Coming Soon: Optometry Admissions Test Prep Course

The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is an examination designed to assess candidates’ knowledge base and aptitude in several key content areas relevant to optometry school curriculum. Currently, no optometry program in the country offers a prep course for the OAT. But, the Pennsylvania College of Optometry (PCO) at Salus University is about to change that.

Starting this fall, PCO/Salus will offer an OAT prep course covering content in the basic sciences, math, and reading comprehension, as well as study skills to be successful in any optometry program. The OAT is offered to all students applying to optometry school. It is required by many of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) accredited schools/colleges for admission. While PCO/Salus does not require this examination as part of an application file, this course is offered to all candidates; including those not planning to apply to PCO/Salus.

PCO/Salus faculty and administrators believe performance on this examination can provide information regarding student preparedness in several key areas critical to optometry school success.

“Even though admission candidates have access to study prep material for the OAT, there are still many candidates that, for a variety of reasons, could have higher scores,” said Darryl Horn, PhD, FAAO, director of the Post-baccalaureate program and assistant director of the PhD Biomedicine program at Salus. “As a result, we thought this would be a fantastic way to interact with optometry candidates while offering an OAT prep course run and taught by faculty who teach optometry students.”

According to Dr. Horn, the course will give prospective candidates not only subject-based study materials, including practice questions and the option to attend an in-person weekend of instruction, but also emphasizes tools to help students succeed while taking the exam and studying for optometry school.

The course will be offered as a self-paced, asynchronous course with an option for live participation during a weekend session, which will be held twice a year. More in-person weekend sessions could be added if future demand requires it. Students are able to register and join the course for a single quarter (three months), providing full access to all study materials, practice questions, and faculty during that time. Asynchronous content will be organized into six “modules” and students will work through lectures and self-paced questions throughout each area with a suggested study calendar provided by the program.

Live sessions on campus will run from Friday evenings through Sunday afternoon, and will be an in-depth review of select materials covered during asynchronous lectures as well as an opportunity to learn about the Elkins Park, Pennsylvania facilities, interact with faculty, and meet fellow optometry candidates. Practice exams mimicking the OAT breakdown and environment will also be provided throughout the program.

PCO/Salus faculty, wherever possible, will be involved in content development and delivery. If needed, external content experts will be employed by the university. “We hope that once participants leave this program, they are prepared to earn a competitive OAT score as well as excel in the rigors of optometry school,” said Dr. Horn.

For more information, contact the Office of Admissions at 800.824.6262 or 215.780.1301; or email admissions@salus.edu.