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Finally passed VCA after failing twice — here's what actually worked

by Preethi N. 470 views3 replies
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Preethi N.OP
May 27, 2026

Okay so I need to share this because I was seriously about to give up. Failed the VCA in November, failed again in February, and I honestly thought I just wasn't cut out for this. I'm a vet tech with three years of experience but the exam kept catching me on stuff I thought I knew cold — pharmacology dosing calculations and the pathophysiology sections especially.

What finally clicked was completely changing how I studied. I stopped reading the textbook cover to cover and started drilling with a VCA practice test every single morning before work. Like 30-40 questions, timed, then reviewing every single wrong answer. I also found a study guide that organized content by clinical scenario instead of just definitions, which matched how the real questions are actually phrased.

Took me about six weeks of this routine — maybe 90 minutes a day — and I passed with a 78. Not a perfect score but I'll take it. Happy to share the specific exam tips that helped me most if anyone's prepping right now and feeling stuck like I was.

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Jessica L.
May 28, 2026
This is so encouraging, thank you for posting. I'm scheduled for my first attempt in three weeks and the pharmacology section is exactly what's scaring me too. Did you use any specific resource for the dosing calculations or just practice questions? I've been going through a study guide but feel like I'm memorizing formulas without really understanding when to apply them.
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Jessica L.
May 28, 2026
Congrats!! 78 is a solid passing score, don't sell yourself short. The fact that you kept going after two attempts says a lot. What was your target score going in?
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emily_w
May 28, 2026
Failed once myself last year so I know that feeling. What helped me was finding a VCA practice test that actually explained the rationale behind each answer, not just what's right or wrong. Understanding WHY the answer is correct changed everything. Also — don't underestimate anesthesia monitoring. That section has more questions than you'd expect from the exam blueprint.

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