5 Strategies for Acing the NBEO Part 1

It’s that time again. Optometry students around the nation are gearing up to take the National Board of Examiners of Optometry (NBEO) Part I ABS (Applied Basic Science) examination in mid-March.¹

About 1,700 candidates take the Part I exam each year, most of whom are third-year optometry students in their spring semester.² Last year’s national first-time pass rate was 62.65%, slightly down from 2022’s average of 73.19%.² The ultimate pass rate for 2023’s test takers was 83.59%.²

Though preparing for Part 1 can feel overwhelming, with a solid study plan, discipline, and determination, it can be done using these five strategies to set yourself up for success this Board's season.

What is the NBEO Part 1?

The Part I examination, also known as “Applied Basic Science” (ABS), tests basic science concepts deemed necessary to practice optometry. That means essentially everything you have learned from undergrad to this point in your optometric journey is fair game. There are 350 scored items and 20 non-scored pre-test items on the ABS examination.³

The exam spans two sessions, each consisting of 185 items, with candidates given 4 hours to complete each session. All questions are multiple-choice with no partial credit. About 10 to 15% of the questions are multiple-response, meaning candidates must select two, three, or four correct answers as indicated in the prompt.³

Content areas covered include anatomy, biochemistry, physiology, immunology, microbiology, pathology, optics, and pharmacology. A detailed breakdown and content outline can be found on the NBEO website.⁴

5 steps to succeed on the NBEO Part 1 exam

1. Start with a solid study plan

Studying for Part 1 can feel like drinking from a firehose. Being aware of available resources and study techniques will help focus your efforts and maximize your time.

A Stanford psychology study found that students who approached their studies with a strategic plan improved their exam scores by ⅓ of a letter grade.⁵ When students took time to reflect on available resources and how they planned to use them, they not only performed better on their exams, but also felt more empowered and in control of their learning.

If you aren’t already familiar, review study techniques like spaced repetition, active recall, and elaboration and figure out what works for you.⁶ This will maximize the effectiveness of your studying, reduce your stress, and improve your outcomes.⁷

Leading up to the exam, you should be studying a predetermined set of chapters, videos, and practice questions daily. Your study plan is your road map for studying for Part 1. Think of it as your pacer in a marathon, helping you stay on track. You may choose to create your own study plan or use templates from optometry school or test prep companies.

To create your own study plan:

Make a list of all the topics you have to cover, using the NBEO Part 1 content matrix as a guide.⁴
Choose a template for your study plan; this can be a whiteboard, calendar, blank sheet of paper, notebook, etc.—as long as it’s easily editable.
Keep your eye on the big picture with weekly topics and practice exams. Write down the content areas you want to cover each week (e.g., Week 1: ametropia, ophthalmic optics, and contact lens).
Plan to go through each content area at least twice before the exam—remember spaced repetition is key.
For each day of the week, write down which chapters, videos, practice questions, etc., you will review.
Schedule extra times on the days you plan to take practice exams, making certain to take at least three full-length practice tests prior to the NBEO Part 1 if possible. Pro tip: Budget time to review the questions you missed.

Now that you understand the general guidelines for creating a study plan, tailor your strategy based on your individual needs and learning style.

Finding your learning style to optimize studying

First, reflect on your strengths and weaknesses and give yourself extra days to review subjects you’re less confident in. Be realistic with your energy levels and potential emergencies by scheduling time for breaks and designating “catch-up” days for when life happens.

One effective way to increase productivity is to take into account your learning style when developing your plan. Once determined, you can focus on methods that help your retention. But first, what is a learning style? Your learning style is how you best absorb, process, and retain information. Examples include visual (e.g., watching a video), auditory (e.g., listening to a crash course lecture), kinesthetic (e.g., working with a model eye), and reading/writing.⁸

While the concept of learning styles is debated among researchers and educators, reflecting on how you best retain information will help you manage your time and productivity.⁹ Most people have more than one learning style, and your learning style may be different for different subjects.⁹

Some options include:

Making review sheets
Doing practice questions
Creating a mind map
Explaining a concept out loud
Reviewing with a study group
Reading textbooks
Watching videos

With your roadmap in hand, it’s time to cultivate the habits that will keep you on course.

