[ Log In | Register | FAQ ]
1st Section: Survey of the Natural Sciences • OAT Biology Topics • OAT General Chemistry Topics • OAT Organic Chemistry Topics • 2nd Section: OAT Reading Comprehension • 3rd Section: OAT Physics • 4th Section: Quantitative Reasoning

OAT Test Description

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized exam used by optometry schools and colleges in the US and its territories to identify capable applicants to pursue a career in optometry. The University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, also uses the OAT in the admissions process.

What is the OAT?

  • The OAT consists of 220 multiple-choice questions distributed across quite a diversity of question types in 4 tests.
  • The OAT is a computer-based test (CBT). This exam requires approximately five hours to complete - including the optional tutorial, break, and post-test survey.
  • Survey of the Natural Sciences (NS) - 100 questions; 90 min.
    1. General Biology (BIO): 40 questions
    2. General Chemistry (CHM): 30 questions
    3. Organic Chemistry (ORG): 30 questions
  • Reading Comprehension (RC) - 40 questions; 3 reading passages; 50 min.
  • Physics (PHY) - 40 questions; 50 min.
  • Quantitative Reasoning (QR) - 40 questions; 45 min.
    1. Mathematics Problems: 30 questions
    2. Applied Mathematics/Word Problems: 10 questions

Scores

  • You will get six scores from: (1) BIO (2) CHM (3) ORG (4) PHY (5) QR (6) RC.
  • You will get two additional scores which are summaries:
    1. (7) Academic Average (AA) = BIO + CHM + ORG + PHY + QR + RC
    2. (8) Total Science (TS) = BIO + CHM + ORG + PHY

The OAT is administered by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) in collaboration with the American Dental Association (ADA). It is a computer based test that can be scheduled all year-round with Prometric.

OAT Test Subjects' Breakdown

The OAT consists of the following four sections:

1ST SECTION: SURVEY OF THE NATURAL SCIENCES (100 ITEMS/QUESTIONS)

OAT Biology Topics (40 items/questions)

  • Cell and Molecular Biology
  • Diversity of Life: Biological Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa
  • Structure and Function of Systems
  • Developmental Biology
  • Genetics
  • Evolution
  • Ecology and Behavior

Note: Of all OAT subjects, Biology covers the most material. The topic list above seems basic but the material is quite broad so preparing early while taking brief notes and reviewing them frequently is a very important part of your preparation for this subject.
OAT Biology

OAT Biology subject prep is identical for the OAT and DAT since the ADA creates the questions for both tests.
back to top

OAT General Chemistry Topics
(30 items/questions)

  • Stoichiometry and General Concepts
  • Gases
  • Liquids and Solids
  • Solutions
  • Acids and Bases
  • Chemical Equilibria
  • Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry
  • Chemical Kinetics
  • Oxidation-Reduction Reactions
  • Atomic and Molecular Structure
  • Periodic Properties
  • Nuclear Reactions
  • Laboratory
OAT General and Organic Chemistry

OAT General and Organic Chemistry subject prep is identical for the OAT and DAT since the ADA creates the questions for both tests.
back to top

OAT ORGANIC CHEMISTRY TOPICS
(30 ITEMS/QUESTIONS)

  • Mechanisms: Energetics and Structure
  • Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules
  • Stereochemistry
  • Nomenclature
  • Individual Reactions of the Major Functional Groups and Combinations of Reactions to Synthesize Compounds
  • Acid-Base Chemistry
  • Aromatics and Bonding

Here is our Organic Chemistry summary: OAT/DAT Organic Chemistry Reactions.
OAT General and Organic Chemistry

OAT General and Organic Chemistry subject prep is identical for the OAT and DAT since the ADA creates the questions for both tests.
back to top

2ND SECTION: READING COMPREHENSION (40 ITEMS/QUESTIONS)

Reading Comprehension

  • This section tests your ability to read and comprehend three reading passages on different scientific topics.
OAT QR/RC

OAT QR/RC subject prep is identical for the OAT and DAT since the ADA creates the questions for both exams.
back to top

3RD SECTION: OAT PHYSICS (40 ITEMS/QUESTIONS)

OAT Physics TOPICS

  • Units and Vectors
  • Linear Kinematics
  • Statics
  • Dynamics
  • Rotational Motion
  • Energy and Momentum
  • Simple Harmonic Motion
  • Waves
  • Fluid Statics
  • Thermal Energy
  • Thermodynamics
  • Electrostatics
  • D.C. circuits
  • Magnetism
  • Optics
  • Modern Physics

Here is our Physics Equation List: OAT Physics Formulas.

Note: many MCAT books cover physics topics which are NOT on the OAT test (i.e. fluid dynamics, AC circuits) while they may be missing important OAT physics topics or they don't cover them sufficiently (i.e. dimensional analysis, angular rotation/momentum equations within rotational motion).
OAT Physics

OAT Physics subject prep is unique for the OAT. The DAT does not have physics, but has PAT instead (PAT is not part of the OAT).
back to top

4TH SECTION: QUANTITATIVE REASONING (40 ITEMS/QUESTIONS)

Quantitative Reasoning TOPICS

  • Algebra
  • Numeric calculations
  • Probability and Statistics
  • Geometry
  • Trigonometry
OAT QR/RC

OAT QR/RC subject prep is identical for the OAT and DAT since the ADA creates the questions for both exams.
back to top
OAT Biology OAT Organic Chemistry OAT General Chemistry OAT QR and RC OAT Physics OAT QR and RC