Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) Sample
Survey of the Natural Sciences (100 Items)
Biology (40 items)
Cell and Molecular Biology:
Creation and origin of life, false theories about life’s origins, cell metabolism (including photosynthesis/enzymology), cellular processes, thermodynamics, organelle structure and function, mitosis/meiosis, cell structure, experimental cell biology, biomolecules, and integrated relationships
Diversity of Life:
Biological Organization and Relationship of Major Taxa (Six-Kingdom, Three-Domain System) – plantae, animalia, protista, fungi, eubacteria (bacteria), archaea, and integrated relationships
Structure and Function of Systems:
integumentary, skeletal, muscular, circulatory, immunological, digestive, respiratory, urinary, nervous/senses, endocrine, reproductive, and integrated relationships
Developmental Biology:
fertilization, descriptive embryology, developmental mechanisms, and integrated relationships
Genetics:
molecular genetics, human genetics, classical genetics, chromosomal genetics, genetic technology, and integrated relationships
Life’s and Human origins, Ecology, and Behavior:
False concepts about life’s origins, natural selection as opposed to evolution, population genetics/speciation, population and community ecology, ecosystems, animal behavior (including social behavior), and integrated relationships
General Chemistry (30 items)
Stoichiometry and General Concepts:
percent composition, empirical formulae, balancing equations, moles and molecular formulas, molar mass, density, and calculations from balanced equations
Gases:
kinetic molecular theory of gases, Dalton’s, Boyle’s, Charles’s, and ideal gas law
Liquids and Solids:
intermolecular forces, phase changes, vapor pressure, structures, polarity, and properties
Solutions:
polarity, properties (colligative, noncolligative), forces, and concentration calculations
Acids and Bases:
pH, strength, Brønsted-Lowry reactions, and calculations
Chemical Equilibria:
molecular, acid/base, precipitation, calculations, and Le Chatelier’s principle
Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry:
laws of thermodynamics, Hess’s law, spontaneity, enthalpies and entropies, and heat transfer
Chemical Kinetics:
rate laws, activation energy, and half-life
Oxidation-Reduction Reactions:
balancing equations, determination of oxidation numbers, electrochemical calculations, and electrochemical concepts and terminology
Atomic and Molecular Structure:
electron configuration, orbital types, Lewis-Dot diagrams, atomic theory, quantum theory, molecular geometry, bond types, and sub-atomic particles
Periodic Properties:
representative elements, transition elements, periodic trends, and descriptive chemistry
Nuclear Reactions:
balancing equations, binding energy, decay processes, particles, and terminology
Laboratory:
basic techniques, equipment, error analysis, safety, and data analysis
Organic Chemistry (30 items)
Mechanisms:
Energetics and Structure – elimination, addition, free radical, substitution mechanisms, and other mechanisms and reactions
Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules:
Spectroscopy (1H NMR, 13C NMR, infrared, and multi-spectra), structure (polarity, intermolecular forces (solubility, melting/ boiling point, etc.), and laboratory theory and techniques (TLC, separations, etc.)
Stereochemistry (structure evaluation):
Chirality, isomer relationships, and conformations
Nomenclature:
IUPAC rules and functional groups in molecules
Individual Reactions of the Major Functional Groups and Combinations of
Reactions to Synthesize Compounds:
Alkene/alkyne, aromatic, substitution/elimination, aldehyde/ketone, carboxylic acids and derivatives, and other. For each area listed above, the following sub-areas apply: general, one-step, and multi-step
Acid Base Chemistry:
Ranking acidity/basicity (structure analysis and pH/pKa data analysis), and prediction of products and equilibria
Aromatics and Bonding:
Concept of aromaticity, resonance, atomic/molecular orbitals, hybridization, and bond angles/lengths
This guide as Taken from OAT Guide has been modified to fulfill the teaching and driving principles of Hawaii On Line University vision and mission. The original OAT exam will differ slightly from this guide.
TEST CONTENT AND PREPARATION MATERIALS
Reading Comprehension (50 items)
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 (40 items)
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 (40 items)
a basic four-function calculator is available on the computer screen during 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) Problems
The OAT Program offers an OAT practice test in a computer-based format to help you prepare.
The questions on the practice test previously appeared on the actual test but have been retired from active tests. Visit the OAT
page at ADA.org/OAT and look under Test Preparation Material to find the OAT practice test.
Hawaii On Line University (HawaiiOnLineUniversity.org) does not endorse any specific test preparation courses and has no data on the content or efficacy of test preparation courses designed to prepare you to take the OAT.
A tutorial to acquaint you with OAT administration procedures is available from a link on ADA.org/OAT under OAT Test Preparation Material.
The tutorial includes sample OAT items, and allows you to become familiar with the basic steps involved in proceeding through the test.
At the Prometric test center you will also be given an opportunity to take a brief tutorial before taking the test.
You can become familiar with the testing experience through
Prometric’s Test Driveon Prometric.com.
In 30 minutes, you will experience an overview of the testing experience you will encounter on the actual testing day.
During the overview, you participate in:
The scheduling and registration process
• The complete check-in process
Introduction to test center staff and surroundings
A 15-minute sample test (a generic test, not OAT specific) demonstrating the testing process Visit Prometric’s Test Drive
on Prometric.com
for further details and pricing:.
OAT Full Practice Test
This test includes the following six modules:
7. Biology 201
8. Organic Chemistry 201
9. General Chemistry 201
10. Reading Comprehension 201
11. Quantitative Reasoning 201
12. Physics 201
This test has an allotted time of 3 hours and 35 minutes, which is divided into timed sections; this allows candidates to simulate the time constraints of the actual test. The practice tests do not include a break. Once you click “Begin Test” you must take the test in the allotted time.
Hawaii On Line University (HawaiiOnLineUniversity.org) does not endorse any test preparation courses and has no data on the content or efficacy of test preparation courses designed to prepare examinees to take the OAT.
Hawaii On Line University (HawaiiOnLineUniversity.org) urges individuals considering participating in test preparation courses to review carefully the course materials to ensure that they reflect the current content of the OAT.
SAMPLE- Prometric Online Tutorial
You are about to take the Prometric Online tutorial. This tutorial is a demonstration of how our computer-based test works. When you are ready to take the online tutorial, click the link below. Don’t forget to maximize the window that opens once you click below
CLICK HERE TO go to the original OAT guide web page.
References:
https://www.ada.org/~/media/OAT/Files/2019_OAT_Guide.pdf?la=en