NBEO Part 1 - Scores are out!

[angelbug104]

NBEO Part I scores came out on Friday! How did everyone do? I passed! WOOOHOO~~~! (ICO c/o 2006)

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[parazoa]

I passed and let me tell you it is a relief.......I know that the average pass rate was 67% but does anyone one know yet how their individual schools did?

 

[rpames]

I believe the school score won't be known for about 2 more weeks.

 

[rpames]

I was told that I could take NBEO part 1 this December if I wanted to. I know that is early, but is it an option or do you have to wait until the end of your second year?

 

[parazoa]

I am not sure how ICO works but at IU I believe that we have to wait until after our second year. Also it is probably in your best interest to wait because you will need some of the classes you take in the second half of 2nd year for boards. My biggest advice to anyone who has to take boards is to start studing as early as you can because time goes by quicker than you think.

 

[r_salis]

I am not sure how ICO works but at IU I believe that we have to wait until after our second year. Also it is probably in your best interest to wait because you will need some of the classes you take in the second half of 2nd year for boards. My biggest advice to anyone who has to take boards is to start studing as early as you can because time goes by quicker than you think.

How did you study? I'm starting to get nervous already...

 

[parazoa]

How did you study? I'm starting to get nervous already...

I used my class notes for the most part but I also used the USMLE step 1 for pharm (little detailed and hard to understand but it worked for me). In addition, I used the Berkley Guide for a refrence on things such as Ocular Motility, etc. Study Swartz and Remington. Those were the only two books that I really read for boards a couple of times. With that said I know that it is a nervous experience but try to keep a level head when you start to study. Also make sure that you make a schedule and stick to it and give yourself a little time off because you will burn yourself out if all you do is study (trust me I know). Anyway Good luck to all whos are taking it next.

 

[igirl]

Congratulations you guys! I have question regarding reading the scores. In Nevada , you have to have at least 75% in every section in order to pass. What does it means by every section? How many sections are there in part one boards? Is it 21 sections or only 4?

 

[cpw]

4 sections.... basic science, optics, ocular science and psychology

 

[christie]

PCO's pass rate was ~78%, higher then the average of 67%

 

[cpw]

PCO's pass rate was ~78%, higher then the average of 67%

and MUCH better than last year 🙂

 

[JennyW]

Congratulations you guys! I have question regarding reading the scores. In Nevada , you have to have at least 75% in every section in order to pass. What does it means by every section? How many sections are there in part one boards? Is it 21 sections or only 4?

I have a Nevada license, and you will need to get at least 75% on EACH SUBSECTION OF ALL THREE PARTS, not just on each part total.

Jenny

 

[igirl]

I have a Nevada license, and you will need to get at least 75% on EACH SUBSECTION OF ALL THREE PARTS, not just on each part total.

Jenny, how many subsections are there in part one boards?
thanks

 

[JennyW]

I have a Nevada license, and you will need to get at least 75% on EACH SUBSECTION OF ALL THREE PARTS, not just on each part total.

Jenny, how many subsections are there in part one boards?
thanks

I don't remember, but it should say on your report, or on their website.

Jenny

 

[idoc2006]

part 1 has 4 subsections:

Human Biology
Ocular/Visual Biology
Th/Op/Ph Optics
Psychology

 

[rpames]

I heard today that ICO's pass rate was ~76%. I guess it is better than average, but ICO use to do a lot better. I wonder what is happening the last few years?

 

[igirl]

Thanks JennyW and idoc2006,

My last question is the percentile (75% and above) counts as raw score or the scaling score in Nevada? Thanks you so much.

 

[TPMOH]

I passed and let me tell you it is a relief.......I know that the average pass rate was 67% but does anyone one know yet how their individual schools did?

The OSU Class of 2006 did very well- 95% pass rate. Makes you wonder, there must be some schools in the 40's and 50's since the average is 67%. If I were choosing a school, I would be nervous about going to one of those schools.

 

[r_salis]

The OSU Class of 2006 did very well- 95% pass rate. Makes you wonder, there must be some schools in the 40's and 50's since the average is 67%. If I were choosing a school, I would be nervous about going to one of those schools.

Where did you find this out? I checked the optometry.org website, and it doesn't have the report for the Aug 2004 exam date yet.

 

[TPMOH]

Where did you find this out? I checked the optometry.org website, and it doesn't have the report for the Aug 2004 exam date yet.

I go to OSU and I have found out how the 2006 class did (I've heard only 2 or 3 out of 60-64 failed- it actually may be slightly higher than 95). As far as my insertion that there must be some schools in the 40's and 50's, I just did the math- if OSU is at 95, ICO and PCO in the 70's, other schools in the 90's and 80's, in order to have a national average as low as 67, some schools must have had pretty low pass rates.

 

[cpw]

Where did you find this out? I checked the optometry.org website, and it doesn't have the report for the Aug 2004 exam date yet.

they take months to get those score reports posted.. and they don't EVER post how individual scores do.

Keep in mind.. the schools class might do very well, but they're not usually counting in the RE-TAKERS. (since they are not part of the "new" class) The pass rate for first time takers is usually around 75 %

 

[TPMOH]

they take months to get those score reports posted.. and they don't EVER post how individual scores do.

Keep in mind.. the schools class might do very well, but they're not usually counting in the RE-TAKERS. (since they are not part of the "new" class) The pass rate for first time takers is usually around 75 %

The 95% for OSU is the first-time takers in the 2006 class.

 

[eyeguy03]

I go to OSU and I have found out how the 2006 class did (I've heard only 2 or 3 out of 60-64 failed- it actually may be slightly higher than 95).

