Study materials for the OATs?

[eera1213]

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I'm planning to study for the OATs this summer and taking the test either at the end of summer or beginning of fall, but I'm not sure about what books people normally use for studying. Should I buy the Kaplan Review Notes? What are other essential study materials?

I'm also debating on whether or not I should take the Kaplan course. Although I have enough money saved up, I really don't want to spend $1400+. Is it worth it? Have people generally found it to be useful? I feel like I will be able to motivate myself to study on my own, but enrolling in a course will definitely make sure I keep up. Having an instructor will also be helpful if I stumble upon any questions I can't solve on my own, and the tips and tricks they give you might be helpful as well. I'm just super reluctant on spending so much money though.

 

[Salmon]

This thread is a good way to gauge certain study methods: http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/the-complete-oat-experience.774568/

What it mainly showed me was that you could do well without spending too much money. I spent maybe $60 on study material, and I probably didn't even need to spend that much. I think the Kaplan course would be a big waste of time and money if you feel that you could stay motivated. One thing to remember in studying is that maybe in the last 4 weeks or so you should be doing lots of practice tests.

 

[BrandNewSpaces]

I'm planning to study for the OATs this summer and taking the test either at the end of summer or beginning of fall, but I'm not sure about what books people normally use for studying. Should I buy the Kaplan Review Notes? What are other essential study materials?

I'm also debating on whether or not I should take the Kaplan course. Although I have enough money saved up, I really don't want to spend $1400+. Is it worth it? Have people generally found it to be useful? I feel like I will be able to motivate myself to study on my own, but enrolling in a course will definitely make sure I keep up. Having an instructor will also be helpful if I stumble upon any questions I can't solve on my own, and the tips and tricks they give you might be helpful as well. I'm just super reluctant on spending so much money though.

I just borrowed the Kaplan OAT book from a friend (http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books...=goo-PLATest&gclid=CJCtrYCu8r0CFZNqfgod1T4AXw). For certain concepts that I feel like I needed a more detailed review, I used some of my old textbooks as something to refer to. The Kaplan OAT book has one practice test in the back, and if you buy the book you will get access to online practice tests as well (but the online access expires, so you don't have access if you're studying off of a used book). The material should be stuff you've mostly learned already in your first couple years of college. If you feel like you can stay self-motivated and disciplined with a study schedule, you really don't need to spend all that money on a course.

And if you feel like you want more practice, check out your library for the Kaplan DAT book because it will also have a practice test in the back, and the material is very similar to the OAT (except it doesn't have a physics section and has something else instead). And there are a couple of practice OATs online as well. My local library also had a couple of other OAT resources available too. You can definitely get your hands on some resources without spending too much money.

Just remember that people study different ways, so you really have to look at what works best for YOU. If you feel like you need extra resources, and have the money saved up, go for it. But if you are comfortable studying on your own, and feel like you can work off the books without an actual guided course, stick that money in your savings!

 

[OpticalBlackOut]

I'm planning to study for the OATs this summer and taking the test either at the end of summer or beginning of fall, but I'm not sure about what books people normally use for studying. Should I buy the Kaplan Review Notes? What are other essential study materials?

I'm also debating on whether or not I should take the Kaplan course. Although I have enough money saved up, I really don't want to spend $1400+. Is it worth it? Have people generally found it to be useful? I feel like I will be able to motivate myself to study on my own, but enrolling in a course will definitely make sure I keep up. Having an instructor will also be helpful if I stumble upon any questions I can't solve on my own, and the tips and tricks they give you might be helpful as well. I'm just super reluctant on spending so much money though.

You definitely don't need to spend the money on the Kaplan course. I was an instructor for the class back in the day because I scored really well and wanted to make my money back after taking the course. All I did was read the script from the big manual. I had detailed instructions on what to teach...pretty much down to the second when I can take a breath from reading a long paragraph.
What that means is, you're really not paying for qualified instruction, but merely a warm body for the "script."