Passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) is a significant milestone for veterinary graduates and a requirement to practice veterinary medicine in the United States and Canada.
The International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) administers the NAVLE, which is a computer-based, multiple-choice examination that tests a student’s knowledge across a broad spectrum of veterinary medicine. Keep reading for tips that will help you prepare effectively and increase your chances of success.
1. Start early and create a study plan
Studying for the NAVLE requires a significant amount of time. The NAVLE covers a vast array of topics across all areas of veterinary medicine, including small and large animal medicine, surgery, pharmacology, public health, exotics, and much more. By studying over several months, you will have time to thoroughly review each topic, ensuring you have a well-rounded understanding of the material.
Spreading your study time over several months also helps with long-term information retention, allowing you to understand and absorb the material, which is critical not only for passing the NAVLE but also for your future career. The NAVLE isn’t only about passing an exam. It’s about demonstrating that you’re a competent veterinary professional. Taking the time to deeply understand the material, rather than simply memorizing facts, will help you prepare for the real-world challenges you’ll encounter as a veterinarian.
Ideally, create a study schedule that starts three to five months before your exam date. Break down the material into manageable sections and assign specific topics to cover each week. Consistency is key, so stick to your schedule as much as possible.
2. Understand the NAVLE exam format
The NAVLE consists of 360 multiple-choice questions that cover a wide range of veterinary-related topics and must be completed in a specific timeframe. Understanding the exam structure will help you manage your time, ensuring that you pace yourself, allocate enough time for each section, and don’t spend too much time on any single question.
Practice exams and question banks can give you a feel for questions that will likely appear on the exam. The more you practice, the more comfortable you’ll be with the exam format. The ICVA offers free sample questions and a computer-based tutorial to help students study, as well as self-assessments and practice exams for a fee.
3. Focus on high-yield topics
Prioritize common conditions and diseases. Approximately 77% of the NAVLE questions focus on dogs, cats, horses, and cattle, so spend the majority of your time studying these species. Ensure you have a solid understanding of anatomy and physiology, because many questions will involve applying this knowledge in clinical scenarios. Other important study topics include reportable diseases and conditions that affect multiple species.
Create a list of 10 common diseases that affect dogs, cats, horses, and cattle and five common diseases that affect swine, small ruminants, poultry, and other species. Ensure you know each disease’s transmission routes, diagnostic techniques, and treatments.
4. Use multiple study resources
Take advantage of all available study resources before you take the NAVLE, including:
- Textbooks and notes — Revisit your class notes and textbooks, especially those from core courses. These will serve as a strong foundation for your review.
- Online resources and videos — Platforms such as VetPrep, Zuku Review, and VIN offer excellent resources, including video tutorials, practice questions, and study guides.
- Study groups — Form a peer study group. Discussing topics with others can reinforce your understanding and fill in knowledge gaps. Ensure you actively participate in the study group, because information recall is enhanced when you verbally answer questions during a study session.
- Mentors — If you’re struggling with a particular topic, don’t hesitate to seek help from your professors or other individuals you value as mentors.
5. Review and revise
Schedule regular review sessions to revisit material you’ve already studied. Repetition helps reinforce your knowledge and ensures that important concepts stay fresh in your mind. Focus additional study time on areas where you feel less confident and use practice questions to gauge your understanding and track your progress.
6. Take care of your well-being
Veterinary students find focusing on self-care difficult, especially students preparing to pass the NAVLE. However, you must take care of yourself to keep your mind sharp and focused. Exercise regularly, maintain a balanced diet, and ensure you get adequate sleep to help keep your brain and body at peak performance.
In addition, incorporate relaxation techniques, such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or yoga, into your routine. Stress management is essential for staying calm and confident as you prepare for exam day. Surrounding yourself with a support system of family, friends, and peers who can encourage and motivate you throughout your preparation is also important.
7. Stay positive and confident
You worked hard through veterinary school, and you are more prepared than you may think. Trust in your preparation and knowledge as you approach the exam. Confidence plays a significant role in exam performance.
8. Remain calm on exam day
Get a good night’s sleep and eat a healthy breakfast before the test. Arrive at the test site early, so you don’t feel rushed. Stay calm and composed as you take the test. Read each question carefully, and trust your instincts as you answer. If you aren’t sure about a question, make an educated guess, or move on and come back to the question later.
Take advantage of the breaks between testing blocks, and eat healthy snacks, which will help you stay motivated.
Once you’ve Passed, Find a Job with The Vet Service
Passing the NAVLE is a significant accomplishment, and these tips should help you be as prepared as possible for exam day. After taking the test, please feel free to contact The Vet Service team, so we can help you find your dream veterinary job.
We have a wide range of graduate veterinary jobs, with roles across the USA including in popular states such as New York, Texas, California and Colorado. We also have multiple international opportunities such as working in Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and more. Register today to see how we can help your veterinary career develop.
