Dispensing examinations

The GOC have introduced new learning outcomes in their document ‘Requirements for Approved Qualifications in Optometry or Dispensing Optics’ which are viewable on the student information hub on their website.

All students following the ABDO diploma in ophthalmic dispensing 2015 syllabus, or elements thereof, leading to the FBDO qualification, have a certificate of competence provided to ABDO by their training institute.

The certificate of competence must be endorsed and signed by the training institute on completion of compulsory GOC core competencies and successful completion of a GOC recognised dispensing training course. This document should then be sent to ABDO examinations department for endorsement upon successful completion of ABDO’s PQE practical and FQE practical examinations.

The GOC have now removed the original competencies from their website.

When the exams booking sessions open, you will need to log in and click on examinations dashboard in your quick links.

If you are eligible to book the exams will show under Exams you may be eligible for.

Tick the relevant exam(s) you wish to apply for and complete the rest of the application form.  All sections must be completed.  An automated email will confirm your booking.

Payment is by invoice only.  If you pay for your exams, an automated email will be sent to you advising where your invoice is located and how to pay.  You must use the link provided on the invoice and in the email to make your payment online.

For apprentices applying for exams, any resulting invoice will be directed to your course provider.

All learners will be emailed on how and where to locate their exam confirmation letter which will outline the date and times of the exams applied for.  If applying for practical exams, the details of the exam will not show until all timetabling has been completed.  You will be emailed separately when they are available to view.

The examinations dashboard does not refresh, therefore it is important to log out and log back in, on any device, so that individual details will show.

Please note if you need to be considered for reasonable adjustment for any exam, this must be done at the time of making your online booking.

If you have any issues with the process, please contact ABDO examinations examinations@abdo.org.uk or call 01227 732921.

Dispensing practical exams

These exams are held at ABDO’s National Resource Centre in Birmingham:

ABDO National Resource Centre, 4th Floor, Aqueous II, Aston Cross Business Park, Rocky Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 5RQ

Directions and details of nearby accommodation can be found on the NRC website.

Dispensing theory exams

These now take place online.

Please check your individual exam acknowledgement letter for confirmation.

If you have any queries regarding these exams, please contact ABDO examinations and registration:

examinations@abdo.org.uk

Tel 01227 732 921

TestReach information

ABDO College students sitting theory exams online are advised to read through the following documents prior to sitting any theory exams.

TestReach protocols:

TR Protocols 2025

FAQ’s in relation to online theory exams using the TestReach platform:

FAQ TestReach Questions (updated July 2025)

Once you book your exam, you will be emailed a link that will direct you to payment methods.

No other forms of payment are accepted.

Please only use the received link upon booking an exam.

ABDO examinations do not send out receipts for any payments made.

Students who are unable to attend exams should complete a withdrawal form and send to ABDO examinations.

Withdrawal forms can be found in the student forms section under the syllabus you are studying.

ABDO theory examinations – overseas

All dispensing theory exams now take place online.

ABDO practical examinations

ABDO College students who reside outside of the UK (excluding Malaysia) are advised that all ABDO practical examinations will take place in the UK only.

Students must make provision to visit the UK at least twice throughout their course of study. Once, for the preliminary qualifying practical examination and again at the end of their course to complete the final qualifying examination. Additional visits to the UK may be required if elements of the practical examination(s) are unsuccessful. Please be aware that the PQE must be successfully completed before attempting FQE practical examination, they cannot be taken together.

Malaysian students are required to take their theory and practical examinations at our approved venue in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian students residing outside of KL, may opt to take their theory examinations at a British Council near to them, by prior arrangement only.

For further information or enquiries regarding the above, please contact ABDO examinations examinations@abdo.org.uk.

To request a duplicate/replacement diploma/certificate please contact ABDO examinations for a form.

Please be aware that certificates are only printed on an annual basis, usually around October/November.

The department is open from 9am  to 5 pm. Please email in the first place and the team will respond as quickly as they can.

Email examinations@abdo.org.uk

Any student who believes they have particular needs requiring special arrangements (e.g. extra time, larger printing of papers, etc.) and wishes to be considered for additional examination support will be offered the opportunity to sit the theory/practical examinations with those particular requirements in place, (e.g. for those students with dyslexia, visual impairment, speech impairment or  a physical disability).

Students should let the examination department know when booking your exams. This is indicated on the booking form.

It is recommended that any documentation sent to ABDO examinations is sent by secure mail (i.e. registered/recorded post). You will then be able to track your post to see whether it has been signed for.

ABDO examinations do not send out receipts for any payments made.

Please refer to the examinations calendar above.

It is not generally possible to change the date of a candidate’s exam. Due to the limited period over which exams are held timetables are formulated to accommodate the maximum number of candidates so spaces are kept to a minimum.

If you are unable to attend an exam on the date allocated you will need to complete and submit a withdrawal form and reapply for a future session.

We do not offer automatic deferrals for exams. If you are unable to attend an exam on the date allocated you will need to complete and submit a withdrawal form and reapply for a future session.

ABDO do not recommend students request specific dates, unless there are exceptional circumstances, which will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

Exam dates are published in the examinations calendar so please avoid the examination period when booking holidays, etc.

If withdrawing from an exam, any fees paid will not be held by ABDO for future use. Refunds will only be considered once a withdrawal form has been received and reviewed by the examination consultation committee.

An administration charge will be deducted from any refund given. Please note that refunds will only be paid to the student, regardless of the original payee.

It is a GOC requirement that all PV’s must have been successfully completed before sitting 14 – FQE Practical exam. It is recommended that the PV/PBA is requested/conducted early in your PQP period

You are required to apply for your practice visit at least 6 months before the session in which you wish to take your practical exam. The validity of the practice visit lasts for 3 years. Please refer to the syllabus for application deadlines.

GOC regulations stipulate a supervisor can only supervise two students, regardless of their mode of study, i.e. two TDOs; one TDO, one TCLO; one TCLO, one student optometrist; two student optometrists, etc.

As long as a student has work in a practice, Students can start their PQP as soon as they have been given a PQP portfolio folder by their training institute.

Practices/supervisors can be registered by submitting the pink initial declaration form found at the beginning of the PQP portfolio folder. Once the form has been received by ABDO examinations and details have been checked and registered, a letter will be sent to the student confirming their date of commencement, which should be kept in your PQP portfolio folder.

Hours can only be recorded if completed whilst under supervision at a registered practice.

Please refer to PQP trainees guide for submission dates and further details about case records.

To be eligible to sit exams, students must either be attending a full time course or, having finished their course, be working in registered practice under registered supervision towards the completion of their PQP portfolio.

If you are able to return to your previous practice/meet with your previous supervisor and they are able to verify the documents and sign them, then yes they can still be submitted.

However, if you are no longer able to have any contact with your previous practice/supervisor, these records cannot be used.

ABDO College, as your training institute, record supervision information as part of the course you are undertaking with them. Practice/supervisor changes for the purpose of completing your PQP Portfolio folder should be notified to ABDO examinations. ABDO College and ABDO examinations do not share supervision records as they are recorded for different purposes, therefore the relevant forms should be submitted.