EDI Certifying examination for ACVR-DI Diplomates
As the EDI specialty is forming ACVR-DI Diplomates that have obtained their Diplomate status on or before 2023 are eligible to take the EDI Certifying examination up to and including the Spring 2024 administration. After this time anyone wishing to become and EDI Diplomate will be required to complete an EDI residency program.
Examination Attempts
The ACVR board certification process serves animals and the public by ensuring diplomates are skilled, knowledgeable and meet the standards established by the job task analysis.
Eligible candidates may sit the examination 4 times (preliminary and certifying exam can be taken up to four times each) AND candidates must complete the entire examination process within 8 years of residency completion.
Candidates failing to complete the certification process in this timeline will be required to repeat an ACVR approved residency and restart the examination process.
This applies to candidates starting in 2023 and onward.
Examination Administration
The preliminary and certifying examinations will be offered twice yearly (February and August). Candidates are able to take the examination at either administration providing the the above criteria has been met or they have completed the training requirements for the EDI residency program.
Preliminary Examination
For February 2024 the Preliminary Examination will use the existing exam blueprint and format. The exam is a written examination that is composed of 175 multiple-choice questions given in two 2-hour sessions. All questions are based on content included in the Radiology Preliminary Examination Content Outline. The content outline has been developed based on a job task analysis of veterinary radiologists.
Effective August 2024 the Preliminary examination will be updated based on the new content outline as determined by the Job Analysis.
The examination is divided into two sections. Section one is the general exam to be taken by both the DI and EDI candidates. This section will 2.5 hours in duration and will be comprised of 96 multiple choice questions.
Section two is the species-specific content for the DI candidates. This section will be 1.75 hours in duration and will be comprised of 79 multiple choice questions.
Each section of the exam must be passed independently. Candidates that are unsuccessful on only one section will only need to repeat that section (not the full exam).
The content outline can be found here.
Delivery
The examination is delivered remotely with a proctor. Candidates will require a computer with a web camera and internet access for the examination. The recommendation is a monitor of at least 13″ for the best viewing of the questions.
Scoring:
Examination Cut Score and Scoring
The Radiology Preliminary Examination is a criterion-referenced examination. This simply means that examinees are measured against an absolute standard of minimum competency, and not based on the performance of others taking the examination. This minimum competency standard, also known as the “cut score”, is developed from the following steps.
- Items to be used on the examination are selected based on the content outline and examination specifications.
- The ACVR Examination Committee members assess the probability that a minimally qualified examinee will answer an item (test question) correctly. To do this, they consider the difficulty level, the complexity level, and the construction of the item. All items on the initial examination (“Exam A”) are evaluated for their difficulty level and are then given a rating based on an estimate of how many (e.g., 60%, 70%) minimally qualified examinees would get the given item correct. The individual ratings for each item are then averaged across all of the members of the Examination Committee and an overall cut score is determined (e.g., 65%, 70%). In other words, the examinee will have to get 65%, or 70% of the items correct to pass the examination
- After the examination is administered, the items are “scored” to determine if they are functioning properly. Various statistical indices are then calculated (e.g., p-values, reliability coefficients, standard deviation, standard error of measurement).
- The cut score determined in step 2 is implemented to determine how many examinees passed/failed the examination.
Outcome
Candidates who pass the Preliminary Examination may apply to sit for the Certifying Examination.
Candidates who fail the Preliminary Examination may apply to retake the Preliminary Examination. Failing candidates will receive a letter from the examination committee outlining the strengths and weaknesses in each of the major content domains (Radiology/Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, CT, MR, Nuclear Medicine, Professional Collaboration) as an aid in preparation for the next examination.
Certifying examination
The ACVR Certifying Examination is a case-based examination delivered online. Candidates are presented with a series of cases covering a range of species, anatomy, pathology, and imaging modalities, each case comprising a summary of the history and clinical signs, and diagnostic images as stills or videos. Candidates are required to list their observations and synthesize a diagnosis or ranked list of differential diagnoses. The marking scheme rewards candidates able to identify the major abnormalities, recognize their pathological significance, and express the likely relationship between the imaging and reported clinical findings. Candidates are required to meet the minimum competency standard for each major content domain (radiographs, ultrasound, CT, MR).
