OAT Practice Test 2024 Questions Answers (Free PDF): Try our free online quiz ADA OAT Review test prep. In addition, you can also download a printable PDF. There are more than 300 multiple choice questions in Survey of the Natural Sciences, Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning.
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is administered by the American Dental Association (ADA) on behalf of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). The OAT is a critical thinking test, and high scores are accomplished through a combination of content knowledge and effective strategy.
The test is used to determine applicants’ qualifications for admission to a school of optometry. All colleges of optometry in the United States and the University of Waterloo in Canada use scores from the exam, in addition to work done at the undergraduate level of study, to decide whether to accept candidates.
All 22 optometry schools in the United States, as well as the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and the University of Waterloo in Canada, require applicants to have taken the OAT.
OAT Practice Test 2024
In this OAT Practice Test, we’ll take an in-depth look at each OAT section with content review, sample questions, and specific, test-smart hints. The OAT Program also offers an online OAT practice test to help candidates prepare for the examination. The questions on the ADA OAT practice test previously appeared on an official OAT form, but have been retired from active users.
ADA OAT Exam
The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is required for admission to most optometry schools in the United States and Canada. The American Dental Association (ADA) Department of Testing Services administers the OAT at Prometric Test Centers on behalf of the Association of Schools of Colleges of Optometry (ASCO).
| Test Name | Optometry Admission Test |
| Test Purpose | Admission into optometry schools |
| Test Mode | Computer Based Test |
| Time Duration | 5 hours 5 minutes including brakes |
| Total Questions | 230 MCQs |
| Total Test Sections | Four |
| Score Scale | 200 to 400 |
| Guessing penalty | NO |
| Test Retake | Yes, must wait at least 90 days |
| OAT Fee | $505 |
| Official Website | https://oat.ada.org/ |
The test lasts, at most, for a total of 4 hours and 50 minutes. This time estimate includes three optional components: a 15-minute pre-test tutorial, a 30-minute mid-test break, and a 15-minute post-testing survey.
An on-screen periodic table is provided for the Survey of Natural Sciences section, and an on-screen calculator is provided for the Quantitative Reasoning section
Your score is an important part of the optometry school admissions process because it provides a universal factor for schools to use in comparing applicants. The OAT is likely different from other tests you have encountered in your academic career.
It is unlike the knowledge-based exams common in high school and college that emphasize memorizing information; optometry schools can assess your academic prowess by looking at your transcript instead. Optometry schools use OAT scores to assess whether you possess the foundational skills upon which to build a successful optometry career.
Though you certainly need to know the content to do well, the focus is on knowledge application. The OAT emphasizes reasoning, critical thinking, reading comprehension, data analysis, and problem-solving skills
Eligibility
Successful participants in the OAT Program typically complete at least one year of college education, including courses in biology, and general and organic chemistry. Advanced-level biology and physics are not required. Most applicants complete two or more years of college before taking the test.
OAT Test Format
The OAT consists of four timed sections: the Survey of Natural Sciences (including Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning.
| Section | Questions | Minutes |
| Survey of Natural Sciences | 100 | 90 |
| Reading Comprehension | 50 | 60 |
| Physics | 40 | 50 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 40 | 45 |
Survey of the Natural Sciences
- Biology Test (40 Items)
- General Chemistry (30 items)
- Organic Chemistry (30 items)
Reading Comprehension
The Reading Comprehension Test contains three reading passages on various scientific topics. Prior understanding of the science topics is not a prerequisite to answering the test items. The reading passages require the ability to read, comprehend, and thoroughly analyze basic scientific information.
Physics
Units and vectors, linear kinematics, statics, dynamics, rotational motion, energy and momentum, simple harmonic motion, waves, fluid statics, thermal energy and thermodynamics, electrostatics, D.C. circuits, and optics.
Quantitative Reasoning
A basic four-function calculator is available on the computer screen in this section
- Mathematical Problems: algebra (equations and expressions, inequalities, exponential notation, absolute value, ratios, and proportions, and graphical analysis); Data Analysis, Interpretation, and Sufficiency; Quantitative Comparison; and Probability and Statistics
- Applied Mathematics (Word) Problem
What’s OAT’s Good Score?
What defines a good score can vary significantly based on your personal situation. Much depends on the strength of the rest of your application (e.g., if your transcript is first-rate, then the pressure to do well on the OAT isn’t as intense) and on where you want to go to school (e.g., different schools have different score expectations).
For each administration, the average scaled scores are approximately 300 for each section; this equates to the 50th percentile. To be considered competitive, you’ll likely want to score above the 50th percentile.
Highly competitive schools may want scores above the 70th percentile range. It’s important to check score expectations for each individual school. One commonality is that most schools will consider scores that are evenly distributed across sections to be more favorable than a very high performance on one section offset by a very low performance on another. Performing consistently across the board is preferred
Resources
- Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) 2022 Candidate Guide [PDF]
If you have questions that are not covered in the OAT Guide, you can contact the Department of Testing Services for additional information.
Phone: 1-800-232-1694 Email: oatexam@ada.org In writing: American Dental Association, Department of Testing Services, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
OAT is a registered trademark of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, which neither sponsors nor endorses this Practice Test.