This guide contains the list of books and journals recommended as study materials for the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) examination.
Residents are responsible for ensuring they are using the correct edition of a book for their exam.
Please ask your librarian, mentor, or specialty board examination committee if questions arise.
Source: ACVS Certification Examination Reading List
This resource updated: 06/08/2023
"The following references and books are suggested reading for preparation for the 2021 Phase I examination. Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent. Page numbers refer to print textbooks. Digital versions may have different page numbers."
Please note that if no page numbers are given, the entire chapter is included
"The following references and books are suggested reading for preparation for the current Phase I reading list, for preparation for the 2021 Phase II examination. Other textbooks and current references may be pertinent. Knowledge of basic and applied anatomy is assumed. Page numbers refer to print textbooks. Digital versions may have different page numbers."
"The majority of questions come from literature published in the last five years. For example, if you are taking the 2024 examination, questions will primarily come from literature published in the range of August 1 2018-July 31 2023 (five years) and August 1 2020-July 31 2023 (three years). Questions may also come from older articles considering significant and essential to the knowledge of the veterinary surgeon."
"Many journals contain articles pertaining to surgery (both human and veterinary) and should be perused for current literature. A partial list of journals includes:"
For the last five years:
For the last three years:
For the last five years: