What is test day like?

[scvcstar]

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Hey all! I'm taking my OAT in a couple days on Wednesday...I'm just wondering what the general testing environment will be like -

Are there a lot of other test-takers in the same room? If so, how far are you spaced from them? (I think it would be really annoying for me if a bunch of people were on computers clicking away, but I'll just bring earplugs) Will there be people going in and out frequently during your test?

If you need new paper, is the proctor pretty quick about exchanging your paper for you?

What do you get to bring into the room? If you're not allowed to bring your backpack/purse, do they have some place for you to store those things?

On the online Kaplan tests, you always have to click the "dismiss" button in order for the next subject test to start (i.e. between Natural Science and RC). On the actual test, will there be this button, or does it jump directly into the next section with the timer going?

Is there ample desk space for using your scratch paper?

What exactly is the pre-test that's before physics? Is it timed? Do you have to do it?

I think that's it...haha sorry this is such an exhaustive list of detailed questions...I guess I just really want to know what's going on so I don't feel lost on Wednesday. =P If there's anything else you want to add about the day in general, feel free to throw it in.

 

[pre_opt_sku]

Hey all! I'm taking my OAT in a couple days on Wednesday...I'm just wondering what the general testing environment will be like -

Are there a lot of other test-takers in the same room? If so, how far are you spaced from them? (I think it would be really annoying for me if a bunch of people were on computers clicking away, but I'll just bring earplugs) Will there be people going in and out frequently during your test?

If you need new paper, is the proctor pretty quick about exchanging your paper for you?

What do you get to bring into the room? If you're not allowed to bring your backpack/purse, do they have some place for you to store those things?

On the online Kaplan tests, you always have to click the "dismiss" button in order for the next subject test to start (i.e. between Natural Science and RC). On the actual test, will there be this button, or does it jump directly into the next section with the timer going?

Is there ample desk space for using your scratch paper?

What exactly is the pre-test that's before physics? Is it timed? Do you have to do it?

I think that's it...haha sorry this is such an exhaustive list of detailed questions...I guess I just really want to know what's going on so I don't feel lost on Wednesday. =P If there's anything else you want to add about the day in general, feel free to throw it in.

I'm sure every test centre will be different, but I'll tell you what mine was like. There were 6 computers in the centre, and there were people taking tests at all of them. Each computer was in a cubicle type thing and there were ear phones at each station to block out the sound. I couldn't even tell you if people left, I didn't notice it. As for scrap paper, they will give you some to start and then I had to go out of the room to exchange it for some more (good idea to do this in between tests or at break if you have time, so you don't waste time during the test). There was a locker there to put stuff in. When I took the OAT, there was no physics "pre-test", just a tutorial before the test starts. Good luck

 

[prettygreeneyes]

Hey all! I'm taking my OAT in a couple days on Wednesday...I'm just wondering what the general testing environment will be like -

Are there a lot of other test-takers in the same room? If so, how far are you spaced from them? (I think it would be really annoying for me if a bunch of people were on computers clicking away, but I'll just bring earplugs) Will there be people going in and out frequently during your test?

Because each testing center across the country is very different, I can only answer you based on my experience. (in Reno, NV) Each computer was almost in a little cubicle of sorts, with partitions on either side seperating you from the next person. There were probably 15 computers total in the area. People did come in and out during the test. The center I was at provided headphones to block out the noise (no sound was played through them...) and I brought my own ear plugs to wear just in case. Make sure you show the ear plugs to the proctor, because you aren't supposed to bring anything into the room.

If you need new paper, is the proctor pretty quick about exchanging your paper for you?

At my center, you had to get up and bring the proctor your old paper to exchange it with your new paper. I found that I had plenty of paper to get through each section, and I exchanged paper once or twice during or break or if I finished early.


What do you get to bring into the room? If you're not allowed to bring your backpack/purse, do they have some place for you to store those things?

There were little lockers before you went into the actual testing room to store things. While you were testing you had no access to them, but if you needed something during a break, you could go get it. You pretty much get to bring nothing into the room except a pencil, or maybe they provided that too....

On the online Kaplan tests, you always have to click the "dismiss" button in order for the next subject test to start (i.e. between Natural Science and RC). On the actual test, will there be this button, or does it jump directly into the next section with the timer going?

My memory is a little fuzzy on this question... someone else might better remember than me!

Is there ample desk space for using your scratch paper?

Depends on your testing center. I had plenty of space.

What exactly is the pre-test that's before physics? Is it timed? Do you have to do it?

I myself do not remember any pretest questions before physics, but here is what the OAT Examinee Guide had to say about pretest questions...

