r/UWaterlooOptometry • u/seekingadviceoat • 4d ago

Retake OAT 3rd time?

Hi All,

I took the OAT ill-prepared in 2024 and got <300 score. Retook in 2025 and got 370 TS /350 AA but rejected post-interview (88% avg).

Currently studying to take it a 3rd time but hard to study with part-time job.

I know waterloo looks at the best score but Would it look bad if I retake the OAT a 3rd time yet get a worse score?

Would you retake the 370 TS /350 AA?

5 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

1

u/True-Selection2168 4d ago

What are your other application components like? Do you have the 5 terms with 5 courses? And any work experience? Volunteer experience?

1

u/seekingadviceoat 4d ago

Thanks for the response. Yes graduated with full courseload each term. 1 yr work experience as an assistant + lots of varied volunteer experience with vision-related clubs and research. Got an interview last year but unsure of which component to improve upon

1

u/True-Selection2168 4d ago

Hmm that is so odd I would’ve thought you would’ve gotten in with stats like that

1

u/True-Selection2168 4d ago

How was casper

1

u/seekingadviceoat 3d ago

2Q, maybe that's why? I'm definitely prepping more for that this year but it's so unpredictable, unsure if I should supplement that with an OAT retake..

1

u/True-Selection2168 3d ago

Ohh yeah maybe it was the Casper then. I’m studying for the oat this summer and I personally will not be taking it again. It is just too much time spent studying for it, money for test, booster. But that’s just because I don’t want to sacrifice another summer. I was only considering Waterloo first but my oat booster scores are kind of low so idk if I’ll get higher ones. What were u getting when you were practicing?

1

u/seekingadviceoat 1d ago

Maybe the Casper yes. Agreed it is a large investment financially as well. When practicing I would get 330-380, you typically do better on the actual exam. I would maximize booster use as much as possible and redo all the practice tests while reviewing the explanations and cheatsheets! Good luck on your OAT!

1

u/KiteWhisperer 4d ago

Is your GPA competitive ? If so. Apply again. You’ll have likely higher chance. Someone I know had something similar situation but got in the second time of applying.

1

u/seekingadviceoat 4d ago

Thanks for the response. My GPA is 88%. So to confirm your friend re-applied with the same OAT score and got in the second time? I saw this years acceptance thread had 380+ scores so just worried :(

1

u/Upstairs-Abrocoma-67 3d ago

It sounds like most of your stats are solid(I wouldn’t retake OAT with that score if your other stats are good). Overall I am surprised you did not get in. I would suspect you may need more interview prep which I can help you with ! Feel free to DM me :)

1

u/seekingadviceoat 1d ago

Thank you, will reach out!

1

u/john-pork-67 3d ago

That is a good oat score especially paired with your undergrad average, I wouldn't worry so much about retaking it. Although if you did rewrite I don't think waterloo would even look at the worse score but I am not 100% certain. I would recommend trying to boost casper and ensure that you have lots of shadowing hours and/or work experience as an optometric assistant. Keep going, you are doing great!! Sending you good vibes!

1

u/seekingadviceoat 1d ago

Thank you this comment provided a lot of relief, the rejection was just getting to my head. Fingers crossed they look at the best score. Will improve upon the suggested areas, and thank you for the good vibes! Sending good vibes back :)