Study for the QSE®
To help you study for the Qualifying Science Exam (QSE), we offer practice tests, skills and task lists, and other study materials.
Content Outline & Study Materials
The QSE does not categorize its content outline by animal species or veterinary practice roles. Instead, it covers all species a veterinarian may encounter in North American clinical practice. Specifically, the exam includes 200 multiple-choice operational questions and 25 multiple-choice pilot questions formed by the test specifications. Altogether, all 225 questions are administered during a single 220-minute session.
Furthermore, the AAVSB re-evaluates the exam approximately every five years to ensure ongoing relevance and accuracy. In 2025, a content analysis study was performed. The updated content outline can be found below, as well as on pages 38-40 in the PAVE Candidate Handbook. The new content outline will take effect after the September 2026 exam date.
Qualifying Science Exam (QSE) Content Outline – Through the September 2026 Exam Date
| Domain | Content Area | Domain % |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Structure and Function | Gross Anatomy Physiology and Biochemistry Histology and Embryology Endocrinology Immunology Genetics and Breed Characteristics Animal Behavior (i.e. individual, herd) | 24% |
| Concepts of Disease | General Pathology and Pathophysiology Microbiology (e.g., virology, bacteriology, mycology, etiological agent, etc.) Parasitology Toxicology | 18% |
| Diagnostics | Clinical Pathology (e.g., clinical chemistry, hematology, diagnostic cytology, etc.) Anatomic Pathology (i.e., histopathology, necropsy) Diagnostic Imaging Examination (e.g., physical, neurological, etc.) Other Diagnostics (e.g., ECG, abdominocentesis, etc.) | 23% |
| Therapeutic Intervention | Surgery Anesthesia and Analgesia Emergency and Critical Care Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Basic Pharmacology (e.g., concepts, classifications, mechanisms, etc.) Behavioral Interventions | 20% |
| Public Health and Disease Prevention | Zoonoses, Public Health, and Biosecurity Preventative Health Care Epidemiology Nutrition (e.g., diet, disease management, etc.) Regulatory Medicine (e.g., USDA, CFIA, etc.) | 11% |
| Professional Skills | Human-Animal Bond (e.g., animal welfare, hospice care, euthanasia, etc.) Communication, Professionalism, Ethics, and Wellness Practice Management (e.g., record keeping, regulations, controlled substances, workplace safety, etc.) | 4% |
Qualifying Science Exam (QSE) Content Outline – Starting January 2027 Exam Date
| Domain and Content Area | # of Questions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundations of Veterinary Medicine | 54 | |
| A | Anatomy | ||
| B | Behavior and Husbandry | ||
| C | Immunology and Vaccines | ||
| D | Infectious Agents | ||
| E | Physiology and Nutrition | ||
| F | Principles of Anatomic and Clinical Pathology | ||
| G | Principals of Imaging | ||
| H | Principals of Pharmacology | ||
| I | Principals of Surgery | ||
| 2 | Veterinary Medicine by System Including Pathology, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention | 93 | |
| A | Alimentary Including Dental | ||
| B | Cardiovascular and Respiratory | ||
| C | Endocrine | ||
| D | Hemopoietic, Immune, and Lymphatic | ||
| E | Integumentary | ||
| F | Multi-System | ||
| G | Musculoskeletal | ||
| H | Nervous System and Special Species | ||
| I | Reproductive and Urinary | ||
| 3 | One Health and Professional Standards | 8 | |
| A | Professional Skills (e.g., Animal Welfare, Ethics, Communication, Medical Records, Wellness) | ||
| B | Public Health, Epidemiology, Regulatory | ||
| Total Number of Questions | 155 | ||
Additionally, you’ll find free resources of sample questions, the abbreviations list, and references below. There are 10 sample questions to give you a glimpse at the type of questions that appear on the QSE. These sample questions represent the seven domain areas of the examination, and an answer key follows the list of questions.
Online QSE Practice Tests
The practice tests assess your strengths and weaknesses in each of the seven domain areas of the QSE. It was developed to be parallel in content and difficulty to the actual QSE. Here’s what you need to know:
- The practice test is $50 USD per attempt.
- The practice test contains 75 multiple-choice questions and lasts 90 minutes.
- After you take the practice test, you’ll get feedback on your results, which you can use to help you prepare for the QSE.
Purchase a QSE Practice Test
The QSE practice test is copyrighted and questions from the practice test are not to be removed in any manner, including memorization, electronic downloads, recording devices, copying, or through any other means.