Scoring, Analysis, and Standard Setting

In the scoring of the NAVLE, one point is awarded for each correct answer. Test questions are not weighted, and additional points are not subtracted for incorrect responses. 

After all responses are recorded, an analysis is conducted for each examination question that produces statistics descriptive of difficulty and discrimination. When such analysis and/or candidate comments indicate the need, specific questions are reviewed again by one or more test committee members to ensure that the answer key is correct. Any question that fails to perform acceptably may be dropped from both the current scoring key and from the test question pool. Examinations are then scored for all candidates.

The minimum passing score for the NAVLE is established by criterion-referenced (also known as content-based) methods. Using content-based standard setting means that an established level of proficiency in the content is required in order to pass. If all candidates meet this criterion (passing standard), then all candidates will pass; if only 50% meet the passing standard, then only 50% will pass.

Whether a candidate passes or fails is not influenced by the relative performance of others taking the examination. Equating methods are used to maintain the same passing standard from administration to administration, despite potential differences in ability levels of candidate groups and/or question difficulty across administrations. Calculating the scores in this manner facilitates comparisons of individual performance and comparisons of exams from year to year.

Your score report will be formatted to meet the specific requirements of the licensing board to which you applied. The information that may be included on your score report is outlined below. Score reports will show a pass or fail designation and either one or both of the score categories described. 

Pass or Fail Designation

The ICVA recommends to licensing boards that an individual candidate's passing status on the NAVLE be determined based on the criterion-referenced passing score approved by the ICVA. The NAVLE passing standard is determined by a panel of veterinarians who are experts in the content areas assessed by the NAVLE. This panel reviews the NAVLE and makes judgments as to the test performance required of entry-level veterinarians. The collective judgments of the panel members are used to establish a NAVLE score representing the lowest acceptable passing score on the examination.

Candidates who achieve a score equal to or higher than this criterion-referenced passing score receive a "pass" classification.

Three-Digit Scaled Score

This score is expressed on a numerical scale that ranges from 200 to 800. On this scale, a score of 425 is equivalent to the criterion-referenced passing score established by the ICVA.

Two-Digit Scaled Score

This is a locally derived score that ranges from 0 to 99, with the passing point set at either 70 or 75. The passing points used for locally derived scales are equivalent to the criterion-referenced passing point recommended by the ICVA. Thus, your passing status is unaffected by the conversion from the ICVA scaled score to the locally derived scaled score. Depending on the licensing jurisdiction's locally derived passing point, the scaled pass point of 425 is equivalent to different local scores. For example, a locally derived passing score of 70 in Maine and a locally derived passing score of 75 in Georgia are equivalent to the 425 scale score pass point. These scaled scores are neither percent correct scores nor percentile ranks.