Demonstration of Ophthalmic Cognitive Knowledge (DOCK)

What is the DOCK?
DOCK is a secure, proctored, 150-item computer-based examination administered at approximately 230 ACT Center locations for a period of one month each year in September. DOCK is comprised of three 50-item modules: one in Core Ophthalmic Knowledge (knowledge considered fundamental to the practice of Ophthalmology regardless of the practice emphasis) and two in a Practice Emphasis Area(s) (PEA) of your choice.

Do I need to complete the other MOC requirements to sit for the DOCK?
Please refer to the MOC timeframe chart on the ABO web site for more information.

The ABO does recommend that diplomates participate in Periodic Ophthalmic Review Tests (PORTs) prior to sitting for the DOCK because the content of the PORTs reflects the content of the DOCK. Participation in PORT is designed to help gauge strengths and weaknesses prior to sitting for the DOCK.

Why should I take the DOCK in 2011 when my certificate does not expire until 2010 or 2011?
The ABO offers diplomates three opportunities to participate in the DOCK prior to certificate expiration. The ABO encourages all diplomates to take the DOCK in the first year of eligibility in order to avoid a loss of certification due to failure or unforeseen circumstances preventing participation in the examination.

What day during September do I need to sit for the DOCK?
DOCK is available by appointment on regular business days throughout the month of September. In early July, approved diplomates will be sent an email with instructions for scheduling a test appointment at an ACT Center location.

Do I need to travel to sit for the DOCK?
DOCK is administered at approximately 230 nationally-distributed ACT Center locations. The availability of approximately 230 test centers should enable you to take the DOCK in a location close to your home or practice.

How much time do I have to take the DOCK?
DOCK is administered in an approximately four hour testing period, which includes a tutorial and optional break time.

What is the basis for the questions on the DOCK?
The content of DOCK is based on the Practicing Ophthalmologists Curriculum (POC), an ophthalmic knowledge base developed by ten panels of practicing ophthalmologists under the guidance of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) that identifies and defines areas of clinically relevant knowledge. To review the topics covered in each practice emphasis area of the POC, visit the AAO web site:http://www.aao.org/moc/dock.

What are the DOCK (and PORT) practice emphasis area modules?
The ten practice emphasis areas are: Cataract/Anterior Segment; Cornea/External Disease; Comprehensive Ophthalmology; Glaucoma; Neuro-Ophthalmology and Orbit; Oculoplastics and Orbit; Pediatric Ophthalmology/Strabismus; Refractive Management/Intervention; Retina/Vitreous; and Uveitis.

I am a subspecialist, will the DOCK actually test information related to my practice?
The DOCK is designed to test the information you use to practice on a daily basis and allows you to select the content area of the exam according to your personal practice patterns. All examinees must take 50 questions in core ophthalmic knowledge and can then pick two 50-question modules from 10 areas of practice emphasis.

There are two versions of most practice emphasis modules; however, there is only one version of the Refractive Management/Intervention and Uveitis modules. Examinees can opt to select two modules from one practice emphasis area or one module from two different practice emphasis areas. For example:

Dr. Schmidt practices 100 percent pediatric Ophthalmology and therefore selects his two DOCK modules choices in pediatric Ophthalmology.

Dr. Burrell practices pediatric Ophthalmology and neuro-Ophthalmology and, therefore, selects one DOCK module in pediatric Ophthalmology and one in neuro-Ophthalmology.

What is the passing score?
The passing score will be set following the administration of the examination.

What happens if I fail the DOCK?
Individuals who fail to achieve a passing score on the DOCK can register for the next year's DOCK administration. The registration period runs from February-May 1 of each year for the September DOCK. Diplomates who do not complete all MOC requirements prior to the expiration of their current certificate will no longer be Board certified; however, they can continue to participate in the MOC components in an effort to regain Board certification.

Does the ABO recommend study material for the DOCK?
As a nonprofit testing organization, it is a conflict of interest for the ABO to recommend specific study material for any of its examinations. The ABO does recommend participation in the PORT prior to sitting for the DOCK examination.

PORTs are 50-item, online self-review tests in core ophthalmic knowledge and the same 10 PEAs offered in the DOCK. There is no fee for participation in two PORTs: one core and one PEA. PORT content reflects the content of the DOCK and provides feedback to missed questions. Therefore, the ABO recommends that individuals registered for the DOCK take the two PORTs offered in order to identify the need for additional study material and/or review of specific topics.

There are three versions of each PORT module (except uveitis). Diplomates can take as many PORT modules as they would like. Any PORTs beyond the two provided by the ABO are $100.

Is the DOCK similar to the written certification examination I took when I first became Board Certified?
Both examinations are designed to evaluate clinically relevant knowledge important to the delivery of quality eye care by practicing ophthalmologists. However, the DOCK has as its principal focus, the clinical knowledge specific to an individual's practice.

Is the DOCK the same as the previous MOC written examination, the CREW?
No. The CREW examination was created to be completed over a two-month timeframe and allowed examinees to use reference material to research information on questions with a high degree of difficulty or that they could not answer with certainty. The DOCK is designed to be completed in an approximate four-hour test period in a closed-book environment and includes questions that test the knowledge practicing ophthalmologists use everyday to deliver quality eye care.