Any animal commonly seen in veterinary practice may be used as the subject of an examination question but dogs, cats, and horses are most frequent.
Scoring
See the scoring rubric for details.
Outcome
Examination Cut Score and Scoring
The Radiology Certifying Examination is also a criterion-referenced examination (see above). This simply means that examinees are measured against an absolute standard of minimum competency, and not based on the performance of others taking the examination. This minimum competency standard, also known as the “cut score”, is developed from the following steps.
- Items to be used on the examination are selected based on the content outline and examination specifications.
- Examination questions will be graded by at least 2 Examiners in a blinded manner using the scoring rubric. Additional examiners will be used to score questions in the event there is disparity with the initial scores.
Names of candidates who pass the Certifying Examination are referred to the ACVR Executive Council, upon which a majority vote of approval will confer Diplomate status upon successful candidates.
The February 2024 examination will use the current exam content outline that can be found here.
In August 2024 the examination will be based on the updated content outline from the recent job analysis which can be found here.
Scoring
See the scoring rubric on the Applications/Downloads page.
Outcome
Examination Cut Score and Scoring
The Radiology Certifying Examination is also a criterion-referenced examination (see above). This simply means that examinees are measured against an absolute standard of minimum competency, and not based on the performance of others taking the examination. This minimum competency standard, also known as the “cut score”, is developed from the following steps.
- Items to be used on the examination are selected based on the content outline and examination specifications.
- Examination questions will be graded by at least 2 Examiners in a blinded manner using the scoring rubric. Additional examiners will be used to score questions in the event there is disparity with the initial scores.
Names of candidates who pass the Certifying Examination are referred to the ACVR Executive Council, upon which a majority vote of approval will confer Diplomate status upon successful candidates.
Failing candidates will receive a letter from the Chair of the Examination Committee detailing specific areas of weakness and strengths to aid in their preparation for the next examination.
FAQs regarding the Certifying Exam
If you have any questions please contact Stephanie Nykamp, Examination Director
Examination Feedback
Preliminary exam feedback: Candidates will be given their percent score for each major content area (e.g. 1A Radiology study acquisition)
Certifying exam feedback: Candidates will be given their percent score for each major content area (e.g. 1A Thoracic radiology. Candidates must pass each modality and a pass/borderline/fail descriptor will be provide for each modality. Specific feedback on individual cases/questions will not be provided. Candidates failing the exam will be given the opportunity to schedule a conference with the Chair to discuss their performance in more detail. It is the responsibility of the candidate to update ACVR of any changes to their contact information.
Exam Registration Update (2022-09-14)
The ACVR is offering the DI and EDI certifying and preliminary examinations twice annually for any eligible candidate. With this change the exam registration deadlines have been modified and the past registration deadline of January 31st is no longer valid. Please take careful note of this information so you do not miss the registration window.
Spring exam (February/March)
- Registration will be available from October 1st to Oct 30th the year prior (e.g. in 2022 for the 2023 exam)
Fall exam (August)
- Registration will be available from April 1 – April 30th of the same year
Please ensure you register for the correct examination
Registration process:
- To register for the exam you will need to purchase the correct exam through the ACVR webstore. This process will prompt the completion of registration information so this is no longer a two-step process.
- You will receive a receipt for your purchase that is your confirmation of registration
- Council accepts all candidates for the examination. That may take 2-3 weeks following the registration deadline. As soon as you are approved to sit the exam you will receive an e-mail from the examination committee with additional information.
NOTE: Due to the database migration the Feb 2024 exam the registration process will involve completed the registration form and purchasing the exam from the ACVR store.
Registration form
Examination Dates and Information
2024 February examinations – Feb 27/28 (certifying), Feb 28 (preliminary)
2024 August examinations – Aug 27/28 (certifying), Aug 28 (preliminary)
2025 February examinations – Feb 25/26 (certifying), Feb 26 (preliminary)
2025 August examinations – Aug 26/27 (certifying), Aug 27 (preliminary)