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  1. #1
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
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    New ABO Master Exam

    I was just wondering how many OptiBoarders have taken the ABO's new Advanced Certification exam that replaced the old Master Optician exam? Any comments on the content and level of the questions?

    Best regards,
    Darryl

  2. #2
    Master OptiBoarder
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    I took the new exam as well as several other Master's a few years ago at the request of the ABO. I felt the original one I took was a little more difficult than the new.

  3. #3
    Optical Educator
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    Ditto.

    I took the original master exam as well. Then, during an ABOM item writing workshop I worked with a small team reviewing the ABO-AC (i.e. "new master exam"). We found it to be less focused on ophthalmic optics, with added business/refractometry material that did not seem to fit in.

    I am a supporter of the abo master program and do not mean to sound negative. We should, however, bring back the original exam.

    : )

    my 0.02 worth...

    Laurie

  4. #4
    Master OptiBoarder LaurieC's Avatar
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    Very Interesting

    It's been so many years since I took any of them that I think there's been quite a few changes. So this points out to me that before I am working on any client's project that may include recommendations on certification I need to get up to speed. I wonder if I should retake the exams just to see if I'd be considered all that competent now??? That or have my good twin, Laurie help refresh me. I don't think I believe in a lot of business questions in the advanced exam, other than perhaps business ethics. I think they are two different areas that don't necessarily need mingled.

  5. #5
    OptiBoard Professional William Walker's Avatar
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    I took the ABOA exam in April, and I studied materials given to me by other master opticians. I focused on the math, and think I did very well on that part of the exam. However, there were questions on the exam that I had no idea about.

    One such example went along the lines of:
    'To be a manager, one must officially supervise:
    A: 1 full time employee
    B: 2 full time employees
    C: 1 full time and 1 part time employee
    D:2 part time employees

    What the heck is that?

    There were a lot of other questions that I thought were very random, and hard to actually study for, so I'm not expecting to have passed it, but hopefully I'll know enough to pass it the next time around.
    William Walker

    Associates in Science in Opticianry
    Associates in Science in Optical Business Management
    Licensed Dispensing Optician
    Board Certified
    Certified Paraoptometric Assistant
    American Board of Opticianry Advanced Certified
    National Contact Lens Examiners Certified

    Next Goal: ABOM

    Optician with Lenscrafters in Jacksonville, FL

  6. #6
    Master OptiBoarder Lee Prewitt's Avatar
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    I did not take the "old" test but the current one is a very comprehensive look at opticianry as a total. The majority of it is optics related (you better have memorized all formulas) but it covers low vision, refractometry, lab processes, labor and management. It does convey that you are a "master" of your universe. I think it is just right. It is not easy to pass but when you do, you have a total mastery of all things optical.
    Lee Prewitt, ABOM
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  7. #7
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
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    I wholeheartedly disagree, and I am very saddened that the ABO has diluted the quality and significance of the examination (and, in doing so, the certification in general). Asking management questions on an exam meant to certify someone as a "Master in Ophthalmic Optics" is not only absurd, but obviously detracts from the number of questions that are actually relevant to the title.

    None of these exams should ask questions pertaining to business management, since they do not assess your ability as an ophthalmic dispenser, but instead assess your ability to run a business (which few opticians do anyway). However, if the ABO feels that it must offer an exam with management questions, why on Earth would you use that same exam for the Master in Ophthalmic Optics certification?

    Best regards,
    Darryl

    post-scriptum,
    By the way, the correct answer to that question is E. 0 Employees. You don't have to supervise anyone to be a manager; you just have to manage something -- including finances, business affairs, people, inventory, etc.

  8. #8
    Master OptiBoarder
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    Master of Ophthalmic Optics

    I agree with you Darrell! If is to be called the Msster of Ophthalmic Optics it should be an ophthalmic optics exam, and not be a measure other things that do not involve the topic It was done with good intentions, but should be changed back to the old exam. If it is to measure other knowledge we need to change the title appropriately.

  9. #9
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    I full-heartedly agree with Darryl! I'm studying right now to take the test in September and I do not see the relevance of including business questions on a certification exam for Ophthalmic Optics. If these are to be added to this test, the designation should be changed to "Master of Ophthalmic Management" or "Master of Ophthalmic-Related Business". The Masters (or Advanced) certification is not a requirement for opening a business and it does not lend it's taker to open a business, therefore the need for these questions is not founded. I feel like I'm wasting the time I could be using for studying oh, I don't know... optics... on studying useless junk.

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
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    I feel it accurately reflects the knowledge needed to perform as an advanced optician... business management...Let's be honest here. Unless you're a lens designer or work in a surfacing laboratory, you probably don't spend a lot of time contemplating too much in the way of ophthalmic optics.
    At the same time, how many opticians are really in a management role? I would say no more than 1 out of 5.

    I agree that business management represents a skillset that could potentially benefit many opticians, and anyone else for that matter, but until the ABO renames the Master in Ophthalmic Optics certification to something else, like the Advanced ECP Certification, it is still outside the implied scope of the certification.

    While I do believe that knowledge of certain aspects of sight testing will benefit individuals who fit, make, and dispense eyeglasses, the incorporation of content areas that do not specifically pertain to ophthalmic dispensing dilute the focus of the examination and, therefore, the quality of the results.

    In fact, opticians are probably more likely to dispense contact lenses than perform pretesting, refraction, or manage a business. Yet there are no questions regarding contact lens dispensing on the advanced ABO certification exam or former Master exam. Why? Because the ABO/NCLE offers a separate exam that focuses specifically on contact lenses, as they should. The new Advanced ABO exam seems to me to have become a "catch-all" for everything else, yet the actual length of the exam is still no longer than a typical high school final.

