COMS Study Plan: 8-Week Schedule
Week-by-Week Preparation Guide for the ACVREP COMS Exam
Exam Overview
Prerequisites
- •Completion of ACVREP-approved O&M program
- •350+ hour supervised internship
- •Clinical Competency Evaluation
8-Week Study Schedule
Week 1: Foundations of O&M
- •Sensory systems and spatial orientation
- •Human development and visual impairment
- •History and philosophy of O&M
- •Daily study time: 2 hours
Week 2: Assessment and Planning
- •Functional vision assessment
- •O&M assessment tools
- •Goal setting and lesson planning
- •Daily study time: 2 hours
Week 3: Indoor Mobility
- •Sighted guide techniques
- •Trailing and protective techniques
- •Familiarization with new environments
- •Daily study time: 2.5 hours
Week 4: Cane Techniques
- •Long cane techniques (diagonal, two-point touch, constant contact)
- •Short cane and support cane
- •Electronic travel aids
- •Daily study time: 2.5 hours
Week 5: Street Crossing
- •Intersection analysis
- •Traffic patterns and signals
- •Adaptive strategies for different intersections
- •Daily study time: 2 hours
Week 6: Technology and Adaptive Devices
- •GPS and wayfinding apps
- •Electronic travel aids
- •Low vision devices
- •Daily study time: 2.5 hours
Week 7: Special Populations
- •Children with visual impairments
- •Individuals with multiple disabilities
- •Older adults with vision loss
- •Daily study time: 2 hours
Week 8: Review and Practice Exams
- •ACVREP practice exam
- •Review weak areas
- •Test-taking strategies
- •Daily study time: 3 hours
Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How many hours should I study for the COMS?
Most candidates study 100-150 hours over 6-10 weeks, building on their O&M program foundation.
Can I retake the COMS exam?
Yes. ACVREP allows one free retake. Additional attempts may require additional fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COMS exam?
The COMS is a standardized exam. For a comprehensive study guide with practice questions and full-length exams, see our COMS Study Guide.
How should I prepare for the COMS?
Start with a structured study plan, use official exam blueprints, and practice with realistic exam questions. Our COMS Study Guide covers the complete exam content with detailed rationales.
Where can I find COMS practice questions?
Our COMS Study Guide includes full-length practice exams with detailed answer rationales covering every content area on the actual exam.
Related Resources
Ready to Take the Next Step?
Our COMS Study Guide covers every content area with practice questions and detailed answer rationales.