The Fellowship of the All India Collegium of Ophthalmology (FAICO)

I had recently successfully cleared the FAICO (Fellowship of the All India Collegium of Ophthalmology) examination conducted by the AIOS. As Ophthalmologists in India may already know, FAICO is conducted for those who have completed their postgraduation in Ophthalmology and have at least a year’s experience in any particular sub speciality (ie Cornea, IOL, Glaucoma, Retina, Oculoplasty, etc). It is being conducted annually since 2010.

FAICO is a 2 part examination:

1.       Part 1 is an online screening examination (1 hour) for which the cut off is 70%.

2.       Part 2: OSCE and Viva

Therefore it is mainly attempted by those who have completed or are currently doing a long term fellowship in any sub specialty. It is also attempted by those who have not done any formal fellowship but have worked in any particular sub specialty for at least a year.

When I set out to prepare for this examination, I soon realized that not even one person who has cleared the examination in the past 6 years has posted their experiences online. The doctors applying for this exam could range from someone currently doing their fellowship/senior residency after PG to doctors who finished their training and have been practicing for a long time.

So currently, anyone attempting the exam for the first time has no idea what type/level of  assessment they are about to undergo.

So anybody attempting the examination for the first time has to look up doctors who have successfully cleared the exam (it’s posted on the AIOS website), contact them personally to ask them about their experience.

How I wish there was a website where all doctors who clear the exam post their experiences so that others would benefit.(something like mrcophth.org, but that would be too much to expect at this point as the examination is relatively new)

Well, I have decided to take the first step with this blog and will be posting my experiences and, of course, what I remember of the questions asked to me.

I request all my fellow doctors who have  attempted/cleared the FAICO exam in any sub speciality of ophthalmology to please do the same as it will be a huge help to those who intend to give the exam in future.