In a significant development for the EBO, negative marking has been adopted for the MCQ paper since the 2010 Diploma Examination. This means that a negative mark (-0.5) will be applied in the case of an incorrect or double marked answer (when both true and false are ticked; when true and don’t know are ticked; when false and don’t know are ticked) or triple marked answered (when all options are ticked). Choosing the ‘don’t know’ option will result in a score of 0 points. One point can be earned for each correct answer.
As research in the field has shown, the application of negative marking WILL NOT result in a decrease of candidates’ chances to be successful at EBOD. Instead this research measures a reduction simply in the frequency of ‘wild guessing’ in the exam. The success rate of EBOD in the past has been stable over the years. Indeed, EBO aims to improve the (statistical) reliability of the examination (by reducing wild guesses), without influencing the pass rate (approximately 90 percent), also when negative marking for incorrect answers was adopted.
For the MCQ exam, there will be 2 question types:
In the Multiple True/False question type, a sentence or word (to set context) is followed by 5 statements. You are asked to mark each statement True or False (or Don’t know) (44 questions)
A correct answer is awarded 1 point
An incorrect (or empty) answer will be penalised 0.5 points
‘Don’t Know’ is not awarded or penalised, and so attracts a score of 0
In the Single Best Answer questions, you will be asked to select one option which best answers the question (16 questions)
A correct answer is awarded 1 point
Incorrect answers are not penalised in this question type, and so attracts a score of 0
The paper is composed of 52 multiple choice questions (MCQs) which cover any basic science, medical or surgical topic relevant to the practice of ophthalmology, particularly in the following fields:
The MCQs consist of a stem followed by five statements, each of which needs to be judged as ‘true’ or ‘false’ and you may opt for ‘don’t know’ if necessary. Hence, 260 answers will be required. The languages available are English. Answers are scored as outlined above.
Examples from fields 1 through 5:
1. The age of onset of presbyopic symptoms: from EBOD 2004, field 1
Answers: A) TRUE; B) FALSE; C) TRUE; D) FALSE; E) TRUE
2. Regarding accommodative spasm: from EBOD 2004, field 1
Answers: A) FALSE; B) FALSE; C) TRUE; D) TRUE; E) TRUE
3. Near visual acuity is disproportionately reduced compared with distance acuity in: from EBOD 2004, field 1
Answers: A) TRUE; B) FALSE; C) TRUE; D) FALSE; E) FALSE
4. A 5-year old boy, tall for his age with long thin fingers and hyperextensible finger joints, presents with bilaterally subluxated lenses, one down and in and the other up and out. Both parents are normal and there is no family history: from EBOD 2003, field 2
Answers: A) FALSE; B) FALSE; C) TRUE; D) FALSE; E) TRUE
5. In 6th cranial nerve palsy: from EBOD 2004, field 2
Answers: A) TRUE; B) FALSE; C) TRUE; D) TRUE; E) TRUE
6. Bullous keratopathy: from EBOD 2004, field 3
Answers: A) FALSE; B) TRUE; C) FALSE; D) TRUE; E) FALSE
7. Which is/are true of keratoconus: from EBOD 2004, field 3
Answers: A) FALSE; B) TRUE; C) FALSE; D) FALSE; E) TRUE
8. Congenital ocular syphilis is characterised by: from EBOD 2004, field 3
Answers: A) TRUE; B) TRUE; C) FALSE; D) FALSE; E) FALSE
9. Patients with the exfoliation syndrome (pseudoexfoliation) are more likely to develop: from EBOD 2004, field 4
Answers: A) TRUE; B) FALSE; C) FALSE; D) FALSE; E) TRUE
10. In the iridocorneal endothelial syndrome (ICE): from EBOD 2004, field 4
Answers: A) FALSE; B) TRUE; C) FALSE; D) TRUE; E) FALSE
11. Angioid streaks: from EBOD 2004, field 5
Answers: A) FALSE; B) FALSE; C) TRUE; D) TRUE; E) TRUE
12. Retinoblastoma: from EBOD 2004, field 5
Answers: A) TRUE; B) FALSE; C) FALSE; D) FALSE; E) TRUE
The online clinical knowledge exam will use clinical cases to test candidates’ knowledge within four broad subject areas:
The clinical knowledge exam will cover developmental, dystrophic, degenerative, inflammatory, infectious, toxic, traumatic, neoplastic, and vascular diseases affecting the eye and its surrounding structures. In all sections, candidates should be able to identify preventive ophthalmology, medicolegal aspects of ocular disease and European contributions to ophthalmology.
In each section emphasis will be placed upon the following:
Data Acquisition: Recognition by the candidate in presented material of abnormalities and diseases that affect the eye, ocular adnexae and the visual pathways.
Diagnosis: The ability of the candidate to synthesize clinical, laboratory and histopathological data in order to arrive at a correct diagnosis and differential diagnosis.
Treatment: Candidates will be expected to provide a reasonable and appropriate plan for medical and surgical management of patients with the conditions depicted or described.
Detailed information about the viva voce related procedure and schedule is sent to all candidates after registration for the examination.
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