NBEO Part II exam-day guide
NBEO Part II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Government-issued photo ID
Bring the physical ID in the name used on your registration; the name must match your record. Acceptable document types and whether a second form is required should be confirmed with the testing provider before test day.
Admission/admission ticket or scheduling confirmation
Bring the confirmation the provider issues for your appointment, printed or accessible on your phone as the provider allows. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory at your site.
Know your candidate/eligibility number
Have your NBEO candidate number and any appointment confirmation number written down separately from your phone in case device access is restricted.
Arrival time and site logistics
Confirm your report time, which is typically earlier than the appointment start, and the building/room location. Verify parking, transit, and security screening time with the site; do not assume the report time equals the start time.
Approved calculator or provided on-screen calculator
Part II includes calculation-based items. Confirm with the provider which calculator model, if any, is permitted and whether one is supplied on screen; do not bring an unapproved model.
Writing instrument and scratch materials
Bring only what the provider permits; many computer-based sites supply scratch paper or a dry-erase board and prohibit bringing your own. Confirm the site's policy in advance.
Eyewear and any permitted personal medical items
If you wear correction, bring it; you will be reading fine print and viewing images. If you need medication, food, or a medical device during the test, request an accommodation or confirm the policy with the provider beforehand.
Leave prohibited items behind or plan storage
Phones, smartwatches, notes, and study materials are generally not allowed in the testing room. Confirm where they must be stored and whether lockers are provided.
Review the current candidate guide and scoring/retake policy
Read the provider's current handbook for pass/fail reporting, section weighting, and retake rules; details can change between administrations. Confirm with the provider rather than relying on secondhand summaries.
Plan your final-week study around Part II task domains
Prioritize the domains you can still move: refraction and prescribing, contact lenses, binocular vision, ocular disease management, and case-based clinical reasoning. Build a short list of weak topics and schedule them into the final 72 hours.
Practice timed case-based question sets
Do at least one timed block under exam-like conditions to calibrate pacing. Review missed items by category, not just by answer, so you can identify recurring reasoning errors.
Sleep, meals, and a backup plan
Protect sleep in the 48 hours before the exam, plan a real meal before reporting, and identify a backup ride or contact in case of transport problems. Fatigue degrades case-based reasoning more than memorized facts.
Plan the day
Stop introducing new material. Work through your weak-topic list with short, timed question blocks and review each miss by category. Re-read the provider's candidate guide for arrival time, permitted items, and break rules. Confirm your site location, parking, and report time. Prepare your ID and confirmation documents and set them aside.
Do a light review of high-yield frameworks only: systematic case approach, differential-building for common presentations, and calculation setups. Pack your bag with permitted items and nothing prohibited. Confirm transportation and set two alarms. Aim for a full night's sleep; avoid late-night cramming that trades sleep for marginal recall.
Eat a normal meal and hydrate moderately. Arrive at the report time, not the start time, and allow extra time for security and check-in. Leave prohibited items stored as directed. Use the restroom before entering the testing room. Do not review new material in the waiting area; a brief glance at your own summary sheet, if permitted, is enough.
Read each case stem fully before scanning the options, and identify what the question is actually asking. Answer straightforward items quickly to bank time for case-based items that require synthesis. Flag uncertain items and return to them rather than stalling. If a calculation is required, write the setup before computing. Use scheduled breaks as permitted; step away briefly to reset rather than pushing through fatigue. Before submitting, check that no items are unanswered and that flagged items have been revisited.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID the provider requires, with a name matching your registration. If your legal name differs from your registration, resolve it with the provider before test day; do not assume a correction can be made at check-in.
Follow all testing-room rules on phones, wearables, notes, and study materials. Devices are typically not permitted in the testing room; confirm storage arrangements with the provider and never assume a silent phone is acceptable.
Do not communicate with other candidates about exam content during breaks or after the exam. Sharing or soliciting recalled items is a conduct violation; treat all exam content as confidential.
Breaks are generally available only at designated points and may be timed. Confirm with the provider whether unscheduled breaks are permitted, whether the clock runs during breaks, and what identification is needed to re-enter.
Scoring and pass/fail determinations are set by the provider and are not negotiable at the test center. If you believe a testing irregularity occurred, report it to the test administrator immediately and follow the provider's appeal process afterward.
If you feel ill or a technical problem interrupts your exam, notify the administrator immediately and get documentation; do not simply continue and assume it will be handled later. Confirm the provider's policy on incidents in advance.
Do not bring unauthorized aids, including unapproved calculators, smart devices, or written notes. Possession of prohibited items can lead to score cancellation regardless of intent.