Free Practice Questions for Sweden Optician Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för optiker)

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Exam Review

Key Facts: Sweden Optician Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för optiker) Exam

70%

Pass mark on the written papers (85% for distinction)

Karolinska Institutet (May 2026 papers)

5 / 3

Maximum attempts: five for the theoretical test, three for the practical tests

Karolinska Institutet; Socialstyrelsen

Solna

Location of all parts of the test

Karolinska Institutet

SEK 990

Socialstyrelsen application fee for review of the foreign education (step 1)

Socialstyrelsen

Kunskapsprov för optiker is run by Karolinska Institutet for Socialstyrelsen: a written test in general optometry and contact lens practice (70% to pass) followed by practical tests in eye examination and contact lens fitting. Candidates have up to five theoretical and three practical attempts within five years. The test is in Swedish; this 100-question bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation — not an official translation, format simulation, or substitute for writing/speaking/performance practice.

Sample Sweden Optician Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för optiker) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Sweden Optician Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för optiker) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1During subjective refraction, a Jackson cross-cylinder (JCC) is used to refine the axis of a trial cylinder of -1.50 DC × 90°. The handle is aligned with the 90° axis, so the cross-cylinder's principal meridians lie at 45° and 135°. On flipping, the patient reports that the position with the red dots (minus axis) at 135° is clearly better. Which way should the trial cylinder axis be turned?

A.Toward 45°, following the white (plus) axis of the cross-cylinder

B.Toward 135°, following the red (minus) axis of the cross-cylinder

C.Keep it at 90° and add -0.50 DC to the cylinder power first

D.Rotate it by a full 90° to axis 180°

Explanation: For axis refinement the JCC handle is placed along the trial cylinder axis, so its principal meridians straddle that axis at 45° on each side (here 45° and 135°). In minus-cylinder refraction the trial axis is turned toward the red (minus) axis of the preferred flip position ('chase the red'), in steps of about 5°–15°, and the test is repeated until both positions look equal.

2When refining cylinder power using a ±0.25 DC Jackson cross-cylinder in minus-cylinder form, the optometrist increases the minus cylinder by -0.50 DC. What adjustment must be made to the trial sphere power to maintain the circle of least confusion on the retina?

A.Add +0.50 DS to the spherical component

B.Add -0.25 DS to the spherical component

C.Add +0.25 DS to the spherical component

D.No spherical adjustment is needed during cylinder power refinement

Explanation: To maintain the circle of least confusion on the retina (constant spherical equivalent), any change in cylinder power must be compensated by half that amount in sphere with the opposite sign. Increasing the minus cylinder power by -0.50 DC shifts the spherical equivalent by -0.25 D, so +0.25 DS must be added to the sphere to counteract this focal shift.

3A 45-year-old patient undergoing the duochrome (red-green) subjective refraction test reports that the letters on the green background appear noticeably sharper and darker than those on the red background. What optical state does this response indicate, and how should the optometrist adjust the spherical trial lens?

A.The eye has high spherical aberration; introduce an aperture stop

B.The eye is slightly over-plussed (or under-minused); add -0.25 DS

C.The eye has uncorrected against-the-rule astigmatism; increase cylinder power

D.The eye is slightly over-minused (or under-plussed); add +0.25 DS

Explanation: Because of longitudinal chromatic aberration, green light (about 535 nm) is refracted more strongly than red light (about 620 nm) and focuses in front of it. If the green letters look sharper, the green focus lies nearer the retina and the red focus further behind it, so the eye's focus is behind the retina (over-minused or under-plussed). Adding +0.25 DS moves the foci forward until red and green look equally clear.

4A 28-year-old patient has keratometry readings of 42.50 D at 180° and 44.50 D at 90°. The anterior cornea is steepest in the vertical meridian. Which classification best describes this corneal astigmatism, and what spectacle prescription format reflects it in minus cylinder form?

A.With-the-rule astigmatism; correcting minus cylinder axis near 180°

B.Against-the-rule astigmatism; correcting minus cylinder axis near 90°

C.Oblique astigmatism; correcting minus cylinder axis at 45°

D.Irregular astigmatism; correcting cylinder cannot be placed at 90° or 180°

Explanation: With-the-rule (WTR) astigmatism occurs when the vertical meridian of the cornea is steeper (has greater refractive power) than the horizontal meridian. Because the vertical meridian has excess positive refractive power, the correcting minus cylinder must exert its power vertically, meaning the minus cylinder axis lies horizontally along or near 180°.

5A 52-year-old accountant requires clear vision at a working distance of 40 cm. The patient has an amplitude of accommodation of 2.50 D. Following the clinical rule of reserving half of the patient's accommodation in reserve for sustained comfort, what is the calculated tentative reading addition (add)?

