How I Passed the NAVLE After 30 Years: My Secret Weapon
Hi, I’m Dr. Jill Lopez, and I’m excited to share my unique journey of preparing for the NAVLE. It’s been quite a while since I’ve taken a test of this magnitude. I graduated from Tuskegee University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994, worked in practice for two years, and then transitioned into the pharmaceutical industry, where I’ve spent the bulk of my career. So, when I decided to sit for the NAVLE this past December, I knew I had my work cut out for me.
After nearly three decades away from test prep, I wasn’t sure where to start. That’s when I discovered Vet Candy’s NAVLE Prep program. It’s a free, comprehensive course designed to help veterinary students and professionals succeed on the NAVLE. Little did I know, this program would not only refresh my memory but also reignite my passion for veterinary medicine.
The Vet Candy’S NAVLE Prep Program: A Game-Changer
The course is thoughtfully structured into 12 weeks of study, covering everything you need to know to ace the NAVLE. Here’s what stood out to me:
1. Daily Emails to Keep You on Track
Every morning, I received an email with a detailed lesson plan. Each email broke down complex topics into manageable pieces, making it easier to absorb the material. The lessons didn’t just focus on memorization; they emphasized understanding the core concepts behind diseases, diagnostics, treatments, and pharmacology.
The aim of this program wasn’t to just “fill my head” with random facts or to get me to memorize endless quiz questions. Instead, the focus was on preparing for the test AND the future of being a vet. Understanding the “why” behind a diagnosis, treatment plan, or pharmacological approach became clear, so I could apply that knowledge beyond just the test day.
2. Interactive Lessons
The lessons included a mix of videos, podcasts, and eBooks, which kept the content engaging. I appreciated how the course didn’t just regurgitate dry facts but presented information in a way that was easy to retain. For someone who hasn’t been in school for decades, this approach was incredibly helpful.
I loved that I was able to learn through different formats. Some days I was listening to podcasts during my morning walk, other days I was watching quick videos to reinforce key concepts, and some evenings I was reading eBooks that dove deeper into specific topics. The variety kept me engaged and motivated throughout my prep.
3. Expert Meet-Ups and Quiz Nights
One of my favorite parts of the program was the weekly expert meet-ups and quiz nights. These sessions were interactive and gave me a chance to test my knowledge in real-time. They also provided a sense of community, which made studying feel less isolating. The experts offered invaluable insights, and their enthusiasm for veterinary medicine was contagious.
These sessions were not about simply answering questions to “check off boxes,” but truly challenging our understanding in a supportive environment. It was more than just passing a test – it was about reconnecting with the profession and fellow colleagues in meaningful ways.
4. Comprehensive Topic Coverage
The program covered every major disease, diagnostic method, and treatment protocol you’d expect on the NAVLE. What impressed me most was the inclusion of pharmacology and drug-related content, areas often overlooked in other prep resources. This focus on practical, real-world knowledge made me feel confident in my ability to tackle clinical questions.
I could see that this program was designed to make me more than just a test-taker. By tackling everything from diseases to pharmacology, it gave me the skills I would need for my day-to-day work with animals in the future. This approach was one of the reasons I was able to pass the NAVLE after so many years out of practice.
5. Quizzes and Practice Questions
At the end of each lesson, there were quizzes that highlighted areas where I needed more focus. These practice questions mirrored the format of the NAVLE, helping me get comfortable with the test’s style and pacing.
I realized that getting used to the test format was half the battle. The quizzes helped me focus on the types of questions I would face, but more importantly, they helped me identify gaps in my knowledge, so I could fine-tune my prep.
The Ultimate Test: I Passed!
So, here’s the kicker: I passed the NAVLE – and I did it using ONLY the Vet Candy NAVLE Prep program. Yes, you read that right. After 30 years of being out of vet school and not preparing for exams, I passed the test relying solely on this program.
The journey to passing the NAVLE wasn’t about cramming or memorizing random facts from quizzes. It was about truly understanding veterinary medicine and being able to apply that knowledge in real-world situations. This program gave me the tools I needed to succeed, both on the exam and in my career.
How I Got Here
In the end, I realized that the traditional approach of memorizing quiz answers, hoping they’ll appear on the exam, isn’t effective. I was lucky enough to partner with Hometown Vet Partners, who sponsored this program this year, and their support played a significant role in making this opportunity accessible to me – and to countless other veterinarians preparing for the NAVLE.
The ultimate goal of this free program was not just to get students to pass the test but to set them up for success in the real world of veterinary life. I was thrilled to see that it worked for me, and I’m hopeful it can work for others too.
For anyone preparing for the NAVLE, whether you’re a recent graduate or someone like me who’s been out of school for a while, I wholeheartedly recommend Vet Candy’s NAVLE Prep program. And the best part? It’s free! Thank you, Vet Candy, for creating such an incredible resource for the veterinary community.
Want to learn more? Check out myvetcandy.com/prep
