To retake or not?

[jck16]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Hi everyone,
I just took the OAT today...
TA: 350 (91.2 percentile)
AA: 330 (89.7 percentile)

I was actually pretty mad at the end of the test because I didn't manage my time very well in the Quantitative Reasoning section, so I ended up not finishing most of that section...so that was by far my worst section.

So I'm just wondering whether I should keep these scores or retake it. My GPA is below 3.0...so I feel like I should retake it, especially since I think I can do better if I manage my time better in the QR section. What do you guys think?

 

[jck16]

Sorry for replying to my own thread, but I really wonder what people think. If I should retake it or not.

 

[opticrave2]

Your AA and TS look good based on the scores and percentiles you posted here. How did you actually perform on QR and what's your score on that?

 

[pre-O.D.]

Are you applying for this year or next? I am assuming next since most application periods are closed.

Those scores are good scores, but your GPA is below average. I know most schools have an average OAT of a 330 or slightly lower, so you are above the average on that, but below average on your GPA. Is your application strong other than your GPA, do you have extra curriculars or lots of optometry experience? Do you think you will interview well? Those are all other things to consider. Was this the first time you took the OAT?

It will be a tough decision. Maybe you should call one of the schools and talk to someone about your situation and ask them what kind of OAT score they look for when someone has below a 3.0. If you are sure you can pull off a higher score, then maybe you should take it again. I don' think there is a clear black and white answer, if you think that the rest of your application can get you an interview and you have great interview skills I might not retake. Good luck to you, it will be a hard decision,

Hi everyone,
I just took the OAT today...
TA: 350 (91.2 percentile)
AA: 330 (89.7 percentile)

I was actually pretty mad at the end of the test because I didn't manage my time very well in the Quantitative Reasoning section, so I ended up not finishing most of that section...so that was by far my worst section.

So I'm just wondering whether I should keep these scores or retake it. My GPA is below 3.0...so I feel like I should retake it, especially since I think I can do better if I manage my time better in the QR section. What do you guys think?

 

[jck16]

Yeah, I'm applying next year.
I scored a 280 (70.5 percentile) in QR.

In terms of factors beyond just GPA and OAT scores, I think have a good number of research-related extracirriculars. And experience shadowing an optometrist. Plus I come from one of the top 10 Universities in the country.

Thanks a lot for the input so far. Yeah, it really is a tough decision...I think I'll just ask various schools what they think. But I really don't want to go through the test taking experience again If I retake it again and get worse scores, do they just take the best scores from each section?

 

[sethuel1]

Yeah, I'm applying next year.
I scored a 280 (70.5 percentile) in QR.

In terms of factors beyond just GPA and OAT scores, I think have a good number of research-related extracirriculars. And experience shadowing an optometrist. Plus I come from one of the top 10 Universities in the country.

Thanks a lot for the input so far. Yeah, it really is a tough decision...I think I'll just ask various schools what they think. But I really don't want to go through the test taking experience again If I retake it again and get worse scores, do they just take the best scores from each section?

How is a 280 70th percentile? Isn't a 300 50th percentile?

 

[catzeye523]

How is a 280 70th percentile? Isn't a 300 50th percentile?

i believe the percentile is based on the comparison of your score to the other people who took the same exact form of that test. the QR was my worst section too, and i got a 310, but it was in the 92nd percentile! 😕 ...but hahaha, i'll take it.

 

[cpw]

Yeah, I'm applying next year.
I scored a 280 (70.5 percentile) in QR.

In terms of factors beyond just GPA and OAT scores, I think have a good number of research-related extracirriculars. And experience shadowing an optometrist. Plus I come from one of the top 10 Universities in the country.

Thanks a lot for the input so far. Yeah, it really is a tough decision...I think I'll just ask various schools what they think. But I really don't want to go through the test taking experience again If I retake it again and get worse scores, do they just take the best scores from each section?

