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United States · Admissions test

The Optometry Admission Test (OAT)

Optometry schools use the Optometry Admission Test (OAT) to see how ready you are for their programs. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) governs it, the Department of Testing Services (DTS), a shared service of the American Dental Association (ADA), runs it, and you take it on a computer at a Prometric test center, on any day you can book. The Optometry Admission Test has four tests: the Survey of the Natural Sciences, Reading Comprehension, Physics and Quantitative Reasoning, 230 multiple-choice items in all. Every score runs from 200 to 400, and there’s no pass mark.

  • 4Tests in the battery
  • 230Multiple-choice items
  • 5 hours 5 minutesTotal time, with tutorial, break and survey
  • 200 to 400Scale for every score
Where to studyHow the test works

Updated October 2026 · Written from the OAT 2026 Candidate Guide

Key facts

At a glance

Governed by
ASCO, with DTS running the program and Prometric giving the test
Tests
Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, Quantitative Reasoning
Where and when
Prometric test centers in the US, its territories and parts of Canada, year-round
Scores
A score for each test, plus Total Science and Academic Average, in 10-point steps
Pass mark
None. Each optometry program decides what score it accepts

How it works

How the Optometry Admission Test works: four tests in one sitting

  1. You take the OAT on a computer at a Prometric test center, on a day you book. It’s offered year-round, with no fixed test dates.
  2. The Survey of the Natural Sciences comes first: 100 items in 90 minutes, made up of 40 Biology, 30 General Chemistry and 30 Organic Chemistry items.
  3. Reading Comprehension follows, with 50 items on three science passages in 60 minutes.
  4. After those two you can take a 30-minute break. It’s the only scheduled break, and the test starts again on its own when the 30 minutes are up.
  5. Physics is next, with 40 items in 50 minutes, then Quantitative Reasoning, with 40 items in 45 minutes and an on-screen calculator.
  6. Items appear one at a time. If an item is slow to load, the timer pauses until it’s on screen.
  7. The optional 15-minute tutorial comes before the first section, and an optional 15-minute survey comes after the last.

Topics

What’s on the test

01

Biology

The first 40 items of the Survey of the Natural Sciences, covering cells, the diversity of life, body systems, genetics, evolution and ecology.

Key points (4)
  • Biology has 40 of the 100 items in the Survey of the Natural Sciences (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Cell and molecular biology includes cell metabolism, photosynthesis, enzymology, membrane transport, signal transduction and mitosis and meiosis (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Structure and function of systems runs from the integumentary and skeletal systems to the endocrine and reproductive systems (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • The biology specifications were last changed on April 13, 2022, after a 2018 survey of what optometry students need to know (Recent and Forthcoming Updates to Examinations; OAT Biology Readiness Survey Report).
02

General Chemistry

Thirty items on first-year chemistry, from stoichiometry and gases to equilibrium, thermodynamics, redox and lab work, with a periodic table on screen.

Key points (3)
  • General Chemistry has 30 items in the Survey of the Natural Sciences (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • A periodic table of the elements is available while you work through this part (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Topics include the ideal gas law, Le Chatelier’s principle, Hess’s law, rate laws, half-life and electrochemical calculations (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
03

Organic Chemistry

Thirty items, now listed under five headings since the June 2026 update: mechanisms, synthesis, acid-base chemistry, properties of molecules and structural evaluation.

Key points (4)
  • Organic Chemistry has 30 items in the Survey of the Natural Sciences (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Updated specifications were implemented in June 2026; the OAT Program says they rename topics and list more subtopics rather than make major content changes (Recent and Forthcoming Updates to Examinations; OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • You may be asked to predict products from starting materials and curved arrows, or to predict the arrows from the starting materials and products (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Double-headed arrows show an electron pair moving; single-headed fishhook arrows show one electron (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
04

Reading Comprehension

Three science passages with 50 items in 60 minutes. You don’t need to know the science beforehand.

