Stage 1 of the Scheme for Registration covers 75 competencies, each assessed using a set criteria to explore a candidate’s understanding around key areas of optometric practice. 

The assessment methods used are listed below:

Direct Observation (DO)
Face-to-face observation of a skill used on a patient

Patient Record (APR)
Candidate must present an anonymised record that demonstrates they meet the selected competency.

Case Scenario (CS)
You will be given a hypothetical case scenario which you will then discuss with your assessor.

Trainee-led case discussion (TCD) Verbally present a real case to your assessor, followed by a case discussion about investigations, management and dispensing.

Questioning (Q)
A series of structured questions around the competency being assessed.

Role Play (RP)
A role-play of a clinical scenario, where you assessor acts as the patient.

Field Plot (FP)
A field plot to interpret and discuss.

Images (I)
Images to interpret and discuss.

Referral letter (RL)
You will present a referral letter you have written for discussion.

Prescription Interpretation (PI)
A prescription to interpret and discuss.

Witness Testimony (WT)
An appropriately qualified professional signs a testimony confirming your ability to perform the skill.

Reflective Account (RA)
You provide a written description of an experience and your actions.

Our course will be tailored to your current visit and outstanding competencies. Due to the variety of difficulties in each competency, a cost will be given after a discussion with your assigned tutor.

The overarching assessment is based on a series of 108 case scenarios provided by the College of Optometrists. The mock assessment will follow exactly the same format as your official Stage 2 assessment.

You will be sent your 8 case scenarios covered in the assessment 60 minutes before the scheduled start time. You should consider the following questions:

What other questions would I ask the patient?

What other tests would I do to investigate further?

Are the results what I would expect?

How would I manage the patient?

How would I manage the patient if they were older/younger?

How would I communicate the findings to the patient?

Is the scenario complete and are all details recorded fully?

Each area of competence will be assessed using 2 forms of evidence. One will always be the case scenario, but the other can be field plots, images, or questions.

The mock assessment will take approximately 90 minutes, followed by detailed feedback.

This course is £120 which will only be paid after a discussion with your tutor.

The OSCE is your final assessment before becoming a fully-qualified Optometrist. This is generally considered to be the most difficult part of your pre-registration year. Only 51% of students passed the OSCE in January 2024.

Our online course will cover 3 of 4 assessment categories used in OSCE assessments. It is not possible to assess the ‘clinical examination and practical skills’ stations due to this mock exam being online. We will provide some tips to help you tackle those stations in a structured and logical way.

The remaining stations will be based on communication, history taking, and data interpretation.

Communication stations will have the candidate interact with a patient or patient’s relative. They can be asked to:

• Explain how a condition will be treated

• Explain a diagnosis

• Explain a prescription

• Request a referral

• Decide on appropriate management with a patient

• Give advice on the most appropriate optical appliances

• Break bad news

Data Interpretation stations will ask candidates to analyse a variety of clinical data. This could be in the form of:

• Visual field plots

• Charts

• Results of clinical examinations

• Clinical signs (in images or videos)

Conclusions will have to be discussed with a fellow health professional, patient, or patient’s parent. They may have to answer a series of questions based on the data to their examiner.

History taking stations will require candidates to take an accurate and relevant history from the patient or patient’s relative. A diagnosis may have to be given, either to the examiner or directly to the patient. Reasoning should be given and further tests or management suggested. For the purposes of the OSCEs, referrals are simplified into 3 options:

• Emergency - Same/Next Day

• Urgent - Within 1 Week

• Routine - In Due Course

This mock OSCE will have 12 stations. You will be given 1 minute to read the instructions, then 5 minutes to complete the station.

The OSCE stage will take approximately 90 minutes, followed by a break before detailed feedback on each station.

This course is £145 which will only be paid after a discussion with your tutor.