NAVLE Birds and Exotics Practice Questions
Pet birds, poultry, small mammals, reptiles and fish are 10.1% of the NAVLE species blueprint · 26 of the 360 questions on our practice exam
360 questions across every species and competency area in 12 timed blocks, with a score for birds and exotics so you know where you stand.
Free birds and exotics drillIn a backyard flock, several 14-week-old chickens have one leg stretched forward and the other back, gray irregular pupils and enlarged peripheral nerves at necropsy. Which disease is most likely, and how is it prevented?
Birds and Exotic Animals on the NAVLE
Pet birds (2.3%), poultry (2%), other small mammals (3.3%), reptiles (1.5%) and aquatics (1%) together make up 10.1% of ICVA’s species blueprint, about 36 questions on the full exam. Most of these questions turn on husbandry, nutrition and species-specific drug sensitivities.
- Share of the exam
- Pet birds, poultry, small mammals, reptiles and fish are 10.1% of the NAVLE species blueprint; 26 of the 360 questions on our practice exam
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 36 birds and exotics questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What birds and exotics questions test
- Pet birds: chlamydiosis, beak and feather disease, hypovitaminosis A, hypocalcemia, egg binding, PTFE and heavy metal toxicity
- Poultry: Marek’s disease, coccidiosis, respiratory disease and flock biosecurity
- Small mammals: rabbit GI stasis and dental disease, E. cuniculi, guinea pig vitamin C needs and antibiotic sensitivities, ferret insulinoma and adrenal disease
- Reptiles: metabolic bone disease, hypovitaminosis A, inclusion body disease and husbandry-related disease
- Aquatics: water quality, white spot disease, fish anesthesia and bacterial septicemia
Sit the full exam under the real clock
360 questions across every species and competency area in 12 timed blocks, with a score for birds and exotics so you know where you stand.
Free birds and exotics drillHow to study it
- Start every exotic case with husbandry: diet, light, heat and housing explain most disease.
- Learn the drugs that are dangerous in rabbits and guinea pigs.
- Take the birds and exotics drill until you score 80% or better.
Common questions
How many exotic animal questions are on the NAVLE?
ICVA weights pet birds, poultry, small mammals, reptiles and aquatics together at 10.1% of the exam, about 36 of the 360 questions.
Are avian influenza and Newcastle disease included?
Yes. Our Birds and Exotics drill covers clinical disease, and reportable poultry diseases such as avian influenza and virulent Newcastle disease also appear in the Public Health and Welfare area.
360 questions across every species and competency area in 12 timed blocks, with a score for birds and exotics so you know where you stand.
Free birds and exotics drillThe other NAVLE areas
- Canine Clinical Practice
- Feline Clinical Practice
- Equine Clinical Practice
- Bovine Clinical Practice
- Swine, Sheep, Goats and Camelids
- Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Animal Welfare
- Communication and Professionalism
- NAVLE practice exam (360 questions, 12 timed blocks)
- Mixed drill: all eight areas
- NAVLE practice test: exam facts and every area
Sources
- ICVA: NAVLE Candidate Handbook, 2026-2027 testing cycle (PDF)
- ICVA: NAVLE structure update begins with the October-November 2026 testing window
- ICVA: NAVLE 101, how the exam is created, administered and scored
- ICVA: NAVLE retake policy changes effective December 1, 2025
- ICVA: NAVLE Competency Domains outline (PDF)
- ICVA: NAVLE Species and Diagnoses outline (PDF)
- ICVA: 2026 Report to Veterinary Academia (PDF)
- ICVA: NAVLE Self-Assessments and practice tutorial
Original practice questions written to ICVA’s published NAVLE competency and species outlines; they are not NAVLE questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) or the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). NAVLE is a registered mark of ICVA.