OAT case studies
OAT · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a standardized admission exam used by optometry programs in the United States and Canada to assess readiness for professional study. It is intended for applicants preparing to enter a Doctor of Optometry program, typically after completing undergraduate pre-optometry coursework. The exam covers six content areas: Survey of the Natural Sciences (Biology, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry), Reading Comprehension, Physics, and Quantitative Reasoning. Each section is multiple-choice and designed to test both factual knowledge and problem-solving under time pressure. The OAT case studies are 5 cases and about 2,636 words.
1Hyponatremia Correction in a Patient with SIADH
Amara, a 70 kg woman with small-cell lung cancer, arrives confused after a witnessed tonic-clonic seizure. Serum sodium is 118 mEq/L, glucose 92 mg/dL, serum osmolality 248 mOsm/kg, urine osmolality 520 mOsm/kg, and urine sodium 48 mEq/L.
609 words, about 3 min2Checking a Phosphate Buffer Recipe and Its Capacity
A teaching lab needs 500.0 mL of 0.100 M sodium phosphate buffer at pH 7.40 for an enzyme assay. The stockroom has solid anhydrous NaH2PO4 (MW 119.98 g/mol) and Na2HPO4 (MW 141.96 g/mol), both assayed at ≥99%.
520 words, about 3 min3Optical Activity and Mechanism in 2-Bromobutane Synthesis
A student prepares 2-bromobutane by refluxing 5.0 g of enantiopure 2-butanol with 48% HBr. After workup, the crude product is distilled and 6.1 g of a colorless liquid is collected (bp 91 °C).
464 words, about 2 min4Spring-Launched Cart on a Frictional Incline
A 2.0 kg laboratory cart is attached to a spring with k = 800 N/m on a horizontal track. The spring is compressed 0.30 m from equilibrium and released.
543 words, about 3 min5Rapid Antigen Test Interpretation at Different Prevalences
A community clinic evaluates a new rapid antigen test for a respiratory infection. In a validation study of 10,000 people, the prevalence of active infection is 5.0%.
500 words, about 3 min