The College of Optometrists

Can anyon tell me how the examiner come to their dicision in the CDM exam, Based on the competencies we are examined on, what they are looking for, what is their criteria for pass or fail. also what is the strategy in order to do well to past this exam (CDM)

thank you in advance

The examiners have a grid of competancies they are checking for on each CDM patient scenario, they look to see that you have acheived those competancies. e.g. managed a binocular vision problem by identifying the problem from the details provided, indicating further investigations if required and suggesting appropriate management strategies.

Pass or fail is down to whether you have convinced both examiners that you are safe in that area.

CDM is the most difficult exam for candidates because it is about managing patients and you are unlikely to see enough patients to have experience of everything. You need to get as much practice at this as possible. I would suggest talking with your supervisor as much as possible about your patients asking them what they would do in certain situations, getting them to pose scenarios and coming up with how you would manage that patient. In your Hospital experience make sure the ophthalmologist/orthoptist asks you lots of questions about what you would do and gives you constructive criticism. Also you need to have done the basic background reading to understand how signs and symptoms tie together to help with your diagnosis. I have noticed that BV and dispensing and paediatric issues, always seem to cause the most problems in the CDM exam so don't neglect those.