OAT Physics case studies
OAT Physics · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is the standardized exam that optometry schools reference when evaluating applicants, and ASCO's own guidance frames it as a required exam that competitive candidates must score well on alongside pre-professional science coursework. It is aimed at students preparing to apply to a Doctor of Optometry program - a four-year, doctoral-level degree - who typically complete a bachelor's degree with a strong science and laboratory background first. Because each of the schools and colleges of optometry sets its own admissions requirements and prerequisites, and because ASCO notes that applicants must apply through the OptomCAS centralized application service, the OAT is best understood as one component of a broader application rather than a standalone credential. The exam samples pre-professional science and reasoning ability; this site organizes study material by domain so you can diagnose weak areas before drilling. The OAT Physics case studies are 5 cases and about 2,684 words.
1Mitochondrial Respiration Under Sequential Inhibitors
Isolated bovine heart mitochondria are suspended in a respiration buffer at pH 7.4 and 25 °C with excess ADP and inorganic phosphate. The substrate is 10 mM pyruvate plus 2 mM malate.
594 words, about 3 min2Buffer Capacity After Strong-Acid Addition
A student prepares a buffer by mixing 250.0 mL of 0.100 M weak acid HA (pKa = 4.76) with 150.0 mL of 0.100 M NaOH. A calibrated pH meter reads 4.94, close to the predicted value.
516 words, about 3 min3Structure Elucidation of a C5H10O Liquid
A colorless liquid of molecular formula C5H10O (M+ = 86) is submitted for structure determination. Combustion of 0.215 g gives 0.540 g CO2 and 0.221 g H2O.
503 words, about 3 min4Conference Travel: Flying Versus Driving
A student is invited to a five-day conference that runs Monday through Friday. Early registration is 285; after the deadline it is 360.
543 words, about 3 min5Nonideal Battery With Parallel Resistors
A student connects a battery of emf 12.0 V and internal resistance 0.50 Ω to two resistors, 6.0 Ω and 3.0 Ω, wired in parallel. An ideal ammeter in series with the battery reads 4.80 A, and an ideal voltmeter across the battery terminals reads 9.60 V.
528 words, about 3 min