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We specialize in one thing: helping pre-optometry students ace their Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and get into optometry school.

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OAT 2017: Reading Comprehension Section!

This is Part 3 of a series of breakdown posts that will outline the OAT 2017! Let’s dive into the Reading Comprehension section, which is the second longest section of the test, both in time and in number of questions!   Reading Comprehension is the second section of the OAT 2017! There are 3 passages with 50 questions...
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Applying to Optometry School: OptomCAS 2018 is OPEN!

As of June 28th the OptomCAS 2018 is officially open! The time has arrived. So you’ve been working to keep up that GPA, right? Got gleaming OAT scores? How about all that extra stuff like volunteer work, research projects, and extracurriculars? Well now it’s time to lay it all on the line!     The Association of...
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OAT 2017: Survey of Natural Sciences

This is Part 2 of a series of breakdown posts that will outline the OAT 2017!   Ready? On the menu today: The Survey of Natural Sciences, which is the longest section of the test, both in time and in number of questions! Survey of Natural Sciences is the first section of the OAT, there are...
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OAT 2017: Introduction Guide to the Optometry Admission Test!

This is Part 1 of a series of breakdown posts that will outline the OAT 2017! We’ve actually done a series like this before but the test has gone through some changes and here at OAT Cracker we like to keep you updated to make sure test day is the best day! First of all we’ll focus...
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Career Spotlight: Vision Therapy & Rehabilitation!

Welcome to another installment of Career Spotlight, where we showcase and explore different specializations, career settings, technological advances, and more in the exciting world of optometry! There are many ways to go within the world optometry and today we take a closer look at…  Vision Therapy & Rehabilitation! What is Vision Rehab? Vision therapy and rehabilitation...
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Applying to Optometry School: OptomCAS 2017 is OPEN!

As of June 29th the 2016 – 2017 cycle of the OptomCAS is officially open! If you are interested in going to optometry school next year, it is time to begin the application process! The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) uses the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) as the general web-based application...
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OAT Breakdown: Scores!

This is a BONUS addition to our series breaking down the Optometry Admissions Test.       Be sure to check out the rest of the series on each section of the OAT in the blog!   A while back in own OAT Breakdown: Introduction Guide to the OAT we briefly talked on the subject of...
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Career Spotlight: Pediatric Optometry!

Hello all pre-optomers. We are bringing in the New Year with a new segment here on the blog, called Career Spotlight, where we showcase and explore different specializations, career settings, technological advances, and more in the exciting world of optometry!   With your four years of optometry school you are crowned the title of an...
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Applying to Optometry School: OptomCAS 2016 is OPEN!

As of July 1st the 2015 – 2016 cycle of the OptomCAS is officially open! The time has come to put all your hard work and preparation to “paper” (really to the online application)! The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) uses the Optometry Centralized Application Service (OptomCAS) as the general web-based application...
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Choosing The Optometry School For You

The OptomCAS for 2016 is about to open and with it comes figuring out where you’ll want to attend optometry school! The deciding process can be exciting and fun but also a little nerving and stressful. During the application process you’ll really want to do your research and be efficient in picking where to apply...
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The Benefits of Joining a Pre-Optometry Organization!

You may have seen a Pre-Optometry table at a student organization fair and thought something along the lines of… “Hey I know all about applying for optometry school and I got a pretty good handle on the OAT so I don’t need those meetings and membership fees” …but let’s take a closer look, shall we?...
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Should You Retake the OAT?

Maybe you freaked out on test day or did not meet a school’s minimum score requirement. For whatever reason you may be considering retaking the OAT, deciding to retake really depends on you!   Here are things to consider when faced with decision to retest or not to retest…   The Rules. First off, you...
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Applying to Optometry School: The Interview

The admissions process is long, stressful, and at times it feels like a lot of waiting and uncertainty. During this trying time there’s one clear sign in the process before a rejection or a congratulations letter that your doing well… getting the call or email about setting up an interview! Reaching this point in the...
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OAT Breakdown: Quantitative Reasoning!

This is Part 5 of a series breaking down the sections of the Optometry Admissions Test. In fact this is the final breakdown post in the series so go catch up on the rest! For our grand finale…drumroll… Quantitative Reasoning! I mean come on the OAT doesn’t have to be complete torture… It’s actually pretty...
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Applying to Optometry School: Letters of Recommendation!

Applying to optometry school is a long, trying process and while the OptomCAS for the Fall 2016 cycle won’t even open until around July, it’s time to start thinking about your application! Summertime and these applications may seem like a ways away but… RIGHT NOW is the time to be making the connections and developing...
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OAT Breakdown: Reading Comprehension Section!

This is part 4 of a series breaking down the Optometry Admission Test. Definitely check out the rest of the series here on the blog to get the full lowdown on the OAT and get set up to dominate the exam! On the agenda today: Reading Comprehension, which will be the second section you run...
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OAT Breakdown: Physics Section!

This is part 3 of a series breaking down the Optometry Admission Test. Be sure the check out all the breakdown down post because the OAT isn’t really just one test but a battery of tests/sections of the OAT: Survey of Natural Sciences, Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning. Stressing out yet? Remember to think...
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OAT Study Tips!

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...
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OAT Breakdown: Survey of Natural Sciences Section!

This is Part 2 of a series of breakdown posts that will outline the Optometry Admission Test. The OAT is a marathon of an exam with 4 large sections and clocking in at nearly 5 hours so let’s take a closer look at each section, shall we? On the menu today: The Survey of Natural...
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OAT Test Day Tips!

Your Optometry Admission Test day may be coming up soon (or maybe not depending on when you scheduled yours but it will come) and it’s a big day! After scouring the Pre-Opt forums and pulling from first-hand experience, here is a carefully selected best of the best compilation of OAT day tips!   Set Yourself...
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OAT Breakdown: Introduction Guide to the Optometry Admission Test!

This is Part 1 of a series of breakdown posts that will outline the Optometry Admission Test. First off we’ll focus on the specifics of the OAT itself and then in upcoming posts we will discuss each of the four sections 1) Survey of Natural Sciences, 2) Reading Comprehension, 3) Physics, and 4) Quantitative Reasoning....
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OAT Study Motivation!

Hey! How’s studying for the OAT going? Great? Just all right? Let’s take a minute to talk about motivation. The Optometry Admission Test is no easy feat and the many (necessary) hours preparing for it can be grueling. The feeling of burning out is a common occurrence for many and can really throw you off...
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Applying to Optometry School: OptomCAS Personal Statement Writing

In case you missed the memo, the OptomCAS aka the big dental school application for next fall is officially opened! The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) uses the OptomCAS aka the Optometry Centralized Application Service as a general application when applying to Optometry schools and it allows you to use one application...
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Applying for Optometry School: OptomCAS Opens July 1st!

Question: Why did the phone wear glasses? …Because it lost all of its contacts! **Pause for laughter and/or crickets**…so with that out of the way, we can get down to business. Better Question: Did you know the OptomCAS officially opens July 1st? The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) uses the OptomCAS aka...
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Prepping for the OAT!

Summer time is here and it is a great time to start preparing for the Optometry Admission Test aka the OAT! Yes, you need to start prepping now! No really, you do and your summer can still be awesome! We suggest at least three months of preparation before tackling the OAT in all its glory...
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Hello World

OAT Cracker Blog coming soon for all pre-optometry students preparing for the Optometry Admission Test (OAT). Stay tuned!...
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