Kaplan OAT Prep Plus 2019-2020 PDF

OAT ® i Prep Plus 2019—2020 Special thanks to the staff of Kaplan Test Prep who worked on this book. ii OAT is a registered trademark of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, which neither sponsors nor endorses this product. This publication...

OAT ® i Prep Plus 2019—2020 Special thanks to the staff of Kaplan Test Prep who worked on this book. ii OAT is a registered trademark of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, which neither sponsors nor endorses this product. This publication is designed to provide accurate information in regard to the subject matter covered as of its publication date, with the understanding that knowledge and best practice constantly evolve. The publisher is not engaged in rendering medical, legal, accounting, or other professional service. If medical or legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. This publication is not intended for use in clinical practice or the delivery of medical care. To the fullest extent of the law, neither the Publisher nor the Editors assume any liability for any injury and/or damage to persons or property arising out of or related to any use of the material contained in this book. © 2018 by Kaplan, Inc. Published by Kaplan Publishing, a division of Kaplan, Inc. 750 Third Avenue New York, NY 10017 All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ISBN: 978-1-5062-3523-3 Kaplan Publishing print books are available at special quantity discounts to use for sales promotions, employee premiums, or educational purposes. For more information or to purchase books, please call the Simon & Schuster special sales department at 866-506- 1949.  TABLE OF CONTENTS iii Getting Started Checklist Available Online Note to International Students SECTION I: OAT STRATEGIES Chapter 1: Introduction to the OAT Chapter 2: Studying Effectively Chapter 3: Test Strategies SECTION II: BIOLOGY Chapter 4: Biology Strategies Chapter 5: Cellular Biology Chapter 6: Molecular Genetics Chapter 7: Metabolism Chapter 8: Genetics Chapter 9: Evolution Chapter 10: Integumentary and Immune Systems Chapter 11: Nervous System Chapter 12: Muscular and Skeletal Systems Chapter 13: Circulatory and Respiratory Systems Chapter 14: Digestive System Chapter 15: Urinary System Chapter 16: Endocrine System Chapter 17: Reproductive System Chapter 18: Developmental Biology  Chapter 19: Animal Behavior Chapter 20: Ecology Chapter 21: Taxonomy iv SECTION III: GENERAL CHEMISTRY Chapter 22: General Chemistry Strategies Chapter 23: Laboratory Techniques Chapter 24: Atomic and Molecular Structure Chapter 25: Periodic Properties Chapter 26: Chemical Bonding Chapter 27: Stoichiometry Chapter 28: Solutions Chapter 29: Reaction Types Chapter 30: Electrochemistry Chapter 31: Chemical Kinetics Chapter 32: Thermochemistry Chapter 33: Chemical Equilibria Chapter 34: Liquids and Solids Chapter 35: Gases Chapter 36: Acids and Bases Chapter 37: Nuclear Reactions SECTION IV: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Chapter 38: Organic Chemistry Strategies Chapter 39: Nomenclature Chapter 40: Isomers Chapter 41: Bonding Chapter 42: Alkanes  Chapter 43: Alkenes and Alkynes Chapter 44: Aromatic Compounds Chapter 45: Alcohols and Ethers Chapter 46: Aldehydes and Ketones Chapter 47: Carboxylic Acids Chapter 48: Carboxylic Acid Derivatives Chapter 49: Amines Chapter 50: Spectroscopy Chapter 51: Separation v SECTION V: READING COMPREHENSION Chapter 52: Reading Critically Chapter 53: Question Types Chapter 54: Reading Comprehension Practice SECTION VI: QUANTITATIVE REASONING Chapter 55: Quantitative Strategies Chapter 56: Quantitative Comparison Chapter 57: Data Sufficiency Chapter 58: Data Interpretation Chapter 59: Fundamentals of Calculation Chapter 60: Algebra Chapter 61: Probability and Statistics Chapter 62: Geometry Chapter 63: Trigonometry SECTION VII: PHYSICS Chapter 64: Units, Vectors, and Kinematics  Chapter 65: Newtonian Mechanics Chapter 66: Energy and Momentum Chapter 67: Thermodynamics Chapter 68: Fluid Statics Chapter 69: Electrostatics Chapter 70: Circuits Chapter 71: Simple Harmonic Motion and Waves Chapter 72: Light and Optics Chapter 73: Modern Physics INDEX STUDY SHEETS  vii Getting Started Checklist Register for your free online assets—including two full-length OAT practice tests—at kaptest.com/moreonline. Download the Kaplan app to access the digital materials on your mobile device. Tear out the perforated color “quick sheets” at the back of this book and staple them together so you can study even when you don’t have your book. Resist the temptation to skip straight to the science. Instead, start by reading the first three chapters (only 28 pages!). As you finish a chapter (including the practice problems!), check it off on the table of contents. Obtain PIN (required to take the OAT and apply to Optometry school!) at ada.org/en/oat/apply-to-take-the-oat, then apply to take the OAT. Contact Prometric (prometric.com) to arrange the date, time and location for your OAT administration. Take a moment to admire your completed checklist, then get back to the business of prepping for this exam! Available Online ix kaptest.com/booksonline Log in to Kaplan’s OAT online companion to access two full-length practice tests. You will be asked for a password derived from the text to access the online companion, so have your book available. Late-Breaking Developments kaptest.com/publishing The material in this book is up to date at the time of publication. However, the test makers may release more information on test changes after this book is published. Be sure to read carefully the materials you receive when you register for the test. If there are any important late-breaking developments—or any changes or corrections to the Kaplan test preparation materials in this book—we will post that information online at kaptest.com/publishing. Feedback and Comments Email us: [email protected] Ask us on Facebook: facebook.com/KaplanDATOATPCAT We would appreciate your comments and suggestions about this book. Please provide any feedback you have for the improvements of this book to [email protected]. Your feedback is extremely helpful as we continue to develop high-quality resources to meet your needs. NOTE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS x If you are an international student hoping to attend an optometry school in the United States, Kaplan can help you explore your options. Here are some things to think about. If English is not your first language, most optometry schools will require you to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or provide some other evidence that you are proficient in English. Plan to take the OAT. All U.S. optometry schools require it. Begin the process of applying to optometry schools at least 12 months before the fall of the year you plan to start your studies. Some programs start as early as July. You will need to obtain an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility from the school you plan to attend if you intend to apply for an F-1 Student Visa to study in the United States. If you’ve already completed an optometry degree outside the United States, get information from U.S. schools—some may have special programs for international graduates of optometry. 1  Section I OAT STRATEGIES 2 SECTION GOALS Many OAT questions require the application of a strategic approach and critical thinking. The first portion of this book is designed to introduce you to the OAT, as well as the major Kaplan strategies for raising your score. This section is designed to help you achieve the following goals: Identify common themes within OAT test sections Recall the key content areas and timing guidelines for each section of the OAT Recognize opportunities for a strategic approach within test sections and questions Study and review the materials within this book using clear, effective rules that will assist with recall Troubleshoot problematic test questions with previously learned strategic techniques CONTENT OVERVIEW Test Day Chapter 1: Introduction to the OAT Format Strategy Chapter 2: Studying Effectively Chapter 3: Test Strategies KEY STUDY STRATEGIES These chapters are designed to serve as both an introduction to the OAT and the Kaplan approach, and a resource that can be referred back to frequently. This section will remain useful throughout your studies, so refer back to these chapters as needed! Special focus should be given to the unique strategies detailed within Chapter 3. Make sure to apply the skills and strategies from this portion of the book across every relevant section of the OAT. In early practice, it may help to either flip back to this material, or to your notes on this material, every time you work through practice problems. In later practice, ensure you are using the Kaplan strategies on each practice problem. By the time you reach Test Day, these strategies and habits will be second nature for you. The OAT is a critical thinking test, and high scores are accomplished through a combination of content knowledge and effective strategy. 3  CHAPTER ONE Introduction to the OAT LEARNING OBJECTIVES After this chapter, you will be able to: Recall the structure and function of a Computer-Based Test (CBT) Describe each section of the OAT Explain OAT scoring and what the exam is designed to test Apply the OAT mindset to build test awareness, stamina, and confidence The Optometry Admissions Test (OAT) is required for admission to most optometry schools in the United States and Canada. The American Dental Association (ADA) Department of Testing Services administers the OAT at Prometric Test Centers on behalf of the Association of Schools of Colleges of Optometry (ASCO). Your score is an important part of the optometry school admissions process because it provides a universal factor for schools to use in comparing applicants. Your Kaplan program is designed to help you achieve your best score possible on the OAT. The OAT is likely different from other tests you have encountered in your academic career. It is unlike the knowledge-based exams common in high school and college that emphasize memorizing information; optometry schools can assess your academic prowess by looking at your transcript instead. Optometry schools use OAT scores to assess whether you possess the foundational skills upon which to build a successful optometry career. Though you certainly need to know the content to do well, the focus is on knowledge application. The OAT emphasizes reasoning, critical thinking, reading comprehension, data analysis, and problem-solving skills. The OAT’s power comes from its use as an indicator of your abilities: Good scores can open up many opportunities for you. Your power comes from preparation and mindset. The key to OAT success is knowing what you are up against. That’s where this book helps. You’ll learn the philosophy behind the test, review the sections one by one, attempt sample questions, master Kaplan’s proven methods, and understand what the test makers really want. You’ll get a handle on the process, find a confident perspective, and achieve your highest possible scores. THE COMPUTER-BASED TEST The OAT is conducted by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and administered by the American Dental Association (ADA). The OAT is given year-round at test centers operated by Prometric. The official OAT website is ada.org/oat and is where you can begin the process of registering for the OAT. You will also find the OAT Guide and a PDF of Frequently Asked Questions as well as many other resources for OAT test takers. All 22 optometry schools in the United States, as