Overview

The advanced ICO examination is offered to ophthalmologists who have passed the complete Basic Science (including Optics & Refraction) and the Clinical Science or an examination of similar standard recognised by the International Council of Ophthalmology.

The examination will test up-to-date knowledge and a high level of common sense decision making. Passing it will entitle the successful candidate to use the post-nominal acronym (PNA) FICO.

The examination takes three hours and is presented in a booklet and will focus on twelve elements of clinical sciences. 99 contexts (396 questions) will test knowledge of these elements, while a further 20 contexts (80) questions) will focus on applied current Basic Science.

In addition to responding to the true/false question, candidates must also indicate their level of certainty with regards to their response. This indication of certainty 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 marked incorrectly or left blank. The computerised results are then analysed by the Examinations Committee.