The Optometry Admission Testing Program may include pretest questions in some test sections. Unscored
pretest questions are included on the test in order to ensure that these questions are appropriate
before they are included among the scored items. If pretest questions are included in a test section,
additional time will be allotted to that section of the test. Pretest questions are intermingled with the
scored questions; therefore it is important to answer all questions. The time limit is indicated on the
computer screen for each section. If pretest questions ae included in a test section, additional time will be
allotted to that section of the test.

I think that's it...haha sorry this is such an exhaustive list of detailed questions...I guess I just really want to know what's going on so I don't feel lost on Wednesday. =P If there's anything else you want to add about the day in general, feel free to throw it in.

The day will go by really quickly. Don't get yourself wound up thinking too much about it! I would recommend eating something light during the break, just so you don't worry about hunger or anything. Sleep well the night before, and tell yourself it will be over in 4 hours!!! Oh, and that feeling right before your scores come up is just about the worst feeling in the world, so prepare yourself for the nerves! Good luck and let us know how you did!

 

[tabnz]

I read lots of people ate raisin during their break.. it is light and gives some energy to concentrate..
for the "dismiss Button" from what i know.. once the natural science section is finished, it will automatically start the RC section.. so you dont have to click on anything.. that's what i've been told... but you never know.. they might changed it... but im pretty sure they have instructions and a tutorial that you can go through...
Good luck =)

 

[r_salis]

Oh, and that feeling right before your scores come up is just about the worst feeling in the world, so prepare yourself for the nerves!

I still think getting your scores right away is *much* better than having to wait for 6 agonizing weeks to get them in the mail! 😱

Good luck everybody!

 

[scvcstar]

Thanks for your replies, everyone! I love this forum, everyone's so friendly and helpful. You will all make great optometrists! =)

I'm going to get back to my sparknotes reading now...wow, they're pretty good! And the [non-existent] price is even better. =)

 

[tabnz]

Im studying for the OAT, but I've never used sparknotes before... and I would like to try.. what sections is it helpful in?

 

[scvcstar]

I used it for physics yesterday, and today I read up on a few sections of bio and chemistry that I was weak in (animal behavior, plants and flowers, and solutions).

Here are the links:

http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/physics/ (I read this ENTIRE thing yesterday, but skipped all the problem sets)
http://www.sparknotes.com/physics/index.html
http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/index.html
http://www.sparknotes.com/chemistry/index.html (includes basic ochem fundamentals)
http://www.sparknotes.com/math/index.html (if you need help on math, I didn't look at this at all though)

I wouldn't use it as my ONLY study material though...they really don't go into enough detail, it's just a good overview and basic review. Kaplan has been very good to me in terms of bio, chem, ochem, math, and reading...physics I felt it wasn't as helpful except the practice tests (I just read all the explanations for everything, and eventually got an ok grasp on the material), but Princeton Review was pretty good, and Sparknotes SATII Physics was good to brush up.

 

[prettygreeneyes]

I still think getting your scores right away is *much* better than having to wait for 6 agonizing weeks to get them in the mail! 😱

Good luck everybody!

I completely agree... the computer scoring is WAY better... but, when you get the scores in the mail, you can control when you open the envelope. With the computer scores... it just POPS up! I covered my eyes and peeked through my fingers until I saw the scores, and then started crying. Not because they were bad or good, but because the stupid test was OVER!

 

[pippistrellodaq]

I completely agree... the computer scoring is WAY better... but, when you get the scores in the mail, you can control when you open the envelope. With the computer scores... it just POPS up! I covered my eyes and peeked through my fingers until I saw the scores, and then started crying. Not because they were bad or good, but because the stupid test was OVER!

Amen to that! I don't think that I've ever been more nervous as during the minute or two that it took to generate the scores at the end of the OAT. One of the best feelings ever, for me, was the realization that its now over!!!

 

[pippistrellodaq]

Hey all! I'm taking my OAT in a couple days on Wednesday.

Hey, let us all know how it went! I'm sure you did great!

 

[catzeye523]

Amen to that! I don't think that I've ever been more nervous as during the minute or two that it took to generate the scores at the end of the OAT. One of the best feelings ever, for me, was the realization that its now over!!!

I hear ya! But I must say, by the last section, I was drained and didn't do so hot (on that section). When the test ended, I thought to myself "well, there's always next year", when the test scores popped up, and all I saw were scores in the 300s. Needless to say I was jumping for joy for the fact that it was all over, and that I was lucky enough to NOT have to retake that test.

Good luck to everyone out there who still has to take the OAT. You'll be fine, and the moment you get those scores after the test, it seriously feels like a huge weight has been lifted off your shoulders. =)

 

[pippistrellodaq]

by the last section, I was drained

Yea, I almost forgot about that. My wife took me out to see X-Men 3 right after I took the OAT. I usually love that kind of action, but I had the hardest time staying awake 😴 . I should probably watch it again to catch everything. . .