OKAPS / WQE

OKAPs 

The Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) is a 260-item multiple choice exam administered to Ophthalmology residents in each year of training in the United States and Canada.  The test-taker receives percentile scores so that (s)he can measure her/his performance relative to peers at a similar level of training.  Some key facts about the OKAPs:

• 260 multiple choice questions (each with 4 answer choices).
  
  
• Covers the 13 topics covered in the BCSC clinical education books:
  
  
  • General Medicine
  • Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology
  • Clinical Optics
  • Ophthalmic Pathology and Intraocular Tumors
  • Neuro-Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Oculofacial Plastic and Orbital Surgery
  • External Disease and Cornea
  • Uveitis and Ocular Inflammation
  • Glaucoma
  • Lens and Cataract
  • Retina and Vitreous
  • Refractive Surgery

  
  

• Duration of test:  4 hours and 40 minutes (includes a 10 minute break).
• After 2 hours and 15 minutes have elapsed (or answering 130 items), the optional 10-minute break can be taken.
• Location:  Virtual (i.e. you will need your own computer or laptop with a front-facing camera and microphone)
• Exam date:  mid/late March
• More information about the exam requirements can be found at the AAO's website.

WQE 

The Written Qualifying Exam (WQE) is the first exam that is needed to become board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology (the other exam being the Oral Board exam).  It is typically taken within the first year of finishing residency -- something we highly recommend while the knowledge and minutiae are still fresh in your mind.  The format of the WQE is very similar to the OKAPs.  Some key facts:

• 250 multiple choice questions (each with 4 answer choices).
  
  
• It is expensive ($1950 fee in 2024)!
  
  
• The questions are more clinically-oriented.  As such, these are the 9 topics covered:
  
  
  • Lens and Cataract
  • Cornea, External Disease, and Anterior Segment
  • Glaucoma
  • Neuro-Ophthalmology
  • Oculofacial Plastic, Lacrimal, and Orbital Surgery
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Optics and Refractive Management
  • Retina, Vitreous, and Intraocular Tumors
  • Uveitis
    
    
• As you can see, the WQE does not include "General Medicine" and "Fundamentals and Principles of Ophthalmology."  Thus, you do not have to remember the management of congestive heart failure anymore!
  
  
• The WQE is not graded on a curve.  Thus, every examinee could pass the exam as long as they answer a minimum number of questions correctly.
  
  
• There are no percentile ranks given out.