It also depends on which schools you're gunning for... some of them have a minimum of 300-310 PER SECTION. (they don't advertise it usually, but they do) I also know it said so on my UCBSO rejection letter in 2001 😉

So, if the 280 makes you nervous you might want to consider re-taking. But, 330/350 is a really good score !!! 😀 Congrats!

 

[DC1120]

How long can we keep OAT scores?

 

[jck16]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I have a feeling I'll retake it...but, just in case, if I do worse, will they take the better of the two scores?

 

[Calliefornia]

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I have a feeling I'll retake it...but, just in case, if I do worse, will they take the better of the two scores?

Hey I just said this to another person......I will tell you as well. I work for an optometrist that got a GPA of 2.7 with a Bio Major (not a 'top' school) and had an OAT of 300. He was involved in activities/groups and worked for an optometrist. He made it through optometry school and passed his boards. It seems like I know a lot of people (some in optometry school now) that didn't have as high of OAT scores as all these other people on here and they all got in......I think they look at you as a whole person.

A word of advise from a prof that I know well (was head of Vet School Admissions):
Even if you did not do well in college (especially the first couple years) its ok. We would much rather admit someone who went from doing poorly to doing GREAT at the end of their college career than to admit someone who was a 4.0 the first couple and has since dropped significally. They feel they have burned themselves out by then. Those doing very well the last year/ couple of years are showing great maturity and focus!!

 

[TommyGuns]

How long can we keep OAT scores?

I believe it's valid for two years from the time you last took it.

 

[IMDORK]

hey there...

my GPA was also around a 3.0 also and my TS and AA was a 350 and 360 (although our percentages are the same, i think mine was 92% and 89%). I'm in the process of applying, but I just got into NOVA and I have an interview at OSU. I went to a UC in California. So, I think you would hear back from schools if you were to apply with your scores. However, I assume that the 280 score bothers you? In the event that you want to take it again, I have a tip that might help you. When I first started practicing, I think my QR score was like a 250 or 260 or something and I was like holy crapers this sucks! BUT! This is what I learned to do.

Out of all the questions they ask you, you'll be able to do with EASE most of them. so 30/50 i'd say are easy. 10 are medium and you'll actually have to think about it a little. Since the test is on the computer now, its really easy to sort for all the EASY ones. So I went through the entire section and answered ALL of the easy ones. (they're spread throughout the test). Then at the end, I clicked to go back to all the ones I skipped.) Then I looked for the ones I classified as medium (you'll know which ones you can do based on the problems you've practiced) And for the last ten, I just filled in anything. Personally, I didn't bother doing any of the percentage or trigonometry ones. So in the last 3 minutes of the section, I went back and put Bs for everything.

This strategy really worked for me and I ended up getting a 350 at 88% percentile.


GOOD LUCK TO YOU!

Yeah, I'm applying next year.
I scored a 280 (70.5 percentile) in QR.

In terms of factors beyond just GPA and OAT scores, I think have a good number of research-related extracirriculars. And experience shadowing an optometrist. Plus I come from one of the top 10 Universities in the country.

Thanks a lot for the input so far. Yeah, it really is a tough decision...I think I'll just ask various schools what they think. But I really don't want to go through the test taking experience again If I retake it again and get worse scores, do they just take the best scores from each section?

 

[optopt]

do schools look at both the percentile and the actual score?
do they tend to stress one more than the other?

 

[pre-O.D.]

The shools only get the raw score, 340, 320, etc. This is what they use to compare students who take different versions of the OAT.

They do not even see the percentile scores.

do schools look at both the percentile and the actual score?
do they tend to stress one more than the other?

 

[PreOptMegs]

Your scores are fine. You will be accepted, so I recommend not taking the OAT again.

 

[jck16]

Thanks for the further imput and encouragement 🙂

I'm working hard to finish strong my last month of college. I believe I'll try the test one more time after reviewing a little bit more, cuz I actually really crammed my study into only two weeks for the 1st test. I guess that 280 does bug me. I'm not applying to Berkeley, but I am shooting for SUNY. So I guess I should still try to get over 300 for all the sections.

It's nice to know though that, as of now, my scores are decent enough to not have to retake it.