AIOS-OKAT Exam Guide: Modules, Eligibility and Study Plan

Last updated: October 2026

The AIOS Ophthalmic Knowledge Assessment Test (AIOS-OKAT) is India's national knowledge test for ophthalmology postgraduates, run by the All India Ophthalmological Society. This page explains how it works and gives a module-by-module study plan using free RPC Rounds resources.

What is AIOS-OKAT?

• An objective test of broad-based ophthalmic knowledge for postgraduate trainees. Scores are reported as a percentage and a percentile, so you can see where you stand among your peers nationally.
• It is computer-based, held at designated test centres across India, with single-best-answer multiple-choice questions (four options).
• The syllabus is the AIOS National Curriculum for Ophthalmology Postgraduate Training.

Who can take it?

• Students enrolled in, or who have completed, an MD, MS, DO, Primary DNB or Secondary DNB ophthalmology programme.
• Proof is required: a certificate from the head of department confirming enrolment and year, or a provisional or final degree/diploma certificate.
• You must be an AIOS member or a membership applicant.

The three modules

In the 2025 edition, Module 1 was held on the afternoon of Day 1, and Modules 2 and 3 on Day 2. Candidates who meet the requirements may take more than one module in the same cycle.

Attempts, awards and why it matters

• Up to five attempts are allowed.
• Your highest score is used for AIOS fellowship selection and travel grants.
• For honours, prizes and awards, only your first-attempt score counts. The top 10 first-attempt scorers in each module have received support to attend the AIOS Annual Conference and a merit certificate.
• The score is a national benchmark you can quote in fellowship applications and your CV.

Registration

• Registration is online through the AIOS website. For the 2025 edition, registration closed on 30 November for an exam held in February. For the 2025–26 cycle, the AIOS registration page listed a fee of ₹5,000 per step (module).
• You choose preferred test centres; allocation has been on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early.
• Cancellation has been allowed up to 30 days before the exam.

Module-by-module study plan with RPC Rounds

Module 1: Foundational Knowledge

• Basic sciences, retinal layers, layers of the eye and blood–ocular barriers
• Optics lectures, formulas and laws in ophthalmology
• Eye examination and pupil examination
• Ocular pharmacology

Module 2: Clinical Knowledge

• Subspecialty hubs: cornea, lens, glaucoma, retina, uvea, neuro-ophthalmology, strabismus and oculoplasty
• Core guides: diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment, uveitis work-up, thyroid eye disease, ocular tumours and keratoplasty
• High-yield lists: classifications, gradings, triads, eponymous signs and landmark trials

Module 3: Clinical Skills

• Spot the Diagnosis case quizzes
• Investigation reading: OCT, topography and perimetry
• Emergencies on call and endophthalmitis
• Practise MCQs with the RPC question bank and the free timed mock tests

Practise with OKAT Decoded

I wrote OKAT Decoded to match the three modules, with every answer explained:

OKAT Decoded: 10,200 original MCQs

Each question has an explanation, a reason why every other option is wrong and a pearl, plus 18 full-length timed mock tests across the three volumes. Not affiliated with AIOS; all questions are original.

See the booksFree mock tests

Exam technique

• Pace yourself: Modules 1 and 2 give about one minute per question; Module 3 gives about 90 seconds per question, because the questions are longer and case-based.
• Read the last line of a long question first, so you know what is being asked.
• Flag hard questions and move on; come back at the end.
• Use timed practice blocks in the last month, under exam conditions. The free mock tests time you and break your score down by topic.
• Review every wrong answer and write down why you got it wrong; patterns in your mistakes show your weak topics.

See also our best ophthalmology exam preparation resources.