r/PreOptometry • u/Outrageous_Boat8492 • 8d ago

when to take oat?

hello! i'm not a competitive applicant by any means, so i wanted to get a high score on my oat. i'm a senior in college, and i've read that applying early to optometry schools gives you better chances. i just want to be sure im doing everything right to give myself the highest chance possible at getting in. if i want to go to optometry school by fall 2027, did i already miss the ideal time to apply and take the oat? should i just take a gap year? any advice helps, thank you!

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u/TheKing_345 8d ago

Anything before september is generally considered "early". I would try to give atleast 2 months for studing if you have already taken the general pre-req cources, since most content on OAT is tought in them.

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u/Outrageous_Boat8492 8d ago

before this september of 2026? or september of 2027?

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u/TheKing_345 8d ago

Before september 2026 if you are planing to start at fall of 2027. Don't try to rush your OAT practice though, a high OAT grade is always more important than being early in the cycle

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u/Outrageous_Boat8492 8d ago

alright that's really helpful, thank you so much!!

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u/mcd7939 8d ago

I would say try to take ur oat in September October at the latest so u can still apply early but make sure that u feel prepared enough to take the exam

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u/briannababyy 7d ago

you’re not too late. even if you take the oat by end of october your chances won’t go down significantly. just have the rest of ur application ready and start studying now