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NAVLE Exam Preparation Guide

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1. Plan to take the NAVLE during the fall testing window, which requires registering around June/July. If you need accommodations, apply by April/May. There is also a spring testing window i…

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  • Preparation for the NAVLE

Preparation for the NAVLE

(North American Veterinary Licensing Examination)

1. Plan to take the exam during the fall window. This will require registering for the exam around
June/July. (Deadlines for most states are Aug 1 but some are earlier.) Check the website for
information and deadlines [[Link]
 If you need special accommodations for the test (a private room; extra time, etc.), please make
sure you begin looking at what paperwork you will need for these accommodations to be
approved around April/May--prior to the fall window. Accommodations at LSU do not
automatically mean you will get accommodations for the NAVLE; it is a separate evaluation
process requiring its own application, documentation, assessment, and approval.
 In case you do not make the score you need after taking the NAVLE during the fall, there is a
spring testing window that usually falls sometime in April.

2. Do not go in with the attitude that you will be just "taking a look" at it.
Take responsibility for your own success in the test. Prepare.

3. Develop a plan of study at the beginning of Phase II and stick with it. Do not wait until the week
before the exam to look over any material. Consider that if you are the kind of person who will
need the two weeks prior to the exam to study that you request that time off (7A or 7C) when
initially scheduling; this is not something you will be able to change in the future as a result of
not thinking ahead. Also, there are a limited number of vacation slots available at that time.

4. Identify your own weak areas and address them head on.
 Those at highest risk of not passing include those who fail to develop a study plan early (and
don’t stick to it), those who fail to take a practice exam to get timing down, those in the bottom
quartile of the class, and those who did poorly on the GRE. Those in the latter categories should
seek help in developing an appropriate study plan early.

5. Study guides:
 VetPrep [[Link] ]
 Zuku Review [[Link]
 VIN NAVLE Review prep courses are offered each year; this option is free to veterinary
students.

6. Put the review software and computer questions in perspective.


 They are only a guide.
 Knowing the answers to them will not necessarily indicate how you will perform on the NAVLE.
 Study a section, then take the test for that section; use these test questions to locate weak
areas and then work on those areas.

7. Pay for the practice tests [[Link] Take one early and then
again closer to the exam. This will help you with time. Many who fail have problems finishing on time.

8. The "busy" rotations are difficult for extra studying, so take advantage of the quite ones.
*Realizing you are not as prepared as you wanted to be prior to the NAVLE is not a valid reason
to request a schedule change. If you want time reserved for studying, you should request it
when initially scheduling.
 If you are unsure of what the "busy" rotations are, please ask the current students in the clinics.

9. Choose the material you study wisely.


 Class notes may be the best for most because they are familiar to you.
 The Merck Manual is thought to be useful, but not as a sole source of information.
 Attendance at the board review sessions is also thought to be helpful.
 Online study guides are good, but the question formats are not the same as those on the NAVLE.

10. This test is different in that:


 It is computerized. Go to the NAVLE website and practice taking the online test(s).
 It is extremely long. It requires a good deal of stamina and time management to finish in enough
time.
 If you have a tendency to hypoglycemia, bring food and/or drinks for the breaks.
 Questions often require quite a few thought processes and clinical reasoning.
 Students can become discouraged after a rough section--Do not give up! Do not panic!
 You will do fine if you go in with a positive attitude and you prepare.

Absence related to time off to take the NAVLE: Students are given an excused absence from their
clinical rotation in order to complete the NAVLE. That being said, you must let the clinician of the
rotation you will be on when you take the NAVLE know at the beginning of the rotation what date/time
you will be out; this gives them a heads up, so that if necessary, they do not schedule as many
appointments for that day. Also, you will need to complete an excused absence form prior to the date
you take the test that requires the signature of the course coordinator for the rotation from which you
will miss time. Note that each rotation will be different in what the clinician expects of you for the day
you take the NAVLE. Some will require that after completing the exam, you return for the rest of the
day. Others will not. Additionally, if you have a patient in the hospital that requires treatments the
date/time you are missing, it is your responsibility to make sure another student and/or clinician gives
the patient his/her treatment and/or medication if you are unable to because of the exam.

