This Tutorial has been designed to assist the Candidate in preparing for ABO & NCLE’s Practical Examinations. There are additional helpful links and information at the end of the Tutorial. If you have questions, please contact the ABO & NCLE Office for assistance. *ABO & NCLE is accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC). ABO & NCLE is the only Opticianry examination organization in the United States to have received Accreditation as a Certifying Organization, pursuant to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO/IEC 17024). The forty-five minute practical assessment examinations are designed and developed by groups of Certified Opticians and Certified Contact Lens Fitters/Technicians with assistance from an independent testing service. The purpose of these Exams is to apply the knowledge previously demonstrated by the candidates to skills and abilities associated with the performance of tasks required for the professional practice of Opticianry and/or Contact Lens Technology.

1. Copyright 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
American Board of Opticianry &
National Contact Lens Examiners
Practical Exam Tutorial

2. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens
Examiners* Practical Assessment Exam Tutorial
This Tutorial has been designed to assist the Candidate in preparing
for ABO & NCLE’s Practical Examinations. There are additional
helpful links and information at the end of the Tutorial.
If you have questions, please contact the ABO & NCLE Office for
assistance.
*ABO & NCLE is accredited by the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC). ABO & NCLE is the only
Opticianry examination organization in the United States to have received Accreditation as a Certifying Organization,
pursuant to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO/IEC 17024).

3. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
American Board of Opticianry Practical (ABOP)
Exam and National Contact Lens Examiners
Practical (NCLEP) Exam Information
 The forty-five minute practical assessment examinations are
designed and developed by groups of Certified Opticians and
Certified Contact Lens Fitters/Technicians with assistance from
an independent testing service.
 The purpose of these Exams is to apply the knowledge previously
demonstrated by the candidates to skills and abilities associated
with the performance of tasks required for the professional
practice of Opticianry and/or Contact Lens Technology.

4. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Question Criteria
Exam questions fall into four general categories:
1) Those that require immediate recognition of the correct
response through correct identification of instrumentality and
basic problem solving;
2) Those that require understanding and/or utilization of basic
instrumentality;
3) Those that require candidates to comprehend patient interaction
and demonstrate appropriate problem-solving based upon
information presented by video vignettes of patient interactions;
and
4) Those that require recognition of basic fundamental knowledge
in the field of Opticianry and/or Contact Lens Technology.

5. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Getting Accustomed to the
Exam Functionality

6. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
ABO-NCLE’s “Hot Spot” Technology
(The following “Hot Spot” slides are not “interactive”
slides, but provide the Candidate with information as to
the type of questions they may experience on the
exams)

7. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Choose the Apple
In this example, if the candidate clicks anywhere
inside of the area represented by the red square,
the answer is correct. Anywhere outside of the
area of the apple would be an incorrect answer.

8. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
In this example, if the candidate clicks anywhere inside of the area represented
on this image by the red circle, the answer is correct. Anywhere outside of the
circle would be an incorrect answer.
Candidates are expected to be familiar with eye anatomy and pathology, and to
identify certain conditions of the eye. By way of example, only, a candidate may be
required to identify the pupil utilizing ABO-NCLE’s “hotspot” technology questions
Anatomy and Pathology

9. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
If the candidate selects anywhere near the correct answer, inside of the area
represented by the red box, they will get the question correct. If the
candidate selects an area outside of the highlighted area, the candidate will
get the question wrong.
Candidates should be familiar with instrumentality, and which instruments
are utilized for certain opticianry-related functions. For example purposes
only, if the candidate were presented with the image below, the candidate
would be expected to recognize, and identify, the proper instrument utilized
for adjusting the endpiece:
Instrumentality

10. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
ABO-NCLE’s Simulation Technology
(The following Simulations are not “interactive” in this
Tutorial, but are available in ABO-NCLE’s Practice Area
located on ABO-NCLE’s website at www.abo-ncle.org)

11. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Lens Meter Example

12. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Lens Meter Functionality
Click here to
see the target
Click and drag
anywhere on the Axis
Dial to adjust axis
The Rx and Industry
Standards are provided
Click and drag
anywhere on the
Power Drum to
adjust the Cylinder

13. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Using the Rx information,
and adjusting the Axis Dial
and Power Drum, the
Candidate can bring the
Mires Lines into focus.

14. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Biomicroscopy: A Hands-on Simulation

15. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Slit Lamp Simulation
Click here to operate
the Slit Lamp
Patient History and
Simulation Objective are
provided in the Question

16. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Slit Lamp Simulation
Click here to
see functions

17. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Slit Lamp Simulation Controls

18. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Slit Lamp Simulation Controls
Click here to
change
magnification
Click here to
change beam
width
Click on the
green arrow to
adjust the image
up and down.
Click on the
middle button to
focus
Click here to
switch from
Left to Right
After learning
functions, click
here to return to
the simulation

19. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Biomicroscopy: A Hands-on Simulation

20. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Using the patient history and objective, the
Slit Lamp functions can be utilized to meet
the objective of the Slit Lamp Questions.

21. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Measurement Example

22. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Measurement Example
Click and drag the
PD Ruler to obtain
measurements
Rx and Industry
Standards are provided

23. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
PD Measurement Example
By clicking and dragging the PD
Ruler, the Candidate can take
appropriate measurements

24. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Patient Interaction Audio/Videos
(The following are not “active” audio/videos in this Tutorial,
but provide familiarity with the type of questions that may
appear on the practical assessment examination.)

25. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Patient Interaction Audio/Video Questions
The Candidate may see Patient
Interaction Audio/Video Questions. In
this type of question, the Candidate
will receive vital information from
the patient as to concerns related to
glasses or contact lenses, and will be
required to analyze the information
supplied by the patient.

26. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Patient Interaction Audio/Video Questions
After delivery of the patient
interaction, the Candidate will be
required to utilize “Hot Spot”
questions, multiple choice, or other
question formats to properly respond
to the concerns raised by the Patient
in the video.
The Candidate is able to control the video, increase or
decrease volume, pause, replay, and view the video on
full screen.

27. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Additional Question Formats
There may be additional types of questions, i.e., multiple
choice, fill in the blank, etc. These types of questions may
reference related Audio/Video, Simulation, Patient
Interaction, etc. Each of these types of questions are
designed to test a Candidate’s skills and abilities as an
Optician and/or Contact Lens Practitioner/Fitter.

28. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Exam Related Information

29. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
ABOP Content Outline and Test
Specifications*
 Measure Segment Height and Pupillary Distance
 Neutralization of Spectacles
 Verification of Rx
 Vertical Imbalance Check
 Determining Add Power
 Determining Unwanted Prism
 Optical Hand tool identification for specific measurements and adjustments
* The content for these Examinations was derived from those portions of the ABO-NCLE’s Job Task Analyses that are
capable of being evaluated through practical means. These Practical Assessment Examinations are designed to
evaluate the skills and abilities of a candidate, based upon the knowledge previously demonstrated through the
successful completion of the NOCE and/or CLRE Examinations.

30. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
NCLEP Content Outline and Test
Specifications*
 Identify Images of Anatomy and Conditions of the Eye
 Identify Various Pathologies and Illuminations Using a Slit Lamp
 Keratometry – Interpreting and measurement of the Corneal Curvature;
determining the power of the cornea
 Evaluate Lens Fit Using a Slit Lamp
* The content for these Examinations was derived from those portions of the ABO-NCLE’s Job Task Analyses that are
capable of being evaluated through practical means. These Practical Assessment Examinations are designed to
evaluate the skills and abilities of a candidate, based upon the knowledge previously demonstrated through the
successful completion of the NOCE and/or CLRE Examinations.

31. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Rules for Taking the ABOP or NCLEP
Certification Exams
Sufficient time has been provided for you to respond to all questions. You are advised
not to spend an inordinate amount of time on individual questions until you have had
an opportunity to respond to every question. Time is not intended to be a factor in
the examination.
 All instructions given by the proctor must be followed in order to ensure proper processing
of your examination results.
 All candidates will be checked-in at the test site prior to being admitted to the examination
room. You are required to place all personal possessions in a designated area.
 All ABO-NCLE exams are “closed book.” Books, paper, calculators, PDAs, cell phones, or
electronic or other devices or resources are not allowed. Failure to follow these instructions
can result in your scores being revoked and may prohibit you from retesting or taking other
ABO-NCLE certification examinations.
 There is an “on-screen” calculator that can be utilized if desired.
 No test materials, documents, or memoranda of any sort may be removed from the
examination room or retained. You may not copy any test questions or make any notes
regarding the content of the examination. If you attempt to do so, your results will be
invalidated and you may be prohibited from retesting or taking any other ABO-NCLE
certification.

32. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Rules for Taking the ABOP or NCLEP Certification
Exams (Continued)
 No food or drink, including water, may be taken into the testing room.
 You may leave the testing room to use the restroom or get a drink of water, but
you will need to sign out according to the instructions that will be explained at the
test site. Your testing time will not be increased to accommodate a break. If you
have a medical condition and cannot comply with this rule, you must apply for
special testing accommodations.
 Please verify that you have been given the correct examination that you are
eligible to take.
 You may not ask questions concerning content of the examination during the
examination period.
 During the examination, you must not give help to or receive help from others.
Proctors are required to report any incident in which there is evidence of irregular
behavior. Any such reports could result in the invalidation of your test scores
and/or other sanctions.

33. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Considerations at Exam Sites
 Proctors at the exam sites are not able to provide detailed assistance to
candidates related to the exam, navigation, or misjudgments of the Candidate.
 Candidates need to carefully read the on-screen directives and objectives in order
to respond correctly.
 Computer-based testing options include the ability to navigate forward and
backward through the exam, mark items for further review, and to review
answered, unanswered and marked items.
 Items must be reviewed or changed prior to the expiration time. Once an exam is
ended, or the time expires, Candidates cannot return to the questions.
 Additional information is available through ProMetric’s Exam Tutorial.

34. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Licensing State Requirement?
 If you are applying for an ABO Practical Exam and/or an NCLE Practical Exam as
part of a Licensing State requirement, please verify the appropriate steps with
your state licensing board before registering for any specific examination.
 Each state has its own specific requirements, and failure to abide by those
requirements may result in denial of credit for the examination, or other
consequences, depending upon any licensing state’s regulations and
requirements.

35. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
How are Exams Scored?
 ABOP and NCLEP Certification Examinations are criterion-referenced tests, which
means that an examinee’s performance on the examination is not compared to that of
other examinees in determining the examinee’s pass/fail status.
 In a criterion referenced test, an examinee must achieve a score equal to or greater
than the minimum passing score for the examination. The minimum passing score
represents the absolute minimum standards that the examinee must achieve to
demonstrate the ability to practice the profession safely and competently. With the
guidance of a measurement expert (e.g., a psychometrician), a panel of Subject Matter
Experts in the fields of Opticianry and Contact Lens Technology/Fitting set the
minimum passing score for each ABO-NCLE examination. In setting the minimum
passing score, ABO-NCLE uses the Modified Angoff Method, widely used standard-
setting approach in test development.
 Each exam contains at least 20 scored test items plus a number of pilot test items that
do not count towards the final score.
 Since the ABOP and NCLEP are contingent upon successful completion of the NOCE
and/or CLRE Examinations, validation is based, in part, upon a candidate’s
demonstrated knowledge in the prerequisite examinations.

36. © 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
Need More Information?
 Contact ABO & NCLE at 800.296.1379, or visit our website.
 Practical Examination Interactive Tutorial and Practice Questions
 Register for an upcoming Practical Exam
 Download the ABO-NCLE On-Line Practical Exam Handbook

37. Copyright 2017 by ABO-NCLE
5/16/2018
American Board of Opticianry &
National Contact Lens Examiners