100+ Free AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS Practice Questions
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A 68-year-old man presents with sudden painless loss of vision in the right eye on awakening. Fundoscopy reveals a cherry-red spot at the macula with diffuse retinal pallor. Which artery is most likely occluded?
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Key Facts: AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS Exam
150
Written Exam Questions
AOBOO Ophthalmology/Otolaryngology written exam
3 hours
Written Exam Length
Remotely proctored via MonitorEDU
$1,500 / $2,000
Written / Oral Exam Fees
AOBOO 2026 fee schedule
500
Passing Scaled Score
AOA 200-800 scale
~89.4%
5-Yr First-Time Pass Rate
AOBOO ophthalmology written exam
$200/yr
OCC Component 3 Fee
AOA longitudinal assessment
AOBOO-HNS certifies osteopathic ophthalmologists and otolaryngologists through a 150-question, 3-hour, remotely proctored written exam (MonitorEDU) plus an oral exam. Passing requires a scaled score of 500+ on the AOA 200-800 scale; AOBOO publishes a ~89.4% five-year first-time pass rate for the ophthalmology written exam. The written exam fee is $1,500 and the oral exam fee is $2,000; OCC Component 3 longitudinal assessment is $200/year. Ophthalmology and otolaryngology-HNS use separate written exams but share a single specialty board.
Sample AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A 68-year-old man presents with sudden painless loss of vision in the right eye on awakening. Fundoscopy reveals a cherry-red spot at the macula with diffuse retinal pallor. Which artery is most likely occluded?
2Which of the following is the FIRST-LINE topical therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma?
3A 25-year-old soft contact lens wearer presents with severe right eye pain, photophobia, and a ring-shaped corneal infiltrate. Symptoms began after swimming in a lake. Which organism is most likely responsible?
4A 72-year-old presents with metamorphopsia and decreased central vision. OCT shows subretinal fluid and a pigment epithelial detachment. Fluorescein angiography demonstrates choroidal neovascularization. What is the first-line treatment?
5A 4-year-old presents with leukocoria and strabismus of the right eye. Examination reveals a chalky-white intraocular mass. Which gene is most commonly implicated?
6A 30-year-old woman with relapsing-remitting MS presents with painful loss of vision in her left eye over 2 days. Examination shows decreased visual acuity, dyschromatopsia, and a relative afferent pupillary defect. Which treatment best addresses the acute episode?
7Which of the following anatomic findings is pathognomonic for acute angle-closure glaucoma on examination?
8A 60-year-old diabetic presents 4 days after uncomplicated phacoemulsification with severe pain, decreased vision (light perception only), and a hypopyon. The most likely diagnosis is acute postoperative endophthalmitis. Per the Endophthalmitis Vitrectomy Study (EVS), which management is most appropriate?
9A 78-year-old presents with sudden loss of vision in the right eye, jaw claudication, scalp tenderness, and headache. ESR is 92 mm/hr. What is the most appropriate immediate management?
10Which clinical sign supports the diagnosis of keratoconus on slit-lamp examination?
About the AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS Exam
The AOBOO-HNS administers two parallel primary certification pathways for osteopathic physicians (DOs): one for ophthalmology and one for otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Each pathway requires passing a 150-question, 3-hour, remotely proctored (MonitorEDU) written exam, followed by an oral examination. Ophthalmology content spans external disease and cornea, glaucoma, retina and vitreous, cataract and refractive, pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, and neuro-ophthalmology. Otolaryngology-HNS content spans otology and neurotology, rhinology and sinus, laryngology, head and neck oncology, pediatric ENT, facial plastics, and sleep medicine. Both incorporate osteopathic principles and practice (OPP). Initial certification requires a COCA-accredited DO degree, AOA-approved internship, and completion of an AOA/ACGME-accredited residency in the respective specialty.
Questions
150 scored questions
Time Limit
3 hours written (150 MCQs, remotely proctored via MonitorEDU) plus separate oral exam component
Passing Score
Scaled score of 500 or higher (AOA 200-800 scale)
Exam Fee
$1,500 written + $2,000 oral (AOBOO 2026) (American Osteopathic Boards of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery (AOBOO-HNS))
AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS Exam Content Outline
External Disease and Cornea
Bacterial keratitis (Pseudomonas, fortified vancomycin + tobramycin), HSV epithelial vs stromal keratitis (topical antiviral, avoid steroids in dendritic), Acanthamoeba keratitis (contact lens, ring infiltrate, PHMB/chlorhexidine), fungal keratitis (natamycin), dry eye (TFBUT, Schirmer, MGD, lifitegrast, cyclosporine), keratoconus (Kmax progression, CXL), Fuchs endothelial dystrophy (DMEK), corneal transplant rejection (Khodadoust line).
Glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma (OCT RNFL thinning, GDx, visual field — paracentral/nasal step/arcuate), acute angle closure (mid-dilated pupil, IOP 50+, pilocarpine + laser PI), normal-tension glaucoma, pigment dispersion, pseudoexfoliation, neovascular glaucoma (PRP + anti-VEGF), prostaglandin analogs first-line, SLT (LiGHT trial first-line option), MIGS (iStent, Hydrus, Xen), trabeculectomy + MMC, tube shunts (Baerveldt, Ahmed).
Retina and Vitreous
Diabetic retinopathy (DRSS, PRP for high-risk PDR, anti-VEGF for CSME/DME — Protocol T), AMD (dry/geographic atrophy, wet/CNV anti-VEGF aflibercept/ranibizumab/bevacizumab/faricimab), CRVO/BRVO (anti-VEGF, observe), retinal detachment (Schaffer sign, scleral buckle vs PPV vs pneumatic retinopexy), macular hole, ERM, central serous chorioretinopathy, endophthalmitis (post-cataract Strep epidermidis, EVS — vitrectomy if light perception only).
Pediatric, Neuro-Ophth, and Cataract/Refractive
Amblyopia (deprivation/strabismic/refractive — patching, atropine penalization), ROP (zone/stage/plus disease, laser vs anti-VEGF BEAT-ROP), retinoblastoma (leukocoria, RB1), optic neuritis (MS association, IV methylprednisolone, ONTT), papilledema vs IIH (LP opening pressure), AION (GCA must rule out — ESR/CRP/temporal biopsy), III/IV/VI palsies, Horner (apraclonidine reversal), phacoemulsification, IOL calculation (SRK/T, Barrett Universal II), premium IOLs, LASIK/PRK/SMILE.
Otology and Neurotology
Acute otitis media (S pneumoniae, H influenzae, M catarrhalis — amoxicillin), otitis externa (Pseudomonas — fluoroquinolone drops; malignant OE in diabetics — IV antipseudomonal), cholesteatoma (mastoidectomy), otosclerosis (stapedotomy), sudden SNHL (oral steroids ± intratympanic dex, MRI to rule out vestibular schwannoma), Meniere (low Na diet, diuretic, intratympanic gentamicin), BPPV (Dix-Hallpike, Epley posterior canal), Bell palsy (oral prednisolone + valacyclovir), Ramsay Hunt (vesicles + facial palsy).
Rhinology, Sinus, and Allergy
Acute rhinosinusitis (viral most common; bacterial if >10 days or worsening — amoxicillin-clavulanate), chronic rhinosinusitis with/without nasal polyps (CRSwNP — INCS, oral steroids, FESS, biologics — dupilumab/omalizumab/mepolizumab), allergic rhinitis (intranasal steroids first-line), epistaxis (Kiesselbach anterior; posterior — SPA ligation/embolization), inverted papilloma (Krouse staging, malignant potential), sinonasal SCC, CSF rhinorrhea (beta-2 transferrin).
Laryngology and Head & Neck Oncology
Dysphonia workup (laryngoscopy), vocal cord paralysis (idiopathic, post-thyroidectomy, intubation), laryngopharyngeal reflux (empiric PPI BID 8-12 weeks), AJCC 8th edition staging — separate HPV+ vs HPV- oropharyngeal SCC (p16+ better prognosis), oral cavity SCC, laryngeal SCC, thyroid cancer (papillary — well-differentiated, lobectomy vs total; medullary — RET, calcitonin/CEA; anaplastic), salivary gland tumors (pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin, mucoepidermoid, adenoid cystic), TORS for HPV+ oropharynx.