A.+2.50 DS

B.+1.25 DS

C.+1.75 DS

D.+0.75 DS

Explanation: A working distance of 40 cm demands 1 / 0.40 m = 2.50 D of accommodation. Reserving 50% of the patient's 2.50 D amplitude leaves 1.25 D of usable accommodation (2.50 D / 2 = 1.25 D). The reading addition required is the total demand minus the usable accommodation: 2.50 D - 1.25 D = +1.25 DS.

6During static streak retinoscopy at a working distance of 50 cm without a working distance lens in place, the optometrist observes 'against-motion' in all meridians. What optical state does this against-motion represent before subtracting the working distance, and how is the true refractive error derived?

A.The far point is at optical infinity; the eye is exactly emmetropic without further lens changes

B.The far point lies behind the optometrist; add plus power until reversal, then add 2.00 D

C.Far point between the eye and the retinoscope; neutralize with minus, then subtract 2.00 D

D.The far point is at the retinoscope; add plus power until reversal, then subtract 1.50 D

Explanation: In streak retinoscopy, 'against-motion' occurs when the emergent rays have crossed and the patient's far point lies in front of the retinoscope (between the retinoscope and the patient). Minus lenses are added to move the far point out to the plane of the retinoscope (neutrality). Once neutrality is reached, the working distance allowance (for 50 cm, 1 / 0.50 m = 2.00 D) must be deducted (subtracted algebraically) from the gross finding to determine the net refractive error.

7Javal's rule estimates total spectacle astigmatism from keratometric corneal astigmatism ($A_c$) as $A_t = 1.25(A_c) + (-0.50 \text{ DC} \times 90°)$. A patient has corneal astigmatism of -1.50 DC × 180° (with-the-rule). What total spectacle cylinder does the rule predict?

A.-0.88 DC at axis 180°

B.-2.38 DC at axis 180°

C.-1.88 DC at axis 90°

D.-1.38 DC at axis 180°

Explanation: Corneal astigmatism is -1.50 DC axis 180°. Multiplying by 1.25 gives -1.875 DC axis 180°. Physiological lenticular astigmatism contributes approximately -0.50 DC axis 90° (against-the-rule). Because -0.50 DC axis 90° is equivalent to +0.50 DC axis 180° (with spherical change), adding this against-the-rule lenticular component opposes the with-the-rule corneal cylinder: -1.875 + 0.50 = -1.375 DC (approximately -1.38 DC) at axis 180°.

8A patient is evaluated with the unilateral and alternating cover tests. When the right eye is occluded, the left eye does not move. When the left eye is occluded, the right eye does not move. However, during the alternating cover test, each eye makes an outward (temporal) re-fixation movement as the cover is swapped. What binocular condition is present?

A.Esophoria

B.Exophoria

C.Right esotropia

D.Alternating exotropia

Explanation: The lack of movement on the unilateral cover test demonstrates that both eyes are fixating bifoveally under binocular conditions, ruling out a manifest strabismus (heterotropia). During the alternating cover test (which breaks fusion), the eyes deviate inward under the cover; when uncovered, each eye must make a temporal (outward) re-fixation movement to re-acquire the target, which confirms an esophoria.

9An optical frame is glazed with right lens power +5.00 DS. Due to an incorrect pupillary distance measurement, the optical center of the right lens sits 4 mm nasal to the patient's pupil center. According to Prentice's rule ($P = c \times F$), what prismatic effect is induced at the patient's visual axis?

A.2.0 prism diopters base-out

B.2.0 prism diopters base-in

C.1.25 prism diopters base-in

D.0.8 prism diopters base-out

Explanation: Prentice's rule gives $P = c \times F = 0.4\text{ cm} \times 5.00\text{ D} = 2.0\,\Delta$. A plus lens acts like two prisms base to base, so the prism base always points toward the optical centre. With the optical centre 4 mm nasal to the pupil, the eye looks through the temporal part of the lens and the base points nasally: 2.0 Δ base-in.

10During dynamic retinoscopy using the Monocular Estimation Method (MEM) at 40 cm while the patient reads grade-appropriate words on an attached card, the optometrist observes a 'with-motion' reflex that is neutralized with a +0.75 DS lens. How should this finding be clinically interpreted?

A.Accommodative lead (excess) requiring negative lens correction

B.High pathological accommodative lag indicating accommodative insufficiency

C.Normal physiological lag of accommodation (+0.25 to +0.75 D)

D.Latent hyperopia that must be referred immediately for cycloplegic refraction

Explanation: In MEM dynamic retinoscopy, a normal physiological accommodative lag ranges between +0.25 D and +0.75 D. The 'with-motion' reflex indicates that the eye's accommodative focus falls slightly behind the reading target (lag of accommodation). A neutralization finding of +0.75 D is at the upper end of the normal physiological range and does not represent pathology.

