TopScore OAT, Reading Comprehension, and other notes about the OAT

[pippistrellodaq]

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Hi everybody,
I just took the OAT today and am so happy that I need to share it with you all. I scored 350 for both the AA and the TS. I used the TopScore CD along with a Kaplan MCAT Review for my studies. I just want to let everybody know that the TopScore really is harder than the real thing (I know this has been posted before, but I didn't believe it.) I scored only a 310 on the 3rd TopScore test on Saturday, but scored 40 points higher on the real thing. One warning, however, the reading comprehension section of the TopScore has numbered paragraphs, but the real thing doesn't. I don't know about anybody else, but the gen. chem section kicked my butt. I'd really look at that section harder, don't just assume that it will be a cakewalk.
Now that the OAT is over, I have further questions for some of you that have been there. Any UC Berkeley students get similar test scores?

 

[somaira]

Hi there,

Congratulations on your awesome score.

I am a pre-opt student. I am going to take the OAT in fall. I can't afford the Kaplan prep course, so I was wondering if you would be willing to donate your OAT books/exams to me...or if you like, I can pay for them too...please let me know...you can email me at [email protected]

Thanks
Somi 🙂

 

[diva15]

Hi everybody,
I just took the OAT today and am so happy that I need to share it with you all. I scored 350 for both the AA and the TS. I used the TopScore CD along with a Kaplan MCAT Review for my studies. I just want to let everybody know that the TopScore really is harder than the real thing (I know this has been posted before, but I didn't believe it.) I scored only a 310 on the 3rd TopScore test on Saturday, but scored 40 points higher on the real thing. One warning, however, the reading comprehension section of the TopScore has numbered paragraphs, but the real thing doesn't. I don't know about anybody else, but the gen. chem section kicked my butt. I'd really look at that section harder, don't just assume that it will be a cakewalk.
Now that the OAT is over, I have further questions for some of you that have been there. Any UC Berkeley students get similar test scores?

i'm having trouble with orgo....how would u study for it? what would u emphasize?

 

[pippistrellodaq]

I actually used the Kaplan MCAT study guide for most of my studies and then used TopScore for the practice exams. I also used the practice exam found on opted.org as well as the similar practice exam for the DAT (http://www.ada.org/prof/ed/testing/dat/dat_candidate_sampletest.pdf), which I found to be the most comparable to the real OAT.
As for my study material, I am currently trying to sell my Kaplan MCAT book on Amazon.com. I'm asking just $25, so if you're interested and it's still available just let me know. The people at TopScore ask no to resell the CD, besides that, it expires in just a few months. I would reccommend using it, but take it for what it's worth. I found several mistakes in the grading (wrong answers, even when I double checked in my old class books.)
As for the Ochem section, I used the Kaplan MCAT book only. I was surprised to get a 360 on the OAT, because I really didn't look at Ochem too much as I was more worried about physics and biology. Hope that helps, best of luck to you all.

 

[scvcstar]

oh no, the real thing doesn't have numbered paragraphs? Kaplan keeps telling us they do...Kaplan's online tests include the numbers too. Well, thanks for clearing that up, now I know what to expect. =)

As for GChem...apparently GChem has the hardest curve - meaning you can't miss ANY to get a 400 (in other sections, like math, you can miss 3-8 and still get a 400).

My main concern is the physics...Kaplan is kicking my butt in physics...I've been averaging like 300-310 on their physics sections, and that's including the ones I GUESSED right. =(

 

[pippistrellodaq]

My main concern is the physics...Kaplan is kicking my butt in physics...I've been averaging like 300-310 on their physics sections, and that's including the ones I GUESSED right. =(

Physics was my main concern as well, but it looks like you're already in better shape than I was (I was only scoring 290-300.) I'd suggest really looking at the conceptual stuff because I only had about 15 questions where I had to do calculations. Have you checked out the physics equations related posts? They helped me a lot, but then again, I could have done much better. Good luck!

 

[scvcstar]

Thanks! Congrats on your score...forgot to say that last time, because I'm so caught up in studying I'm really absent-minded about everything else haha. Wow, only 15/40 calculation questions? Hmm...at first I was like, "Nice!" but now that I think about it, I think I'm better at the plug and chug stuff. My common sense in physics needs some working on haha. But thanks...I'll go brush up on concepts now! I have 8 days left. If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up getting on Physics?

By the way, I noticed you asked about Berkeley people with similar scores...UCBSO's my first choice, so maybe I'll see you there! =)

 

[joshephlee]

I found physics problems from OAT Achiever along with their detailed explanations are especially good in testing your understanding on many key concepts. You're bound to learn a great deal from this guide...

 

[kelus]

ive found that the DAT review guide contains the material read in the kaplen class, word from word

 

[hopefulod07]

ive found that the DAT review guide contains the material read in the kaplen class, word from word

Can't afford to take the kaplan course or buy books, i am limited to whatever the library has. Now i was wondering if the kaplan DAT book is that what you are talking about.

 

[scvcstar]

I think it is what kelus was talking about, because I took the Kaplan OAT class, which was really a DAT/OAT class. Most people in my class were DAT (something like 10 out of 13), and we read out of our books together. We had slightly different page numbers but that's only because the physics section threw the OAT people off. But other than that, the layout of the pages were even the same...the only thing that was different was that whenever the book said "DAT", ours would say "OAT"...for example the notes in the margin would say, "The DAT loves to test the differences between ___ & ___" and ours would say "The OAT...".

 

[pippistrellodaq]

If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up getting on Physics?

By the way, I noticed you asked about Berkeley people with similar scores...UCBSO's my first choice, so maybe I'll see you there! =)

Not a problem. . . I got a 330 on physics, which after all the stress the preparation caused, I was more than ok with. Ya, I'd love to at least get an interview at UCBSO, the more I read about it I get so dang excited about the possibility. Have you taken the OAT yet? Make sure to let us all know. What other schools are you applying to?

 

[checkamundo]

If anyone needs any DAT practice exams, PM me. Most of these tests are the same in context to the OAT. There are even a few integration tests where the Optometry and Dental kids took them together.

 

[kelus]

check out "my cheap OAT kaplen class prep book"

 

[poc]

Hi~ I was wondering how many DAT practice exam that you might have? Might sharing them? I am studying for my OAT now...

hope to hear from you soon~ !