ABO Test Question

[soontobeopti]

I am scheduled to take ABO certification tests in March, and frankly, I am already stressing about it. There is so much to remember!
I don't know how many work at Wal-mart, but for us, we have a manual that we study, its called the WAVE Manual. It covers everything you need to know. After you are done studying it, you should have enough knowledge to pass the ABO test.
But I'm stressing that maybe I won't!!! :( I want to pass it so bad!!! But I keep thinking...'Maybe I don't know enough!!' I mean, I know all the basics and stuff; I have been working in the Vision Center for 4 months now. I do have some trouble with getting all the anatomy of the eye down. I keep getting confused.
So, can you think of something on the test that you had thought 'Boy I really needed to know more about that'? Was there anything that surprised you, or caught you off guard? Or was it all pretty much the basic stuff that you already knew?
I guess I'm just nervous that I will fail it because I don't have enough facts down-pat.
Got any suggestions? Is there something I should keep in mind when I am taking the test? I wish I could see a sample of it, so I knew what to expect. :(

Well, I guess that turned out to be more than one question. Sorry if I don't make any sense at all.:hammer: I try, I really do.

Thanks!!!

[chip anderson]

Angela:

It has been a very, very long time since I have taken ABO but I have taken it several times as I tend to procrastinate and let things expire. I do recall that each time I have taken it, it somehow seems to be drasticly dumbed down. And I do not recall a single anantomy question on it since about 1968.

Let not your heart be troubled.


Chip

[wmcdonald]

Study Materials

Angela,
Get some additional study aids. While I have not seen the Walmart Manual, I would take a look at the study guides and review books available at the National Academy (www.nao.org). You will find them significantly more beneficial. The test is not difficult, and with some study, you will do fine. Best of luck!

Dr. Mac

[soontobeopti]

Thanks for the quick replies!!
Wow...no anatomy question! I would be the HAPPIEST person in the world if there were no anatomy question. I would even be happy if there was just a few! :D
I have just spent 3 hours typing out all my notes I took about anatomy....I still get all confused!:hammer: It would be nice if the test is dumbed down...I'm pretty dumbed down myself LOL

Thanks for the suggestion and the link D. Mac! Knowing that the test isn't out-of-this-world-hard makes me feel much better!!

Thanks!!!

[OdTech]

Hello "SoontobeOpti"

Welcome to the board, i recently took the ABO and was hectic just like you, but don't worry i passed the ABo with flying colors!!!! yahhhooooooooooo:D :cheers:

little advice i jut down every topic i remmember from the test i bet you will get in college terms " B+, A" after checking them out.

go to 'Ophthalmic Optics' then "ABO Review" the last reply print it and review it and lastly you will be on track

Anatomy Q- basically all optics as i remember, it question on Ptosis Crutch that is all on Anatomy.


GOOOOOOOOOOOD LUUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCCCKKKK
and Welcome to the board;)

[soontobeopti]

Thank you OdTech!!!!!! That was very helpful!!:D :bbg:
I printed it all out. I am going to take that list to work next, and wirte down all I can find on those subjects.

Thanks again!! :cheers:

Oh, and congrats on passing your test with flying colors! I hope I will be able to say that!

[OdTech]

:D you are welcome
also check all the past posts in Ophthalmic Optics like "Which Formula to use" u will find something useful for you to know but not to apply on test maybe.

Good literature to review:

System of Ophthalmic Dispensing 2nd Ed, Brooks and Borish
Formula tutorial Brooks or Borish.

Don't fret, just practice
:bbg: :idea:

Good luck you will need it:idea:

[soontobeopti]

Thanks guys!!
Thanks OdTech for the literuature to review. I will check those out too!

I have one more question. How many questions (roughly) are there? A co-worker of mine said she heard from a friend of hers that has a co-worker--- :hammer: --- who just took the ABO test and said there was over 500 questions. Is that anywhere near true??
(please so NO!!)

Thanks!!
Sorry to bother you all with these silly questions, but I want to feel as prepared as I can be when I take it.
Thanks again!

[BobV]

Angela, when I took the exam, there were only 100 questions. And as I remember, no anatomical questions, not even the ptosis one as mentioned above. That doesn't mean that the tests have NOT been changed, but they have several exams and they CAN be rotated.

Don't sweat it. Just do your studying, know Prentice's Rule and you'll do fine.

Bob V.

p.s. know how to measure progressives, also.

[stephanie]

When I worked for WM I used a TOPS manual by Michael DiSanto and it was very thorough and yes I passed first try. I was also very stressed very tired as I stayed up studying and trying to get down pat calculating slab off and not one question. There is also a kit you can buy if you really are interested on www.opticaltraining.com. It is around $300 but WORTH every penny. I don't have an ABO one I have the NCLE one and it was fabulous. I would have to say I didn't waste one cent on that. Good luck to you!! If you have any questions feel free. When I was taking it I was on here begging for help constantly!! LOL!! And always got it too.



Steph

[stephanie]

Oh and Angela for you info and tell your friend there are only 100 questions on ABO!! I think NCLE is 125. And they give you like 3 hours to take it if I remember correctly. I HAS been 3 years since I have taken it(CAN YOU GUYS BELIEVE THAT????? No lie I just renewed for the first time!!! YEA!!! ) They should tell you on the ABO website.




Steph

[soontobeopti]

Thanks a lot stephanie!! I will look that kit over, but I think that is priced a little too high for my paycheck. :)
And I will be sure to tell my co-worker so she can tell her to friend to tell her co-woker LOL!!

[varmint]

Angela, I agree with wmcdonald, the prep courses from the NAO are excellent preparation material. It's great to see someone with your enthusiasm in the field. I think it would be a pleasure to work with you with your excitement. I would assume there would be questions on anatomy and study & memorize whatever material you have available. The worst that could happen is you will learn more than you need and be better in your career. I would have to dig out some old material, but anytime I sat for a state board, or ABO/NCLE tests, the first thing I did was take a scratch paper & write down any necessary math formulas I had studied. This gave me a reference when I came to the questions and took off a lot of pressure, making the exam much easier.

[Excel-Lentes]

Hi,

Here is a tip to help you in your studies: While reviewing your optical formulas, try to first understand the concepts before memorizing the formulas. I have found this helps greatly.

For example; If you understand the concept of how a slab-off prism is used to help a patient read through their bifocals, then the formula will more likely make sense and will be more easily remembered.

When taking a multiple choice test, you can usually pick the correct answer if you grasp the concept without actually doing any calculations. This will make you more relaxed while taking the test.

Best of luck on the exam!

-Brendan Walsh

[OdTech]

Another literature:

TOPS : Dispensing Manual
Author: Michael R. DiSanto, B.A., FNAO

you can get it at www.nao.org

members $50
non members $60

I think you can afford this with your paycheck instead of paying $230