Key points (3)
  • The section has 50 items on three passages about scientific topics (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Each passage is about 1,000 to 1,500 words, with about 15 to 20 items after it (OAT User’s Guide).
  • Prior knowledge of the science topics isn’t needed to answer the items (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
05

Physics

Forty items in 50 minutes on content from a two-semester physics course, from vectors and kinematics to circuits and optics.

Key points (3)
  • Physics has 40 items in 50 minutes (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • The OAT Program describes it as an achievement test on a two-semester physics course (OAT User’s Guide).
  • Its 13 listed topics end with D.C. circuits and optics (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
06

Quantitative Reasoning

Forty items in 45 minutes of algebra, data analysis, quantitative comparison, probability and statistics, and word problems, with an on-screen calculator.

Key points (3)
  • Quantitative Reasoning has 40 items in 45 minutes (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • A digital calculator is available on screen for this section only (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Both US customary and metric units appear on the test (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
07

Scores and results

Scale scores from 200 to 400 for each test plus Total Science and Academic Average, with no passing score.

Key points (4)
  • Scores run from 200 to 400 in 10-point steps, and there’s no official passing score (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • There’s no penalty for guessing, and some unscored experimental items look the same as scored ones (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Official scores reach your personal identification number (PIN) account and the schools you picked within three to four weeks (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Scores can’t be voided once you’ve taken any part of the test, and schools see every attempt (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
08

Applying, fees and test day

You get a PIN, apply and pay online, wait for your eligibility email, then book a Prometric test center seat.

Key points (4)
  • Your name must exactly match your ID, or you’re turned away and lose the fee (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • Once your application is processed, you can test within a six-month eligibility period (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • You must wait 60 days between attempts, with no more than four in any 12 months (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).
  • You need two original, current IDs: a government photo ID with a signature, and a second ID with your name and signature (OAT 2026 Candidate Guide).

Test day

What to bring to your OAT test center

  • A primary ID: an original, current government ID with your photo, name and signature, such as a driver’s license, passport or passport card
  • A secondary ID with your name and signature, such as a debit card, credit card or library card
  • IDs written in English, unless it’s a passport
  • The same name on both IDs as on your OAT application, exactly
  • Nothing for the testing room: phones, watches, food, bags, coats and jewelry other than wedding and engagement rings go in a locker

Before you go

  1. Check that the name in your PIN record matches your ID. Corrections have to be made at least two weeks before your appointment.
  2. Book your Prometric appointment as soon as your eligibility email arrives. The OAT Program suggests booking 60 to 90 days ahead, since schedules fill up.
  3. If you need testing accommodations, get them approved before you book. They can’t be added to an appointment you’ve already made.
  4. Try the OAT tutorial on Prometric’s site so the test screens are familiar.
  5. Arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment. Check-in includes a biometric capture, such as a photo, fingerprint or palm vein scan.
  6. Expect staff to check your eyeglasses and hair accessories and possibly to use a detection wand.
OAT Program: Apply for the OATYou create an OAT PIN, apply and pay online, then book a Prometric appointment once your eligibility email arrives.

Study options

Where to study

The OAT Program’s own material comes first: the Candidate Guide, its list of reference texts and the paid practice test written by OAT test constructors. The program doesn’t endorse any prep course. Paid courses and question banks follow, with prices from their own sites in October 2026.

