How to Apply for the ICO Examinations Contact ICO Examinations

How to Apply for the
ICO Examinations
• Decided where you would like to take the
ICO Examination.
• Complete an ICO application form. These
can be obtained from the ICO website,
local coordinator or from the ICO Exams
office.
• Attach one passport size photo.
• Organise payment either via Demand
Draft made payable to ICO Examinations
or directly into ICO Examinations account.
• Send ICO Exams Application along with
proof of Medical qualifications and proof
of payment
Please visit the ICO Examinations website
www.icoexams.org and view the application
documents and process.
Contact ICO Examinations
David Taylor
Director of Examinations
[email protected]
Nicola Quilter
Examinations Executive
[email protected]
Annette Board
Examinations Administrator
[email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7608 6949
Web: www.icoexams.org
If you have any questions about any of our examinations
or would like to contribute to the examinations question
bank, then we would be happy to discuss this with you.
INTERNATIONAL
COUNCIL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY EXAMINATIONS
Examination Fees
The Examination fees are set in Swiss Francs but
may be converted into US Dollars at the time of
application. The fees are dependent on the Gross
National Income per Capita (GNIPC) of the country.
Introductory rates and Bursaries are available on
request but are limited.
building a world alliance for sight
About the ICO Examinations
Theoretical Optics & Refraction Examination
Advanced Examination
The ICO Examinations have been running since 1994 with an
increasing number of candidates applying every year from
over 130 exam centres in 70 countries. In 2012 nearly 2100
ophthalmologists participated with over 3327examinations
taking place.
The Theoretical Optics & Refraction is a one hour, paper based
examination and comprises 30 Multiple True/False questions, each
with five options. Thus the examination consists of 150 options.
The Advanced examination is offered to ophthalmologists who
have passed the Basic Science including Optics & Refraction
and the Clinical Sciences.
The candidates enter their answers on an optical mark reader
sheet which is computer marked. A positive mark is awarded for
each correct answer. No mark is given to those questions marked
incorrectly or left blank. The examination tests up-to-date knowledge and a high level
of common senses, precision and decision making. Passing
the exam, along with a local face-to-face examination entitles
the successful candidate to use the post-nominal acronym
FICO.
Foundation Formative Assessment
The new online Formative Assessment will be introduced in
2013. Candidates can register and pay for the assessment
online and an automatic ‘key’ will be issued.
Subjects
• Basic and Clinical Optics
There are a total of 84 Multiple True/False questions semirandomly selected by the computer. Each question is time
limited to 20 min and in addition to True/False questions
candidates must also indicate their level of certainty of their
response. This certainty indicator will be used to reward correct
responses and penalise incorrect responses.
• Theoretical Refraction
The assessment can be taken in the first year of ophthalmology
training or could be used as an entry test to a training
programme.
The Clinical Sciences Examination is offered to ophthalmologists
who have passed the complete Basic Science Examination,
including Optics & Refraction.
On completion an analysis of the results will be e-mailed to
the candidate. If successful, candidates will be issued with a
certificate.
The examination comprises of 200 multiple-choice questions over
a four hour period. The questions consist of a statement, or a
scenario, some with a picture of diagram. There are four options,
one of which is correct.
Basic Science Examination
The Basic Science Examination is a two hour, paper based
examination comprised of 80 Multiple True/False questions,
each with five options. Thus the examination consists of 400
options.
The candidates enter their answers on optical mark reader
sheet which are computer marked. A positive mark is awarded
for each correct answer. No mark is given to those questions
marked incorrectly or left blank. Candidates usually opt to take the Theoretical Optics & Refraction
along with the Basic Science Examination.
Clinical Sciences Examination
Subjects
• General medicine related to ophthalmology
• Community Medicine and Public Health
• Ophthalmic pathology and ocular tumours
• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Orbit, eyelids and lacrimal disease
Subjects
• Trauma, external disease and cornea
• Anatomy of the Eye, the Orbit and Related Structures
• Ocular inflammation and uveitis
• Embryology and Development
• Glaucoma
• Neuro-Anatomy
• Lens and Cataract
• Principles of General Physiology
• Retina and Vitreous
• Vision, Ocular Physiology, Biochemistry and Cell Biology
• ICO Guidelines
• Pharmacology
• Epidemiology and Statistics
• Genetics
• Pathology and Micro-biology
The results are analysed by the ICO committee and successful
candidates are issued with an embossed certificate, signed by the
President of the ICO and the Director of the examinations.
The examination is a three hour paper and is presented in
paper form. It will focus on twelve elements of clinical science
including international Medical Ethics and the ICO Guidelines. The examination is comprised of 10 Extended matching-type
questions and 75 context setting descriptions *(written, visual
or graphical) each with 4 associated statements which require
a True/False response.
In addition to responding to the True/False option, candidates
must also indicate their level of certainty with regards to their
response. This will be used to reward correct responses and
penalise incorrect response.
The candidates enter their answers on response sheets which
are computer marked. A positive mark is awarded for each
correct answer. No mark is given to those questions left blank. The pass mark is demined before the examination is taken
(“Criterion Referenced”)
Successful candidates will be named on the ICO website,
under their country and year of taking the examination.
For further details, please contact the ICO office or your local
coordinator.