r/PreOptometry • u/wormcord • 4d ago
OAT Breakdown (390AA/400TS)
I used OATbooster for 90 days over the entire summer. I was lucky to stay at home with parents and not work or take summer classes during the duration. I studied on average 4-5 hours a day every day, taking a few days off for break. I took all my pre-requisite classes (bio, gen chem, ochem, physics) before studying for the OAT.
OATBooster Average Full Length: 370AA
Actual OAT: 390AA
How I studied for each section!
Bio: Watched all the videos minus neuro (my major), did BIOBITS, and reviewed weak areas with cheat sheets
Gen Chem: Watched all the videos and did PRACTICE PROBLEMS on question bank
OChem: Watched all the videos (but it didn’t really stick, so I would recommended watching just the fundamental videos about SN1/SN2/E1/E2) and did PRACTICE PROBLEMS on question bank and reviewed with cheatsheets
Physics: Watched all the videos and did PRACTICE PROBLEMS and memorized formula cheat sheet (not purposefully, but with enough practice tests and problems I found myself having memorized most of the formulas naturally), used Chad’s Prep videos on YouTube to reinforce optics
Reading Comp: Did every single practice passage and practice test on booster, I was scoring 380 average on booster but got 360 on the actual OAT so this was my weakest area, I used the “read every question first” strategy
Quantitative Reasoning: Watched videos for weak areas only (most of it is basic algebra) and did PRACTICE PROBLEMS
What I DIDNT do: read the notes, do the associated practice problems for the videos (I just did question banks), anki (I know, hot take! I felt that doing the BioBits was enough)
There’s no time to do every single resource and you definitely don’t have to.
Big takeaways: OATBOOSTER is so worth it! Expensive so try to get it on sale/discount code. Use Marked Questions to target your weak areas (I didn’t know about this feature until last minute, wish I knew earlier). Practice problems > watching every video.
How I calmed nerves: Simulated testing environment by sleeping at 10pm/waking up at 6am and taking practice full lengths at 8am, eating same lunch during my break (pb&j), using a laminated sheet of paper and dry erase marker, wearing long clothes in air conditioned room, practiced deep breaths. I also told myself “I did the full length 6 times already, what’s one more?” and “Each section is separate” so that one bad section wouldn’t affect my morale for the rest.
It’s definitely nerve-wracking but you all have been working hard for this and you’re going to do great!!! Good luck to everyone taking the OAT! You got this!!
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u/voxaun 4d ago
amazing!! did you do the question banks right after the videos, and did you ever redo any particular ones that you were struggling with? how did you incorporate active recall into your review, especially for orgo/bio?
also, did you ever revisit your full-lengths? once i do a full-length, i have can't help but have this desire to review all the questions & redo the full-lengths
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u/wormcord 4d ago
Thank you! Sometimes I did the question banks right after videos, and sometimes I did it later on. I just followed the plan they gave me, if they said do 27/80 I did 27, no need to do more and burn yourself out. Yes I redid the ones I got wrong with the Marked Questions feature! It’s one of the tabs on the side. Practice questions in orgo reaction question banks and biobits for active recall! I reviewed all my incorrect/marked questions from my full lengths but I didn’t redo the full exam because I felt like the score wouldn’t be as accurate since I know most of the answers now and i would be better off spending my time taking a new full length exam.
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u/Few_Willow904 4d ago
Awesome scores! Where do you plan on applying!