How to Study for the OAT?

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized and computer-based 5-hour long exam required by most optometry schools for admission. It is made up of 4 general sections: Natural Sciences (broken into 3 subsections including, Biology, General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry), Physics, Quantitative Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. Each section is allocated a certain number of multiple-choice questions that must be completed in a specific amount of time before moving onto the next section. The number of questions and time allocated for each section are shown in the table below:

The OAT plays a significant role in optometry school admissions, making thorough preparation essential for success. As a nearly five-hour exam covering a broad range of scientific topics, it is not something you can effectively cram for at the last minute. Your study strategy will directly impact your performance, so it’s important to approach your preparation with intention and discipline. In this article, we’ll outline seven key factors to consider when studying for the OAT.

I. Study Style

Before you begin studying, figure out how you best study and retain information. Everyone has a preferred learning style—whether it’s visual, auditory, reading/writing, or kinesthetic. We recommend you identify your most effective learning method early on as it will allow you to study efficiently and retain information effectively. As a result, you won’t be wasting time trying out different learning styles while trying to learn the information at the same time.

II. Study Material

After you identify your study style, it is important to pinpoint the type of study material you use for the OAT test. While there are many different test preparation courses available in different forms, we would suggest you consider factors such as the cost, location and structure of programs offered by different companies. Think about what works for you when preparing for the actual exam. There are courses offered on various platforms, including online self-studying, physical books for self-studying (such as OAT destroyer), in-person classes with tutors, and a mix of online and in-person methods. It would be best for you to consider the amount and format of material you would receive in return for the fees you must pay.

Want to boost your OAT score and actually enjoy studying? OATBooster offers a powerful mix of high-yield content and interactive tools to get you there. It includes: 
📌High-yield Study Notes
📌Video Explanations
📌Interactive Games & Prizes 
📌Realistic Practice Exams

Overall, picking the right format can make studying less stressful, and maybe even a little fun.

III. Starting Point

Let’s be honest, the hardest part is often figuring out where and how to begin. Even though the material tested on the OAT is covered by first and second-year level undergraduate science courses, everyone starts at a different level of knowledge when studying for the OAT. Therefore, we would suggest you search around and do some practice questions from each section of the OAT to figure out where to start, where you need extra reinforcement and which areas can be tackled later on. 

IV. Study Time

After figuring out what study material to use, you should consider when you are planning to take the exam to plan your study schedule. Most applicants take the OAT right after their second year, but it is also totally normal to wait a year and take it after your third year of undergraduate studies. Students usually take general science courses (Biology, General Chemistry and Physics) in their first two years of undergrad, which generally align with the prerequisite courses for optometry school and the material that will be tested on the OAT. taking the exam right after second year means the info is still fresh in your brain. You’ll spend more time reviewing what you already know, rather than relearning everything from scratch. However, OAT scores expire after 2 years. Since most students apply to optometry school during their fourth year, some prefer to take the test after third year to keep their scores valid closer to application time. This also gives a safety net if you don’t get in on your first try, you’ll still have a valid score for the next cycle. Nonetheless, keep in mind that you must wait 90 days before retaking the OAT if you are not happy with your initial scores.

Regardless, you want to figure out when you want to take the exam, so that you can work backwards from the test date to allocate enough time to study. Most students study for 3-4 months and take the OAT at the end of summer. While studying can also be done in 2 months, it is up to you to decide how much time you really need to cover all the material and complete practice tests. Preparing for the OAT takes time and effort, so summer (when you’re free from classes) is usually the ideal season to focus. Just be careful not to overdo it and burn out, especially as the new school year emerges. 

V. Study Plan

Once you have your test date set and a sense of how much study time you need, it’s time to create a study plan tailored to your materials and schedule. The OAT covers six main sections, so a smart approach is to divide your prep into these broad categories and then break them down into manageable chunks and skim through sections you are well familiar with. For example, if you’re using a physical book like OAT Destroyer or a prep program organized by individual topics, assign a specific number of chapters or topics to each study day. This way, you set realistic, achievable goals that keep you on track without feeling overwhelmed. Breaking your study sessions into smaller, focused pieces helps maintain momentum and makes the process much more manageable.

As for the order of topics that you cover, this is entirely up to you. While some people tackle each of the six general sections separately, others do a topic from multiple sections per day. You know yourself best, so do what works for you to make sure you have a good understanding of all six sections by the time you reach your exam date.

Aside from covering material from the six sections, make sure you also allow time in your study plan for practice questions, practice tests, and time for review. Practice questions are essential for long-term retention of information, so it would be a good idea to do a few practice questions a day after covering new material. As your test date nears, full-length practice tests are also very crucial towards achieving your optimal OAT scores (both your academic average and total science scores). This helps you get a clear picture of what to expect on exam day, through highlighting the areas where you need to focus your efforts. Once you complete your practice problems, you want to set aside some time to review your incorrect answers. This step is crucial in your study schedule because it helps you pinpoint where you went wrong and identify knowledge gaps, so you can focus on improving and avoid making the same mistakes again. Doing endless practice questions won’t help if you don’t take the time to identify and work on your weak areas, you’ll just keep making the same mistakes.

A common and effective study strategy is to dedicate the summer after the second year of undergrad for focused OAT preparation. Using a physical textbook, breaking down the material into manageable chunks, such as covering three chapters per day, helps set clear daily goals. During study sessions, try the following methods: reading through the content, solving practice problems, and creating flashcards for memorization-heavy topics. Rather than mixing chapters from different sections, it’s often helpful to work through one of the six OAT sections at a time. The order of study can be prioritized based on personal strengths and weaknesses, for example, starting with the most challenging section and finishing with the one that feels most comfortable, such as reading comprehension. After completing all six sections, allocating time to briefly review each area again can reinforce understanding. 

VI. Gearing Up for Test Day

In the last few weeks of OAT prep, there are multiple things you can do to best prepare yourself for your OAT test. We mentioned doing lots of full-length practices to prepare you for the length of the exam and amp up your endurance, but it is also important to set good habits during this time. The OAT exam starts early in the morning, so you want to get into the habit of waking up early and starting your practice test at the same time as you would write the actual OAT exam. Even more, you want to simulate the testing environment. When you take the OAT, you are in a room with other people taking a variety of different tests. The library is a good place to replicate this environment because it is generally quiet, but you will also get used to the occasional chatter, cough or clacking of keyboards when other people are typing.

VII. Mental Health

Last but not least, make sure to take care of your mental health. With your studying spread out over multiple months, it can be very easy to burn out. Be strict with your routine, which includes making time for yourself. Aside from scheduling which chapters or topics to cover each day, and which sections you cover across multiple weeks, it’s also important to schedule out regular break times and self-care days. Both studying for the OAT, and the OAT itself, requires endurance. This is something you can build up as you prepare for the exam, but can only be done if you spread out your studying and stick to your study plan while making sure you are sleeping and eating well. Additionally, connecting with your university’s pre-optometry society or other students preparing for the OAT can help build a valuable support network, allowing you to share resources, study tips, and encouragement throughout the process.

VIII Conclusion

Having gone through the OAT preparation journey, I hope these seven key factors offer helpful insight into how to effectively approach your own study plan. With the right strategy, mindset, and resources, you're well on your way to success, all that’s left is to commit to the process and put in the work. You got this!

For more guidance, be sure to check out our other articles:
📌How is the OAT Scored?
📌What is a Good OAT Score?
📌When to Reschedule Your OAT?
📌Retaking the OAT