Saturday, November 19, 2011

Hunkered down

I take the national boards exam (NAVLE) on Monday and am spending most of the weekend doing some last-minute studying. I feel pretty well prepared but am still nervous. I've been through all of the VetPrep questions, took the online class from VIN, and went through the board review flashcards a number of times. Now I'm reading through a study guide that one of our professors gave to us.
Fortunately I sent my inpatient home last night and don't have to go to the hospital this weekend!
The exam is 360 questions, 60 of which don't count (but you don't know which ones). Most of the questions focus on the "Big 4" species - cattle, horses, dogs, and cats. Fortunately I'd already learned about 3 of the 4 from classes and just had to focus more on cattle. Nobody knows what percentage correct you need to pass, but historically it has varied between 55-65% (from what I've been told).
Unfortunately you don't find out if you passed until February-ish. If you don't pass, then you can re-take the exam in the spring.
In my state we also have to take a state board exam, which I'll probably do in the spring. Frankly I haven't done much about the state boards yet - am waiting until I finish the NAVLE first.
Deep breaths! After that, only 2 more days of internal medicine - until the next block I have in the spring.