    Best regards,
    Darryl
    Darryl J. Meister, ABOM

  11. #11
    ABOM Wes's Avatar
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    Perhaps they should have kept the Master exam as it was and created the Advanced exam as a seperate entity? But who would take both as they're so closely related in content anyway?

    The new exam was created to reflect the skillset needed to manage an office and dispensary. These are the skills most employers want from a top level optician. It has a 5 percent pass rate from what I hear. Not too shabby, and you're right. It is a catch-all.

    No reference is made anywhere that the new advanced exam is the old master in ophthalmic optics exam although one may infer... If it were I would agree completely with you. It is not that now; it is a higher level certification.

    I'm not disagreeing with you about what should be. I'm just stating what is. I constantly see people saying these things shouldn't be in the masters exam. Well they're not! They're in the Advanced NOCE.
    Ps. I would like to add, Darryl, that I think you're tops in optics on this board, so no disrespect. I still say were arguing about semantics.
    Best regards to you,
    Wes
    Wesley S. Scott, MBA, MIS, ABOM, NCLE-AC, LDO - SC & GA

    “As our circle of knowledge expands, so does the circumference of darkness surrounding it.” -Albert Einstein

  12. #12
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    I do understand that this is not the exam for the "Masters" certification. But, if you look at it one way, aren't both the Basic and the Advanced NOCE pathways to the Masters certification? After all, each exam is a prerequisite for the following subsequently more difficult one (yes, and to reiterate, I do understand that the Masters certification is obtained by writing a thesis, not taking an exam). I may also be arguing semantics as mentioned earlier, but aren't all three certifications in the same realm of subject matter (they do have the same root in there abbreviated designations, ie: ABOC, ABO-AC, ABOM)? And if Business management is so important in the qualifications as an optician, why aren't there business related questions on the standard exam? Surely, as a certified optician of any level, you'd want to have even marginal strength in all areas that are required of an optician. I may just be venting because of how much I do not like studying business...:hammer:

  13. #13
    Eyes eastward... Uilleann's Avatar
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    Curiously - what is the current average attention given to business management in med or optometry schools these days?

  14. #14
    Master OptiBoarder optical24/7's Avatar
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    Music, if it's any consolation to you, the version I took last Nov. only had a handful of business or agency questions (ANSI, OSHA, ect ).

    Mine was mostly path, prism, formula and a lot of refraction questions.(a lot!) Concentrate more on those.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by optical24/7 View Post
    Music, if it's any consolation to you, the version I took last Nov. only had a handful of business or agency questions (ANSI, OSHA, ect ).

    Mine was mostly path, prism, formula and a lot of refraction questions.(a lot!) Concentrate more on those.
    Actually, that is a consolation... I feel a little better.

  16. #16
    Master OptiBoarder Darryl Meister's Avatar
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    Perhaps they should have kept the Master exam as it was and created the Advanced exam as a seperate entity? But who would take both as they're so closely related in content anyway?
    I have a lot of opinions on this matter, but I will spare the 'Board my diatribe for now. ;) There are a lot of very passionate opinions regarding this topic, and all too often such heated debate ends badly on OptiBoard.

    The new exam was created to reflect the skillset needed to manage an office and dispensary. These are the skills most employers want from a top level optician.
    I'm not suggesting that the new ABO-AC examination doesn't have a place or offers no value. I just feel that a certification described as a "Master in Ophthalmic Optics" should, in fact, only be conferred upon someone who has adequately demonstrated an advanced level of knowledge of ophthalmic optics and lenses.

    If there really is value in testing someone on potentially related subjects, like business management, then a separate exam should continue to be administered for the ABOM certification. Right now, the only distinction between the ABO-AC and ABOM certifications is a 2,000-word paper, which in my mind makes one of these certifications redundant.

    No reference is made anywhere that the new advanced exam is the old master in ophthalmic optics exam although one may infer... If it were I would agree completely with you.
    I'm not suggesting that the title of the exams are the same, or that the titles should even matter. After all, how many opticians even remember that the "ABO Exam" is really called the "National Opticianry Competency Exam?" But the Master certifications are the same, and this is all that really matters. You still get a certificate from the ABO that reads "Master in Ophthalmic Optics," as well as the "ABOM" credential.

    I would like to add, Darryl, that I think you're tops in optics on this board, so no disrespect.
    Absolutely none taken. I respect the fact that every person is entitled to his or her own opinion, and I am happy to entertain any opinion that is respectfully submitted and reasonably supported, as yours always are.

    Best regards,
    Darryl
    Darryl J. Meister, ABOM

  17. #17
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Silver Supporter Barry Santini's Avatar
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    What do you mean, "business management"?

    The Reader's Digest version of
    The 5 Point Business Managment for Opticians:

    1. Take all Insurance Plans
    2. Open 7 days a week
    3. Operate a website 24/7
    4. Blame the lab for everything, and get all redone at no charge
    5. Get blamed for everything, and never EVER bill the client nor the referring doctor for any of their contributions to your bad and less profitable days.

    Did I miss anything?

    Oh yeah, one more thing: NEVER think you're wrong!

    B

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by Barry Santini View Post
    What do you mean, "business management"?

    The Reader's Digest version of
    The 5 Point Business Managment for Opticians:

    1. Take all Insurance Plans
    2. Open 7 days a week
    3. Operate a website 24/7
    4. Blame the lab for everything, and get all redone at no charge
    5. Get blamed for everything, and never EVER bill the client nor the referring doctor for any of their contributions to your bad and less profitable days.

    Did I miss anything?

    Oh yeah, one more thing: NEVER think you're wrong!

    B
    LOL. True!;);)

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