well as the 4 Interamerican University of Puerto Rico and the University of Waterloo in Canada, require applicants to have taken the OAT. You may submit an electronic application at ada.org using a credit card. To request a paper application, call 1-800-232-2159. After your application and fee are processed, you will receive instructions to contact Prometric (prometric.com) to arrange a date, time, and location for your test. Plan to register several weeks in advance of when you want to take the test so you can arrange the best time and location. Any corrections to your application must be completed at least two weeks prior to your test date, and rescheduling your test incurs a rescheduling fee that varies according to the advance notice you provide. The OAT is administered exclusively by computer and can be taken almost any day of the year. To check in for your testing session, you will need your admission ticket (emailed to you as confirmation of your registration) and two forms of valid, nonexpired identification with signature, one of which must be government-issued and contain a photograph of you, such as a driver’s license, passport, state ID, or military ID. The first and last names on your admission ticket must match your personal IDs exactly; however, IDs with only middle initial or with no middle name included will be accepted. At the testing center, additional security procedures such as photos or digital fingerprints may be taken to confirm and record your identity. During the test, there is a countdown timer in the corner of the screen. You will not be allowed to wear a watch and may not have access to a clock. One 30-minute rest break is scheduled for the middle of the test. You may take additional breaks with the permission of the proctor, but the test timer will continue running. Even if you are not at the computer, the test will continue to run itself, and successive sections will start automatically if time for the previous section has elapsed. An on-screen periodic table is provided for the Survey of Natural Sciences section, and an on-screen calculator is provided for the Quantitative Reasoning section. The testing center provides a noteboard and marker to use for taking notes and writing out calculations. If you need to replace your noteboard or marker, you may ask the proctor for a new set any time during the test (although if this is during a section, your time will continue to elapse). You are not allowed to bring your own calculator, writing utensils, or paper. CONTENT The OAT is, among other things, an endurance test. It consists of four sections and 230 multiple-choice questions. Add in the administrative details at both ends of the testing experience plus the midtest break, and you can count on being in the test room for almost five hours. It can be a grueling experience, to say the least. If you do not approach the OAT with sufficient confidence and stamina, you may lose your composure on Test Day. That’s why taking control of the test is so important. The OAT consists of four timed sections: the Survey of Natural Sciences (including Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning. In this book, we’ll take an in-depth look at each OAT section with content review, sample questions, and specific, test-smart hints. Survey of the Natural Sciences (Chapters 4–51) 5 Time: 90 minutes (54 seconds per question) Format: 100 multiple-choice questions, subdivided into Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry What it tests: Knowledge of university-level sciences  Figure 1.1 Biology (40 questions): Cellular and Molecular Biology, Diversity of Life, Structure and Function of Systems (Anatomy and Physiology), Developmental Biology, Genetics, and Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior. General Chemistry (30 questions): Stoichiometry and General Concepts, Gases, Liquids and Solids, Solutions, Acids and Bases, Chemical Equilibria, Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Oxidation-Reduction Reactions, Atomic and Molecular Structure, Periodic Properties, Nuclear Reactions, and Laboratory Techniques. Organic Chemistry (30 questions): Mechanisms, Chemical and Physical Properties of Molecules, Stereochemistry (structure evaluation), Nomenclature, Individual Reactions of the Major Functional Groups and Combinations of Reactions to Synthesize Compounds, Acid-Base Chemistry, and Aromatics and Bonding. Reading Comprehension (Chapters 52–54) 6 Time: 60 minutes (20 minutes per passage) Format: 50 multiple-choice questions; three passages followed by 16–17 questions each What it tests: Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret reading passages on scientific topics Physics (Chapters 64–73) Time: 50 minutes (75 seconds per question) Format: 40 multiple-choice questions What it tests: 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 (Chapters 55–63) Time: 45 minutes (67.5 seconds per question) Format: 40 multiple-choice questions What it tests: 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. SCORING The OAT is scored on a 200 to 400 scale. For each section of the test, the actual number of multiple-choice questions you answer correctly per section is your raw score. All multiple-choice questions are worth the same amount—one raw point—and there’s no penalty for incorrect answers. That means you should always fill in an answer for every question whether you have time to fully invest in that question or not. Never let time run out on any section without filling in an answer for every question. As mentioned above, your raw score for a section is simply the number of questions you answered correctly in that section. This score is not the indicator of your performance that schools receive because it doesn’t reflect the relative performance of all test takers. So, on the official OAT score report, you (and the schools to which you are applying) will not receive raw scores, but will instead receive a scaled score, which is a score in the previously mentioned 200–400 range. Converting into this range allows each test to be calibrated for group performance and difficulty via equating procedures, and the outcome is a score on the 200–400 scale. In the scoring scale, a 300 marks the approximate mean score and each standard deviation is approximately 40 points. This allows scores from different tests, of potentially different difficulties, to be fairly compared to one another by optometry schools. When you receive your official score report, eight scores will appear: 7 Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Quantitative Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Total Science, and Academic Average. The Total Science score is the sum of your initial, raw performance in Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physics which is then standardized and converted into a score on the 200– 400 scale, independent of your individual scores on these sections. To clarify, Total Science is not necessarily the average of your scaled scores in the four sections that make up the Total Science score. The Academic Average is the average of the scores on all sections: Biology, General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics, Quantitative Reasoning, and Reading Comprehension. For the purposes of looking at school admissions and matriculation statistics, Total Science (TS) and Academic Average (AA) are the most commonly referenced measures of OAT scores, and thus should be the primary measures you use to determine if your score is potentially competitive for a given program. Your score report will tell you—and optometry schools—not only your scaled scores but also the percentile ranking that corresponds with your scaled score in each section. A percentile ranking reflects how many test takers scored at or below your level. For example, a percentile of 80 means that 80 percent of test takers did as well as or worse than you did, and only 20 percent did better. What’s a Good Score? What defines a good score can vary significantly based on your personal situation. Much depends on the strength of the rest of your application (e.g., if your transcript is first-rate, then the pressure to do well on the OAT isn’t as intense) and on where you want to go to school (e.g., different schools have different score expectations). For each administration, the average scaled scores are approximately 300 for each section; this equates to the 50th percentile. To be considered competitive, you’ll likely want to score above the 50th percentile. Highly competitive schools may want scores above the 70th percentile range. It’s important to check score expectations for each individual school. One commonality is that most schools will consider scores that are evenly distributed across sections to be more favorable than a very high performance on one section offset by a very low performance on another. Performing consistently across the board is preferred. Because all of your section scores factor into your cumulative score, maximizing your performance on every question is important. Just a few questions one way or the other can make a big difference in your scaled score. Make an extra effort to score well on a test section if you did poorly in a corresponding class; the best antidote for getting a C in chemistry class is acing the Chemistry section of the OAT! WHAT THE OAT REALLY TESTS It’s important to grasp not only the nuts and bolts of the OAT (so you know what to do on Test Day) but also the underlying principles of the test (so you know why you’re doing what you’re doing). The straightforward facts tested by the OAT are covered throughout this book, but now it’s time to examine the heart and soul of the exam to see what it’s really about. The Myth 8 Most people preparing for the OAT fall prey to the myth that the OAT is a straightforward science test. They think something like this: The OAT covers the two years of science I had to take in school: biology, chemistry, and basic organic chemistry, plus math and physics. The important stuff is the science, though. After all, we’re going to be optometrists. Remember: the OAT is not just a science test; it’s also a critical thinking test. This means the test is designed to let you demonstrate your thought processes as well as your knowledge base. The implications are vast. Once you shift your test-taking paradigm to match the test makers’, you’ll find a new level of confidence and control over the test. You’ll begin to work with the nature of the exam rather than against it. You’ll be more efficient and insightful as you prepare for the test, and you’ll be more relaxed on Test Day. The Reality Optometry schools do not need the OAT to evaluate your content mastery; admission committees can assess your subject-area proficiency using your undergraduate coursework and grades. Schools are interested instead in your ability to solve problems. In recent years, many optometry schools have shifted focus away from an information-heavy curriculum to a concept-based curriculum. Currently, more emphasis is placed on problem solving, holistic thinking, and cross-disciplinary integration. This trend is reflected in the OAT. Every good tool matches its task. In this case, the tool is the OAT, and the task is to predict how likely it is that you will succeed in optometry school. In fact, research affirms that the OAT is correlated with success in optometry school, and, together with undergraduate GPA, is a powerful tool for schools to determine which applicants are likely to excel. Therefore, your intellectual potential—how skillfully you absorb new information how quickly you build connections