title: New directions for the Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) examination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Program (OKAP) Task Force of the American Academy of Ophthalmology has reviewed the present OKAP examination and addressed the goals of this resident-in-training examination. Simultaneously, the American Board of Ophthalmology has been assessing its Written Qualifying Examination (WQE) as a certifying tool.
  
  
  METHODS
  The history of the OKAP examination is chronicled along with a discussion of the goals of this examination as a stimulus for resident education.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new OKAP examination is structured specifically for residents-in-training and is now administered separately from the WQE. The OKAP examination is moving in the direction of a criterion referenced examination based on a defined content outline. Twelve subtest areas are tested. Future goals are to improve subtest reliability and increase feedback to residents and program directors.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Education Division, American Academy of Ophthalmology, San Francisco, CA 94120-7424.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Liesegang
mesh_terms: D002568:Certification / Q000639:trends*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States