Overview
A Foundation assessment is an interesting way of combining learning and testing yourself at the same time.
The ICO Foundation assessment is offered FREE to candidates who apply and pay for the Visual Sciences + Optics, Refraction, and Instruments (Part A & B) and the Visual Sciences only (Part A). Its a new assessment for ophthalmology trainees either prior to or during their first year of ophthalmology training and can be used as a tool in preparation for the VIsual Sciences examination. Candidates can access the assessment 24 hours a day, and can have the use of books or a computer to refine their answers up to a maximum of 20 minutes per four-option question: thus 28 hours is available if necessary for all the questions but there is no minimum time. Since a high pass level is expected, candidates will have to have read around the syllabus area before starting the assessment. Candidates may access the assessment as often as they wish but cannot return to a question once it has been started.
The assessment contains 84 multiple choice, Single Best Answer questions in English covering the syllabus. Each question has a statement, a scenario, or a scenario with a picture or video. There are four single best answer option. For each question, the candidate must also rate how certain they are on a scale of 1-3 of having given the correct answer. Candidates will mark as follows:
- if they are not certain that their answer is correct.
- if they are reasonably certain that their answer is correct.
- if they are very certain that their answer is correct.
This will not have any impact on the scores awarded for knowledge but will provide candidates with feedback on their performance.
Candidates may apply directly to the ICO Exams office for the Foundation assessment at a cost of 50 Swiss Francs.
Subjects
Level A
- Community Medicine & Public Health
- Epidemiology and Statistics
- General Medicine
- Genetics
- International Medical Ethics & Good Practice
Level B
- Intraocular inflammation and uveitis
- Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumours
- Retina and Vitreous
Level C
- Glaucoma
- Lens and Cataract
- Trauma, external disease and cornea
Level D
- Anatomy of Eye, Orbit and Related Structure
- Embryology and Development
- Neuro-Anatomy
- Pathology and Micro-biology
- Principles of General Physiology
- Vision, Pathology Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Level E
- Basic design, construction and use of instruments
- Commonly used tests
- Optics and Refraction
- Pharmacology
Level F
- Neuro-Ophthalmology
- Orbit, Eyelids and Lacrimal
- Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
Results
Candidates will receive a detailed analysis of their results, along with a grade A*to D. Individual training programme directors may set their own pass grade according to the needs of the training programme.
Languages
English Only
Application Form
Click here to download application form.
Required Documents :
- Scanned copy of filled application form, with sign & photo
- MBBS or equivalent
- Medical Registration
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