OptionPriceFree to useLinks
Official guides
OAT 2026 Candidate GuideOfficial guide (PDF)The OAT Program’s rules and content specifications for every test, including the Organic Chemistry outline updated in June 2026. Use the version updated August 6, 2026. It has no practice questions.
No price listed; download from the OAT siteThe whole guide, with no sign-in
OAT Program: OAT 2026 Candidate Guide (PDF) ↗
OAT Reference Text ListOfficial reading list (PDF)Two pages naming 23 biology, chemistry, physics and math textbooks that OAT item writers use. The textbooks themselves are sold by their publishers.
No price listed; download from the OAT siteThe whole list, with no sign-in
OAT Program: OAT Reference Text List (PDF) ↗
Official practice test
OAT practice test and test modulesOfficial practice test, online through PrometricQuestions written by actual OAT test constructors, following the test specifications. The full test takes 3 hours 35 minutes with no break, and each purchase must be used within 24 hours.
$100 for the full test of six modules, or $20 for each moduleNothing; the OAT Program sells it
OAT Program: Apply for the OAT (practice tests) ↗Prometric: Buy the OAT practice test ↗
Courses and question banks
OAT BootcampOnline question bank, videos and practice testsPro lists 11,000+ OAT questions and 3,550+ videos; Plus adds five extra practice tests each for biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, reading and math. Every membership includes one pause token, and payment in four parts with Klarna or Afterpay is offered.
Bootcamp Pro $599 for 90 days, Bootcamp Plus $999 for 180 days (sale prices, from $699 and $1,299)An account to start studying, and an OAT question of the day by email
OAT Bootcamp: Upgrade your membership ↗OAT Bootcamp: OAT Question of the Day ↗
Crack the OATOnline practice tests, videos and flashcardsLists 10 full-length mock exams of 230 questions in the real OAT’s section order, 10,000+ practice questions, 50,000+ flashcards and an AI tutor. No subscription or automatic renewal.
One-time payment: $199 for 1 month, $299 for 3 months, $599 for 1 yearA diagnostic test across all four sections, with no credit card
Crack the OAT: OAT exam prep ↗
Chad’s Prep OAT PrepOnline video courseCovers general chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics and quantitative reasoning, with 50+ hours of video, study guides and 2,500+ questions with written and video solutions. You can cancel any time and keep access to the end of the month you paid for. The course page lists no reading comprehension section.
Monthly subscription; the course page doesn’t show the priceCreating an account
Chad’s Prep: OAT Prep ↗

Prices and ratings checked October 2026.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

Study optionsRegistrationCostOfficial practiceScoresTest dates

More about the OAT

Study guideOAT vs MCAT, DAT, GRE

Test sections

BiologyPhysicsQuantitative Reasoning

FAQ

Common questions

What is the Optometry Admission Test?

It’s the admission test for schools and colleges of optometry. The OAT Program says it measures general academic ability and comprehension of scientific information, and that schools use it with other admission tools, such as your grades, to judge your chances of success. Each school decides how much weight the OAT gets.

Is the OAT run by ASCO or the ADA?

Both play a part. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry is the governing body and oversees the program through its OAT Task Force. The Department of Testing Services, a shared service of the American Dental Association, writes and runs the test day to day, which is why the OAT website is oat.ada.org and emails come from ada.org. Prometric delivers the test at its centers.

Who can take the OAT?

The Candidate Guide sets no degree or credit requirement. It says successful candidates typically finish at least one year of college, including biology, general chemistry and organic chemistry, and that most finish two or more years first. Advanced biology and physics aren’t required. If you’re applying to optometry schools in Canada, check that they accept the OAT before you apply to take it. The OAT is no longer offered in Quebec.

Can you take the OAT online?

No. The OAT is given only at Prometric test centers in the US, its territories, including Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and selected places in Canada. What you do online is create your personal identification number (PIN), apply, pay, request accommodations and score reports, and buy the official practice test.

Did the OAT change in 2026?

The Organic Chemistry specifications were updated in June 2026. The OAT Program says the new outline gives simpler topic names and a fuller list of subtopics, not major changes to what’s tested, and you should study the specifications in effect on your test date. The exam fee also changed on July 1, 2026. The Department of Testing Services’ list of recent and forthcoming changes, updated October 22, 2026, shows no other OAT change.

Do all optometry schools require the OAT?

Not all of them. ASCO says every school and college of optometry accepts the OAT, and that “many schools and colleges will also accept the GRE, MCAT, or DAT in lieu of the OAT.” Those are the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE), the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the Dental Admission Test (DAT). In ASCO’s profile of the 2026 entering class, Indiana University listed no exam as required. Check each school’s own rules.

Sources: OAT Program · Department of Testing Services · ASCO and 4 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

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