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Kaplan OAT Prep Review
A robust review and analysis of the OAT prep courses from Kaplan
When preparing to take the Optometry Admission Test (OAT), many students turn to prep courses like Kaplan’s to help them prepare. After all, Kaplan is arguably one of the most respected names in exam prep, with decades of experience behind them and direct association with many different exam boards. But does their bank of practice questions, video instruction and personalized study plans deliver what it takes to help you ace the exam? We answer that question in this detailed review of the different Kaplan OAT prep courses.
Since we write long, comprehensive reviews, we’ve included a jump-to table of contents above for your convenience. Hopefully by the end, you’ll have a clear picture of whether Kaplan is the right choice to help you prepare for the OAT.
Kaplan OAT Courses And Pricing
Kaplan offers the same prep course in three different options. The three options are 3 months, 6 months, or 12 months. And you probably guessed it, the title of the course you select align with how long you have access to Kaplan’s online content and study materials.
The popular 3 month package costs around $700 and includes hours upon hours of guided study materials, videos, Q&A sessions and more. With access to their bank of over 7,000 questions that can be customized specifically to your needs, and 7 full-length practice exams, you’ll be able to fine tune your studying in the areas where you need it.
Perhaps more importantly, you also get access to 70+ hour-long interactive sessions per month. In other words, Kaplan offers over 70 live online classes per month that you can attend. This is great because you can essentially pick and choose the days and times that work for you.
A look inside the Kaplan prep course
The 6 month package is the same as the 3 month course, except it gives you three more months of access as well as an hour of expert coaching to help you devise a personalized study plan. The 6 month package costs a shade under $1,000.
Lastly, there is the 12 month package, which includes a full year of access as well as three hours of expert coaching and OAT tutoring. This package costs around $1,600.
Of course, if you need additional help in the form of 1:1 instruction, Kaplan also offers private tutoring packages starting at $1,200.
Overall, the Kaplan packages are in line with other OAT prep providers in terms of value. Yes, maybe the Kaplan courses are a bit more expensive, but the fact you get access to over 70 hours of live classes more than makes up for it.
Course options and pricing current as of date of publication
Analysis Of Kaplan OAT Prep Materials
All in all, our team found Kaplan’s OAT prep to be a comprehensive suite of resources. From a wealth of full practice exams to individual question banks, quizzes and interactive support, this program gives you a robust batch of options to ensure you make the most out of your test prep. Let’s break down and examine the materials in more detail.
Live OAT Classes
The Kaplan OAT course was perfect for me as I prefer real time interaction with instructors and classmates, and obviously Kaplan offers plenty of that (over 70 classes per month). I liked having the ability to ask questions as the lessons were presented, and get immediate feedback.
I felt that the instructors were exceptional, and that the testing strategies covered in class were critical components of the course.
As far as the class schedule went, I loved that I could essentially hop in and out of classes as I please. I think it’s awesome that Kaplan offers over 70 different classes each month. It makes it really easy to fit in classes around your hectic schedule.
Video Lessons
Regardless of which Kaplan package you select, you get access to over 120 hours of guided instruction in the form of video lessons. In my opinion, the production quality of the videos was good, but sometimes they were a bit on the boring side.
With some of the material being dull by nature, I would like to see a little added humor or anecdotes to break up the monotony a bit. All in all though, the video content is comprehensive, and highly effective when you need to hone in on areas where you need improvement.
Practice Questions
The question bank feature, known as Kaplan’s Qbank, contains over 7,000 carefully designed practice questions.
This Qbank database is structured so you can precisely customize quizzes to meet your specific needs, based on question type, content, and difficulty level.
Kaplan practice question explanation
This was a great resource for me. I liked having the ability to design quizzes based on areas where I needed the extra practice, and not wasting time on areas where I didn’t need help.
Also, 7,000 is a lot of questions, so it’s unlikely that you’ll encounter the same set of questions twice as you work through the study materials.
Kaplan OAT Practice Tests
As with any other exam, best way to prepare for the OAT is to practice, practice, practice. So, it’s a good thing that Kaplan’s practice exams are put together by certified experts in their field who are directly knowledgeable in the OAT itself.
The questions you’ll encounter are very similar to those that have appeared on past versions of the test, and the content is continually updated.
The Kaplan practice tests are a great study tool
Personally, I found the practice questions to very closely mimic the real exam questions. And did I mention that there are 7 full length practice exams? That’s a lot of practice tests!
By the time I was finished with all 7, I felt confident that I had mastered the skills and concepts, and knew what to expect on the day of the actual test.
Kaplan OAT Prep Books
Across the board, Kaplan is renowned for their printed prep materials, and the prep book for the OAT exam is no exception. The biggest benefit for me was the critical reading section of the book.
I believe it gave me the edge I needed when reading and responding to exam questions.
Additionally, I found the included “cheat sheets” to be highly effective for last minute and on the go studying. Chock full of test specific information, additional tips, test-taking tricks, key concepts, practice questions and more, this is a valuable tool in your bag of resources.
Does Kaplan Offer OAT Tutoring Options?
Yes! If the 3 tutoring hours that are included with the 12 month package isn’t enough for you, it’s good to know that Kaplan does offer private online tutoring options. Available in 5 to 40 hour packages, you will be paired with a tutor that is hand-picked specifically for you.
Content Access Period
The period of time you have to access the online content and classes solely depends on which package you select. The 3 month package comes with three months of access, the 6 month package with six months of access, etc.
Kaplan OAT Higher Score Guarantee
Kaplan is so confident that their resources will help you that they offer a higher-score guarantee. In the unlikely event that you don’t get a higher score on your official OAT than on your previously established baseline, you can either continue your prep with Kaplan at no additional cost or get your money back.
As an added bonus, if you do score higher than your baseline but just aren’t happy and want more of a score increase, Kaplan will allow you an additional 12 weeks of access to their resources, free of charge. This is a generous guarantee and our team is pleased to see this promise.
Verdict: Kaplan OAT Prep Course Review
Overall, I could not have been more impressed with the Kaplan curriculum and study materials. They offer a complete, comprehensive and thorough suite of options to help you improve your score on the OAT.
Even though I did find some of the videos a little dry, their lack of entertainment value shouldn’t take away from the comprehensiveness of their content. The limited access period to Kaplan’s resources might be considered a downside for some who may want a little more time, but the sheer breadth of the live instruction available is unparalleled.
In the end, our experts found Kaplan’s OAT prep offerings to be rock solid in terms of preparing you for success on the exam.
FAQ
How much do the Kaplan OAT prep courses cost?
Depending on which course option you select, your OAT prep course will cost somewhere between about $700 and $1,600.
Does Kaplan’s OAT prep come with a score guarantee?
Yes. If your score doesn’t increase, Kaplan will either refund your money or provide you with 12 more weeks of access to their online resources for free.
Is the Kaplan OAT prep course worth it?
In our team’s opinion, yes. Kaplan is recognized as a leader in the test prep industry, and preparing you for the OAT is no exception. We see their moderately priced packages as a solid approach in preparing you for success on your exam.
