When to Take the OAT

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) contains material in biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and physics, so prospective applicants are encouraged to complete as many of the science pre-requisite courses as possible before taking the exam.

Admissions applications are accepted August 1-March 1 each year. All applicants are required to take the OAT no later than March 1 of the year they apply; however, we strongly recommend taking the test no later than the fall of the year they apply.

For most applicants, sitting for the test during the spring or summer prior to applying is encouraged because this could accelerate the processing of the application for the next year. It also allows enough time to retake the test if needed. For students taking the OAT more than one time, SCO only uses the higher test score so there are no penalties for retaking. The academic average determines which test score is used.

Students may take the exam multiple times; however, the scores reported to SCO must be no more than five years old. Registration information for the OAT can be found at https://www.ada.org/oat/OAT_Guide.doc.