Diversity and Inclusion Master Plan

The number of repeat takers for females was higher than males (Table 7) and URM also presented the highest number of repeat takers (Tables 8).

Table 7. Nationwide Number of OAT Test Takers by Gender (January 2016-June 2016)

Candidates

Repeaters

Gender

Number

%

Number

%

Female

1008

70.6% 29.4%

408

40.5% 32.4%

Male Total

420

136

1428

544

38.1%

Unknown

11

2

Grand Total

1439

Table 8. Nationwide Number of OAT Test Takers by Race and Ethnicity (January 2016-June 2016)

Candidates

Repeaters

Race

Number

%

Number

%

Asian

417 821

30.2% 59.5%

163

39.1%

White

299

36.4% 46.9% 37.9%

URM

113

8.2%

53

2 or More races

29

2.1%

11

Total

1380

526

Unknown

59

20

Grand Total

1439

546

Ethnicity Of Hispanic Origin

164

11.7%

72

43.9%

Not of Hispanic Origin

1235

88.3%

458

37.1%

Total

1399

530

Unknown

40

16

Grand Total

1439

546

Data about OAT test takers also indicate that URMs are economically disadvantaged compared to non-URM students (Table 9), which could lead to less access to resources, such as quality education, tutors and study materials, which are all needed to successfully matriculate into optometry schools. For instance, 17.4% of White test takers reported a family income of $59,999 or less, compared to 39.3 for Blacks, and 38.1% for Hispanics (Table 9). Academic success is also associated with test takers’ parents’ annual inc ome (Table 10). For instance, 57% of test takers reporting combined annual parents’ income of $70,000 or more had GPAs in the 3.6-4.0 range, compared to 33% of test takers with incomes below $70,000.

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