Pediatric ENT, Facial Plastics, Sleep
Tonsillectomy indications (Paradise criteria, OSA), pediatric OSA (polysomnography, AHI >=1 in children — adenotonsillectomy first-line), adult OSA (AHI 5-15 mild/15-30 mod/30+ severe; CPAP first-line, UPPP, MMA, hypoglossal nerve stimulation/Inspire for AHI 15-65 with low BMI), DISE, laryngomalacia, subglottic stenosis (Cotton-Myer grading), cleft lip (~3 months) and palate (~9-12 months) repair, facial trauma (Le Fort I/II/III, NOE, ZMC), rhinoplasty.
Osteopathic Principles & Practice (OMM/OMT)
Galbreath maneuver and Eustachian tube dysfunction, frontal/maxillary/supraorbital/infraorbital release for sinus congestion, suboccipital release for tension-type headache, OA/AA decompression for vertigo or cervicogenic dizziness, lymphatic pump techniques post-tonsillectomy/sinusitis, five osteopathic models (biomechanical, respiratory-circulatory, neurologic, metabolic-energy, behavioral) in surgical and rehabilitative care.
How to Pass the AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Scaled score of 500 or higher (AOA 200-800 scale)
- Exam length: 150 questions
- Time limit: 3 hours written (150 MCQs, remotely proctored via MonitorEDU) plus separate oral exam component
- Exam fee: $1,500 written + $2,000 oral (AOBOO 2026)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
AOBOO Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology-HNS Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the AOBOO-HNS certification exams?
Candidates must hold a COCA-accredited DO degree, have completed an AOA-approved internship, and have completed an AOA/ACGME-accredited residency in either ophthalmology or otolaryngology-HNS. An unrestricted US medical license and program director attestation of satisfactory training are required. Adherence to the AOA Code of Ethics is mandatory. Ophthalmology and otolaryngology candidates apply through their respective AOBOO-HNS pathway.
How is the AOBOO written exam structured?
The AOBOO written exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions delivered over 3 hours in a remotely proctored online format via MonitorEDU. Ophthalmology and otolaryngology-HNS have separate written exams, each covering the core specialty content plus osteopathic principles and practice. A passing scaled score of 500 (200-800 scale) is required to advance to the oral examination component.
What is the fee for the AOBOO exams?
The AOBOO written exam fee is $1,500, and the oral exam fee is $2,000. Re-examination fees are equal to the original exam fees. OCC Component 3 longitudinal assessment requires a $200 annual fee, with a $50 late fee after the first deadline. Total typical costs for written plus oral exam total $3,500, exclusive of board review courses and question banks.
When is the AOBOO written exam offered?
The AOBOO ophthalmology written exam is offered once per year, generally every spring, remotely proctored online by MonitorEDU. Application deadlines are typically set 45 days before the exam window opens, with a final cutoff 15 days before. The otolaryngology-HNS written exam follows a similar annual cycle. Specific 2026 dates are posted on the AOBOO important dates page.
What is the pass rate for the AOBOO written exam?
The AOBOO ophthalmology written exam has a published 5-year first-time pass rate of approximately 89.4%. Otolaryngology-HNS written exam first-time pass rates are similarly strong for residency-trained candidates. Pass rates are lower for retakers and candidates whose training included gaps. AOBOO publishes pass-rate summaries periodically.
What topics are emphasized on the ophthalmology and otolaryngology written exams?
Ophthalmology content emphasizes external disease/cornea, glaucoma, retina and vitreous, cataract and refractive, pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, neuro-ophthalmology, and uveitis. Otolaryngology-HNS emphasizes otology and neurotology, rhinology and sinus, laryngology, head and neck oncology, pediatric ENT, facial plastics and reconstruction, and sleep medicine. Both exams include osteopathic principles and practice (OPP/OMM) questions.
How does the oral examination work?
After passing the written exam, candidates complete the oral examination — a case-based, scenario-driven evaluation of clinical reasoning and management. Examiners present clinical vignettes, imaging, and surgical decision-making scenarios across the breadth of the specialty. The oral exam fee is $2,000 with the same fee on retake. Failing the oral exam requires reapplication for the next cycle per AOBOO policy.
What is OCC Component 3 and why does it matter?
Osteopathic Continuous Certification (OCC) Component 3 is the longitudinal assessment that diplomates complete annually to maintain AOBOO certification. The fee is $200/year with a $50 late fee. Items are not timed and are delivered quarterly online; diplomates must complete all assigned items each quarter. OCC replaces the older 10-year recertification examination for many AOA boards including AOBOO-HNS.