The Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
Resources and guidance for the examination that optometry education programs use to assess candidates’ potential for success.
About the Optometry Admission Test
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a comprehensive examination that enables optometry education programs to assess the knowledge and preparedness of program applicants. OAT results are accepted by all optometry schools in the U.S. and select schools in Canada. The four-part test is administered year-round by Prometric Test Centers in the U.S., its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rice and the Virgin Islands) and select locations in Canada. The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) is the governing body for the OAT. The test is implemented by the Department of Testing Services (DTS), which is a shared service of the American Dental Association. For complete information on all aspects of the OAT, refer to the OAT Candidate Guide.
Apply to take the OAT
After you have reviewed the OAT Guide, sign up to take your examination. Practice tests are available.
Learn all about the OAT and get ready to take your test.
Visit the Prometric website to find the testing facility closest to you.
Explore the test format with this easy-to-follow tutorial from Prometric.
Get your OAT scores
View your OAT test results and find information on test audits.
Recent and Forthcoming Updates
Please download and check Recent and Forthcoming Updates to Licensure Examinations and Admission Tests (PDF) often as you prepare for your examination.
FAQ-Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
All U.S. and Canadian optometry schools require their applicants to take the OAT as part of the admission process. Each school uses its own criteria to determine how to weigh OAT results as part of admission decisions.
Prospective optometry students should take the OAT during the second semester of their junior undergraduate year, or during the summer between junior and senior years. Make sure you have taken the subjects covered by the test, especially organic chemistry.
Prospective optometry students should take the OAT during the second semester of their junior undergraduate year, or during the summer between junior and senior years. Make sure you have taken the subjects covered by the test, especially organic chemistry.
Start by reading the official OAT Candidate Guide, which explains:
- How the examination is constructed and scored
- How to prepare for the examination
- Eligibility requirements
- Fees and waivers
- How to schedule, reschedule or cancel testing
Once you have read the guide, you will apply for the examination with a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN). After your application has been processed, you will receive an eligibility letter that permits you to schedule your testing appointment.
The OAT is offered year-round at Prometric Test Centers throughout the U.S., its territories (including Guam, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands) and select locations in Canada. Once you have received your eligibility letter confirming that your test application has been accepted, you must contact Prometric to secure an appointment. We recommend doing this at least 60 to 90 days before your desired test date, since schedules fill up. Visit the Prometric website to see the testing location closest to you and schedule your test.
The OAT retest policy is not subject to appeal and states that:
- Candidates must wait 60 days between testing attempts on the OAT, with a maximum of four (4) such administrations permitted during any 12-month period of time.
- Candidates with three (3) or more attempts on the OAT must apply for permission to test again, providing proof of recent application to optometry school with each subsequent application to test.
- Subsequent to the candidate’s fifth OAT attempt, the candidate may retest only once per 12-month period.
To reschedule or cancel a testing appointment, candidates must contact the Administration Vendor in advance of the testing appointment. The local test center cannot schedule, reschedule, or cancel your appointment. Additional fees apply, and must be paid directly to the Administration Vendor. Appointments must be canceled or rescheduled by the business day prior to the test (at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled appointment). Candidates will receive a confirmation notification when rescheduling their testing appointment; please retain a copy of this confirmation.
All partial fee waivers for 2024 have been granted. The application information is provided below for informational purposes only.
Partial fee waivers are granted on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible candidates who have submitted the required documents. The partial fee waiver covers 50% of the OAT fee. It cannot be applied to any charges associated with rescheduling/canceling a test date or score reporting after the time of initial application.A candidate is eligible to request a partial fee waiver if each of the following criteria are met:
- Are taking the test for the first time
- Have not previously received a partial fee waiver
- Are a U.S. citizen or resident alien
- Have demonstrated financial hardship
- Have received financial aid from their school
When fee waivers are available, you can request one by signing in to your PIN.
Once you have signed in, select ‘Submit Request’ and then ‘Waiver Request.’
You will be prompted to select the test for which you are requesting a waiver. Select ‘OAT.’
The OAT Program will review all fee waiver requests and make the final approval/denial decision. After the request is reviewed, candidates will receive an email notification of the decision and instructions for submitting an OAT application online. Please allow up to 10 business days for review of all partial fee waiver requests.
Yes. Each OAT examinee will need a unique personal identification number (PIN). If you have already applied for the test, a PIN has been assigned to you. You will use this PIN to schedule your test date, request your test scores and perform all other steps related to OAT.
The Department of Testing Services (DTS) takes extensive steps to protect the privacy and security of all information you provide as an OAT examinee.
Yes. Fairness in testing is of vital importance, and is fundamental to an examination’s validity. Fairness considerations are embedded throughout the OAT program, affecting every aspect of how this examination is constructed, administered, scored, and reported. Read more in The OAT Program: Overview of Policies and Procedures Supporting and Promoting Fairness (PDF).
If you have questions that are not covered in the OAT Candidate Guide, you can contact the ADA Department of Testing Services for additional information.
American Dental Association
Department of Testing Services
1-800-232-1694
Email: oatexam@ada.org
OAT Background Information Reports
The OAT Validity Study reports the relationship among OAT scores, pre-optometry grade point averages (GPAs) and the academic and clinical achievements of a sample of students during their first and second years in United States optometry schools. Correlation coefficients are used to understand the relationship between admission selection criteria (such as GPAs and OAT scores) and pre-optometry success in students' first two years of optometry education.
The OAT Biology Readiness Survey Report was conducted in 2018 to update and establish the content domain and test specifications for the biology section of the OAT. This report documents results of three surveys developed to identify core knowledge in biology that students must know in order to be prepared for optometry school training.
The OAT Examinee Information Report provides general demographic information on examinees who have applied to take the OAT. Trend tables are included to identify changes taking place among examinees. This information may be of use to optometry schools as they review their admission procedures.
The OAT User Guide takes a deep dive into the history of the Optometry Admission Test Program, from its beginnings in 1987 to the present day OAT. Learn about the content of the OAT as well as the development of the scoring.
Become a volunteer test constructor
The Department of Testing Services welcomes your volunteer expertise in shaping questions for future OAT exams.