What does the computer OAT look like?

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QUick question.

I just took a sample computer DAT that I had gotten from the public library. I am concerned because the it was very hard to operate and scroll on the small little box that the test fit within.

When I did the reading comp. the passage was in a 5 inch by 3 inch box and the questions where in another box. This meant you had to scroll 2 different boxes to see what was going on. On top of that when I hit the scroll button it was very fast and hard to find my place.

Normally my paper RC scores where about 380. Yet when I did the computer one I got a 310 because I got so frustrated with the screen size.


What is the real OAT like?

 

[fla2009]

I don't really remember having a problem with scrolling for sections other than RC. Well, except for the periodic table -- that wouldn't fit on my screen.

For RC, there's first a single screen with the passage. Then when you go on to the question, the screen splits into two, one question on top and the passage on the bottom. It's frustrating because if you highlight something in the passage in the split screen, then click to another question, the part you highlighted is no longer so. The passage box resets with every question so that the the beginning of the passage is at the top of the passage box.

 

[Dena1342]

I took the real thing yesterday. I don't know what the DAT looks like, but the OAT was pretty simple except for the RC part. OAT achiever has a free demo you can download from their website if you don't wanna spend the money on a program. The demo gives you 12 questions, a couple from each section so you know what it looks like. It also gives you explanations for each question which is helpful. I got topscore pro, which is a similar program (both have 3 full length tests), but there are no explanations on topscore and its a bit complicated to figure out what you missed.

The RC on the real test was different than the topscore in one aspect though. It splits the screen in half, with the top being the questions and the bottom the passage just like the programs do, but when you switch between questions it takes the passage box back to the very top. I did much better by reading and taking notes on the questions before doing anything with the passage and then going back and reading and answering as I went on the practice tests and never ran out of time. I was getting 380 or 400s on the practice tests, but with the format of the real test it took a way some time and I got a lower score.

Hope it helps!!! good luck!!