Bill Harvey: There is no dumbing down

I still occasionally hear the view that the pre-registration scheme for qualification run by the College of Optometrists is a lot easier than the one operated years ago. I disagree, and would further argue that the old scheme was not fit for purpose.

When I took my PQEs way back in 1989, the 10 face to face vivas and practical assessments were certainly daunting and the average 35% to 40% first time pass rate seemingly insurmountable. That said, a good deal of last minute cramming and a degree of confidence in assessments got me through. Whether it made me better prepared for practice on my own as an optometrist is another thing.