I would wait to see the actual pass rate posted by NBEO. If I selected only those that I talked to and they all passed then would it be fair to state our class pass rate was 100%? I bet those that failed are not talking. If you find out that two more people failed then your average goes down to 85% two more after that and you are at 75% - you better hope you don't find 6 more people that failed boards!!!

 

[TPMOH]

I would wait to see the actual pass rate posted by NBEO. If I selected only those that I talked to and they all passed then would it be fair to state our class pass rate was 100%? I bet those that failed are not talking. If you find out that two more people failed then your average goes down to 85% two more after that and you are at 75% - you better hope you don't find 6 more people that failed boards!!!

I'm pretty sure that the 2006 class was told by the school that only 3 failed, but I guess I could be wrong. I'm sure the 95% rate will end up being accurate- OSU has had official 1st time passage rates of 90% or above for the last 15-20 years, with the exception of the 2005 class- their rate was only 85%. The 2004 class had 100%, and I'm pretty sure that the 2003 class also had 100%.

 

[eyeguy03]

I'm pretty sure that the 2006 class was told by the school that only 3 failed, but I guess I could be wrong. I'm sure the 95% rate will end up being accurate- OSU has had official 1st time passage rates of 90% or above for the last 15-20 years, with the exception of the 2005 class- their rate was only 85%. The 2004 class had 100%, and I'm pretty sure that the 2003 class also had 100%.

You are "pretty sure"?!! I would have waited to be 100% positive before I posted something like that. 🙂

 

[TPMOH]

You are "pretty sure"?!! I would have waited to be 100% positive before I posted something like that. 🙂

OK, I'll qualify my original posting- OSU's UNOFFICIAL 1st time pass rate for the class of 2006 is 95%. Basically, I talked to 2 OPT III students- one said 2 or 3 in their class failed, the other said that 3 failed. I was under the impression that they received this info from someone at the school, but I'm not sure. I will post the OFFICIAL pass rate once it is communicated. As far as the Class of 2004 getting 100%, I am sure of that b/c the dean sent out a congratulatory email at the time.

But, back to my original point. The common theme that I read throughout this forum is that "all schools are just as good as any of the other ones- just pick the one that you feel the most comfortable with". Well, I don't agree with this. Basically, all of the schools are going to have similar clinical education, but if its students can't pass the boards, then they won't be OD's. Who wants to have to take the test 2,3, 4 or more times just to pass? My point earlier is that with a national average of 67%, there must be at least 2 to 3 schools that their students perform very poorly on the boards. OSU is usually above 90%, and so is Berkley and UHCO. Many other schools are in the 80's and 70's, so to have an average pass rate that low there have to be a couple of schools in the 40's and 50's and some in the 60's. I would suggest that any prospective OD student should check into their school of choice's recent history of 1st time passage rate on Part I of the boards before they attend there. To have only about 1/2 of it's students pass means something is definately wrong- either the students are sub-par or they just aren't prepared enough by the curriculum- my guess is that it has to do more with poor instruction than poor students.

 

[r_salis]

But, back to my original point. The common theme that I read throughout this forum is that "all schools are just as good as any of the other ones- just pick the one that you feel the most comfortable with". Well, I don't agree with this. Basically, all of the schools are going to have similar clinical education, but if its students can't pass the boards, then they won't be OD's.

I agree with what you're saying to a point -- but I place a larger part of the ability to pass the boards on the student, not just on the school. All of the OD schools teach the material required for the boards -- so the resources are there (granted, some schools probably do a better job with some subjects than others) -- but it's ultimately up to the student to learn the material well. The board pass rates are largely a reflection of a school's student body demographics. Berkeley and Ohio have great pass rates probably largely in part due to the fact that they tend to admit very smart people. 🙂

 

[angelbug104]

I actually don't agree with the comment that all schools have similar clinical education. If your clinical education consists of a patient population with a majority of healthy patients (esp. healthy undergrad students), your clinical education won't be as thorough as a clinic with low income patients like at ICO and PCO where so much advanced ocular disease is seen. I think anyone can teach you what is needed for the basic sciences (which is not what your career is all about). Passing is more about how much effort one puts into studying for the boards. Also, schools like UHCO, Berkeley and OSU have smaller class sizes making them more selective with applicants. It seems like the schools with larger class sizes have lower averages.

 

[krispyk]

It seems like the schools with larger class sizes have lower averages.

SCO has a pretty large class size (120ish), and our class of 2006 had a 95% passage rate of part 1. I was impressed. I hope 2008 (my class) will do as well.

 

[Xalatan1]

NBEO Part I scores came out on Friday! How did everyone do? I passed! WOOOHOO~~~! (ICO c/o 2006)

i hope i pass when i write

 

[drbizzaro]

yes! i passed! 😀

 

[r_salis]

yes! i passed! 😀

Congrats, DB! 👍 🙂

 

[eyestrain]

I agree with what you're saying to a point -- but I place a larger part of the ability to pass the boards on the student, not just on the school. All of the OD schools teach the material required for the boards -- so the resources are there (granted, some schools probably do a better job with some subjects than others) -- but it's ultimately up to the student to learn the material well. The board pass rates are largely a reflection of a school's student body demographics. Berkeley and Ohio have great pass rates probably largely in part due to the fact that they tend to admit very smart people. 🙂

I agree that it depends on the student, not the school. If you put in the time to prepare, there's no reason you should fail boards.

 

[Ryan_eyeball]

I don't remember, but it should say on your report, or on their website.

Jenny

So for Nevada, if I scored a 74 on the Psychology subsection, but have scored a lot higher than 75 on all other subsections of part I and part II do you think they would let that slide??

 

[Opii]

yes! i passed! 😀

Congratulations

 

[Opii]

So for Nevada, if I scored a 74 on the Psychology subsection, but have scored a lot higher than 75 on all other subsections of part I and part II do you think they would let that slide??

good question