What Nobody Tells You About the AVE Clinical Exam (Until Now)

So you've passed the MCQ. Congratulations - seriously, that's a big deal. But here's the thing: the Clinical exam is a completely different beast. I've seen brilliant vets who aced the written component absolutely struggle with the practical assessment, and conversely, some candidates who barely scraped through the MCQ go on to nail the Clinical.

Why? Because the Clinical exam tests something the MCQ simply can't: how you actually work with animals under pressure.

What You're Really Being Tested On

Forget the official language for a moment. Here's what the examiners are actually looking for:

• Can you handle a stressed dog without getting bitten (or stressing it further)?
• Do you actually know where to palpate, or are you just going through the motions?
• When you talk through your reasoning, does it make sense - or are you just listing differentials you memorised?
• Would a real client trust you with their animal?

The Clinical exam runs over 5 full days. Yes, five. It's exhausting, and that's partly the point.

The 9 Sections - What to Actually Expect

I'm going to break down each section, but I'll tell you upfront: the official descriptions don't capture what these stations actually feel like.

Small Animal Medicine

You'll get a dog or cat with a genuine clinical presentation. The animal hasn't read the textbook, so don't expect textbook signs. I remember one candidate telling me about a cat that was supposedly showing "classic hyperthyroidism signs" - except the cat was terrified and tachycardic from stress, not thyroid disease. She nearly went down the wrong path entirely.

What actually happens: You take a history (yes, they roleplay as the owner), examine the animal, and talk through your findings. The examiner might push back on your reasoning. Don't get defensive - they're testing whether you can think, not whether you can recite.

Small Animal Surgery

This isn't about performing complex surgeries. It's about demonstrating you understand surgical principles and won't kill a patient through basic errors.

Section 2: Small Animal Surgery

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 60-90 minutes
Species	Dogs and cats
Focus	Surgical skills, anaesthesia, aseptic technique

Candidates demonstrate competency in:

• Pre-surgical patient assessment
• Anaesthetic protocols and monitoring
• Aseptic technique and surgical preparation
• Basic surgical procedures
• Post-operative care planning

Section 3: Equine Medicine & Surgery

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 60 minutes
Species	Horses
Focus	Equine examination, lameness, common conditions

This section evaluates:

• Safe horse handling and restraint
• Systematic equine examination
• Lameness evaluation
• Common equine medical conditions
• Emergency assessment

Section 4: Cattle Medicine & Surgery

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 60 minutes
Species	Cattle
Focus	Bovine examination, production medicine, common procedures

Candidates must demonstrate:

• Safe cattle handling in yards and crushes
• Systematic bovine examination
• Pregnancy diagnosis techniques
• Common bovine procedures
• Herd health concepts

Section 5: Sheep Medicine & Procedures

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 45 minutes
Species	Sheep
Focus	Ovine examination, flock health, common conditions

Assessment includes:

• Safe sheep handling and restraint
• Physical examination techniques
• Common ovine conditions
• Flock health assessment
• Parasite management concepts

Section 6: Diagnostic Imaging

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 30-45 minutes
Species	Multiple
Focus	Radiograph interpretation, imaging principles

This section tests:

• Radiographic positioning knowledge
• Image interpretation skills
• Recognition of common abnormalities
• Appropriate imaging recommendations
• Radiation safety awareness

Section 7: Anaesthesia & Analgesia

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 45 minutes
Species	Multiple
Focus	Anaesthetic protocols, monitoring, pain management

Candidates demonstrate knowledge of:

• Pre-anaesthetic assessment
• Drug selection and dosing
• Anaesthetic monitoring parameters
• Emergency protocols
• Multimodal analgesia

Section 8: Clinical Pathology

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 30-45 minutes
Species	Multiple
Focus	Laboratory interpretation, sample handling

Assessment covers:

• Haematology interpretation
• Biochemistry analysis
• Urinalysis
• Cytology basics
• Sample collection and handling

Section 9: Professional Practice & Communication

Aspect	Details
Duration	Approximately 30 minutes
Species	N/A
Focus	Client communication, ethics, professionalism

This section evaluates:

• Client communication skills
• Obtaining informed consent
• Delivering difficult news
• Ethical decision-making
• Professional conduct

The 5-Day Schedule

The Clinical examination is structured across 5 consecutive days:

Day	Typical Sections	Focus
Day 1	Registration, Orientation, Initial sections	Small Animal
Day 2	Small Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia	Companion Animals
Day 3	Equine sections	Horses
Day 4	Production Animal sections	Cattle, Sheep
Day 5	Remaining sections, Clinical Pathology	Completion

Note: The exact schedule varies between examination sittings. Candidates receive detailed timetables prior to the exam.

