Admissions tests are often a requirement for application to health professional programs. There is not one standard test that all professions use. Some professional programs require specific exams, while others will require a general exam or none at all.
Use the lists below to learn about the different kinds of admissions tests, strategies for test preparation, and more!
Admissions Tests
Optometry Admission Test (OAT)
The Optometry Admission Test (OAT) is a required exam in a student's application to optometry school in the United States. It is sponsored by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) and is a computerized, standard exam.
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Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
The GRE is a standardized, computer-based test used by many graduate school programs throughout the United States as part of the application process. It is administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS).
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Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
Known as the "MCAT" (pronounced as "em cat"), this is the standardized test used by the majority of medical schools to measure a student's ability to problem solve and think critically, while testing their knowledge of scientific principles and concepts important to the field of medicine. The test is provided by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and is widely recognized in the industry.
The test is a multi-hour exam, taken via computer at select testing centers. Students often spend months preparing for the exam.
Resources for You
- Review the official site for MCAT test information, including a variety of test preparation resources, MCAT registration, and test-day information.
- Goldy's Guide to the MCAT
Dental Admission Test (DAT)
The Dental Admission Test is an important part of a prospective dental student's application to dental school. The test itslef is a computer-based, standardized test administered at designated testing centers throughout the country.
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Situational Judgement Tests (often required by medical schools)
Many medical schools require a score from either of the following two Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs). SJTs consist of scenario-based questions designed to assess professionalism, social intelligence, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making.
- CASPer is an online screening tool designed to evaluate key personal and professional characteristics that make for more successful students and graduates.
- The PREview Professional Readiness Exam is also taken online, and asks students to rate the effectiveness of responses to various hypothetical scenarios. It is used to gauge readiness for medical school by assessing development of the Premed Competencies.
Verify whether either of these tests are required by the schools you plan to apply to by visiting school websites or by using the AAMC Medical School Admissions Requirements website.
Make sure to find a quiet place with a strong internet connection to ensure that your test goes smoothly. The Bio-Medical Library has a variety of study areas, such as the 4th floor pod spaces, that may work well for test taking.