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Comparison · OKAP · FRCOphth · EBO · ICO

The best ophthalmology question bank for your exam and region

Fifteen question banks and free resources grouped by the exam they serve, with question counts, prices and free access checked on September 26, 2026. Published by OphthoMentor, one of the banks compared.

Last reviewed · Independent · Not affiliated with AAO, ABO, EBO, FEBO, ICO, RANZCO, RCPSC, or the Royal College of Ophthalmologists

Free practice questions

Best ophthalmology qbanks at a glance

Next OKAP windowMarch 11–14, 2027; 260 questions spread equally across the 13 BCSC sections[2]
FRCOphth Part 1 datesOctober 14, 2026 and January 20, 2027; 180 four-option single-best-answer questions[11],[12],[9],[10]
EBOD written format30 five-statement true/false MCQs plus 30 SBA questions in 2 hours (since May 2024)[16]
Next EBOD sittingsOctober 16, 2026 and May 14, 2027, both online[18],[19]
Next ICO sittingOctober 19, 2026 for the Standard and Advanced examinations[22]
Largest listed banksAs listed on September 26, 2026: eyeQ 5,000+ across its FRCOphth Part 1 (2,000+) and Part 2 (3,700+) sets, sold separately or together; OphthoQuestions 4,558 in its database, more than 3,400 of them in the base plan; AAO BCSC Self-Assessment 4,500+[36],[5],[31],[30]
Free question accessAs listed on September 26, 2026: OphthoMentor (publisher) all 713; eyeQ Basic 100; OphthoQuestions 29; AuroPrep 15; Eye Academy 10[1],[37],[31],[41],[39]
EBO endorsementThe EBO endorses only the learning materials on its own website and is not affiliated with third-party training platforms[20]

The best ophthalmology question bank is the one written for your exam's format and blueprint, so the answer depends on whether you sit the OKAP, FRCOphth, EBOD or ICO exams. For the US OKAP and ABO WQE, the largest listed banks are the AAO BCSC Self-Assessment Program (4,500+ questions) and OphthoQuestions (more than 3,400 in its base plan). UK candidates can choose from dedicated FRCOphth banks such as eyeQ, Eye Academy, AuroPrep, eFRCOphth and FRCOphth MCQ. EBOD candidates need true/false practice as well as single best answer, and ICO candidates can start with the ICO's own Foundation Assessment.

Disclosure: OphthoMentor, an independent question bank run by OphthoMentor AB in Stockholm, publishes this page and is one of the products compared. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the AAO, ABO, EBO, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists or the ICO. Competitor figures come from each product's public pages as listed on September 26, 2026, or from a dated review, archived page or third-party page where noted.

Ophthalmology question banks compared (September 2026)

As each product listed them on September 26, 2026. OphthoMentor publishes this page and appears in the table. "Not published" means we could not find the figure publicly.

