When is the best time to start taking practice tests for OAT preparation?

Starting to take practice tests at the beginning and regularly throughout your OAT preparation is beneficial for several reasons.

This approach allows you to familiarize yourself with the format and timing of the exam, reducing anxiety on the actual test day. By integrating practice tests into your study routine from the start, you enable yourself to identify your strengths and weaknesses in real-time. Taking practice tests regularly helps to reinforce your knowledge and helps with retention, as it shifts focus from passive review to active recall of information.

Furthermore, this strategy encourages a more adaptive learning process, where you can adjust your study habits based on your performance in these tests. It promotes a timed environment that simulates actual test conditions, which can help build your test-taking stamina and improve time management skills, both of which are critical for success on the OAT. Regular testing not only measures progress but also enhances confidence in your knowledge base as the test date approaches.

Considering alternatives such as taking practice tests only after completing all study materials or immediately after learning specific topics limits the opportunity to evaluate your understanding continuously and to integrate learned material in a mixed format, which is closer to how the actual exam is structured. Meanwhile, cramming practice tests just one week prior to the exam could jeopardize your ability