Is the OAT or MCAT harder?

The OAT is less complex and lengthy than the MCAT. If you have taken the MCAT, a lot of the same biology and chemistry prep will be applicable, but be sure to review OAT-specific physics and math materials.

Is the OAT harder than the MCAT?

Which is Easier: MCAT vs. OAT. If we compare the difficulty level of the MCAT and OAT, the latter is much more demanding and challenging compared to the MCAT. It is already given that the MCAT basically is a hard exam due to its duration and the topics involved in its test sections.

Is the OAT exam hard?

In general, the OAT is not an easy test to pass. However, the amount of difficulty will depend on your level of preparation. If you come to the test unprepared, it will obviously be impossible for you to pass it. However, there are students who find certain sections of the test quite complicated.

Can the MCAT replace the OAT?

Optometry Admission Test (OAT) and Other Standarized Exams

All schools and colleges of optometry will accept the OAT. Many schools and colleges will also accept the GRE, MCAT, DAT, or PCAT in lieu of the OAT. Applicants are encouraged to contact the schools and colleges for their exam requirements.

Is the MCAT the most difficult exam?

Is the MCAT the Hardest Test? Unfortunately, the MCAT is likely not the hardest test that you will complete in medical school. If anything, it's the first of many difficult exams. The USMLE exams are a series of three exams that you will need to pass during your medical studies.

Why You Should NOT Take The OAT | Other Options Out There

Is a 500 MCAT score hard?

The MCAT scale is centered so that a 500 represents the mean score. AAMC recommends that med school admission committees consider applicants near the center of the range, rather than placing the most emphasis on the higher end of the scale.

Is it hard to get a 500 MCAT?

Without approaching MCAT prep in a strategic way, it's highly unlikely you'll be able to easily achieve a competitive 500+ MCAT score. Using these top scorer strategies, we've seen a lot of premeds finally get over that same score they've been hovering around for so long... And now you can do the same.

Is it harder to get into med school or optometry school?

Optometrists malpractice insurance is significantly lower, and there is much less schooling/tuition involved. I would say it is less competitive to get into optometry school than medical school.

How many times do people take the OAT?

The OAT exam is computerized and examinees are allowed to take the OAT an unlimited number of times, but must wait at least 90 days between testing dates. Applicants who have three or more OAT attempts must apply for permission to test again, and from that point forward may retest only once per twelve-month period.

What score do you need to pass the OAT?

OAT scores range from 200 to 400, and are reported in 10-point increments. Each educational program makes its own determination as to what constitutes an acceptable score. As such, there is not an official passing score for this examination.

Can you get into optometry school with a 290 OAT score?

How Good do My OAT Scores Need Be? The average AA for acceptance across all optometry schools is approximately a 320. This is just an average though – you can certainly get accepted with lower OAT scores depending on the strength of the rest of your application and where you apply.

Is the OAT test worth it?

The OAT can provide insight into a wide range of conditions, making it valuable for individuals who are experiencing complex chronic conditions.

How long do people study for the OAT?

I recommend scheduling your exam two to three months ahead of time so that you have a set goal dated ahead. Everyone is different, though! For some people, a few weeks is enough time to study, while for others, it takes a few more months. Plan out when to take the OAT in a time frame that works best for you.

Is 310 a good OAT score?

The average GPA of an entering class is typically around 3.50 and the average OAT score is around 330. If you score below 310, you are encouraged to retake the OAT before applying.

Is a 515 MCAT competitive?

An MCAT of 515, which will place you in the 90th percentile of all test takers, or above will make you a much more competitive applicant. A score over 517, the 94th percentile, should nearly guarantee admission.

What is top 90% MCAT?

The average MCAT total score is 502 with a standard deviation of 10.8, while the 90th percentile score is 515. As of 2023, there are 44,565 men and 51,890 women in medical school according to the AAMC.

Is 2 months enough time to study for the OAT?

The specified period allows for sufficient exploration of the entire topic as well as effective exercises. Experts typically recommend devoting roughly 200 hours to OAT preparation, which equates to approximately 3 study hours each day if you study for two months.

What month should I take the OAT?

All applicants are required to take the OAT no later than the March 1 application deadline; however, we strongly recommend applying and taking the test early in the application cycle. Sitting for the test a year before entering optometry school is encouraged to accelerate the processing of the application.

How much does the OAT exam cost?

The fee for taking the OAT is $515. The OAT is conducted by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and administered by the American Dental Association (ADA).

Is optometry school worth it financially?

So is optometry worth it? The pure financial answer is yes. The projected lifetime earnings of an OD vs. the average college grad is $984,000 after taxes.

What is the hardest year of optometry school?

Second year is the hardest year of optometry school and consists of your systemic disease, ocular disease, and pharmacology courses. The workload is significantly larger than first year because the material is much denser, so you can expect at least 2-3 quizzes a week.

Why DO optometrists not go to medical school?

An Optometrist goes to a specialized school for Optometry (literally, measuring the eye). Their education is neither as deep nor as broad as that of a physician and they are not privileged to perform surgery on the eye.

Does taking the MCAT 3 times look bad?

If necessary, retake the MCAT up to two to three times total—space out attempts with enough time to thoroughly review and improve your study strategy. More than three attempts can reflect poorly.

How bad is a 480 MCAT score?

Attaining a score of 480 on the MCAT means you performed in the 3% percentile. An even distribution for the section scores is preferred. For example: 119 (C/P) 118 (CARS) 125 (B/B) 118 (P/S).

Has anyone gotten a 45 on the MCAT?

Seven and a half hours later, Wehmeyer became one of the few examinees to receive a perfect 45 on the MCAT. But the road to this perfect score was not easy. It began during Wehmeyer's childhood. He was always interested in sciences, especially biology, and was raised in a strongly academic family.