Approximately 6-8 weeks after completing the WQE, you can expect to receive your Candidate Score Report. This report is made available electronically for download on your Candidate Status Page.
Your WQE Candidate Score Report will provide you with your:
- Total scaled score
- Overall pass/fail result
- Performance level in each subject area
Total Scaled Score
Your raw score (the number of items you answered correctly) on each examination is transformed into a reporting scale ranging from 200 to 1000 and shared with you in your report.
Example:
Your Total Scaled Score: 714
To pass the WQE, your scaled score must total 700 or higher. Your score is calculated using only your individual examination performance. Scoring is not done “on the curve” or in relationship to your peers. For every administration of the WQE, it is possible for all examinees to pass if they achieve a score at or above 700. Because your score is not impacted by peer performance, you will not receive a percentile ranking or other peer performance indicators in your score report.
Pass/Fail Result
While your total scaled score provides you with an indication of how well you performed, the ABO will clearly indicate for you whether or not your test outcome met the passing standard in order to move onto the Oral Examination.
Example:
Your Total Scaled Score: 714
RESULT: Pass
Subject Area Performance Levels
At the bottom of your report, you will see a table containing the list of subject areas covered by the WQE, along with a performance level rating for each subject.
- If you see a Level 1, this indicates your subject area performance was at or above the minimum proficiency level.
- If you see a Level 2, this indicates your that subject area performance was below the minimum proficiency level.
If you are looking for direction on how to prepare for the Oral Examination or to re-take the WQE, your subject area performance levels can help you identify potential areas for enhancing your ophthalmic knowledge.
Example:
| Subject Area | Your Performance Level |
|---|---|
| Lens and Cataract | Level 2 |
| Cornea, External Disease, & Anterior Segment | Level 1 |
| Glaucoma | Level 1 |
| Neuro-Ophthalmology | Level 1 |
| Oculofacial Plastic, Lacrimal, and Orbital Surgery | Level 1 |
| Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus | Level 2 |
| Optics and Refractive Management | Level 1 |
| Retina, Vitreous, and Intraocular Tumors | Level 2 |
| Uveitis | Level 1 |
Additional Scoring Information
Candidates ask whether more detailed performance feedback is available. While this is something we provide on the Quarterly Questions assessment for Continuing Certification, our purpose for initial certification is different. At the time of initial certification, the ABO’s primary goal is to assess whether or not an ophthalmologist meets the standards we’ve set for knowledge, skills, and experience based on the education they’ve already received during ophthalmology residency training. Our examinations answer that question in a Yes/No or Pass/Fail manner. Initial certification examinations are not designed to probe the degree to which candidates exceed the standards or fall below them; therefore, these tests are not an appropriate tool for teaching. And, since initial certification candidates do not compete against one another, we do not rank their performance.
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