FeatureExams coveredQuestions (as listed)Price (as listed)Free access
OphthoMentor (publisher of this page)[1]Organized by 13 BCSC-aligned subspecialties; SBA plus EBO-style true/false713Free account; Premium 299 SEK/yearAll 713 questions, no card, no expiry
AAO BCSC Self-Assessment Program[5],[6]OKAP, ABO WQE4,500+$299/year (AAO members); $429 for 12 months (nonmembers)No free trial found; store page has sample links
OphthoQuestions[31],[30]OKAP, ABO WQE, DOCK, FRCOphth, ICO; EBOD named in site descriptionMore than 3,400 in base plan (home page: 4,558)$329.99/6 months; $359.99/12 months; add-ons from $5029 questions
BoardVitals[34]ABO WQE, AOBOO WQE750+$149/1 month; $249/3 months; $409/6 monthsSelect questions, no card
StatPearls Ophthalmology Board Review[35]ABO and AOA ophthalmology boardsCurrent count not verified (3,004 in March 2025)Current price not verified ($199/month or $599/6 months in March 2025)10 questions (March 2025)
eyeQ (Eyedocs)[36],[37]FRCOphth Parts 1 and 2, FRCS, EBO, ICO, FRANZCO5,000+ (Part 1 2,000+; Part 2 3,700+)£79 (3 months) or £99 (6 months) per part; both parts £99 (3 months) or £159 (6 months)100 questions (eyeQ Basic)
Eye Academy[39],[40]FRCOphth Part 1, Part 2 Written, Part 2 OralPart 1 900+; Part 2 Written 800+ (cards say 500+)Part 1 from £135; Part 2 Written from £32510 questions, no payment details
AuroPrep[41]FRCOphth Part 1, Part 2, Refraction CertificateNot publishedPart 1: £47 for 2 months, £59 for 3 months, £89 for 6 months (one-off)15 Part 1 questions, no card
eFRCOphth[42],[44]FRCOphth Part 1Over 2,000Not shown (£20 for 2 months or £30 for 3 months in September 2024)Free demo
FRCOphth MCQ[43],[44]FRCOphth Part 1 (mock exam)Two 90-question mock papers; bank size not publishedNot shown (£15 per attempt in September 2024)None mentioned
EBOD Training[45],[46]EBOD (MCQs and clinical cases)Not publishedFree sign-up; paid tiers not publishedFree sign-up
ICO Foundation Assessment (official)[27],[28]ICO Visual Sciences, ORI, Clinical Ophthalmology50 VS, 20 ORI, 50 ClinicalCHF 50 per assessment when not bundledFree for member-society exam candidates
OphthaMCQ[47]ICO/FICO, FAICO, Ophthalmology Foundation, FRCOphth Part 2Not publishedPer course in USD, e.g. $18.83 (ICO Clinical)Free PDFs; no trial stated
AAO ONE Network quizzes[48],[49]General review (weekly cases)Not publishedFree for AAO members (per a 2018 AAO article)Members and participating societies
OphthoBook[50],[51]Basics for students, not board level300+ in a separate question bookOnline book and flashcards free; question book sold separatelyBook, videos, flashcards

As listed on September 26, 2026, in each site's currency, excluding promotions. eFRCOphth and FRCOphth MCQ prices are from a September 2024 JFOphth review; StatPearls figures are from a March 21, 2025 archived page because the live page could not be checked. OphthaMCQ prices may vary by location.

OKAP question bank comparison: which should US residents use?

The OKAP is a 260-question multiple-choice exam that US residents sit in every year of training, spread equally across the 13 BCSC sections; the next window is March 11–14, 2027. It has no passing score. Results are norm-referenced, with percentiles that compare you only with residents at your own training level. Because the 13 sections carry equal weight, broad coverage matters more than depth in a few topics.

The ABO WQE is a separate exam. The 2026 WQE had 250 questions and was held on September 19, 2026. AAO says the Academy and the Board write and review items for both exams jointly, and it calls the OKAP good preparation for the WQE.

As for evidence, a 2019 BMC Medical Education study linked heavier online question bank use with higher OKAP percentiles, an association rather than proof that any one bank raises scores. How the US options differ, as listed on September 26, 2026:

  • AAO BCSC Self-Assessment Program: from the BCSC's publisher (the OKAP subtests parallel the 13 BCSC volumes), with timed tests, BCSC excerpts and peer comparison. No free trial found; the store page links to samples.
  • OphthoQuestions: more than 3,400 base questions, tutor and timed modes, percentile scores, and add-ons for FRCOphth Part 2 and ICO Clinical.
  • BoardVitals: a smaller bank (750+) with a topic list mapped to the ABO WQE content outline, a mobile app, 1- to 6-month plans and a pass guarantee on the 3- and 6-month plans.
  • StatPearls: questions linked to StatPearls review articles; the current count and price could not be verified.
  • OphthoMentor: 713 questions across the 13 BCSC-aligned subspecialties, all free with an account.

FRCOphth question bank comparison: Part 1 and Part 2 Written

Part 1 FRCOphth is two papers of 90 four-option single-best-answer questions, sat online with remote proctoring, next on October 14, 2026 and January 20, 2027. It tests basic and clinical sciences and patient investigations, with no clinical component: in January 2026 optics was the largest category (45 of 179 items) and 41.2% of candidates passed. Part 2 Written is also 180 single-best-answer questions in two papers; the next sitting is December 2, 2026.

