Veterinary certification study tips

If you love animals and are studying to become a veterinary technician, you may need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam to become certified. The VTNE is a computerized, multiple choice exam that evaluates entry-level vet techs to make sure they have the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in this field.¹ If you have signed up to take the VTNE, use these study tactics to prepare:

1. Create a study schedule – As with any exam, creating a study schedule is a helpful way to manage your time as you prepare for the VTNE. While you’re earning your veterinary technician degree, it’s a good idea to keep in mind the information that is likely to be on the certification exam and take detailed notes. If you treat each class as a chance to prepare for the VTNE, you won’t need to cram in the weeks prior to the test.
2. Take the practice exams – The American Association of Veterinary State Boards offers two versions of an online practice test that are aligned with the actual VTNE. Although the practice tests cost $45 each, every attempt at the VTNE will set you back $300, so you’re better off taking a trial run.2 After obtaining your practice test results, use them to construct a study plan that focuses on areas in which you can improve.
3. Learn through experience – One of the best ways to prepare for the VTNE is to ensure that you have plenty of hands-on experience that will help you put the knowledge you’ve acquired into practice. Keep this in mind as you’re choosing a college – you’ll want to earn your degree from a program that takes a skills-based approach to learning. That way, as you take the VTNE, you will be able to answer the questions based upon your personal experiences dealing with animals.³

¹ American Association of Veterinary State Boards, ‘Veterinary Technician National Exam,’ 2013 – https://www.aavsb.org/vtne/ ² American Association of Veterinary State Boards, ‘Preparing for the VTN: Online Practice Tests,’ 2013 – http://www.aavsb.org/VTNE/HowtoStudy/ ³ Tronshaw, Oubria, Houston Chronicle, ‘Good Studying Tips for a Vet Tech,’ 2013 – http://work.chron.com/good-studying-tips-vet-tech-15902.html