The Short Answer
To pass the Veterinarian Licensure Examination (VLE), you must achieve a weighted general average (GWA) of at least 75 percent with no subject rating below 60 percent.
If your general average is at least 75% but one or more subjects fall below 60%, you are conditioned in those subjects. You may re-take only the failed subject(s) in a removal exam.
In the removal exam, you must score at least 75% in each reported subject. Otherwise, you will re-take all subjects in the next exam cycle.
If your general average is below 75%, you fail and must re-take the entire exam.
These rules are mandated by Republic Act 9268 (Philippine Veterinary Medicine Act of 2004) and enforced through PRC issuances.
Advertisements & Promos
Subjects and Weighting Used to Compute Your Average
The exam is not a simple average but a weighted average based on the subject distribution under the Table of Specifications (TOS) approved by the Professional Regulatory Board of Veterinary Medicine.
Old vs. New Ruling
In 2024, PRC adopted an enhanced TOS, which took effect October 2024 onwards, and therefore applies to the October 2025 exam.
Key Change:
Medicine & Surgery (18%) was split into two separate subjects (Medicine 14% + Surgery 10%). This slightly reduced the weights of Microbiology/Public Health and Zootechnics, while aligning Pathology to 10%.
Advertisements & Promos
How Your General Weighted Average (GWA) is Computed
Formula:
GWA=∑(Subject Rating×Weight)
Steps:
- Convert each subject score into decimal form (e.g., 80% = 0.80).
- Multiply each by its subject weight.
- Add up all the weighted values.
- The result is your GWA.
Decision Rules at a Glance
- Pass: GWA ≥ 75% and no subject < 60%.
- Conditioned/Removal: GWA ≥ 75% but at least one subject < 60%.
You re-take only the subject(s) < 60%.
In the removal exam, you must get ≥ 75% in each subject. If not, you re-take all subjects in the next cycle.
- Fail: GWA < 75% → re-take all subjects.
Note: PRC commonly applies a 2-year window for conditioned exams, but always check your batch’s specific Program of Examination.
Practical “What-If” Scenarios
Example 1: GWA 80% but Parasitology 58% → Conditioned in Parasitology only. Must score ≥ 75% in Parasitology removal exam.
Example 2: GWA 74% with all subjects ≥ 60% → Fail. Must re-take all subjects.
Example 3: GWA 79%, lowest subject 61% → Pass.
Advertisements & Promos
Where to Check Official Details
Enhanced TOS (effective Oct 2024): PRB of Veterinary Medicine Resolution, 2024.
Schedule of Exams: PRC “Schedule of Licensure Examinations” page.
Program of Examination: PRC releases a PDF before each sitting (daily subject sequence, calculators allowed, IDs required).
Verification of Rating: PRC’s online portal, available after results are released.
Practical Tips
- Track mock-exam scores by subject using the new weights.
- Prioritize Medicine (14%), Microbiology & Public Health (14%), and Zootechnics (12%) since they swing your GWA the most.
- Don’t neglect Anatomy, Physiology, Parasitology, and Surgery—even at 10% each, they can pull down your GWA if you slip below 60%.
- Watch for the PRC Program of Examination PDF for final confirmation of time blocks and rules for your batch.
Sharing this helps others understand what it really means to be a vet. Like and follow if you’re with us.
Dr. Geoff Carullo is a Fellow and the current President of the Philippine College of Canine Practitioners.
