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The Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (BCSE) has been developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) as one of the steps in assessing educational equivalency for purposes of certification. The NEB has incorporated the BCSE in its veterinary licensing examination process in view of granting its Certificate of Qualification to graduates of non-accredited veterinary schools. It is designed to assess basic and clinical veterinary sciences knowledge. The knowledge level expected to receive a passing score on the BCSE is that of an entry-level Canadian or US veterinarian (i.e., a new graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary school).
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BCSE Test Content Outline
The BCSE test content outline is based on the results of a job analysis conducted in 2006 by the ECFVG in consultation with Thomson Prometric. For the job analysis survey, more than 3,500 veterinarians provided input related to the level of importance for a recent graduate of an AVMA-accredited US or Canadian veterinary school to be proficient in specific basic and clinical sciences knowledge areas.
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Test Content Area/Domain | Subdomains included within each area | Number of Questions |
1. Anatomy | Anatomy | 18-20 |
2. Pharmacology, Physiology, and Toxicology | Pharmacology, physiology, and toxicology | 28-32 |
3. Pathology | Anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, and pathophysiology | 20-23 |
4. Medicine | Etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment | 50-55 |
5. Anesthesia | Anesthesia | 20-23 |
6. Surgery | Surgery | 22-25 |
7. Diagnostics | Diagnostic techniques and diagnostic imaging | 22-25 |
8. Animal Welfare | Euthanasia, species appropriate behavior, abnormal animal behavior, pain assessment and management, signs of abuse, species specific husbandry, and restraint techniques | 6-7 |
9. Preventive Medicine | Disease prevention, epidemiology, nutrition, public health, and regulatory programs | 14-15 |
TOTAL |
| 225 |
The BCSE and the NAVLE®
The BCSE is designed to help assess educational equivalency of graduates of non-AVMA/Council on Education accredited schools for the purpose of meeting the educational prerequisite for a provincial or state license or certain types of employment. It is not designed to replace licensing examinations or other license or employment requirements as established by individual provincial or state veterinary regulatory boards or employers.
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The BCSE is being offered on a continuous basis starting April 1st, 2012. The exam will be administered at Prometric Inc.TM test centres throughout Canada and , the USA, and various other countries.. Please go online at www.prometric.com to view the list of test centres available to you for the BCSE. After having registered for the BCSE with the NEB, the candidate will receive an Authorization to Test letter inviting candidates to book a testing date.
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Constant surveillance is maintained during the testing session. Candidates may be photographed as well as video and audio recorded. Test centre personnel will maintain direct observation of candidates testing at all times.
What to Expect on the Day of Your BCSE
Plan to arrive at the test centre at least 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to allow time for the check-in process. Most candidates will begin their testing session within 30 minutes of their scheduled appointment. On rare occasions, technical difficulties may occur at the test centre. Every effort will be made to correct those problems and resume testing as soon as possible.
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1501 South Clinton Street
Baltimore, MD 21224
BCSE Retake Policy
Candidates who fail the BCSE must retake the entire examination. Candidates will be permitted to take the BCSE three times within a 12 month period. Therefore, if a candidate takes the BCSE on April 1, 2023, he/she will be allowed to take it two more times prior to April 1, 2024. If a candidate fails all three attempts with the first being on April 1, 2023, he/she will not be eligible to take the BCSE again until April 1, 2024. Candidates must apply for each retest, meet the same registration deadlines as a first-time tester and pay the fee for each administration.
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