between ideas, and how confidently and creatively you solve problems—is far more important to admission committees than your ability to recite the pK a for every acid. Schools assume they can expand your knowledge base. They choose applicants carefully because expansive knowledge is not enough to succeed in optometry school or in the profession. There’s something more, and it’s this something more that the test is trying to measure. Every section on the OAT tests essentially the same higher-order thinking skills: analytical reasoning, abstract thinking, and problem solving. Many test takers get trapped into thinking they are being tested strictly about their knowledge of science and math. Thus, they approach each section with a new outlook on what’s expected. This constant mental shifting of gears can be exhausting and counterproductive. Instead of perceiving the OAT as parsed into radically different sections, maintain your focus on the underlying nature of the test; each section presents a variation on the same theme. The OAT is not just about what you know; it’s also about how you think. So, What About the Science? With this perspective, you may be left asking questions: What about the science? What about the content? Don’t I need to know the basics? The answer to each is a resounding Yes! You must be fluent in the different languages of the test. You cannot do well on the OAT if you don’t know the basics of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The best approach to learning that content is to take one year each of biology, general physics, chemistry, and organic chemistry and then review the content in this book thoroughly before taking the OAT. However, knowing these basics is just the beginning of doing well on the OAT. That’s a shock to most test takers. They presume that once they relearn their undergraduate science they are ready to do battle against the OAT. 9 Wrong! Test takers with only this minimum of knowledge merely have directions to the battlefield and lack what they need to actually beat the test: an understanding of the test makers’ battle plans. You won’t merely be drilled on facts and formulas on the OAT; you will need to demonstrate the ability to reason based on ideas and concepts. In other words, knowing the science is necessary, but not sufficient, to ace the OAT! ADOPTING AN OAT MINDSET In addition to being a thinking test, the OAT is also a standardized test. As such, it has its own consistent patterns and features. This is the key to why test preparation works: You have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with those recurring aspects and adopt the proper test-taking mindset. The OAT mindset is something to bring to every section, passage, and question you encounter. Being in the OAT mindset means reshaping the test-taking experience so you are in control. Answer questions in the order you want to; feel free to skip tough but doable passages and questions, coming back to them only after you’ve racked up points on easier ones. Answer questions how you want to; use Kaplan shortcuts and methods to get points quickly and confidently, even if those methods aren’t exactly what the test makers had in mind when they wrote the test or the way your college professors taught you. Some overriding principles of the OAT mindset that will be covered in- depth in the chapters to come are as follows: Read actively and critically. Translate prose into your own words. Save the toughest passages and questions for last. Know the test and its components inside and out. Practice! Do multiple OAT-style problems in each topic area after you’ve reviewed it. Allow your confidence to build on itself. Know that you are going to make mistakes and learn from those mistakes to get the most out of your practice. Stick with the new methods you’ll be learning. Some might take more practice than others, but when mastered, all will pay off on Test Day by saving you valuable time and earning you more points.  Complete full-length practice tests to break down the mystique of the real experience. Look at the OAT as a challenge and the first step in your new career rather than as an arbitrary obstacle. The OAT mindset boils down to being positive, proactive and taking control of the testing experience so you can get as many points possible as quickly and as easily as you can. Keep this in mind as you read and work through the material in this book and as you face the challenge on Test Day. The Four Basic Principles of Good Test Mentality 10 Knowing the test content arms you with the tools you need to do well on the OAT, but you must wield those tools with the right frame of mind and in the right spirit. Good test mentality involves taking a certain stance toward the entire test. Here’s what’s involved: 1. Test awareness To do your best on the OAT, always keep in mind that the test is like no other test you’ve taken before, both in terms of content and in terms of the scoring system. If you took a test in high school or college and got a number of the questions wrong, you generally wouldn’t receive a perfect grade. However, on the OAT, you can get a handful of questions wrong and still earn a fantastic—if not perfect—score. The test is geared so that only the very best test takers are able to finish every section, but even these people rarely get every question right. What does this mean for you? Just as you shouldn’t let one bad question ruin an entire section, you shouldn’t let what you consider to be a subpar performance on one section ruin your performance on the entire test. Often when you think you did not do well you are mistaken. The questions you didn’t know the answers to can cast an outsized shadow, obscuring the memory of all the questions you did know. If you allow a feeling of failure to rattle you, it can have a cumulative negative effect, setting in motion a downward spiral that can do serious damage to your score. Losing a few points won’t ruin your cumulative score, but losing your cool will. If you feel you did poorly on a section, don’t sweat it: Chances are it was just a difficult section, and that factor will already be figured into the scoring curve. The point is to remain calm and collected. Do your best on each section, and, once a section is over, forget about it and move on. 2. The right attitude Those students who approach the OAT as an obstacle, rail against the necessity of taking it, or make light of its importance rarely fare as well as those who see the OAT as an opportunity to show off the reading and reasoning skills that optometry schools are looking for. Don’t waste time making value judgments about the OAT. It’s not going away, so you have to deal with it. Those who look forward to doing battle with the OAT—or, at least, who enjoy the opportunity to distinguish themselves from the rest of the applicants—tend to score better than do those who resent or dread it. 3. Confidence Confidence feeds on itself; unfortunately, so does the opposite of confidence: self-doubt. Confidence in your ability leads to quick, sure answers and a sense of well-being that translates into more points. If you lack confidence, you may end up reading the sentences and answer choices two, three, or four times until you confuse yourself. This leads to timing difficulties, which only perpetuate the downward spiral, causing anxiety and a rush to finish each section. However, if you subscribe to the right OAT mindset, you’ll gear all of your practice toward the major goal of taking control of the test. When you’ve achieved that goal, you’ll be ready to face the test with supreme confidence —armed with the principles, techniques, strategies, and approaches set forth in this book—and that’s the one sure way to score your best on Test Day. 4. Stamina 11 Improving your test-taking stamina can be just as beneficial as learning more content. Overall, the OAT can be a grueling experience, and some test takers simply run out of mental energy. This catches up to them on the last section, which happens to be one of the toughest in terms of timing and mental capacity required: Quantitative Reasoning. To avoid running out of steam, prepare by taking full-length practice tests in the weeks before your exam so that, on Test Day, completing all four sections will seem like a breeze. (Well, maybe not a breeze, but at least not a hurricane.) Taking online practice tests also ensures that you are comfortable with the computer-based format and allows you to review the explanations and assess your performance. Although the scores you earn on your Kaplan practice tests will be quite realistic, the scores are far less important than the practice itself. It may sound a little dubious, but attitude adjustment is a proven test-taking technique. Just as a successful athlete prepares mentally and uses positive visualization before a big game, so too should you. Here are a few steps you can take to make sure you develop the right OAT attitude: Look at the OAT as a challenge but don’t obsess over it; you certainly don’t want to psych yourself out. Remember that, yes, the OAT is important, but this one test will not single-handedly determine the outcome of your life (contrary to what some students think). Practice makes permanent—the way you practice helps build the habits and skills you will use on Test Day. If you make sure to practice with the strategies you want to use on the real test, they will be second nature by the time you take the OAT. Have fun with the test. Learning how to match your wits against the test makers’ can be a very satisfying experience, and the reading and thinking skills you’ll acquire will benefit you in optometry school as well as in your future optometry career. Remember that you’re more prepared than most other test-takers. You’re training with Kaplan. You will have the tools you need and know how to use them. Get in shape; you wouldn’t run a marathon without working on your stamina well in advance of the race, and the same goes for taking the OAT. 13  CHAPTER TWO Studying Effectively LEARNING OBJECTIVES After this chapter, you will be able to: Build a personalized study plan utilizing guidelines and a sample calendar Apply principles of OAT studying to set goals and study efficiently Identify ideal study locations for your OAT prep The first year of optometry school is a frenzied experience for most students. To meet the requirements of a rigorous work schedule, students either learn to prioritize and budget their time or else fall hopelessly behind. It’s no surprise, then, that the OAT, the test specifically designed to predict success in the first year of optometry school, is a high-speed, time-intensive test. The OAT demands excellent time-management skills as well as grace under pressure, both during the test as well as while preparing for it. Having a solid plan of attack and sticking with it are key to giving you the confidence and structure you need to succeed. CREATING A STUDY PLAN Building a Calendar The best time to create a study plan is at the beginning of your OAT preparation. If you don’t already use a calendar, you will want to start. You can purchase a planner, print out a free calendar from the Internet, use a built-in calendar or app on one of your smart devices, or keep track using an interactive online calendar. Pick the option that is most practical for you and that you are most likely to use consistently. Once you have a calendar, write in all your school, extracurricular, and work obligations: class sessions, work shifts, meetings, etc. Then add in personal obligations: appointments, lunch dates, family and social time, etc. As part of your personal obligations, schedule in specific time for family and friends, working out, or other hobbies. Making an appointment in your calendar for hanging out with friends or going to the movies may seem strange at first, but planning social activities in advance will help you cope with your busy schedule (soon to become even busier once you start optometry school!) and will help you balance your personal and professional obligations. When life gets busy, social appointments are often the first to be sacrificed, but this can lead to strain in your personal life as well as burnout. Having a happy balance allows you to be more focused and productive when it comes time to study, so stay well-rounded and don’t neglect anything important to you. Once you have established your calendar’s framework, add in study blocks around your obligations, keeping your study schedule as consistent as possible across days and across weeks. Studying at the same time of day as your official test is ideal for promoting the best recall, but if that’s not possible, then fit in study blocks whenever you can. Next, add in your full-length practice tests. Remember, these are 14 located in your online assets (so as to best simulate this computer based test). Take one test earlier in your preparation, but save any remaining test(s) until you’ve reviewed all the content and are beginning to feel confident about the OAT. We recommend making the Kaplan Free Practice Test that early practice test! Staggering your tests in this way allows you to form a baseline for comparison and to determine which areas to focus on right away, while also providing realistic feedback as to how you will perform on Test Day. For each test scheduled, set aside five hours to take the test and then another five hours the next day to thoroughly review the test (discussed more later in this chapter). When planning your calendar, aim to finish your full-length practice tests and the majority of your studying by one week before Test Day, which will allow you to spend that final week completing a final, brief review of what you already know. Your personal prep plan for studying for the OAT will need to be based around your commitments, your personal prep needs, and your time to Test Day. A sample week-by-week plan for the average student taking eight weeks to prep can be seen on pages 16 and 17 as Figure 2.1. Note that this plan is not prescriptive of individual chapters: this is because you should be using the Kaplan Free Practice Test, in combination with your own background knowledge, to determine the best order in which to start reviewing material. This calendar is also careful to recommend a variety of materials each week, as we do not recommend reading this book from front to back. Instead, you should work on a mix of materials each week, reviewing past information frequently via flashcards and your notes to ensure you retain all relevant testable information all the way to Test Day. The sample calendar may include more focus than you need in some areas, and less in others, and it may not fit your timeline to Test Day. You will need to customize your study calendar in order to best suit your needs. For more sample calendars that follow different timelines, for additional guidance on study planning, and for more information on the best ways to use this book to prepare for the OAT, make sure to check out the videos and resources in your Online Syllabus. Study Blocks To make studying as efficient as possible, block out short, frequent periods of study time throughout the week. From a learning perspective, studying one hour per day for six days per week is much more valuable than studying for six hours all at once one day per week (studying binges do not lead to success on the OAT!). Spacing out your preparation allows your brain time to consolidate its new memories, and seeing the material repeatedly over a longer period of time makes recalling the information on Test Day easier and faster. Specifically, Kaplan recommends studying for no longer than three hours in one sitting. In fact, three hours is an ideal length of time to study: It’s long enough to build up your stamina for the five-hour Test Day but not so long that you become overwhelmed with too much information. Within those three-hour blocks, also plan to take ten-minute breaks every hour. Use these breaks to get up from your seat, do some quick stretches, get a snack and a drink, and clear your mind. Although ten minutes of break for every 50 minutes of studying may sound like a lot, these breaks will allow you to deal with distractions and rest your brain so that, during the 50-minute study blocks, you can remain completely focused. Taking breaks more often than this, however, can be detrimental; research shows that becoming fully engaged in a mentally-taxing activity generally takes ten minutes, so if you stop to check your email or social media, talk with your roommates, or grab yet another snack every ten minutes while studying, you will never be completely engaged and will not be using your time effectively. If you would like to study for more than three hours in one day, space 15 out your studying with a significant break in the middle. For example, you might study for three hours in the morning, take a two-hour break to have lunch with your friends, then study for another two hours in the afternoon. If you are unable to study for a full three hours in one sitting, shorter amounts of time can work as well, but you’ll get the most benefit from your studying if you immerse yourself in the material uninterrupted for at least one hour. For brief practice when you only have a few minutes, use the Study Sheets located at the back of this book. These sheets contain the most important information to memorize before Test Day, so take them with you wherever you go or put them where you’ll see them frequently. These can be a great way to fit in extra studying when you wouldn’t be doing anything productive otherwise, such as when waiting for the bus to arrive or for a class or meeting to start. Even five or ten minutes per day quickly adds up to hours of additional studying over the course of a few weeks. The total amount of time you spend studying each week will depend on your schedule, your starting content and critical thinking mastery, and your test date, but it is recommended that you spend somewhere in the range of 150–250 hours preparing before taking the official OAT. One way you could break this down is to study for three hours per day, five days per week, for three months. But this is just one approach. You might study six days per week (though avoid studying every day!) or for more than three hours per day. You might study over a longer period of time if you don’t have as much time to study each week. Or you might find that you need more or fewer hours based on your personal performance and goal scores. One way you could use this book is to complete at least one chapter per day. Note that the length of each chapter varies considerably, so only use this as a rough guideline, remembering each week to spend additional time practicing, memorizing vocabulary and formulas, and reviewing material previously covered. Furthermore, for best studying, don’t just review all of the chapters in order; instead, start thinking about all of the sections of the test right away and reinforce long-term learning by staggering the interleaving material. No matter what your plan is, ensure you complete enough practice to feel completely comfortable with the OAT and its content. A good sign you’re ready for Test Day is when you begin to earn your goal score consistently in practice. Time Off Taking some time off can be just as important as studying. Just as you should take breaks during study blocks, take breaks during the week as well. Kaplan recommends taking at least one full day off per week, ideally from all of your study obligations but at minimum from studying for the OAT. Taking this time allows you to recharge mentally, and any fun or relaxing activities you plan for those days give you something to look forward to during the rest of the week. 16 Activity By Topic Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Test Like Practice Take Kaplan Free Practice Test Strategy + Read Review Chapters 1–3; Review Free Practice Test Biology Review + Review + Review + Review + Practice Practice Practice Practice from 3 from 3 from 3 from 3 Biology Biology Biology Biology Chapters Chapters Chapters Chapters General Review + Review + Review + Review + Chemistry Practice Practice Practice Practice from 3 from 3 from 3 from 3 General General General General Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Chapters Chapters Chapters Chapters Organic Review + Review + Review + Review + Chemistry Practice Practice Practice Practice from 2 from 2 from 2 from 2 Organic Organic Organic Organic Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Chapters Chapters Chapters Chapters Reading Read Read Practice Practice Comprehension Chapter 52 Chapter 53 with from Outside Chapter 54 Reading Quantitative Review + Review + Review + Review + Reasoning Practice Practice Practice Practice from from from from Chapters Chapters Chapter 60 Chapter 61 55–56 57–59 Physics Review + Review + Review + Review + Practice Practice Practice Practice from 1 from 2 from 2 from 2 Physics Physics Physics Physics Chapter Chapters Chapters Chapters 17 Activity By Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Topic Test Like Take Full Take Full Complete Practice Length 1 Length 2 any remaining practice Strategy + Review Full Review Full Final Review Length 1 Length 2 Review of Practice Biology Review + Review + Spot Check Spot Check Practice Practice + Review of + Review from 3 from 3 Problem of Problem Biology Biology Areas in Areas in Chapters Chapters Bio Bio General Review + Review + Spot Check Spot Check Chemistry Practice Practice + Review of + Review from 2 from 2 Problem of Problem General General Areas in Areas in Chemistry Chemistry Gen Chem Gen Chem Chapters Chapters Organic Review + Review + Review + Spot Check Chemistry Practice Practice Practice + Review from 2 from 2 from 2 of Problem Organic Organic Organic Areas in Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Orgo Chapters Chapters Chapters Reading Practice Remainder Practice Practice Comprehension with of Practice with with Outside from Outside Outside Reading Chapter 54 Reading Reading Quantitative Review + Review + Spot Check Spot Check Reasoning Practice Practice + Review of + Review from from Problem of Problem Chapter 62 Chapter 63 Areas in Areas in Quant Quant Physics Review + Review + Spot Check Spot Check Practice Practice + Review of + Review from 2 from 2 Problem of Problem Physics Physics Areas in Areas in Chapters Chapters Physics Physics Figure 2.1 Sample 8 Week Study Plan 18 HOW TO STUDY Goal Setting The OAT covers a large amount of material, so studying for Test Day can initially seem daunting. To put studying more into your control, break the content down into specific goals for each day and each week instead of attempting to approach the test as a whole. A goal of “I want to increase my cumulative score by thirty points” is too big, abstract, and difficult to measure on the small scale. More reasonable goals are “I will read one chapter each day this week” or “I will be able to recite all the digestive enzymes by Friday.” Goals like these are much less overwhelming and help break studying into manageable pieces. As you achieve these smaller goals, you may be surprised to see how quickly you begin achieving your bigger goals, too. Once you’ve established your next