BCSE Exam Complete Guide 2026: Format, Pass Rate, Study Plan

If you graduated from a veterinary school outside the United States or Canada and want to practice in either country, the BCSE sits squarely on your path. The Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination is the written knowledge gate of the ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) certification program, administered by the AAVSB (American Association of Veterinary State Boards). This guide covers exactly what the BCSE is, how it is structured, what it costs, the official 9 BCSE domains, realistic pass rates, and a study plan you can start tomorrow.

If you are still trying to decide which exam applies to you, our BCSE vs NAVLE comparison breaks the two apart side-by-side. For context on the licensing exam most U.S. graduates take, see our NAVLE complete guide.

What is the BCSE and who needs it?

The BCSE is a multiple-choice, computer-based examination designed to assess whether a candidate has the foundational scientific and clinical knowledge expected of a graduating veterinarian. It is one of four steps inside the ECFVG certification process, the others being credential verification, an English language proficiency requirement, and the CPE (Clinical Proficiency Examination), a hands-on skills test.