Common questions

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Students can effectively use practice tests by incorporating them early in their study plan to gauge timing and comprehension, iterating through them to identify and address weak areas. Taking practice tests closer to the exam helps adjust pacing and build endurance for the actual exam. Reviewing the results provides insight into areas needing additional focus and helps adapt study strategies accordingly .

Key steps for registering and preparing for the NAVLE exam include planning to take the exam during the fall window and registering around June/July. Deadlines for most states are August 1, but some may be earlier, so checking the website for information and deadlines is crucial. If special accommodations are needed, paperwork should be submitted around April/May. It's recommended to develop and stick to a study plan early in Phase II, identify weak areas, and address them head-on. Using study guides like VetPrep, Zuku Review, or VIN NAVLE Review prep courses, taking practice tests early and closer to the exam date are also advised .

Planning for accommodations is crucial for students requiring special conditions during the NAVLE, ensuring they have the necessary environment to perform optimally. Steps to obtain accommodations include starting the application process around April/May prior to the exam window, gathering necessary documentation, and submitting it for evaluation and approval. As accommodations granted at educational institutions do not transfer automatically to the NAVLE, the application process must be approached separately .

Students should avoid pitfalls such as failing to develop and adhere to a study plan, not taking practice exams to fine-tune timing, over-relying on review software instead of comprehensive study materials, misunderstanding their weak areas, and procrastinating their study efforts until close to the exam date. It's crucial to avoid underestimating the importance of time management and not securing necessary accommodations in advance .

Psychological preparation and maintaining a positive attitude are crucial for NAVLE success, helping students handle the exam's length, complexity, and stress without giving up during difficult sections. Students can achieve these states by following a reliable study plan, using practice materials to build confidence, and entering the exam with the understanding that preparation leads to success. Proper time management and coping strategies for stress should also be practiced .

To manage clinical rotation schedules effectively while preparing for the NAVLE, students should plan their study time well in advance and request time off when initially scheduling rotations, as busy rotations are difficult for extra studying. They should communicate early with clinicians about their exam dates to ensure excused absences are handled correctly. It's essential to arrange coverage for patient responsibilities on exam days. Students are advised to take advantage of quieter rotations for preparation .

Busy rotation periods impact NAVLE preparation by limiting available study time, requiring students to adapt by requesting specific study times during quieter rotations at the start of scheduling. Planning ahead allows students to allocate focused study sessions during less demanding clinical periods, ensuring consistent progress and reduced stress leading up to the exam. Utilizing these quieter periods effectively helps maintain a balance between clinical duties and exam preparation .

Time management is critical during the NAVLE due to the exam's extensive length and the need for sustained focus. Improving it involves practicing with time constraints using NAVLE practice tests, understanding the format and pacing of the exam, and incorporating breaks for maintaining energy and concentration. Familiarity with the computerized test format helps students navigate efficiently, reducing the risk of running out of time .

Strategies to help identify and overcome weak areas include developing a comprehensive study plan early, consistently reviewing material rather than cramming, taking practice exams to gauge timing and understanding, and participating in prep courses like VetPrep, Zuku Review, or VIN NAVLE Review. It's important for students in the bottom quartile or those who struggled with the GRE to seek guidance in forming an effective study approach .

Relying solely on online study guides is insufficient due to differing question formats compared to the NAVLE and the need for comprehensive clinical reasoning. These resources should be supplemented with class notes, Merck Manual references, and attendance at board review sessions. Regular self-assessment through practice tests to identify and address weak areas is also recommended .

Preparation for the NAVLE (North American Veterinary Licensing Examination) 1. Plan to take the exam during the fall window
 The Merck Manual is thought to be useful, but not as a sole source of information.  Attendance at the board review session

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