAT over (if they let you) just b/c you had paper and pencil.

here it is, #11 page 14:

https://www.ada.org/oat/oat_examinee_guide_2008.pdf

good luck!

 

[oceanblue392]

Thanks for the info ITEK20D!! I took it today and they gave me two sheets...about 8.5 by 11 inches and you could write on both sides of it. They gave me two medium tip marker, which made me have to write larger than I was hoping to. The pens tend to dry out if you're using them/they are uncapped for too long, but I would switchback and forth between pens.
Anyways I'm glad to say that my studying was well worth it and I did better than the first time I took it.

 

[blysssful]

Before I took the test, this was a huge concern for me too. I practiced with dry erase though, and even brought in my own thin-tipped markers hoping they would let me use them. The guy at the center I went to was really nice about it and just inspected the markers and let me take them in.

 

[bluesfan]

I took the OAT on 10/25 and the dry erase boards weren't too bad. Just make sure not to leave the markers uncapped if you are not going to be using them for a while. They gave me two boards (basically laminated 8 1/2 x 11 sheets) which you can use front and back, an eraser and two pens. Good luck everyone!

 

[itek2OD]

also i hope they give out fine tip markers. that makes a big difference. no more bold dry erase for me. kaplan has them, and i plan to buy more tomorrow to practice with. next step is to make sure prometric gives out fine tip markers for my oat.

 

[missopt]

I actually took the exam on November 13 at a Prometric Center and they gave me paper and pencil. I think I went through 3 packets of their paper. I like to write a lot 🙂 So, I guess it depends where the center is...