Retaking the OAT

[OPT4]

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I am really confused if I should re-take the OAT. The first time I wrote it, I scored AA 300 and TS 310. Considering these as low scores, I signed up to write the OAT again. Also, on my OptomCAS application, I indicated that I would be taking the test again. However, I received interview invites from 4 schools fews days after I sent in my application. Now, I am really unsure if it's worth writing the OAT again, considering the fact that I received interview invites.

A few suggestions would be appreciated 🙂

 

[drumstix]

I am really confused if I should re-take the OAT. The first time I wrote it, I scored AA 300 and TS 310. Considering these as low scores, I signed up to write the OAT again. Also, on my OptomCAS application, I indicated that I would be taking the test again. However, I received interview invites from 4 schools fews days after I sent in my application. Now, I am really unsure if it's worth writing the OAT again, considering the fact that I received interview invites.

A few suggestions would be appreciated 🙂

Not related, but I'm curious why some people "write the OAT" vs. "take the OAT." Is this a regional thing?

 

[OPT4]

haha haven't paid attention to that! I use either interchangeably.

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

It's a canadian thing

 

[Jcrab17]

Took the words out of my mouth. A canadian thing..My best friend in undergrad was canadian and she would always say..I have to go write my exam. I thought the expression was funny...of course you have to...how else would you take it? haha but my personal opinion, is if you have interviews don't retake the OAT. Talk to them about it at the interview and if they say retake it then do, but if they have given you an interview then you must be a competitive applicant with the given score. I got an AA of 300 and a TS of 290 and they told me to retake. I think your TS helps.

 

[OPT4]

Thank you!

 

[areen]

Took the words out of my mouth. A canadian thing..My best friend in undergrad was canadian and she would always say..I have to go write my exam. I thought the expression was funny...of course you have to...how else would you take it? haha but my personal opinion, is if you have interviews don't retake the OAT. Talk to them about it at the interview and if they say retake it then do, but if they have given you an interview then you must be a competitive applicant with the given score. I got an AA of 300 and a TS of 290 and they told me to retake. I think your TS helps.

Which school asked you to retake it? And did they ask you to at the interview, or was this before? I actually got the same exact scores but got interview invitations before they saw the scores.. I'm assuming all schools will ask me to retake it, too.

 

[OPT4]

Schools didn't ask me to retake it but I personally felt that the score was low and ended up retaking it. Even with the previous scores, I had received interviews from most of the schools I applied to. Also, I did slightly better the second time I took the OAT.

 

[Jcrab17]

Which school asked you to retake it? And did they ask you to at the interview, or was this before? I actually got the same exact scores but got interview invitations before they saw the scores.. I'm assuming all schools will ask me to retake it, too.

I called them after i submitted my application just to touch base and they suggested retaking it. They being UMSL, Indiana & SCO. Each school said that this doesn't mean I "couldn't" get an interview with my 1st OAT scores but to have a sense of security they suggested I retake. I basically have decided to sign up for the test in Dec and if I don't hear from any schools by then I will retake it. I have started studying now...so I am just waiting to see. This process of waiting really sucks...which i am sure everyone for the most part is well aware.

 

[Pre-optometry student]

I received an interview invitation to Western University, but in the email it says that they might ask me to retake the OAT after the interview before they make their final decision. What are my chances of actually getting in? Should I even go to the interview? It's going to cost me about $1000 to fly to the interview and get a hotel. Has anyone been in a similar situation? Two other schools already told me that they wanted me to retake the OAT. I got a 290/290 as my score.

 

[Namaste92]

So I think it is crazy that I am going through the EXACT same situation.. i got a 300AA and 319TS. My reading is 260 and Ketchum (former - SCCO) emailed me saying that even though my GPA is competitive, my scores are not, and they recommend that I take the test again... i really do not want to spend another 400$

Also, I am currently taking 2 pre-reqs and finishing up with other classes. So I am in this funk if i should take this OAT after the fall semester or take it before finals... I basically want to take it ASAP but I feel like i should focus on my classes.. i just dont know anymore