It will be a good thing... I think??? I think the "clinically relevant" content shift will be good, but I hope our class doesn't turn out to be the guinea pigs of a test gone horribly wrong. The administration of Part I will be moved from August between 2nd and 3rd year to late spring of the 3rd year (beginning with Spring 2009 test dates). I worry about balancing everything going on during the semester with trying to study for boards.
Here are some links I found discussing the new changes.
http://www.optometry.org/examrestructure.pdf
http://www.optometry.org/articles/restructure_boards.pdf
The tentative 2009 Exam Schedule can be found here -->
http://www.optometry.org/exam_schedule_2009.cfm
Can anyone else shed some light on what they've heard?