2010 Optometry Class Scores High on 1st Board Exam
Pacific University College of Optometry students from the class of 2010 recently scored a passing rate above the national average on Part I (Applied Basic Science) of the National Board Exams.
This past March, the National Board of Examiners in Optometry administered the first offering of the three-part exam. Among first-time Part I takers, Pacific Optometry students had a 97.67 percent passing rate, nearly six percent higher than the national average. And, of all students (including those taking the test a second time or more), Pacific's pass rate of 95.5 percent was over eight percent higher than the national average.
This is an impressive accomplishment considering the high pass level for an entire college, coupled with the fact that this March was the first time in nearly two decades the test was scheduled in the spring of the third year. The later examination time means that Pacific students were taking the Boards while in the middle of
"Historically, Pacific students have done very well on National Board exams," said Jennifer Smythe, Dean of Pacific's
The examination was reformatted and all questions relate to specific conditions. This required the students to fully understand clinical implications of basic science topics. According to Eva Krebs, Vice President of Student Affairs, "It's a real tribute to the caliber of the students we recruit and to the dedication and effectiveness of the faculty and staff in Optometry."
The other two sections of the Board exams are Clinical Science (Part II) and Patient Care (Part III).
Posted by Sami Richards (rich6566@pacificu.edu) on May 21, 2009 at 10:21 AM
