Pre-Optometry FAQs

https://www.reddit.com/r/PreOptometry/comments/xbqbb5/preoptometry_faqs/

created by Rx-Beast on 11/09/2022 at 18:48 UTC*

59 upvotes, 9 top-level comments (showing 9)

Due to popular demand, I've listed some FAQ below. Let me know if there's any questions I'm missing and I'll do my best to add them to this list.

*📌 OAT FAQ's**

*What should I use to study for the OAT?**

Below are the most popular study materials people use when prepping for the OAT. If I missed any please message me and I’ll add them.

1. **OATBooster (10/10)** - This is one of the best resources for the OAT and is virtually used by everyone that prepares for the exam. It contains everything from study notes, lecture videos, question banks, and practice tests to prepare. From my experience, the practice test questions were very representative for the sciences. I had some of the exact same questions on my exam.

2. **Chad’s Videos (8.5/10)** - Chad’s videos are great and would highly recommend them to anyone struggling in the sciences like organic chemistry and general chemistry since he does a phenomenal job explaining everything. You can find all the videos in the OATBooster study schedule for free, so no need to purchase Chad's prep course.

3. **Kaplan (5/10)** - Don’t fall into the trap of buying this. Their courses are overpriced and outdated. Most people no longer use Kaplan anymore since there are better study materials these days.

*What are the most popular OAT study materials?** I’ve attached a few recent polls for the most popular OAT study resources voted by the community:

*How do I sign up for the OAT?**

Here is a full guide on how to register for the OAT[1].

1: https://boosterprep.com/oat/study-guide/how-to-register-for-the-oat

*How long should I study for?**

Most people study for 2-3 months.

*What's the best way to memorize Biology?**

Do NOT fall into the trap of memorizing every detail in the study notes. That's the biggest mistake I've seen people make. The key is to focus on the broader picture and know the key concepts. The actual OAT tests very simple broad level questions.

**Is there a study group I can join?**

Yes. You can find it here: Official OAT Study Group

*Is this OAT score a good score?**

You want to aim for >320AA to be competitive for most schools.

📌 **Casper FAQ's**

*What is the CASPer?** It’s an admission exam required by more optometry schools each year.

*How is it scored?** It’s scored from a range of 1st to 4th quartile, with 4th quartile being the highest.

*What are some free Casper Resources?**

1. CasperBooster[2] - A free resource that has AI that instantly gives you detailed feedback and score.

2: https://boosterprep.com/casper

2. Prepmatch[3] - A free resource that allows you to practice with your peers and give feedback to other submissions.

3: https://boosterprep.com/casper

3. BemoConsulting[4] - An expensive resource which is not needed but you can use it for extra practice.

4: https://bemoacademicconsulting.com/casperprep?utm_source=google&lead_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&lead_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=10028432599&lead_campaign=10028432599&utm_adgroup=97766760421&lead_adgroup=97766760421&utm_term=bemo%20academic%20consulting%20casper&lead_term=bemo%20academic%20consulting%20casper&creative=434566282453&device=m&devicemodel=&matchtype=e&feeditemid=&targetid=kwd-352484004889&network=g&placement=&adposition=&GA_loc_interest_ms=&GA_loc_physical_ms=9000789&gc_id=10028432599&h_ad_id=434566282453&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADq0qpdikNcgKIA0Z7Mo_kuRSNnYq&gclid=CjwKCAjww_iwBhApEiwAuG6ccAepqpLpAoF54xahJQ-VOm98U-_2-XtNLBX7OOx9h2fGGAwic2x8_RoCJBYQAvD_BwE

📌 **Application FAQ's**

*How many hours of shadowing should I have?**

You want to aim for a minimum of 50-100 hours to standout.

*When should I submit my applications?**

You should submit your application as early as possible to maximize your chances of getting into the school you like. As time progresses, seats will fill up.