Jan. 8, 2025 — The Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO), in partnership with the National Board of Examiners in Optometry (NBEO), has published pass rate data for U.S. optometry schools, alongside data from previous academic years dating back to 2016-2017. The 2024 report includes results from both the retired Part III Clinical Skills Examination and the new Part III Patient Encounters and Performance Skills exam.

“NBEO is pleased to continue to work with ASCO as we provide this data,” says NBEO executive director Jill Bryant, OD, MPH, FAAO, FSLS. “These results are from calculations using the scores of optometry candidates who have both graduated during the 2023-2024 academic year and attempted all three parts of the exam at least once.”

“The pass rates from the schools and colleges of optometry can provide a comprehensive view of school performance as well as challenges,” says ASCO president Fraser Horn, OD, FAAO, who was recently featured in EB Last Look. “We remain committed to offering each optometry student a vigorous curriculum as well as tailored support to best prepare them to enter this very challenging and rewarding career.”