The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a ~5-hour standardized exam required by most optometry schools in the United States and Canada. This test plays a significant role in the admissions process, making thorough preparation essential to boost your chances of acceptance. To learn how the OAT is scored, check out our detailed guide here.

In this article, we will explore the average OAT statistics for each optometry school and provide insights into how to interpret these numbers. For even more detailed statistics, including admission data for every optometry school in North America, click here.

📈 What Are the Admission Statistics for Optometry Schools?

Several factors influence whether your OAT score is competitive for optometry school. One key factor is your percentile ranking, which reflects how your performance compares to other test-takers. Although admission decisions are not solely based on percentile rankings, these scores are a critical benchmark for applicant comparison.

A score of 300 corresponds to the 50th percentile, making it the average score. For competitive programs, aim for a score of 350 or higher. Optometry schools vary significantly in the number of seats they offer and the expectations they set for applicants. Programs with fewer seats are often more competitive, requiring higher OAT scores and stronger academic credentials. For example, some schools have minimum score requirements for all OAT sections, meaning you must meet these benchmarks to be considered.

Below, we’ve included a table with statistics from the 2024 Optometry Entering Class, published by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. This data highlights the mean Academic Average (AA) and Total Science (TS) scores of admitted students across North American optometry schools.

Optometry School	Mean AA Score	Mean TS Score
University of Alabama, School of Optometry	328	315
Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry	316	306
Marshall B. Ketchum University, Southern California College of Optometry	342	335
University of California, Berkeley, School of Optometry	360	260
Western University of Health Sciences, College of Optometry	300	290
Nova Southeastern University, College of Optometry	327	321
Midwestern University, Chicago College of Optometry	319	308
Illinois College of Optometry	330	325
Indiana University, School of Optometry	NA	NA
University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Optometry	309	292
MCPHS University, School of Optometry	310	301
New England College of Optometry	329	321
Ferris State University, Michigan College of Optometry	334	330
University of Missouri at St. Louis, College of Optometry	311	292
State University of New York, College of Optometry	344	342
Northeastern State University, Oklahoma College of Optometry	352	351
The Ohio State University, College of Optometry	319	304
Pacific University, College of Optometry	323	317
Salus University, Pennsylvania College of Optometry	306	293
Inter-American University of Puerto Rico, School of Optometry	280	263
Southern College of Optometry	339	332
University of the Incarnate Word, Rosenberg School of Optometry	299	281
University of Houston, College of Optometry	335	335
Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, College of Optometry	311	299

Source: Profile of the 2024 Optometry Entering Class, published online by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry

🎯 Tips for Success

Success Research Class Profiles: Reviewing the class profiles of previously admitted students will give you a clearer picture of the scores specific schools are looking for.
Aim for Balance Across All Sections: Scoring consistently well across all six OAT sections demonstrates to admissions committees that you’re prepared to handle the academic challenges of optometry school. Strong performance across the board will also contribute to higher AA and TS scores.
Plan Your Study Schedule: Once you know your target scores, allocate sufficient time to study, find high-quality resources, and thoroughly prepare.

👉 Conclusion

While optometry school applications consider more than just your OAT score, this test is a pivotal component of the admissions process. To increase your chances of acceptance, research the schools you’re interested in and check their admitted class profiles to set realistic goals. With proper planning and preparation, you can excel on the OAT and set yourself on the path to success.

For more details, including OAT scores of admitted students across North America, click here. Good luck!

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