Examination Format

Station-Based Assessment

Most sections use a station-based format similar to OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination):

• Timed stations - Fixed time at each assessment point
• Bell system - Audio signals for station rotation
• Multiple examiners - Different assessors for different stations
• Standardised marking - Structured assessment criteria

Types of Stations

1. Live animal stations - Perform examinations or procedures on real animals
2. Simulation stations - Practice procedures on models or mannequins
3. Case-based stations - Discuss case management with examiners
4. Practical skills stations - Demonstrate specific technical skills
5. Communication stations - Role-play client interactions

Passing Requirements

Scoring System

• Each section is scored independently
• Minimum competency standard must be achieved in each section
• Overall performance considers all 9 sections
• Borderline cases undergo additional review

Resit Policy

If you fail one or more sections:

• You may resit only failed sections at future sittings
• Passed sections remain valid
• All sections must be passed within 5 years of MCQ pass date
• Maximum number of attempts may apply

Preparation Strategies

Timeline Recommendations

Phase	Duration	Focus
Foundation	3-4 months	Species-specific knowledge review
Practical Skills	2-3 months	Hands-on practice, procedures
Mock Examinations	1 month	Simulated exam conditions

Essential Preparation Activities

1. Hands-on experience - Work with all species if possible
2. Hospital rotations - Gain supervised clinical experience
3. Procedure practice - Master common clinical procedures
4. Communication drills - Practice structured consultations
5. Species-specific study - Focus on Australian conditions

Australian-Specific Considerations

International candidates should prepare for:

• Australian endemic diseases (e.g., Hendra virus, tick paralysis)
• Local parasites (e.g., paralysis tick, hydatids)
• Australian regulations (e.g., controlled drugs, notifiable diseases)
• Common Australian breeds and their specific conditions
• Farming practices relevant to Australian agriculture

Logistics & Practicalities

What to Bring

• Stethoscope (quality binaural stethoscope)
• Thermometer (digital, suitable for all species)
• Pen torch for eye examinations
• Watch with second hand for timing
• Comfortable, professional clothing
• Closed-toe shoes (safety requirement)

Accommodation

• Book accommodation early near the examination venue
• Consider staying close to minimise travel stress
• Plan for 5-6 nights minimum

Physical Preparation

The 5-day examination is physically demanding:

• Build physical stamina - you'll be on your feet for hours
• Practice animal handling - large animals require strength
• Prepare for early mornings and long days
• Ensure adequate sleep before and during the exam

Common Challenges

Species Unfamiliarity

Many international vets have limited experience with certain species:

• Seek rotations in unfamiliar species before the exam
• Practice handling techniques extensively
• Study species-specific conditions common in Australia

Time Pressure

Station-based exams are strictly timed:

• Practice under time constraints
• Develop systematic approaches to examinations
• Learn to prioritise findings and actions

Examiner Interaction

Some candidates find examiner presence stressful:

• Practice with observers present
• Prepare for viva voce questioning
• Develop clear, confident communication

After the Clinical Exam

Results

• Results typically released 6-8 weeks after the examination
• Individual section results provided
• Successful candidates proceed to registration

Registration Process

Upon passing all components:

1. Apply for registration with relevant state/territory board
2. Complete any additional requirements (e.g., jurisprudence)
3. Receive veterinary registration
4. Begin practice as a registered veterinarian

How GdayVet Can Help

Our Clinical exam preparation resources include:

• Species-specific modules covering all examined animals
• Procedure videos demonstrating correct techniques
• Mock OSCE stations for practice
• Australian disease content you need to know
• Communication skills training for professional stations

Explore our Clinical Exam preparation courses to maximise your chances of success.

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This guide is based on official AVBC documentation (July 2025). Always refer to the official AVBC website for current information. GdayVet is not affiliated with AVBC.