Studying for the Optometry Admission Test can be extra stress inducing, we get that.
So when you’re feeling especially frazzled, just picture a T-Rex trying to put in eye drops. After thinking about a bunch of other funny things that guy would have trouble doing and scouring the pre-opt forums and, here is a carefully selected best of the best compilation of OAT study tips to help with the stress!
Give Yourself 3 months of Preparation
This is a big test to say the very least with an immense mountain of material to get through. This isn’t a test you will be cramming for. Brightside is you’ve already been preparing with all the hard work you’ve sure to have done in your classes. So now is the time to prove it. Now all you have to do is prepare for an extremely long exam that tests on all your classes ever in a highly integrated and all encompassing manner. Yeah, not easy so give yourself like 3 months!
Set Aside Time Everyday To Study
The tried and true saying of “treat it like a class” is not to be taken lightly you need to be setting out time everyday to study. With your real life (school/work/etc.) it’s understandable if you can’t marathon a big block of time of like 8-10 hours of study time everyday but you should be doing something each day. You must make the most of your time and focus, sticking strictly to the 50/10 rule! That’s 50 minutes study time and 10 minute break time.
Take Several Online Practice Exams
Practice, practice, practice. The endurance and stamina needed just to get through test day is going to take some getting used to. Practice tests like with OAT Cracker are not only helpful with in content tested but also in getting used to computer testing and exposing you to the time needed for your brain to last through the whole exam. Just a reminder here’s what OAT day looks like:
Make Your Own Study Guide
Through your college life thus far you know how you best work and study so why not create your own study guide. You do you. Stick to what works just do it on a grander OAT sized scale. Whether it’s outlining your notes or whatever specific thing you may do it’ll be better take the opportunity to personalize it for you versus sticking to some rando off the internet’s guide/schedule. So sit down, layout a plan and stick to it. When creating a study schedule make sure to have a review day perhaps once a week or plan a practice test after working on a particular section (with OAT Cracker you can take practice section tests individually).
Try Studying in the Library
Gasp, that awful place? Yes. You want to make your study and practice environment to emulate the test centers. Try finding a place that will have just enough rustling of papers and typing of laptop keys from other students so it not to be too quiet, just like on OAT day! If this tip sounds familiar that’s because we’ve talked about it before in the blog’s OAT Study Motivation post a couple months back, check it out here.
Tutor Subjects Covered On The OAT
Once you’ve figured out the subjects you need extra help on tackle them! With the OAT Cracker diagnostic tests you can pin point specific areas in each section that you’re weakest in. Remember after the scheduled break you’ll have Physics and Quant Reasoning back to back and if these sections aren’t your strong areas… PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!
Well there they are now go forth and conquer! Be sure to stay tuned for more tips and the continuation of our breakdown series of each section. Got any other OAT study tips to add to the list? Share with the class in the comments!
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