short-term goals, you will want to achieve them as efficiently and effectively as possible, which means making the most of your study time. Always take notes when reading and practicing. Don’t just passively read this book. Instead, read actively: Use the free margin spaces to jot down important ideas, draw diagrams, and make charts as you read. Highlighting can be an excellent tool, but use it sparingly: highlighting every sentence isn’t active reading, it’s coloring. Active participation increases your retention and makes rereading your notes at a later date a great way to refresh your memory. Active Reading As you go through this book, much of the information will be familiar to you. After all, you have probably seen most of the content before. However, be very careful: Familiarity with a subject does not necessarily translate to knowledge or mastery of that subject. Do not assume that if you recognize a concept you actually know it and can apply it quickly at an appropriate level. Frequently stop and ask yourself questions while you read (e.g., What is the main point? How does this fit into the overall scheme of things? Could I thoroughly explain this to someone else?). By making connections and focusing on the grander scheme, not only will you ensure you know the essential content, but you will also prepare yourself for the level of critical thinking required by the OAT. Focus on Areas of Greatest Opportunity If you are limited by only having a minimal amount of time to prepare before Test Day, focus on your biggest areas of opportunity first. Areas of opportunity are topic areas that are highly tested and that you have not yet mastered. You likely won’t have time to take detailed notes for every page of this book; instead, use your results from practice materials to determine which areas are your biggest opportunities and seek those out. After you’ve taken a Full Length, make sure you are using your Smart Reports to best identify areas of opportunity: a tutorial on using Smart Reports can be found in your online resources. Skim over content matter for which you are already demonstrating proficiency, pausing to read more thoroughly when something looks unfamiliar or particularly difficult. If you are already feeling confident with the topic of a specific chapter, consider starting with the Review Problems at the end of the chapter. If you can get all of those questions correct within a reasonable amount of time, you may be able to quickly skim through that chapter, but if the questions prove to be more difficult, then you may need to spend time reading the chapter or certain subsections of that chapter more thoroughly, taking notes. Practice, Review, and Tracking Leave time to review your practice questions and your notes from previous chapters, too. You lead a busy life in addition to preparing for the OAT, and fitting in so much study time can often feel difficult. You may be tempted to push ahead and cover new material as quickly as possible, but failing 19 to schedule ample time for review will actually throw away your greatest opportunity to improve your performance. The brain rarely remembers anything it sees or does only once. When you build a connection in the brain and then don’t follow up on it, that knowledge may still be in your memory somewhere but not in the accessible way you need it to be on Test Day. When you carefully review notes you’ve taken or problems you’ve solved (and the explanations for them), the process of retrieving that information reopens and reinforces the connections you’ve built in your brain. This builds long-term retention and repeatable skill sets—exactly what you need to beat the OAT! While reviewing, take notes about the specific reasons why you missed questions you got wrong or had to guess on, perhaps by using a spreadsheet like the one below in Table 2.1. Keep adding to the same Why I Missed It Sheet (WIMIS) as you complete more practice, and periodically review your WIMIS to identify any patterns you see, such as consistently missing questions in certain content areas or falling for the same test-maker traps. For additional guidance on reviewing Full Length tests and other practice resources, check out your online resources. Section Q Topic or Wrong Why I missed it # type answer chosen Chemistry 42 Nuclear Opposite Confused electron Chem. absorption and emission Chemistry 47 K eq Miscalculation Need to memorize Kaplan steps Reading 2 Detail Opposite Didn’t read “not” in Comp. answer choice; slow down! Reading 4 Inference Out of Scope Forgot to make a prediction Comp. Table 2.1 As you move through your OAT program, adjust your study plan based on your available study time and the results of your practice questions. Your strengths and weaknesses are likely to change over the course of this program. Keep addressing the areas that are most important to your score, shifting your focus as those areas change. Where to Study One often-overlooked aspect of studying is the environment where the learning actually occurs. Although studying at home is many students’ first choice, several problems can arise in this environment, chief of which are distractions. At home, many people have easy access to family, roommates, books, television, movies, food, the Internet, chores yet to be completed— the list goes on. Studying can be a mentally draining process, so as time passes these distractions become ever more tempting as escape routes. As discussed earlier, the moment you lose focus due to one of these distractions, you also lose the time it takes to return to the level of concentration you just had (not to mention any time clearly spent not studying!). Although you may have considerable willpower, there’s no reason to make staying focused harder than it needs to be. Instead of studying at home, head to a library, quiet coffee shop, or another new location whenever possible. This will eliminate many of the usual distractions and also promote efficient studying; instead of studying off and on at home over the course of an entire day, you can stay at the library for three hours of effective studying and enjoy the rest of the day off from the OAT. It 20 should also be noted that changing study locations is generally helpful; you will be most prepared for Test Day if you are used to studying and practicing in a wide variety of (relatively quiet) environments. If you must study at home, consider ways to prevent distractions. Give copies of your schedule to family and friends and ask them not to interrupt your study blocks. Complete all the essential tasks you can before studying so they do not become distractions. If the Internet is a distraction for you, consider temporarily disabling your social media accounts or downloading an extension for your Internet browser that blocks certain websites while you are studying. Rather than fighting distractions with willpower alone, remove as many distractions as possible in advance to avoid the problem entirely. An additional advantage of studying at libraries, however, is that their environments tend to be akin to those of the Prometric testing centers. Similar to a library, your testing center will be quiet but not completely silent. Not everyone at the test center will be taking the OAT, and not everyone will start at exactly the same time. While you are in the middle of a multiple choice section, other test takers may be entering the testing room to start their tests, taking breaks, typing essays, or talking with their proctors. Practicing in this type of environment (as opposed to in complete silence or while listening to music at home) means you will be less distracted in the actual testing center on Test Day. Finally, no matter where you study, make your practice as much like Test Day as possible. Just as is required during the official test, don’t have snacks or chew gum during your intense, 50-minute study blocks. Turn off your music, television, and phone. Practice on the computer with your online resources to simulate the computer-based test environment. When completing practice questions, do your work on scratch paper or noteboard sheets rather than writing directly on any printed materials since you won’t have that option on Test Day. As Test Day approaches, study at the same time of day as your official test, especially on the same day of the week, to get in the habit of thinking about the test at those times. Because memory is tied to all of your senses, the more test-like you can make your studying environment, the easier it will be on Test Day to recall the information you’re putting in so much work to learn. In the end, you want to: 1) personalize your studying to be as effective as possible for you individually, 2) follow a specific calendar that contains your study blocks and breaks, and 3) make the most of those study blocks by focusing on your opportunity areas while simulating the testing environment. In this way, you’ll learn more and at a faster rate than you could otherwise. Sticking with your efficient plan leads to effectively learning the material you need to ace the OAT—this way, you can do well the first time and not need to study for the test again. Being committed now will definitely pay off in the end. 21  CHAPTER THREE Test Taking Strategies LEARNING OBJECTIVES After this chapter, you will be able to: Apply the Kaplan question strategy to OAT questions Integrate the four basic principles of test timing into your prep Organize your scratchwork using noteboard strategies Connect Kaplan’s Top 10 OAT strategies to your own study Even someone with perfect knowledge of all the science and math on the OAT is unlikely to achieve a top score without adequate test-taking strategies. Understanding the test question formats and having a clear plan for how to tackle each question while finishing every section on time can be just as important as content knowledge. In fact, using Kaplan’s strategies allows you to use the test structure to your favor and determine correct answers even without complete knowledge of all the content. Specific strategies for each test section will be covered in the corresponding sections of this book, but this chapter will serve as an introduction to several overarching principles to apply throughout the OAT. KAPLAN QUESTION STRATEGY The OAT has only one question type: multiple choice. You won’t find any fill-in-the-blank, matching, short response, or true/false problems on the test. Instead, every question will provide you with the option to select one of four or five answer choices. Every time. This means two important things. First, you won’t need to prepare your knowledge in such a way that you can recite formulas, facts, or statistics from rote memory. Instead, all you’ll need to do is recognize and apply those ideas using the choices provided. This means your focus when studying and answering questions should be on recognizing relationships and patterns more than on memorizing lists. Second, the fact that every question is multiple choice means you can identify patterns among the questions and answer choices to help you choose the correct answer even when you’re not completely confident. Upcoming chapters in this book outline specific strategies for how to use question types and answer choices to your advantage in different subject areas of the test. All the specific strategies for each section start with one key process: Stop- Think-Predict-Match. Although you will make slight modifications to this strategy depending on which question type you are tackling, the core ideas remain the same: Carefully analyze each question and determine what the correct answer will look like