Find out the resources to use (and not to use) when studying for the OAT and to achieve 350+ scores.
There are numerous ways to study for the OAT with countless resources from countless companies. Some people simply look up the topics of the exam and begin learning as much as they can about them, while some purchase services tailored to taking the OAT. Below is a helpful guide and strategy on studying for the exam. These are the most commonly and highly praised resources available. While there are more resources available, the ones below were used in my preparation and success (350AA/350TS ; click here for full scores).
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- Kaplan: Kaplan has many resources for the OAT, ranging from courses to practice exams (both online and on paper) and review books. General consensus goes against taking the course. However, the big Kaplan OAT book is highly recommended for the Biology section. Their biology is very detailed and long, but it covers basically everything needed to be known. While reading the biology section, it is important to take notes as you go along and review them once or twice after finishing reading. Once done, take Chad’s biology quizzes at Coursesaver (which are free for biology) to reinforce them. The other subject Kaplan covers well is the Quantitative Reasoning. For other material, it covers it well, but only study them if you have time. If not, use Chad’s videos for the chemistry and physics portion. Kaplan’s practice tests are good practice however, general consensus also states it is harder than the real OAT, especially on the physics portion.
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- Chad’s Videos: Coursesaver offers a comprehensive review of all the topics on the OAT. They provide recorded videos of a lecturer (Chad) as he goes over topic to topic of each section of the exam, providing a very in-depth review including examples and tips as he goes along. He has been doing this for many years and tailors his content on what is on the exam only! He does not provide any unnecessary information and skips to the important, frequently tested material. On top of his review videos, he provides outlines which you use to follow along the videos and take notes, and also end of video quizzes to reinforce what you have just learned and master the content. Chad’s videos are not free, but they are worth the money, and the cost itself is very reasonable. Chad’s videos is probably the main study aid for most students. Note: Be sure you fully grasp all the material he teaches. Even if it means rewatching videos or retaking quizzes. All of what he says is important, and will show up on the test. Taking his quizzes is vital.
- Princeton’s Cracking the OAT: This book mostly focuses on Physics, and it is a valuable tool for that case. So far the combination of Kaplan’s big book and Chad’s videos will have the natural sciences and QR covered, but Chad’s videos, as helpful as they are, are more orientated for MCAT people when it comes to physics. This book is a perfect supplement to Chad’s videos on physics as it reinforces items you have known, but also elaborates on other key stuff Chad doesn’t, and offers vital information on physics on a conceptual aspect, something the actual OAT focuses on, more than actual full length calculations. I purchased this book 2 days before my exam as a panic buy due to getting 270-290’s on the practice physics section and read through half of it (as much as I could in those 2 days) and it connected things together. Ended up with a 330 on the real exam 2 days later!
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- OAT Destroyer: This is a huge spiral book filled with TONS of practice questions on all the subjects. The questions are known, by both students and the writer himself, to be harder than anything you will see on the real exam, but they are nonetheless great practice and each question comes with detailed explanations. Do these problems after you have done reviewing/learning using the above 3 resources, and note down any question you did not know or a fact you did not learn. But most of all, do not lose confidence when answering these questions. This book is especially excellent in regards to organic chemistry as it provides ample road-map problems that teaches you almost every type of reaction that might be needed to be known.
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- Topscore Pro: For ~$65, Topscore Pro gives you 3 full length practice exams. The exams are in a software that mimics the actual OAT and all its features. From the timer to the mark/review buttons. It is an excellent tool to get a feel of the exam conditions. Content wise, Topscore’s biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, reading and QR sections are on point of what is expected to be seen on the actual OAT. However, it should be noted that the Physics is known to be inaccurate in representation of the actual OAT physics. Topscore gives intense questions, mostly calculation based, when the actual exam is known to have a large portion of concept physics, and basic calculations. When taking Topscore physics, I was scoring around 260-280 on Physics 1 week before my actual examination. On the actual OAT, I scored a 330. Another weak area of Topscore is its Reading Comprehension scoring scale. Getting a 34/40 (85% right!) was a 310 in their books. This is inaccurate, and thus reduces your overall practice exam score. The biggest downfall of this program however is it does not provide explanations for answers, just an answer key, which doesn’t make sense considering its DAT Topscore pro counterpart does provide explanations and sources for answers, especially since a lot of the questions (obviously minus the physics and PAT for the DAT) are the exact same, and it is a software that costs the exact same for both platforms. OAT folks get shortchanged in that one. Nonetheless, it is an excellent practice software, especially for the natural sciences.
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- ADA: This is the only official sample test produced for the OAT. This used to be free to access, however it is now being sold as a package. The ADA also has an official sample test for the dentist school DAT. While that exam has perceptual testing instead of physics, the other sections are very similar to the OAT, and can be used with confidence for practicing.
- Cliff’s AP Biology: A review book meant for students taking their AP Biology exam, it makes a GREAT and CHEAP review for all students who have biology in their pre-health exam. Explains concepts clearly and in detail enough to succeed, it can be used to study for the biology section alone, or if you have the time, to supplement the Kaplan Biology section. I recommend using Kaplan’s OAT book for the biology, and then to read through this after to fully grasp the biology material.
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- OAT Secret Study Guide: This book is more about THE test, and not the content of the test. It offers tips and advice on every section to every little detail. Some people don’t bother, but I learned ample tips from this book that built up a great test-taking strategy. It takes out the intimidation of the OAT and makes you comfortable with what is to come (who doesn’t want to walk in a career-determining test confident?) Also comes with a practice exam.
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- OAT Flashcard Study System: These are a easy to use, convenient way of cementing information in your brain. These are especially helpful in “transition” phases such as being on the bus/train/car/plane or waiting for the commercials to end. It is a change of atmosphere from the thick textbooks or long lectures and a great way to quiz yourself or have a friend quiz you. Overall great supplementation to studying, but do not use them solely for studying.
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