This guide exists to connect residents using the board exam reading lists provided by ABVP to those study materials via links to online content and to books and journals available at local libraries.
If you’re studying for board exams, select your area of specialty from the list at the left to help find study materials. You are responsible for ensuring you use the latest specialty board-provided reading list.
Ask your librarian, mentor, or specialty board examination committee if questions arise.
This guide contains the list of books and journals recommended as study materials for the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) examination.
Residents are responsible for ensuring they are using the correct edition of a book for their exam.
Please ask your librarian, mentor, or specialty board examination committee if questions arise.
"To prepare for the examination, set aside 30-60 minutes a day to study. Textbooks, journals, and other forms of continuing education may be used. Study guides are available in the ‘Forms and Documents’ area once you log in to your account with ABVP...
"General Study Recommendations for all RVS’:
"There is no universal study system by which you can achieve certification with ABVP. There are, however, some common factors found among those who pass the examinations. The most important factor is a systematic, organized study pattern. Self-directed study, whether individually or in groups, is best directed at areas in which one is least knowledgeable. Successful candidates found frequent short study periods of 30-60 minutes to be more useful than marathon study sessions or cramming right before the exam.
"As most candidates are at least six (6) years away from school, the need to concentrate your study on reacquisition of knowledge pertaining to pathophysiology of disease and therapy cannot be over-emphasized. A thorough review of the disease process should cover both the pathophysiology of the disease as well as therapy. When studying a particular topic, it is important to read and understand all aspects.
"Preparation for the practical examination may vary slightly as this examination uses visual aids for the majority of questions. Pay particular attention to those disciplines where visual recognition of lesions or processes is important. Among the areas that fall into this category are ophthalmology, dermatology, cardiology, and clinical/gross pathology."
Source: ABVP Applicant Handbook
This resource updated: 2/7/2022
Textbooks updated to most recent edition: 2/7/2022
Source reading list reviewed: 2/7/2022
Source reading list updated by specialty board: April 2019
This guide is maintained by staff and faculty of the Ohio State University Libraries and the Texas A&M University School of Veterinary Medicine & Biological Sciences. It is licensed under creative commons, non-commercial use, share-alike, adaptations allowed. Libraries are encouraged to link to this guide to access up-to-date content, or copy this guide to modify it for their own institutional needs.