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Veterinary Nursing examination results - Winter 2005

26 January 2006

The results of the winter 2005 veterinary nursing examinations highlight the impact of the new electronic marking system for the practical examinations.  The pass-rate for level 2 candidates is a slight improvement on that for the winter 2004 examination, however the level 3 pass-rate is down. 

"The slight drop in the level 3 pass-rate is disappointing, especially as the results for this examination have been steadily improving over the last few years.  Whilst candidates have done well in the written papers, performance in the practical examinations has been less encouraging," comments Mrs Libby Earle, Head of the Veterinary Nursing Department.  "This is especially worrying as the practical examination tasks have been widely available on the RCVS website and, in November, the detailed performance criteria were also made available to candidates to help them prepare for this assessment." 

However, the new marking system has provided very detailed information on the specific areas causing the most problems for candidates, which will help to prepare future candidates for the practical examinations. It will enable feedback to be provided to VNACs, Colleges and TPs to help them focus on specific areas of practical teaching and supervision.  Individual candidates will also receive a detailed feedback sheet for each practical examination task, including their achievement of the so-called key steps, which are essential to passing a task overall. 

The pass-rates are as follows (2004 statistics are provided for comparison):

   

Winter 2005

Winter 2004

Small animal level 2 65% 61%
*Equine level 2 25% 46%
Small animal level 3

56%

62%
*Equine level 3

56%

No statistics

*It should be noted that the numbers of equine candidates are very small (under 10 for each level) and statistical comparisons of these percentages should therefore be treated with caution.

For more information please contact:

Lizzie Lockett (020 7202 0725)
[email protected]
External Affairs Department
RoyalCollegeof Veterinary Surgeons

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

1. The RCVS is the regulatory body for veterinary surgeons in the UK and deals with issues of professional misconduct, maintaining the register of veterinary surgeons eligible to practise in the UK and assuring standards of veterinary education.

2. The RCVS has two key functions in relation to veterinary nursing: the maintenance of the statutory list of veterinary nurses and the award of veterinary nursing NVQs and RCVS diploma qualifications.

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