Overview

The Basic Science Examination is frequently taken early in residency training.

The Examination is presented in a booklet and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs). The final 20 questions relate to Optics and Refraction.

The complete Examination takes three hours. Each question consists of five options, each being true or false. Thus the examination consists of 500 questions.

For those candidates wishing to take the Optics and Refraction as a separate section, the Examination takes one hour.

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 results are analysed by the examinations committee which has members from several countries.

Answering all the questions accurately is the best way of obtaining a pass grade but because accuracy of answers is very important and takes time it is still possible to pass the examination without completing all the questions.

Candidates and Co-ordinators are informed of the results of the individual sections into which the test is divided.