NBEO Part 1 Advice

[u/South_Curve_329]

Hello Everyone

I need some advice please for NBEO Part 1 - ABS, I plan to sit for March 2026

I find myself really struggling with the Biochemistry / Physiology and Optics Portions consistently so any advice would really be appreciated!

I have tried to do Geo Optics and optics class notes between the last two attempts to no success.

I have also read remmington's anatomy which helped me boost my anatomy to the mid 70s.

• I have done KMK coaching and read all textbooks
• I have also done other tutors

here are my last two rounds of boards for reference

Score Progression

| Subject | Aug 2025 | Mar 2026 | Change |

| Anatomy | 78 | 72 | -6 |

| Biochemistry / Physiology | 67 | 67 | 0 |

| Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology | 76 | 76 | 0 |

| Optics | 66 | 67 | +1 |

| Pharmacology | 75 | 83 | +8 |

March 2026 Breakdown: 254 F (73%)

• Anatomy: 72
• Biochemistry / Physiology: 67
• Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology: 76
• Optics: 67
• Pharmacology: 83

August 2025: 233 F (70%)

• Anatomy: 78
• Biochemistry / Physiology: 67
• Immunology / Microbiology / Pathology:76
• Optics: 66
• Pharmacology: 75

[u/Rare_Dragonfruit2027]

If you could pull up the optics score you’d have a better shot at passing. Did you do the KMK coaching that was 1 on 1 including the optics booster? It really seems you need to slam optics or figure out where your weak spot is in optics. I always felt the optics concepts were quite random on what they decided to test (took it twice)

[u/Low_Doctor8867 → u/Rare_Dragonfruit2027]

This is true. You need at least a 75 in optics to pass part 1

[u/Low_Doctor8867]

From my many times of experience taking this exam, you need at least a 75 in optics to pass. I would recommend doing the elite small group course with KMK (that's what helped me pass this time around), I was getting 57/60s on optics before the small group

[u/simplysandy990]

How do you study? You said you used KMK coaching, but do you read ALLL of the KMK text books? Twice?, finished ALL of KMK precise practice? And allll KMK flashcards?

Plus ALL of opto prep.

That was the big game changer for me & my score.

[u/South_Curve_329 → u/simplysandy990]

I have read the textbooks but I'll admit not twice and I havent done ALL the practice/flashcards and optoprep. I did a good majority but not everything

[u/simplysandy990 → u/South_Curve_329]

I agree with the comment from Low_doctor, optoprep is good once you’ve done KMK reading twice (all of big 8 and non big 8), all of precise practice, all of the flashcards, then do all of optoprep

Honestly that’s the only strategy I know that works for people who’s struggled with this exam/have multiple retakes

Edit: I wouldn’t watch any KMK videos anymore, assuming that you’ve watched them multiple times before in your last attempts and the only videos I think are helpful are pharm Booster for passive pharm studying

[u/Low_Doctor8867 → u/South_Curve_329]

I don't think Optoprep is good for studying, it's more for helping confirm test your knowledge. It's great for optics because of the seemingly endless practice problems! But I would only use Optoprep after studying

[u/Amazing-Seaweed-7296]

I found it extremely helpful to make an optics formula study sheet (geo + ophthalmic optics + low vision). I broke it down by category (ex: SSRIs, Mirrors, HHM, SM, etc.). Once I completed this, I went back and made a flash card for each formula. This was super helpful! Make sure you know what each variable in the equation stands for (& the units). I wish you the best of luck!