Want to know your learning style? Take this fun quiz!

2. Practice good study habits.

Studying is like working out. It takes time and discipline to build up the focus and stamina for a test like Part 1. Consistency is key!

Exercises to build up the study muscles necessary for acing the NBEO Part 1 include:

Monitor your knowledge gaps by doing practice questions daily. Practice, even if it’s only 5 to 10 questions before bed.
- Take time to review the explanations for questions you missed.
- Adjust your study plan to spend more time on commonly missed topics.
Utilize a variety of study materials.
- Reference your class notes, test prep materials, online resources, and your classmates.
- Make your own review and formula sheets to consolidate key information.
Follow your study plan while avoiding getting stuck on one topic. Move on to other topics and come back to it later.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help; reach out to classmates, professors, or test prep coaches for advice if you’re struggling. Pro tip: It’s better to ask for help early on instead of waiting until it’s too late.
Avoid comparing yourself to others; everyone studies differently and at their own different pace, so stick to your study plan—you know yourself best.

Download our helpful NBEO Part 1 Study Schedule

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NBEO Part 1 Study Schedule

We’re coming down the home stretch, future optometrists! That’s right, the NBEO Part 1 is right around the corner. For these last few weeks before the exam, we’ve put together a study schedule to help you make the most of these final days!

3. Prioritize self-care

It’s easy to feel like Part 1 is taking over your life. Prioritizing self-care and mental health will help you manage stress and stay motivated. It’s not unusual to experience burnout in optometry school, especially during the spring of third year.¹⁰

Burnout, or a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion from prolonged professional stress, can manifest as feelings of emotional depletion, reduced personal accomplishment, and depersonalization.^11,12 Juggling rigorous lecture courses, clinical patient care, life, and now Boards prep is no easy task. Managing and preventing burnout is key to crossing the finish line for both Part 1 and optometry school.

To maintain your sanity and work/life balance during exam time, consider the following five suggestions:

Make certain to schedule short breaks during your study sessions and incorporate physical activity like walking, stretching, or grabbing a snack.
Don’t abandon your routines; keep doing the activities that keep you sane, like working out, cooking, playing music, or spending time with friends.
Prioritize sleep. REM sleep is essential for memory consolidation. Don’t let all that studying go to waste!
Don’t neglect your physical health. Eat nutritious foods, hydrate, and spend time in the sun.
Give yourself something to look forward to by planning something fun every week that’s not Boards-related—even if it’s something small like ice cream!

4. Plan out the day before the exam

Minimizing surprises on exam day is a surefire way to increase your chances of garnering a better score.

Some ways to prepare for the day of the exam include:

Take a practice drive to the testing site. Familiarize yourself with parking and check-in procedures.
Review the NBEO Part 1 tutorial so you’re comfortable navigating the test controls.¹³
Pack your bag; don’t forget to include snacks, lunch, water, ID, and formula sheets.
Pick your outfit, taking into consideration that most testing centers run cold.
Don’t study too much the day before the exam. Do some light review, rewrite your equation sheets, and go to bed on time.

5. Maximize momentum on exam day

Today’s the day! You’ve made it to the final stretch before you cross the finish line.

Here are some tips to apply on the day of the exam:

Arrive at the testing center early to allow plenty of time for parking and check-in.
Trust your preparation. Stick with your first instinct unless you’re absolutely certain a change in answer is needed.
Don’t spend too long on one question; if you’re unsure, make your best guess, flag it, and move on.
Submit and celebrate. You did it! Whether you go out with friends or relax at home—you’ve earned it!

Conclusion

My attending in optometry school loved to reference Shel Silverstein’s poem “Melinda Mae.” In the poem, a small girl sets out to eat a monstrous whale. How does she get it done? One little bite at a time.

You have been taking in information, gaining knowledge, and applying this learning—one bite at a time—for the past 2.5 years. Now, take a deep breath, put together a plan, stay focused, and prepare to take the next step into your future as an optometrist—you’ve got this.