Optometry Admission Test
All applicants are required to take the Optometry Admissions Test. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) conducts the Optometry Admission Testing Program (OAT) for applicants seeking admission to schools and colleges of optometry. The testing program is designed to measure general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information. While all optometry schools require applicants to participate in the OAT program, test results are only one factor considered in evaluation the admission potential of an applicant. Validity studies conducted by the testing program have shown that test scores in conjunction with collegiate records are useful in predicting performance. Each optometry school determines the relative importance of these predictors in the admission process.
The OAT examination, which is currently offered as a computer-based test, covers the following areas of study:
- Biology
- General Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Reading Comprehension
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Physics.
The OAT examination is given at Prometric Test Centers across the United States, its territories including Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and Canada. Applicants may retake the OAT examination after a 90 day waiting period. Prometric National Registration Center will not register an examinee before receiving authorization from the Department of Testing Services. A list of test centers can be found at www.prometric.com. Local testing centers cannot schedule, reschedule or cancel an appointment.
For further information regarding the OAT test schedules, FAQ's, and applicant information, please contact:
Optometry Admission Test
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611-2637
(800) 232-2159
http://www.ada.org/en/oat
Information regarding the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), the American Optometric Association (AOA) and other useful links can be found on the ASCO website at www.opted/org/. For more detailed information concerning the educational requirements and careers in optometry contact:
Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry
6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 420
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 231-5944
American Optometric Association
243 N. Lindbergh Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63141
(314) 991-4100
www.aoa.org