Training & Qualifications for Optical Technicians:

Optical Production Processes
Level 2 Examination

To obtain the Level 2 Certificate in Optical Production Processes, a candidate must successfully sit one two-hour written paper in the morning, and one two-hour paper in the afternoon. Examinations are normally held twice a year - in June and December. Candidates may opt to take the examination online from their place of work provided that certain conditions are met.

The papers are:

Paper 1 - Induction & Mandatory Modules
Answer a total of 12 from 18 questions.

Paper 2 - Spectacle Manufacturing or Contact Lens Manufacturing Core & Optional Modules
The paper will be in three parts.

Paper 2 - Part 1 - Core Spectacle or Contact Lens Module
Answer 4 questions from 5.

Paper 2 - Parts 2 & 3 - Optional Modules
Answer a total, in the two parts, of 2 questions from 4 in your chosen modules only.

Types of Question

Questions will be either MCQs or short answer questions requiring short sentences, diagrams or labelling.

Passing the examination

To pass the examination, a candidate must achieve an average of 50% with a minimum of 40% in each individual paper.

A candidate gaining less than 40% in any one paper will be required to resit that paper, and obtain a minimum mark of 50% to pass.

Candidates will only be able to retake a paper three times, and only within three years of their first sitting that paper. Those who have still not achieved a pass by that stage will be required to re-sit the whole examination.

A candidate having to resit the whole examination will be able to rely on the "60/40" ruling outlined above to achieve a pass.

Grading

Results are not graded. A candidate either passes the examination, or fails it.

Prize

The SMC awards a prize during its annual Awards Ceremony in October to the candidate obtaining the best marks in the two examinations held in December and June.