before reading the corresponding answer choices. This will allow you to use the question format to your advantage. You will quickly bypass wrong answer choices without needing to analyze them fully or falling for the test makers’ trap choices. You will also leave yourself open to using alternative strategies, such as the process of elimination, when necessary. Each step of Stop-Think-Predict-Match is outlined in more detail below. Stop 22 Your very first step when attempting any question is to Stop: Don’t fully read the question or answer choices but instead triage: analyze the question’s subject matter, length, and difficulty to determine if you should tackle it immediately, later, or not at all. For most questions, you will also use this opportunity to briefly characterize the answer choices (e.g., as vocabulary terms, sentences, equations, numbers with units, graphs, etc.). As discussed later in this chapter, the Stop step allows you to make the most of the limited amount of time you have available. Determining each question’s general characteristics before tackling it also allows you to get in the right mindset for that question. If you know you will need to calculate a specific value, you may list the variables you see on your noteboard as you read the question stem; if you know the answer will instead be a graph, you may sketch a quick plot of the variables instead of listing them. Think Once you’ve characterized the question stem and answer choices and decided to tackle a problem, the next step is to actually read the question stem—but don’t read the answer choices yet. While reading the question, don’t just read passively; instead, paraphrase as you read so you can determine what the question is really asking. You won’t be able to answer the question correctly if you misunderstand what the question is asking you to do, so don’t minimize the importance of this step. This step ensures that you do not rush through the question, potentially leading to additional work that is not needed. Establish what the correct answer will look like as specifically as possible (e.g., velocity on the x-axis in meters per second) while being careful to note any negative words, such as not, except, or false. Predict Once you have a clear idea of what the question is asking and have all the information you need to answer it, your next step is to formulate a framework of what the correct answer will look like. At this point, you still should not have thoroughly read the answer choices, so you are essentially treating the problem as a fill-in-the-blank question. A great prediction will answer the question as thoroughly as possible; however, if you’re not certain what to expect from wordy answer choices or don’t have strong content knowledge for the subject being tested, a simpler prediction could be nearly as useful and is always better than no prediction at all. Although the Stop-Think-Predict-Match strategy may sound like a radical change to the way you approach a multiple-choice test, chances are it’s not entirely different from what you normally do. The major difference is likely the order: Most test takers who are not Kaplan students start by reading the answer choices first and then determine what the correct answer will be. However, the advantages of predicting before reviewing the answer choices are many. First, making a prediction saves you time. Instead of analyzing all four answer choices, you can quickly skip the wrong choices that don’t match your prediction without needing to disprove them specifically. Second, having a clear idea of what the correct answer will look like helps you avoid wrong answer choices that might otherwise be tempting. For example, although choice A of a hypothetical Reading Comprehension question might have sounded reasonable had you read it first, after making a prediction you instead realize it doesn’t answer the question and in fact wasn’t mentioned in the passage at all. In this way, you avoid the trap of “that sounds good” and hone in on the correct answer right away instead. Finally, you will feel much more confident with your answer if you 23 predict it and then find it among the choices. As discussed in Chapter 1, confidence builds upon itself, so this aspect of the Predict step is great for Test Day. Match After preparing a prediction, your last step is to select the answer choice that truly meets the requirements of your prediction. When matching, your goal is not to judge each answer choice based on its own merits but rather to identify if a choice corresponds with the framework you predicted. To that end, answer choices will fall into one of three categories:  The choice matches your prediction: In this case, read the entire choice thoroughly to ensure all components of the choice are correct, paraphrasing as needed. If the choice looks completely correct, select it and move on to the next question. The choice is clearly the opposite of your prediction or otherwise incorrect: If at any point you realize a choice is definitely incorrect, stop reading that choice and use the strikethrough tool to eliminate it by right-clicking on the answer choice. If any component of a choice is incorrect, the entire choice must be incorrect, so there’s no need to read the entire option. The choice does not match your prediction: When an answer choice is not obviously wrong but also doesn’t align with what you were anticipating, skip that choice. Don’t spend time at this point attempting to definitively prove the choice is incorrect; one of the other answer choices is likely to match your prediction instead, meaning you won’t ever need to determine why this option is incorrect. Note that just because a choice doesn’t match your prediction doesn’t mean you should eliminate it right away. In some cases, you may find that no answer choice matches your original prediction. When this happens, you will need to return to the Think and Predict steps, incorporating more information to modify your prediction by making it more general or more specific as needed. Using this modified prediction, you can then complete the Match step again on the choices you did not already eliminate. As you first start using the Stop-Think-Predict-Match strategy, you may find yourself moving through questions more slowly, especially when you need to modify your predictions, but don’t give up! With practice, you will begin to perform these steps automatically and find both your speed and accuracy increased. Because mastery of all the OAT strategies does require practice, use them consistently throughout your practice tests and questions so you can use them effectively by Test Day. TEST TIMING For complete Test Day success, you must answer as many questions as possible correctly in the time allotted. Knowing the content and question strategies is important, but not enough; you also must hone your time- management skills so you have the opportunity to use those strategies on as many questions as possible. It’s one thing to answer a Reading Comprehension question correctly; it’s quite another to answer all of the questions in the section in the limited time allotted. The same applies for the other sections; it’s a completely different experience to move from handling an individual passage or problem at leisure to handling a full section under timed conditions. Time is a factor that affects every test taker, and the good news is that you can easily improve your scores by adhering to the following basic principles. The Four Basic Principles of Test Timing 24 On some tests, if a question seems particularly difficult, you can spend significantly more time on it because you are given more points for correctly answering hard questions. This is not true on the OAT. Every OAT question, no matter how difficult, is worth the same amount. There’s no partial credit. Because there are so many questions to do in so little time, you can seriously hurt your score by spending five minutes earning one point for a hard question and then not having time to get several quick points from easier questions later in the section. Given this combination—limited time and all questions equal in weight— you must manage the test sections to ensure you earn as many points possible as quickly and easily as you can. 1. Feel free to skip around One of the most valuable strategies to help you finish sections in time is recognizing and dealing with the questions and passages that are easier and more familiar to you first. That means temporarily skipping those that promise to be more difficult and time-consuming. You can always come back to these at the end, and, if you run out of time, you’re much better off having spent time on the questions that will definitely earn you points rather than those you might have gotten incorrect anyway. Because there’s no guessing penalty, always fill in an answer to every question on the test whether you have time to fully attempt it or not. This strategy is difficult for most test takers; we’re conditioned to do things in order, but it just doesn’t pay off on the OAT. Don’t let your ego sabotage your score by wasting time on questions you can’t do. Sometimes it isn’t easy to give up on a tough, time-consuming question, but often it’s better simply to move on. The computer won’t be impressed if you get the toughest question right. If you dig in your heels on a tough question, refusing to move on until you’ve cracked it, you’re letting your ego get in the way of your test score. A test section is too short to waste on lost causes. There’s no point of honor at stake here, but there are OAT points at stake. The test is actually built to help you with skipping around: the test interface will inform you on the review page which questions have and have not been answered. Furthermore, there is a marking functionality that will allow you to mark specific questions to return back to. This function adds a ‘flag’ to the question that reminds you to return to it when you are on the review page: practice with this feature in your full lengths so that you are fully comfortable with it by Test Day. Give skipping around a try when you practice. Remember, if you do the test in the exact order given, you’re letting the test makers control you. Be mindful of the clock, and don’t get bogged down with the tough questions. On the computer-based test, you can skip around within a section but not among sections. 2. Seek out questions you can answer correctly Being able to identify which questions will be most difficult for you personally is essential to making decisions about which ones to skip. Unlike items on some other standardized tests, questions and passages on the OAT are not presented in order of difficulty. There’s no rule that says you have to work through the questions within a section in any particular order; in fact, the test makers scatter the easy and difficult questions throughout the section, in effect rewarding those who actually get to the end. Don’t lose sight of what you’re being tested for along with your reading and thinking skills: efficiency and cleverness. If general chemistry questions are your area of expertise, head straight for them when you first begin the Survey of Natural Sciences section and save the organic chemistry and biology questions until the end of that section. With practice, you’ll be able to determine if a question is easier or 25 more difficult and time-consuming within the first five seconds. If you only realize a question is difficult after spending two minutes working on it, you’ve already lost time there and forfeited much of the advantage of skipping around. When evaluating the difficulty of a question, consider factors such as length of question stem and answer choices, type of question, type of answer choices provided (e.g., numbers, expressions, terms, or sentences), vocabulary used, content area being tested, etc. Also consider how long a question will take you; even if you know exactly how to perform a calculation, if it involves multiple steps and will take you several minutes, you may want to skip that question initially. If you do decide you can’t do a question or realize you won’t get to it, guess! Fill in an answer—any answer —for every question. There’s no penalty if you’re wrong, but you increase your score if you’re right. Note that no answer choice is more frequently correct on the OAT than any other, so avoid looking for big-picture patterns and instead make educated guesses based on logic and elimination. 