General Exam Study Guidelines

Suggested Study Materials

The list of suggested reference materials is meant to guide Candidates in preparing for the Examination and represent a body of knowledge that a Candidate would know. While the most up to date publications may not be present on this list, as a best practice residents should have exposure to current literature as an ongoing part of their residency training programs. Specific recommendations for exam preparation cannot be made beyond the clinical training gained from participation in a residency program.

Textbooks

When more than one edition is available, reference the most current published edition / version of the textbook, available immediately following the most recent relevant ACVIM examination administration date. 

Core textbooks are those in which the entire textbook contributes to a comprehensive knowledge base of the General Examination. 

Supplemental textbooks are those that include select chapters, sections, or portions that contribute to an expanded understanding of the General Examination. 

Sources for all Candidates 

1. Textbook of Medical Physiology: Guyton and Hall, 14th ed (2021)
2. Textbook of Veterinary Immunology: Tizard, 10th edition (2018)
3. Veterinary Drug Handbook: Plumb, 9th ed (2018)
4. Respiratory Physiology: The Essentials: West, 10th edition (2015)
5. Veterinary Clinical Epidemiology: Smith, 4th edition (2019)
6. Duncan and Prasse's Veterinary Laboratory Medicine: Clinical Pathology: Latimer, 5th edition (2011)
7. Principles of Drug Therapy (although this is a small animal text, chapter one covers basic pharmacological principals with which all candidates should be familiar)
8. Small Animal Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics: Boothe, 2nd edition (2012) Chapter One ONLY: Principles of Drug Therapy (although this is a small animal text, chapter one covers basic pharmacological principals with which all candidates should be familiar) 

Sources for Candidates taking the Small Animal Internal Medicine section 

1. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Ettinger and Feldman, 8th edition (2017)
2. Canine and Feline Infectious Diseases: Sykes, 1st edition (2014)
3. Small Animal Clinical Oncology: Vail and Withrow, 6th edition (2019) Chapters eleven and eighteen through thirty-three ONLY
4. Practical Guide to Canine and Feline Neurology: Dewey and DaCosta, 3rd edition (2015) Chapters 2 and 3 only. 

Sources for Candidates taking the Large Animal Internal Medicine section 

1. Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and goats: Constable, Hinchcliff, Done, and Gruenberg, 11th edition (2017)
2. Large Animal Internal Medicine: Smith, 6th edition (2020)
3. Equine Internal Medicine: Reed, Bayly and Sellon, 4th edition (2018) 

ACVIM Consensus Statements 

All published ACVIM Consensus Statements 

Note: ACVIM Forum Proceeding are no longer considered appropriate allowable literature resources for the ACVIM General or Specialty Examinations