How to Register for the OAT? | OATBooster
The optometry admission test (OAT) is a standardized computer-based test that lasts approximately 4 hours and 50 minutes and is held at the Prometric testing centre. This exam is required by most optometry schools for admission and costs $500.00 USD. It includes 4 sections: Natural Sciences (including, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry), Physics, Quantitative Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. For students taking the optometry admission test for the first time, the OAT registration and scheduling process can be quite lengthy and confusing. In this article, we will walk you through the steps of registering for the OAT to get familiar with the testing services.
I. Create a PIN
To begin with, you will need to visit https://www.ada.org/en/oat and navigate to “Apply to Take the OAT” on the left sidebar. Once there, click the “Apply Now” button and you will be directed to a registration page and prompted for a PIN. If it is your first time applying for the OAT, you must register for a PIN first. The PIN is an individual code that not only allows you to log in and schedule your exam but also helps the optometry schools identify your OAT scores once you begin your applications.
Pro-Tip: Check, double-check, and triple-check to ensure your name and birthdate are entered correctly as the prometric test centres will deny your admission if anything does not match up!
II. Submit Your Application and Testing Fee
After about a week, you should receive an email with your OAT PIN. With this, you can head back to the same website and click the “Apply Now” button to begin your OAT test registration process. Now you can enter your PIN to submit an application to take the OAT. The application will include the following information: your personal and contact information (double check this information as they will verify this at the Prometric testing centre), accommodation requests, and which optometry schools you want your OAT scores to be sent to (2-4 weeks after your test date). There are also optional questions about your high school background, college education and preparation for the OAT, which involves Natural Sciences (including, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry), Physics, Quantitative Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. It will also ask non-mandatory questions on financial debt, and parent education/occupation. To complete and submit your application, you will be prompted to pay the $500.00 USD fee that is required per testing attempt.
Pro-Tip: When deciding where to send your OAT scores, it can be challenging to know early on which schools you’ll ultimately apply to. If you’re unsure, it’s best to select all the schools you're considering before your testing appointment. There is no additional cost to send your scores to multiple schools at this stage as it is included in your optometry admission test registration fee. However, if you wait until later in the application cycle, you'll have to pay a separate fee for each school you send your scores to. Selecting all schools up front is a smart way to save money before your testing session.
III. Schedule Your Exam
After submitting your optometry admission test (OAT) application, you should receive an OAT test registration eligibility email within a few days. This email will include your OAT PIN to confirm that you can schedule a testing appointment 24 hours after receiving the email.
To schedule your exam, head to the testing services website: https://www.prometric.com/test-takers/search/oat. On the website, click on the “Schedule” tab in the left sidebar. You will be directed to the scheduling site and prompted for your PIN. From here, you can select your program and region before selecting a date and time for your optometry admission test (OAT) exam. Once everything has been completed, submit the form and you will receive a confirmation email for your OAT exam registration. This email will also include the date and time of your exam. It will also include other pertinent information such as directions to the testing center, security procedures, identification policies, and rescheduling or cancellation policies.
IV. Planning Ahead
After you submit your optometry admission test application, you will receive an email confirming that you are eligible to schedule your desired test date through the testing services portal. However, note that this eligibility period only lasts for 6 months from the time that you receive the confirmation email. In other words, make sure you register for the OAT within the next 6 months. Plan ahead and think about when you want to take the OAT. This will help you work backwards to figure out when to apply for an OAT PIN and submit an application to schedule your test appointment.
In addition, keep in mind that some regions have more testing centres than others and the availability of seats can vary. If you already have an idea of when you want to take the exam, you should register for an OAT PIN in advance and submit an application early enough to have more dates and times to choose from. Unlike other standardized admission tests, the OAT program is not only offered on specific days. Instead, it is offered on both weekdays and weekends for 5.5-hour slots from 8:30 AM to 2:00 PM, depending on the testing site.
With all of the registration and scheduling complete, all that’s left to do is work hard and prepare for the OAT exam itself. Keep in mind, you have a lot to prepare for as it includes four separate sections: Natural Sciences (including, Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry) Physics, Quantitative Reasoning and Reading Comprehension. Be sure to give yourself ample time to prepare before registering for the optometry admissions test (OAT). Starting early allows you to build a solid study plan that includes OAT practice tests, strengthen your understanding of key concepts, and approach test day with confidence. If you liked this article, be sure to check out our other article on strategizing your OAT test date. In the event you are considering rescheduling the OAT, be sure to check out our article that discusses when to reschedule your OAT. Each article offers practical tips to help you stay organized, save money, and feel confident throughout the OAT program and application cycle. Good luck and happy scheduling!