College exam put to the test

Examiners for the College of Optometrists professional qualifying examinations descend on Anglia Polytechnic University next week to run a trial of the new PQE examinations.

During the three-day event, examiners will be offered training in the new exams before examining pre-registration volunteers. This will be followed by a day of review to finalise the exams ready for next year's roll out.

It is understood at this stage that the exams will be a combination of a routine eye examination, a contact lens examination, an ocular disease station examination and a viva based on some pre-written case studies.

The new exams will be taken in a single day and complement the competency-based assessment throughout the pre-registration year.