OphthoMentor organizes its questions by the 13 BCSC-aligned subspecialties rather than the Part 1 syllabus. The College's suggested reading list includes AAO BCSC volumes 1–4, so for FRCOphth it works best as free extra practice in general medicine, fundamentals, clinical optics and pathology alongside a UK bank. How the UK options differ, as listed on September 26, 2026:

  • eyeQ (Eyedocs): the largest count listed here (5,000+), with separate Part 1 and Part 2 sets, timed tests, a mock builder, a Top 10 leaderboard with live comparison to others, and 100 free questions.
  • Eye Academy: Part 1 and Part 2 Written banks with an AI chatbot and a Smart Study mode that shows missed questions more often.
  • AuroPrep: one-off pricing with no auto-renewal, spaced repetition, an AI tutor and a readiness score benchmarked against everyone sitting your diet.
  • eFRCOphth: over 2,000 Part 1 questions with revision notes and a daily-updated histogram of other candidates' scores.
  • FRCOphth MCQ: a Part 1 mock of two 90-question papers, sold per attempt.
  • OphthoQuestions: a 499-question Part 2 add-on. For Part 1 it points candidates to its Fundamentals, Clinical Optics, and Pathology and Tumors categories.

Which EBO question bank fits the current EBOD format?

Since May 2024 the EBOD written section has 30 traditional MCQs, each a stem with five true/false statements, plus 30 single-best-answer questions, in 2 hours with no negative marking. It counts for 40% of the final score, and four viva or clinical-case stations make up the rest. The next exams are online on October 16, 2026 and May 14, 2027, with applications for May open October 1 to December 15, 2026.

The EBO says it is not affiliated with any third-party platform offering EBO Diploma training and endorses only the learning materials on its own website. That applies to every product here, including OphthoMentor. In May 2026, 366 of 432 candidates (about 84.7%) passed in Paris.

The 150 true/false statements are 150 of the 180 raw written marks, so a bank written only as single best answer will not give practice in that format. How the options differ, as of September 26, 2026:

  • EBOD Training: free sign-up for MCQs, clinical-case simulations and an AI virtual trainer. Ophthalmology24 describes it as Bayer-sponsored.
  • OphthoMentor: five-statement true/false items alongside single-best-answer questions, timed mock exams and oral case (viva) stations.
  • eyeQ: its EBO page, marked current as of April 2018, describes the older all-true/false paper, so confirm that its EBO set includes SBA items.
  • OphthoQuestions: names the EBOD in its site description; we found no EBO-specific page or true/false format.

What ICO question bank options are there?

ICO Standard Examinations are paper-based, four-option single-best-answer papers with no negative marking: Visual Sciences (120 questions, 3 hours), Optics, Refraction and Instruments (60 questions, 1.5 hours) and Clinical Ophthalmology (200 questions, 4 hours). The next Standard and Advanced sittings are on October 19, 2026. The Ophthalmology Foundation, successor of the former ICO Foundation, runs a separate exam series, so check which one a product targets.

Many Clinical Ophthalmology topics, such as neuro-ophthalmology, cornea, uveitis, and retina and vitreous, share names with BCSC sections, so a BCSC-organized bank such as OphthoMentor's free library can add volume there. The main options, as listed on September 26, 2026:

  • ICO Foundation Assessment: the ICO's own online practice tests (50 Visual Sciences, 20 ORI and 50 Clinical questions), free for member-society candidates registered for the matching exam and CHF 50 per assessment when not bundled.
  • OphthaMCQ: India-focused courses for ICO/FICO, FAICO and Ophthalmology Foundation exams, such as an ICO Clinical Ophthalmology course listed at $18.83, with Android and iOS apps.
  • eyeQ: lists ICO Part A and Part C/Advanced among its exams.
  • OphthoQuestions: says its base bank covers Parts A and B, and sells a 130-question ICO Clinical add-on.

Is there a free ophthalmology question bank?

Yes, though many free options are samples of paid banks, and case challenges or flashcards are not timed, exam-format blocks. Use free recall tools for daily review and a full question bank for timed practice.

