These exams are for ophthalmology trainees in the UK’s Ophthalmic Specialist Training (OST) program, which lasts for seven years. Trainees take these exams at various stages of their training.

• UK trainees take it by the end of year two as a curriculum requirement to progress
• No prior ophthalmology experience is required for overseas candidates
• Candidates must have a verified MBBS qualification
• Candidates must submit an attested copy of their medical degree or GMC registration evidence

Candidates who have successfully passed the Part 1 FRCOphth exam are eligible to take the Part 2 written exam.

• It can be taken before or after the Part 2 written exam
• Passing this exam is mandatory before appearing for the Part 2 oral exam
• OST trainees must pass this exam before entering year four of training
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• Candidates must have passed both the Part 2 written exam and the Refraction Certificate exam
• The Royal College recommends a minimum of four years of ophthalmology experience before taking the Part 2 written and oral exams

• Part 1 FRCOphth and Part 2 Written Exam – Conducted online via remote proctoring, allowing candidates to sit for them from any country
  
• Part 2 FRCOphth Oral and Refraction Certificate Exams – Conducted in the UK, India, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Singapore, and Malaysia

• Tests basic sciences, optics, and refraction
• Consists of two multiple-choice papers (each with 90 single best answer questions)
• Total of 180 questions over two 2-hour papers

   

• Consists of two multiple-choice papers with 90 single best answer questions in each.
• Total of 180 questions.
• Conducted twice a year and can be taken as an online proctored examination from home.

A timed skill-based Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) with 10 stations

• Structured Viva – Assesses clinical decision-making
• OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination) – Evaluates clinical and communication skills

• Part 1 FRCOphth and Refraction Certificate Exam: Maximum six attempts. Attempts before August 2013 are not counted
• Part 2 FRCOphth Written and Oral Exams: Maximum four attempts

MRCOphth no longer qualifies for OST3 entry, which is equivalent to post-MS in India, Pakistan, Egypt, and Malaysia.

No, the Royal College does not offer exemptions for these qualifications. All candidates must pass Part 1 FRCOphth and the Refraction Certificate exam to proceed to Part 2 FRCOphth.

A preparation period of three months per part is recommended and may vary depending on individual study habits and the materials used.

• Question banks:
  
  • eyedocs.co.uk
  • ophthoquestions.com
• Books:
  
  • Masterpass FRCOphth Part 1
  • Oxford MCQs book

• eyedocs.co.uk
• ophthoquestions.com

• Refraction Certificate FAQs 
• Candidate Instructions for Refraction Certificate

• Part 2 FRCOphth Oral Information Pack

• Part 1 written exam: April 2024 Final Report
• Part 2 written exam: June 2024 Final Report
• Refraction Certificate exam: May 2024 Final Report
• Part 2 Oral exam: April 2024 Final Report