ABO-NCLE reports that 64.0% of candidates passed the ABO Basic exam (NOCE) in 2024, so roughly one in three did not. The exam has 125 multiple-choice questions in 2 hours, and Ophthalmic Optics, which includes optics math, is the largest domain. ABO-NCLE says hands-on experience or optical schooling correlates with higher success.
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The official pass rate
| Exam | 2024 pass rate |
|---|---|
| ABO Basic (NOCE) | 64.0% |
| NCLE Basic (CLRE) | 59.0% |
Source: ABO-NCLE Basic Exam page (opens in a new tab). This is one year’s figure. ABO-NCLE doesn’t publish first-attempt versus repeat pass rates, trends over time, or rates by education or experience.
How the ABO is scored (and why there’s no fixed “passing percentage”)
ABO-NCLE’s handbook says the exam is criterion-referenced: your performance is “not compared to that of other Candidates.” The minimum passing score is set by subject-matter experts using the Modified Angoff Method. ABO-NCLE doesn’t publish the cut score as a percentage. More detail: ABO passing score and cost.
What makes it challenging (from the blueprint)
- Time: 125 questions in 120 minutes is about 58 seconds per question.
- Optics math: Ophthalmic Optics is the largest domain, with 25 of the 100 specified questions. Our guides to Prentice's Rule and lens transposition cover two of its core skills.
- Pretest items: the handbook says each exam has “at least 85-100 scored test items plus a number of pilot test items,” and you can’t tell which are unscored, so treat every question as if it counts.
Beyond those facts, which part feels hardest depends on your background; that’s our observation, not an ABO-NCLE finding.
Who tends to do better
“While no prior experience is required, those with 2–3 years of hands-on experience or completion of an optical school program have higher success rates.”
That’s ABO-NCLE’s statement on its Basic Exam page. It doesn’t publish numbers behind it.
What isn’t published
- A passing score as a percentage
- A first-time pass rate
- Average study hours
- Pass rates by state or by delivery mode (test center vs remote)
If you see these numbers elsewhere, they’re not from ABO-NCLE.
If you don’t pass
The score report includes diagnostic information for each content area (handbook). You can retest after 14 days; the Oct–Dec 2026 registration page allows up to three attempts, then a 90-day wait. Each attempt costs $275 (since Oct 1, 2026).
How to make it more manageable
Follow the official domain weights, start with optics, and practice under time. Our step-by-step guide covers it: how to study for the ABO exam. Start with free ABO practice questions, and see the ABO certification guide, the ABO exam FAQ, or ABO vs NCLE for the bigger picture. Nobody can guarantee a pass, including us.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of people pass the ABO exam?
ABO-NCLE reports a 64.0% pass rate for the ABO Basic exam (NOCE) in 2024, which means 36.0% did not pass. That is a single-year figure; ABO-NCLE does not publish first-attempt versus repeat pass rates or trends.
What score do you need to pass the ABO exam?
ABO-NCLE does not publish a passing percentage. Its handbook says the exam is criterion-referenced, so you are not compared with other candidates, and the minimum passing score is set by subject-matter experts using the Modified Angoff Method.
See also: ABO passing score and cost
What is the hardest part of the ABO exam?
ABO-NCLE doesn’t rank sections by difficulty. Structurally, Ophthalmic Optics, which includes optics math, is the largest domain (25 of the 100 specified questions), and the timing works out to about 58 seconds per question. Which part is hardest depends on your own background.
Can you pass the ABO exam without experience?
No experience is required to sit the exam; eligibility is a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent. ABO-NCLE says: “While no prior experience is required, those with 2–3 years of hands-on experience or completion of an optical school program have higher success rates.”
How does the ABO pass rate compare with the NCLE?
For 2024, ABO-NCLE reports 64.0% for the ABO Basic exam and 59.0% for the NCLE Basic exam. These are single-year figures for different candidate groups, so they don’t by themselves show that one exam is harder.
Source: ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam overview (opens in a new tab)
See also: ABO vs NCLE
How many times can you retake the ABO exam?
After a failed attempt you wait 14 days to retest. ABO-NCLE’s Oct–Dec 2026 registration page allows up to three attempts before a 90-day wait. Each attempt is paid again; the fee is $275 since Oct 1, 2026.
Source: ABO-NCLE — ABO Basic Examination, Oct–Dec 2026 registration (opens in a new tab)
Official sources
- ABO-NCLE — Basic Exam overview (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE Basic Exam Handbook (October 2026 edition, linked from the Oct–Dec 2026 registration pages) (opens in a new tab)
- ABO-NCLE — ABO Basic Examination, Oct–Dec 2026 registration (opens in a new tab)
Last reviewed . Requirements, fees, and dates change — always confirm with the official source before you register or apply. ABO-NCLE and IJCAHPO are the only authorities for their own exam facts, so those facts rest on a single source.