ABO/NCLE Basic Exam Prep Free practice test →

Free ABO/NCLE Basic Practice Questions

10 free, exam-style ABO/NCLE Basic (ABO/NCLE Basic) practice questions with answers and explanations. No signup required. Work through them below, then take the full free ABO/NCLE Basic practice test to study every exam domain.

These 10 free ABO/NCLE Basic questions are organized by exam domain, so you can see how each part of the ABO/NCLE Basic blueprint is tested. Reveal the answer and explanation under each question.

Domain 1: ABO Basic / NOCE - Ophthalmic Optics 25% of exam

Question 1

A patient wearing a −5.00 D lens looks 6 mm below the optical center. Using Prentice's Rule, how much prism is induced and in what direction?

  1. 3.0Δ base up
  2. 3.0Δ base down
  3. 0.3Δ base down
  4. 5.0Δ base up
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - 3.0Δ base down

Question 2

Which corneal layer maintains transparency through an active fluid pump mechanism and does NOT regenerate once cells are lost?

  1. Epithelium
  2. Bowman's membrane
  3. Stroma
  4. Endothelium
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Endothelium

Domain 3: ABO Basic / NOCE - Ophthalmic Products 20% of exam

Question 3

A patient with a −9.00 D prescription complains of rainbow-colored fringes around lights at night. Which lens property is MOST responsible for this symptom?

  1. Index of refraction
  2. Specific gravity
  3. Abbe value
  4. Base curve
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Abbe value

Question 4

A keratometry reading shows the steep meridian at 90 degrees and the flat meridian at 180 degrees. This corneal astigmatism is classified as:

  1. Against-the-rule
  2. Oblique
  3. With-the-rule
  4. Irregular
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - With-the-rule

Domain 4: ABO Basic / NOCE - Instrumentation 15% of exam

Question 5

When using a manual focimeter, the operator should FIRST:

  1. Place the patient's lens on the lens stop
  2. Rotate the power drum to zero
  3. Set the axis wheel to 180 degrees
  4. Adjust the eyepiece to focus the reticle
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: D - Adjust the eyepiece to focus the reticle

Domain 5: ABO Basic / NOCE - Dispensing Procedures 20% of exam

Question 6

A patient receives new progressive lenses and reports that objects appear to sway when turning their head. They ask if the lenses were made incorrectly. What is the MOST appropriate response?

  1. Remake the lenses using a shorter corridor progressive design to reduce peripheral distortion
  2. Explain this is a normal adaptation effect that typically resolves
  3. Verify the prescription and contact the prescribing doctor for a recheck
  4. Switch the patient to a flat-top bifocal to eliminate the swim effect
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Explain this is a normal adaptation effect that typically resolves

Question 7

During an RGP diagnostic fitting evaluation, the fluorescein pattern shows bright pooling centrally and dark bearing at the periphery. This pattern indicates the lens is:

  1. Too flat and should be steepened
  2. Too steep and should be flattened
  3. Aligned and requires no modification
  4. Decentered and needs a larger diameter
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: B - Too steep and should be flattened

Domain 6: ABO Basic / NOCE - Laws, Regulations, and Standards 10% of exam

Question 8

Under the updated FTC Eyeglass Rule, a prescriber must provide the patient with a copy of their spectacle prescription:

  1. Only when the patient submits a formal written request for it
  2. Within 30 days of the examination date being completed
  3. At the completion of the exam without a request
  4. Only if the patient states they will purchase elsewhere
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - At the completion of the exam without a request

Question 9

A patient using a one-step hydrogen peroxide care system accidentally inserts a lens after only a 2-hour soak. What is the MOST likely immediate result?

  1. Permanent lens discoloration and a significant reduction in visual acuity
  2. Gradual clouding of the lens surface developing over several hours of wear
  3. Significant stinging and tearing from unneutralized peroxide
  4. No adverse effect as long as the lens had been properly cleaned beforehand
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: C - Significant stinging and tearing from unneutralized peroxide

Domain 7: NCLE Basic / CLRE - Ocular Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology 12% of exam

Question 10

A contact lens patient presents at a follow-up visit with corneal neovascularization extending 1.5 mm past the limbus. Which factor is the PRIMARY cause of this finding?

  1. Chronic corneal hypoxia from insufficient oxygen
  2. Allergic reaction to preservatives in the lens care solution
  3. Mechanical irritation caused by a chipped or damaged lens edge
  4. Bacterial contamination of the lens storage case and solution
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A - Chronic corneal hypoxia from insufficient oxygen

The rest of the ABO/NCLE Basic blueprint

The ABO/NCLE Basic exam also covers these domains. Drill them in the full free practice test:

Ready for the real thing?

Practice hundreds more ABO/NCLE Basic questions with instant scoring, weak-area drills, and full exam simulations.

Start the free practice test See pricing