About the Sweden Optician Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för optiker) Exam

Kunskapsprov för optiker is Socialstyrelsen's knowledge test for opticians educated outside Sweden who want a Swedish licence. Karolinska Institutet runs a written test in general optometry and contact lens practice, followed by practical tests in eye examination and contact lens fitting, all in Solna. This page offers independent English-language practice for the knowledge areas the test covers.

Exam sponsor: Karolinska Institutet on behalf of Socialstyrelsen (National Board of Health and Welfare). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written test (Solna): general optometry and contact lens practice, given in May 2026 as two papers on consecutive days; 70% to pass, 85% for distinction. Practical tests (Solna): eye examination and contact lens fitting, assessed against set criteria after the written test is passed.

Time Limit

Written papers and practical tests on separate days; times sent to registered candidates

Passing Score

70% on the written papers (85% for distinction); practical tests against set criteria

Exam / Certification Fees

No examination fee published (SEK 990 Socialstyrelsen application fee for the earlier education review)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Socialstyrelsen – Steg 2: Gör kunskapsprov (optiker utbildad utanför EU/EES) · Source checked 2026-10-14
Karolinska Institutet – Kunskapsprov för optiker (format, booklet and previous tests) · Source checked 2026-10-14
Socialstyrelsen – HSLF-FS 2023:31 om kompetenskrav och vissa arbetsuppgifter för optiker · Source checked 2026-10-14
Socialstyrelsen – Regler vid kunskaps- och lämplighetsprov (2024-12-03) · Source checked 2026-10-14

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

General optometry paper; 30 practice questions

Refraction, binocular vision and visual assessment

Refraction techniques, retinoscopy, ophthalmic optics calculations and binocular vision.

Contact lens paper; 25 practice questions

Contact lens practice (kontaktologi)

Lens designs and fitting, tear lens and oxygen calculations, lens care and complications.

General optometry paper; 25 practice questions

Ocular anatomy, physiology and disease

Posterior and anterior segment disease, neuro-ophthalmic signs and referral urgency.

10 practice questions

Ocular pharmacology and diagnostic drops

Mydriatics, cycloplegics, anaesthetics and dyes.

10 practice questions

Swedish regulations and health care law

Optician rules (HSLF-FS 2023:31), driving vision certificates, PSL and PDL.

Preparing for the Sweden Optician Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för optiker) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70% on the written papers (85% for distinction); practical tests against set criteria
Assessment: Written test (Solna): general optometry and contact lens practice, given in May 2026 as two papers on consecutive days; 70% to pass, 85% for distinction. Practical tests (Solna): eye examination and contact lens fitting, assessed against set criteria after the written test is passed.
Time limit: Written papers and practical tests on separate days; times sent to registered candidates
Exam / certification fees: No examination fee published (SEK 990 Socialstyrelsen application fee for the earlier education review) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
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Sweden Optician Knowledge Test (Kunskapsprov för optiker): Suggested Study Strategy

1Work through the previous written tests Karolinska Institutet publishes (August 2024, September 2025 and May 2026).

2Use the topic lists for general optometry and contact lens practice in the booklet as a checklist.

3Practise optical calculations by hand: vertex distance, Prentice's rule, tear lens power and toric axis compensation.

4Learn the Swedish rules that shape daily practice: requisition rights for diagnostic drops, children under eight and vision certificates for driving licences.

5For the practical tests, rehearse a complete eye examination and contact lens fitting against the assessment criteria in the booklet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the written test structured?

It covers general optometry and contact lens practice, with detailed topic lists in Karolinska Institutet's booklet. At the May 2026 sitting it was given as two papers on consecutive days: 18 questions in general optometry and 20 in contact lens practice. Questions mix single-answer and multiple-select items (wrong choices give deductions, but never below zero), short written answers and argument questions. You need 70% to pass and 85% for distinction.

What are the practical tests?

After passing the written test you take practical tests in eye examination (synundersökning) and contact lens fitting (kontaktlinstillpassning) in Solna, assessed against criteria set out in the booklet's appendices.

Do I still need a separate contact lens authorization?

No. Since 1 January 2024 the separate contact lens authorization (kontaktlinsbehörighet) no longer exists, so you must pass all parts of the knowledge test, covering both general optometry and contact lens practice.

How many attempts do I get?

Five attempts at the theoretical test and three at the practical tests, and the whole test must be passed within five years of your first sitting. If you do not cancel before a test starts, you lose an attempt.

Is the test available in English?

No. The test is in Swedish. This bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation: it helps you review the knowledge areas but is not an official translation, and it cannot simulate the written answers or the practical tests.