What was free as of September 26, 2026:

  • OphthoMentor: all 713 questions free with an account, with no card and no expiry. The public library at ophthomentor.com/ophthalmology-questions is organized by the 13 BCSC sections.
  • Free samples: eyeQ Basic (100 questions), OphthoQuestions (29), AuroPrep (15), Eye Academy (10), BoardVitals (select questions) and an eFRCOphth demo.
  • AAO ONE Network: weekly Diagnose This case challenges for AAO members and participating international societies. The AAO Board Prep page also lists 300+ free presentations and 1,800+ free flashcards.
  • EBOD Training (free sign-up) and the ICO Foundation Assessment (free for member-society exam candidates).
  • OphthoBook: a free online book, videos and flashcards for students; the site says experienced residents will find the series too easy.

How do you choose the best ophthalmology qbank for residents?

A sensible stack is one exam-matched bank, the examining body's own material, and a free bank for extra volume.

Start from the exam, not the brand. Match the format first, then the blueprint, then the cost per month of access you will actually use:

  • Format: FRCOphth written papers and ICO Standard papers are four-option single best answer; the EBOD adds five-statement true/false stems.
  • Blueprint: the OKAP weights 13 BCSC sections equally, optics is the largest FRCOphth Part 1 category, and the EBOD lists 10 written fields without published weightings.
  • Access length: listed plans run from 1 month (BoardVitals) to 12 months (AAO, OphthoQuestions); OphthoMentor's free tier does not expire.
  • Currency: the EBOD format changed in May 2024, and BCSC Sections 3, 6 and 12 are major revisions for 2026–2027.
  • Trial first: use a free sample to judge explanation quality before paying.

How should you use a question bank for board prep?

Use questions to find gaps. Start with a mixed, timed block for a baseline, read every explanation, including lucky guesses, and log each missed topic. AAO's OKAP guide describes a similar loop after the exam: rank your 13 subtests and use the Keyword Report of missed topics to set learning objectives.

Bring misses back days later, not the same evening. In the final 4–6 weeks, sit full-length timed mocks that match the real exam: 260 questions in 4.5 hours of testing for the OKAP, two 2-hour papers of 90 for FRCOphth Part 1, or 60 questions in 2 hours for the EBOD written section.

OphthoMentor supports this loop. Every question has an explanation, many with a clinical decision flowchart, and the site offers timed mock exams, weak-topic drills, a readiness dashboard, resident discussion threads and oral case (viva) stations. All 713 questions are free with an account; Premium (299 SEK per year) adds spaced-repetition review on every question and unlocks every oral case station. With fewer questions than the largest banks, it pairs well with one.

Best ophthalmology qbanks FAQ

What is the best ophthalmology question bank for residents?

It depends on your exam. For the OKAP, compare the AAO BCSC Self-Assessment Program (4,500+ questions) with OphthoQuestions (more than 3,400 in its base plan), as listed on September 26, 2026. FRCOphth, EBO and ICO candidates need banks written for those formats, so try free samples first.

Is there a free ophthalmology question bank?

Yes. As of September 26, 2026, all 713 OphthoMentor questions are free with an account, with no card and no expiry, and EBOD Training offers free sign-up. Most paid banks also offer samples, from 10 questions (Eye Academy) to 100 (eyeQ Basic).

Which question bank is best for FRCOphth Part 1?

Dedicated options include eyeQ (2,000+ Part 1 questions), eFRCOphth (over 2,000), Eye Academy, AuroPrep and the FRCOphth MCQ mock. As listed on September 26, 2026, prices start at £47 for 2 months (AuroPrep), £79 for 3 months (eyeQ) and £135 (Eye Academy). Optics was the largest category in January 2026, so check a bank's optics depth.

Is there a question bank for the EBO exam?

Yes. As of September 26, 2026, EBOD Training offers free sign-up for MCQ and clinical-case practice, OphthoMentor includes five-statement true/false items with single-best-answer questions, and eyeQ lists EBO among its exams. The EBO endorses none of them; it endorses only the learning materials on its own website.

What is the best question bank for the ICO exams?

Start with the ICO's own Foundation Assessments: 50 Visual Sciences, 20 ORI and 50 Clinical practice questions, free for member-society candidates registered for the matching exam and CHF 50 per assessment when not bundled. OphthaMCQ, eyeQ and the OphthoQuestions ICO Clinical add-on are third-party options.

