Assessment of student learning at LMU-CVM occurs throughout the curriculum in a variety of ways. Course Directors have the freedom to create their own means of assessment, using any of these or other methods or any combination of them. Each course syllabus outlines exactly how a student will be graded in each course and explains the type of assessment that will be used.
Assessments may include but are not limited to written (computer-based) exams, which consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, or short answer questions, Canvas quizzes, Turning Point (clickers) questions, projects, posters, papers, or group activities, practical exams or OSCEs.
CVM Examination Services
The LMU-CVM has a dedicated staff for administering block examinations, Examination Services (ES). The examination process is overseen by the Director of Curriculum and Assessment and is directly supervised by the Exam Service Specialists (ESS). The ESS coordinate with faculty to develop examinations in ExamSoft, support students during examinations, schedule and administer examination accommodations, and proctor examinations. For didactic courses, examinations are administered in a computer-based block exam format where up to four subjects are tested in one examination. Examination schedules are available in the CVM Class Schedule Calendar but are subject to change.
Students MUST comply with device requirements as published by Exam Services no later than July 1 of the start of an academic year. The device requirements will be located in the CVM Student Services Canvas Organization Page. Students are responsible for bringing a compatible electronic device to every block exam. The Examplify© program should be downloaded onto any device the student expects to use for testing. An external mouse or Apple pencil is optional. All testing devices must have a privacy screen in place for the duration of the exam.
For any further information on exams or assessments, contact the CVM Director of Outcomes and Assessment. For issues with the Examplify© software, contact the ExamSoft© ESS or call ExamSoft directly at 866.429.8889 for 24-hr support. For computer or technical issues (including LMU internet access), contact the LMU IS department (Information Services) at 423.869.7411.
DVM and VBMS Block Examination Policy and Procedures
Administration of block exams is the responsibility of the Exam Services Specialists (ESS). The ESS will be in the room during the in-person exam, as will exam proctors. Students must familiarize themselves with the examination policy and procedures located in the Exam Services Canvas Organization. Failure to follow examination policy and procedures may result in grade sanctions.
Practical Examinations and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs)
Select courses have practical examinations (Anatomy and Histology) or OSCEs (Clinical Skills and Professional Life Skills) that are administered separately from block examinations. These examinations are scheduled on the CVM Class Schedule for each semester. Please consult the class syllabus and Canvas for more details regarding the structure of these examinations.
VEA
During the third year of instruction, students will take the Veterinary Educational Assessment (VEA). This exam is designed for two purposes: 1) to give the school an overview of their curriculum and how well students are learning the five basic science areas tested (Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology, Pharmacology, and Pathology); and 2) to give students a snapshot of where they are strong in background knowledge and where they could use some further studies. The VEA scores do not impact a student's ranking or GPA but are used as part of a system to identify students weak in specific areas for which they may need additional academic assistance and to adjust the school's curriculum as needed to provide a strong base in these sciences.
NAVLE
During the fourth year, students will take the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam (NAVLE®). NAVLE® covers a variety of species, all bodily systems, and the professional behavior and expectations of a licensed veterinarian. Passing this exam is required in most states and provinces for a veterinarian to legally practice on live animals. It is an LMU-CVM goal that all students pass the NAVLE® prior to graduation. Students are required to take the examination during the fall window as part of CVM 776 NAVLE Block course. NAVLE preparation support includes the purchase by LMU-CVM of one of the commercially available NAVLE preparation programs (e.g., VetPrep or Zuku Review) for each student, graded progression through the chosen NAVLE preparation program in the NAVLE Block CVM 776 course, and access to various additional study materials in the NAVLE Block CVM 776 Canvas site.