Student Revision Event Returns

Only revision event to use ABDO practical examiners

The ABDO Examinations Department is looking forward to bringing back its face-to-face practical revision event for final year students next month – Covid rules and regulations permitting.

Taking place on 22 and 23 March at Yarnfield Training and Conference Centre in Stone, Staffordshire, the two-day event, sponsored by Hoya and Stepper, is tailored to Unit 12 of the 2015 Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing.

Revision will utilise a variety of methods, including lecture, hands-on practical, peer discussion and visual recognition, covering all sections of the Unit 12 (FQE practical) training – including case records and general examination technique.

Created and designed by Alicia Thompson, ABDO director of professional examinations, this is the only revision event delivered by the ABDO Examinations Department using ABDO practical examiners.

Intense yet informal

Alicia said: “Now in its seventh year, this not-to-be-missed revision event will give students access to great expertise – as each tutor is both a current and experienced ABDO practical examiner. We have produced our own training kit with answers to allow students to practise developing technique and gain an understanding of what is required. They can be confident that any information received will be both accurate and up-to-date.”

Feedback from students attending the revision event over the years has been consistently complimentary.

“The event is fairly intense,” Alicia explains, “as we pack in lots of activity to give students the chance to discover the areas they need to focus their revision on. Due to the informal nature of the event, they also experience the exams staff welcoming them as colleagues and supporting them in any way they can to achieve exam success at the first attempt.”

Planned format

The format for each section is planned to be as follows:

Section A1/A2: full practical practice session including answers.

Section A3: full practical opportunity to practise all six repair options.

Section B: all dispensing practice, including facial measurements, paediatric and bespoke progressive dispensing.

Section C: prescription analysis delivered as a peer discussion, delving into all the topics covered by the three viva voce assessments.

Section D: an interactive lecture on all elements of Section D, followed on day two by a timed OSCE (objective structured clinical examination) style assessment with answers.

Portfolio: this interactive lecture explores sample case records to appraise and discuss, followed by a Q&A session to help advise on specific cases.

Exam technique: communication skills are an important aspect of preparation for each section, how to manage time, how to write, and how to approach the viva sections, for example.

A fun charity poster quiz and raffle will be held on the Tuesday evening in aid of the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association with a BBQ meal and a live band. The cost of the event is £155 and includes accommodation for one night, breakfast, lunch and refreshments.

“Numbers are limited so please book early,” Alicia advises – adding: “ABDO would like to sincerely thank Hoya and Stepper for their generosity in supporting the event this year. If any other sponsors would like to be involved, please contact me direct by emailing athompson@abdo.org.uk.”

Bookings close at the end of February and can be made here.