OphthoQuestions or BoardVitals: which is better for the WQE?

They differ mainly in size and plan length. As listed on September 26, 2026, OphthoQuestions has more than 3,400 base questions from $329.99 for 6 months; BoardVitals has 750+ questions, a topic list mapped to the ABO WQE content outline, and plans from $149 for 1 month. Try both free samples to compare explanations.

Does OphthoMentor have as many questions as other banks?

No. OphthoMentor has 713 published questions as of September 26, 2026, fewer than eyeQ (5,000+), the AAO program (4,500+) or OphthoQuestions (more than 3,400). All 713 are free with an account and Premium is 299 SEK per year, so it pairs well with a larger bank.

Sources

  1. Free ophthalmology question library — OphthoMentor AB
  2. OKAP Exam — American Academy of Ophthalmology
  3. 2026 OKAP User's Guide — American Academy of Ophthalmology
  4. Basic and Clinical Science Course Complete Set — American Academy of Ophthalmology
  5. Board Prep Resources — American Academy of Ophthalmology
  6. Basic and Clinical Science Course Self-Assessment Program — American Academy of Ophthalmology
  7. American Board of Ophthalmology (ABOp) exams — Pearson VUE
  8. Resident and program characteristics that impact performance on the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) — BMC Medical Education
  9. Part 1 FRCOphth Exam — The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  10. Part 1 FRCOphth Information Pack — The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  11. Part 1 Fellowship Examination, October 2026 — The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  12. Part 1 Fellowship Examination, January 2027 — The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  13. Part 1 FRCOphth Written Examination Report, January 2026 — The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  14. Part 2 Fellowship Written Examination, December 2026 — The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  15. Part 2 FRCOphth Written, December 2026 (event listing) — The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
  16. Structure of Examination — European Board of Ophthalmology
  17. Update from the European Board of Ophthalmology — European Board of Ophthalmology
  18. Important Dates — European Board of Ophthalmology
  19. EBO Application 2026 — European Board of Ophthalmology
  20. Exam Information — European Board of Ophthalmology
  21. EBO Exam Report: Spring Exam May 2026 — European Board of Ophthalmology
  22. ICO Examinations — International Council of Ophthalmology
  23. Visual Sciences (Part A) — International Council of Ophthalmology
  24. Optics, Refraction and Instruments (Part B) — International Council of Ophthalmology
  25. Clinical Ophthalmology (Part C) — International Council of Ophthalmology
  26. ICO Examination Frequently Asked Questions — International Council of Ophthalmology
  27. Foundation Assessment — International Council of Ophthalmology
  28. Terms of Use: Examinations and Fellowships — International Council of Ophthalmology
  29. About — Ophthalmology Foundation
  30. OphthoQuestions — OphthoQuestions
  31. Pricing — OphthoQuestions
  32. FRCOphth Revision Course — OphthoQuestions
  33. ICO Clinical (Part C) Review Course — OphthoQuestions
  34. Ophthalmology Board Exam Questions [2026] — BoardVitals
  35. Ophthalmology Board Review (archived March 21, 2025) — StatPearls, via the Internet Archive
  36. eyeQ: Ophthalmology Revision Questions for FRCOphth, FRCS, EBO, ICO, FRANZCO — Eyedocs
  37. eyeQ subscriptions — Eyedocs
  38. EBO exam MCQ revision — Eyedocs
  39. FRCOphth Part 1 Question Bank — Eye Academy
  40. FRCOphth Part 2 Written — Eye Academy
  41. FRCOphth Part 1 Question Bank — AuroPrep
  42. eFRCOphth — eFRCOphth
  43. FRCOphth MCQ — FRCOphth MCQ
  44. A review of FRCOphth Part 1 question banks — JFOphth
  45. Test your abilities for EU Ophthalmology Exams | Online Training — EBOD Training
  46. EBO exam preparation — Ophthalmology24
  47. Ophthalmology Exam Notes, ICO/FICO Past Papers — OphthaMCQ
  48. Quizzes for participating societies — American Academy of Ophthalmology
  49. ONE Network: the best free resource — American Academy of Ophthalmology
  50. OphthoBook — TimRoot.com
  51. OphthoBook Questions — TimRoot.com