3. Use the process of elimination judiciously There are two ways to get a question right on the OAT: You either know the right answer, or you know all the wrong answers. Because there are four times as many wrong answers, you should be able to eliminate some, if not all, of them. Therefore, if you don’t know the right answer, eliminate as many wrong answers as you can. By doing so, you either get to the correct response or increase your chances of guessing the correct response. You start out with a 20 percent chance of picking the right answer, and with each eliminated answer your odds go up. Eliminate one choice, and you have a 25 percent chance of picking the right answer; eliminate two choices, and you have a 33 percent chance; and so on. Remember to look for wrong- answer traps when eliminating. Some answers are designed to seduce you by distorting the correct answer and therefore can be quickly eliminated. For more information about common wrong answer pathologies in reading comprehension questions, see Chapter 53, Question Types. However, note that using the process of elimination can be slow. If you attempt to use the process of elimination on every question, you undoubtedly will run out of time before getting to all the questions. Evaluating five choices is much more time-consuming than directly homing in on the correct answer and picking it without worrying about why all the wrong choices are incorrect. The process of elimination can be a powerful tool, but save it as a backup for when tackling the question directly with Stop-Think-Predict-Match method has not yielded a match. Note that the OAT also helps you to use an elimination strategy by including a strikethrough feature. By right-clicking on an answer choice, you can strike it out. Make sure to practice with this and other computer- based test functionalities prior to taking the real OAT! 4. Keep track of time While working on a section, maintain a general sense of your timing without constantly looking at the clock. For most multiple choice sections, you must average from 55 to 65 seconds per question in order to finish in time. These are averages, though; you will be able to answer some basic questions in 15 seconds, whereas other questions, such as those that involve lengthy calculations, may take over 60 seconds. Especially because of such discrepancies, constantly looking at the countdown timer after every question can be unnecessarily stressful and potentially misleading; you may have just tackled a particularly difficult question for which taking more time was perfectly acceptable, so trying to stick too closely to the average for every question can be counterproductive. Nevertheless, to ensure you finish each section, you still shouldn’t spend a wildly disproportionate amount of time on any one question or group of questions. A good strategy, therefore, is to look at the clock every five or ten 26 minutes with a specific goal, such as “I should have more minutes than questions remaining in the Quantitative Reasoning section” (meaning there will be at least one minute for every remaining question). Having specific guidelines in mind helps to avoid spending time calculating how much time is left out of the total, which can use up valuable testing time. When planning out your time, leave at least 30 seconds at the end of each section to review any questions you intended to come back to later and make quick educated guesses for questions you left blank (if any). The last thing you want to happen is for time to elapse for a particular section before you’ve gotten to half the questions. Therefore, it’s essential that you pace yourself, keeping in mind the general guidelines for how long to spend on any individual question or passage. With practice, you will develop an innate sense of how long you have to complete each question so you’ll know when you’re exceeding the limit and should start to move faster. Section-Specific Pacing Let’s now look at the section-specific timing requirements and some tips for meeting them. As described previously, keep in mind that the times per question or passage are only averages. Every question is of equal worth, so don’t get hung up on any one. Think about it: If a question is so hard that it takes you a long time to answer it, chances are you may get it wrong anyway. In that case, you’d have nothing to show for your extra time but a lower score. Reading Comprehension Allow yourself approximately 20 minutes per passage set, which includes reading a passage and answering the associated questions. On average, give yourself 7–8 minutes to read a passage and 10–12 minutes to answer the corresponding questions. Some longer passages may take more time to read, but limit yourself to eight minutes as a maximum so you have time to answer the questions, which are what actually contribute to your overall score. Do the easiest passages first. This may mean avoiding topics that are extremely unfamiliar or passages that seem to include a lot of challenging vocabulary. For passage-based questions, choose an answer based only on the information given. Be careful not to overthink the question by inserting too much of your own logic. Passages might generate their own data. Your answer choices must be consistent with the information in the passage, even if that means an answer choice is inconsistent with the science of ideal, theoretical situations. The Survey of Natural Sciences You hypothetically have about 55 seconds for each Biology, General Chemistry, or Organic Chemistry question in the Survey of Natural Sciences. However, Biology and Organic Chemistry questions typically take less time than complex General Chemistry calculations, so it’s important to keep track of your overall progress. A good goal is to spend 30 seconds per Biology question, up to 75 seconds per General Chemistry question, and then 60 seconds per Organic Chemistry question. Completing the mostly fact-based Biology questions quickly will allow you to have plenty of time for the more time-consuming chemistry questions and set yourself up for success in the section as a whole. Physics and Quantitative Reasoning Physics averages 75 seconds per question, but different question types use less or more time depending on the level of calculation required. You have about 67 seconds for each Quantitative Reasoning question, but again, some will take more time and others less.  27 COMPUTER-BASED TESTING TOOLS There are several tools available on the OAT testing interface that make the computer testing experience better for the student if used strategically. These tools include the onscreen timer, the ‘Exhibit’ button (in the Survey of Natural Sciences), the calculator (in Quantitative Reasoning), highlighting (in Reading Comprehension), and strikethrough. Refer to your online resources to see these features in the interface and practice with them in your Full Length exams. Practice with these tools now will make use of them on Test Day simple and intuitive. Make sure to test out different levels of usage of the highlighter, mark button, and the strikethrough feature in order to find the method that is most successful for you. The periodic table is pulled up via the Exhibit button and does cover the entire screen when opened, so we suggest pulling it up only once per question, extracting the information you need, and closing it. In addition, we generally recommend highlighting no more than one phrase per paragraph of a passage, marking only about one in every ten questions, and using strikethrough only when necessary in order to maximize efficiency on Test Day. NOTEBOARD STRATEGIES Other resources to maximize on Test Day are your two noteboards and markers. Using the noteboards when you need them, but not so much that you waste your limited time, is important. Write clearly on your noteboard. Conserve space by keeping all your work for a given problem in the same area. Number each question and box off its notes when you are finished so you can come back to it later, if needed, and so you do not confuse your work for one question with the work for another. When you finish a section, ask your proctor for a new noteboard (and a new marker if you sense yours is beginning to run out of ink). An example of how scratchwork can be organized is seen in the partial noteboard shown in Figure 3.1. Figure 3.1  28 KAPLAN’S TOP TEN OAT STRATEGIES 1. Relax! Just by reading the first few chapters of this book you are already taking steps towards Test Day success. By the time Test Day arrives, you will have mastered the Kaplan strategies and OAT content needed to conquer the exam. 2. Know what the OAT tests. Never forget the purpose of the OAT: to test your powers of analytical reasoning. You need to know the content because each section has its own particular language, but the underlying OAT intention is consistent throughout the test. 3. Develop the OAT mindset. The OAT is designed to let you show off everything you’ve learned so far. Don’t let your spirit fall, or your attitude will slow you down. Don’t let yourself worry about a question or section once you’ve finished it; instead, change your mindset and tackle the next item as if you’re just starting anew. 4. Build your stamina. Prepare your mind for Test Day by completing practice tests and studying in three-hour blocks while remembering to take breaks every hour and one day off per week. 5. Master the art of predicting. Kaplan’s Stop-Think-Predict-Match strategy allows you to break up each question into manageable steps. Carefully determine what a question is really asking, then anticipate answers before you read the answer choices. This helps protect you from persuasive, tricky, and time-consuming incorrect choices. 6. Skip around within each section by seeking out questions you can answer correctly. Attack each section confidently. You’re in charge. Since every question is worth the same amount, work your best areas first to  maximize your opportunity for OAT points. Don’t be a passive victim of the test structure, and don’t let any one question drag you down! 7. Use the process of elimination judiciously. Most wrong answer choices are logical twists on the correct choice. Quickly move past any obvious traps to more easily match your prediction, but only use the full process of elimination when you cannot find a match. 8. Keep track of time. Pace yourself to avoid spending too much time on any individual question. Don’t let the clock add stress to Test Day. 9. Make the most of your noteboard and computer-based testing tools. Keep track of all the notes you need on your noteboard by being neat and methodical. You aren’t given many resources to use on Test Day, so take full advantage of those provided. 