Answer 1

Depends where you went to school and how hard you study.  I thought it was easy, but I studied the optics portion like a maniac.
I was surprised at the cheating that got by...does someone really need to use the bathroom 5 times during the exam?

Answer 2

I think it was a little less than 75% national pass rate for the March 2011 NBEO Part 1 exam.