Training & Qualifications for Optical Technicians:

Optical Production Processes
Level 3 Examination

This qualification is accredited on the national framework but the examination will not be available until 2011. Below is set out the expected format and content of the examination.

Candidates must successfully sit one two-hour written paper in the morning, and two 90 minute papers in the afternoon. The papers are:

Paper 1 - Mandatory Core Optics
From mandatory core optical modules within the course

Paper 2 - Spectacle Manufacturing or Contact Lens Manufacturing.
From pre-chosen optional modules on Quality Assurance and Specialist aspects

Paper 3 - Supervisory Aspects
From pre-chosen optional modules within the course

Passing the examination

To pass the examination, a candidate must achieve an average of 50% over the three papers, and 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.

Syllabus download

Syllabus
Word, 110K