10. Have the right attitude. Your attitude toward the test really does affect your performance. You don’t necessarily have to think nice thoughts about the OAT, but work to develop confidence and a positive mental stance toward the test. You can do this! 29 Section II BIOLOGY 30 SECTION GOALS Biology is a topic area integral to mastery of the Survey of Natural Sciences portion of the DAT. The biology strategies, content, and practice presented within this section are designed to help you accomplish the following goals: Recall key biology content terms and ideas Identify when and how Test Day questions are using biological concepts Distinguish key differences in similar answer choices using knowledge of biological concepts Connect new information given in a question to previously existing knowledge of biology Predict answers to DAT Biology questions accurately and quickly, using the Kaplan methods CONTENT OVERVIEW Cell and Chapter 5: Cellular Biology Chapter 6: Molecular Molecular Genetics* Biology Chapter 7: Metabolism Genetics Chapter 6: Molecular Genetics* Chapter 8: Genetics Structure and Chapter 10: Integumentary and Immune Systems Function of Chapter 11: Nervous System Chapter 12: Muscular and Systems Skeletal Systems Chapter 13: Circulatory and Respiratory Systems Chapter 14: Digestive System Chapter 15: Urinary System Chapter 16: Endocrine System Chapter 17: Reproductive System Developmental Chapter 18: Developmental Biology Biology Evolution, Chapter 9: Evolution Chapter 19: Animal Behavior Ecology, and Chapter 20: Ecology Behavior Diversity of Chapter 21: Taxonomy Life *Note: An understanding of Molecular Genetics is necessary for both Cellular and Molecular Biology and Genetics. KEY STUDY STRATEGIES The biology review in this book begins with a chapter on strategy that should be read thoroughly before any other chapters within the section. Once Chapter 4 has been read and internalized, this section can be used in a number of versatile ways. Most of the chapters can be perused in any order, but it is recommended that you prioritize the chapters of greatest need to your individual prep. Boldface vocabulary terms are likely to show up on Test Day. Make sure that you know not only the definitions of these bold terms, but also how they relate to other key terms within biology. Recognition of relevant terms, or “buzzwords,” is one of the basic skills required for success on the DAT. Consider using Kaplan flashcards to review these terms, or build your own flashcard set. Use the table above, in combination with practice, to determine which chapters to prioritize in prep. After reviewing a chapter, use the associated quiz to test your knowledge of that content, and review the quiz to find any missing knowledge gaps. 31  CHAPTER FOUR Biology Strategies LEARNING OBJECTIVES After this chapter, you will be able to: Apply Kaplan’s question strategies to the Biology section Use Kaplan’s proven techniques to study DAT biology content effectively The biology knowledge you need for the DAT encompasses a wide variety of topics in the categories of cell and molecular biology, diversity of life, vertebrate anatomy and physiology, developmental biology, genetics and evolution, and ecology and behavior. Mastering biology on the DAT means not only memorizing biology vocabulary and facts but also learning to integrate your knowledge, make connections, and otherwise approach the multiple-choice questions in the Biology subtest and the entire Survey of Natural Sciences section in the best way possible. THE SURVEY OF NATURAL SCIENCES Biology content appears in the Survey of Natural Sciences section, which contains the Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry subtests. The Survey of Natural Sciences has a total of 100 questions that must be completed in 90 minutes. Questions 1–40 are always related to biology, questions 41–70 are always related to general chemistry, and questions 71– 100 are always related to organic chemistry. The content in each subtest does overlap in some areas (such as chemical bonding, which is tested in both General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry), but the questions always remain in three discrete groups, and you will receive separate scores for each subtest in addition to your cumulative Survey of Natural Sciences score. Therefore, when you first begin studying for the Survey of Natural Sciences, it’s generally best to treat the section as three separate tests and master each content area separately, except for those topics that obviously overlap. Survey of Natural Sciences Pacing On Test Day you will be able to freely navigate among all 100 questions in the Survey of Natural Sciences section. Time is shared for all three subtests, giving you an average of 54 seconds per problem. Because the Survey of Natural Sciences is one long section, some test takers find themselves overwhelmed by the need to keep track of time, since there are so many questions yet less than one minute per question. Therefore, you should not only study each subtest separately but also consider each separately when managing the entire section. Among the three subtests, you should complete Biology in the least amount of time since its questions are mostly fact based and require few calculations. Spend 30 seconds or less on each question to finish the Biology subtest within 20 minutes. 32 General Chemistry, which involves many more calculations and therefore more use of your scratch work, will take the most time. You should average 75 seconds for each General Chemistry question, which means the entire subtest will take you a total of 37.5 minutes. Finally, Organic Chemistry will be somewhere in the middle, with some questions that involve drawing out reactions or complex figures taking longer and other questions that require just naming or identifying molecules taking less time. With 60 seconds per question, you will be able to complete this section in 30 minutes. The Kaplan timing guidelines for the Survey of Natural Sciences are summarized below: Biology: 20 minutes (30 seconds per question) General Chemistry: 37.5 minutes (75 seconds per question) Organic Chemistry: 30 minutes (60 seconds per question) Review Marked Questions: 2.5 minutes Total: 90 minutes Following these guidelines will allow you to break down the Survey of Natural Sciences into more reasonable pieces and give you a more realistic sense of how you’re progressing through the section than if you were to use the overall average of 54 seconds per question. If you stick to the Kaplan guidelines closely, you’ll also have 2.5 minutes left at the end of the section to review any questions that you marked to return to later because they involved lengthy calculations or otherwise would take too long to answer during your first pass through the section. The DAT rewards students who complete sections out of order, so work through the Biology questions in whatever order is best for you. By adhering to this Kaplan pacing strategy, using the Test Timing tips from Chapter 1 and the Test Strategies and Scratchwork Strategies from Chapter 3, and continually practicing, you undoubtedly will find the timing of the Survey of Natural Sciences much more reasonable than you previously thought. BIOLOGY QUESTION STRATEGY Kaplan’s Stop-Think-Predict-Match strategy is useful for all sections of the test and is especially helpful for the Survey of Natural Sciences section due to the limited time given per question. Before spending a significant amount of time on any one question, Stop to consider what content area is being tested and whether you want to attempt that question right away or mark it for later. Each question within a section is worth the same number of points, so answer the easiest and fastest questions first to ensure you’ve earned as many points as possible before attempting the most difficult and time- consuming problems. Once you’ve committed to a question, Think about what is being asked by carefully reading and paraphrasing the question stem. Next, recall any pertinent outside information and apply that to the question to Predict the answer. Only when you have a strong prediction in mind should you read the answer choices, and even then, your goal should be to find a Match to your prediction rather than to analyze each answer choice on its own merits. Not reading the answer choices in advance is especially important for the Biology subtest because it contains many questions with lengthy trap answer choices that initially seem correct. For a more thorough review of Stop-Think-Predict-Match, see Chapter 3, Test Strategies. 33 STUDYING BIOLOGY CONTENT The DAT assesses test takers’ memories of discrete biological facts with particular focus on the molecular basis of life. However, the DAT also assesses test takers’ proficiency with integrative questions that focus on biological systems as wholes, including the complex interactions within them. This means that the test rewards both breadth of knowledge and the ability to make connections. Learn both approaches; you’ll still need to memorize a wide range of biology facts, but you’ll also need to understand how those pieces work together. To help you learn this wide range of material, it’s important to use a wide range of methods while studying. The following chapters contain the biology content you need for Test Day, but you may still see questions on your official test about content that do not look familiar at first. That won’t be a problem, though, because you’ll be able to figure out the answers to those types of questions using critical thinking: bringing different ideas together to determine the correct answers and eliminate impossible choices. You may see a question about a particular enzyme you didn’t study, but you can still use information in the question about where it is produced and your knowledge of other molecules with similar names to find the correct answer. For example, if a question asks you about carboxypeptidase formed in the pancreas but you can’t remember its function, you can take what you do know to infer that coming from the pancreas means it acts in the small intestine. Since peptid refers to peptide bonds, carboxypeptidase must help digest proteins. To ensure the facts you need come readily to mind, supplement your reading by memorizing flashcards as well as the science study sheets, which contain some of the most important content for Test Day, located at the end of this book. These study sheets are perforated and can be removed for easy reference. Once you have the basics down, use practice questions to evaluate your knowledge in a test-like setting, remembering to spend plenty of time reviewing the explanations for every question. Although it’s unlikely you’ll see the exact same questions on Test Day, carefully evaluating exactly why you answered correctly or incorrectly will allow you to apply the concepts to any similar questions you see in the future. Finally, no matter how you’re studying, don’t neglect to keep a broad focus on the interactions within and among biological systems. It’s important to know that aldosterone is produced by the adrenal cortex and increases salt reabsorption in the nephrons, but it’s even more valuable to realize that damage to the adrenal glands (in the exocrine system) can cause low blood pressure (in the circulatory system). By making these connections, not only will you be prepared to answer challenging integrative questions on Test Day, but you’ll also ensure you have a solid knowledge of the basics as well. Even if you come from a strong biology background, many of the other test takers do as well, and you might not be very familiar with every topic tested, so it’s important to have very thoroug