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. TheNEBhas 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 orUSveterinarian (i.e., a new graduate of an AVMA-accredited veterinary school).
The computer-based BCSE consists of 225 multiple-choice questions, many with graphics, which must be completed within a 220-minute test session. You should answer all of the questions because your score will be based on the number of correct answers you mark (one point for each question correct). No points will be deducted for wrong answers. In addition to the 220-minute test session, your four-hour testing appointment will include a brief tutorial to introduce you to computer-based testing and an exit evaluation at the end of the examination.
No candidate is expected to obtain a perfect score on the BCSE. However, candidates should have considerable familiarity with the subject matter of each question. A candidate should look for the best choice and not be misled by other choices that may be only partially true. Only one choice may be marked for each question.
Candidates should read each test question carefully before attempting to answer. For each question, decide which one of the suggested options is best. Be certain that you have answered all the questions on the test before exiting the test and leaving the test centre. You may not access the test after signing out of your testing session and leaving the test centre.
All candidates should read this entire booklet, which is designed to ensure familiarity with application and scheduling procedures (including accommodation requests), exam fees, security and test behaviour expectations, score reporting, and content for the BCSE. If questions remain after reading the booklet in its entirety, please contact theNEB staff inOttawa.
In addition, policy and schedule changes impacting candidates taking the BCSE may occur at any time. It is the candidate's responsibility to monitor the NEB and ECFVG Web sites at www.canadianveterinarians.net and www.avma.org/education/ecfvg/default.asp for information about program policies and changes.