Page 1 of 69
AAVSB PAVE QUALIFYING SCIENCE 2026
PRACTICE EXAMINATION (QSE) COMPLETE
(140) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
AAVSB PAVE
Below are 140 questions on AAVSB PAVE Qualifying Science
Examination (QSE) – Practice Exam designed to mirror the
format, content, and difficulty of the actual exam. Each question
includes four answer choices (A-D), the correct answer, and a
detailed rationale to reinforce your understanding of the
veterinary science concepts being tested.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
AAVSB PAVE Qualifying Science Examination (QSE) – Practice
Exam (140 Questions)
Section 1: Normal Structure and Function (Anatomy &
Physiology – 25%)
1. Which bone articulates with the acetabulum to form the hip
joint?
A. Tibia
B. Fibula
, Page 2 of 69
C. Femur
D. Patella
Answer: C. Femur
Rationale: The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of
the os coxae to form the coxofemoral (hip) joint. This ball-and-
socket joint allows for a wide range of movement in the hind limb.
2. The foramen magnum is located in which bone?
A. Frontal bone
B. Parietal bone
C. Occipital bone
D. Temporal bone
Answer: C. Occipital bone
Rationale: The foramen magnum is a large opening at the base of
the occipital bone. It allows the spinal cord to connect with the
brain.
3. A veterinary surgeon needs to perform a distal femoral
osteotomy. In the dog, which two muscles attach to the third
trochanter of the femur?
A. Biceps femoris and semitendinosus
B. Superficial gluteal and middle gluteal
C. Quadratus femoris and gemelli
D. Gracilis and pectineus
Answer: B. Superficial gluteal and middle gluteal
Rationale: In dogs, the third trochanter is a unique feature of the
femur that serves as the insertion point for the gluteal muscles. This
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site is clinically relevant for retrograde intramedullary pinning of the
femur.
4. Which of the following is a true characteristic of a ball-and-
socket synovial joint?
A. Presence of articular cartilage and a joint capsule lined with
synovial membrane
B. Presence of intervertebral discs
C. Held together by dense regular connective tissue with no joint
space
D. Provides minimal movement, primarily for shock absorption
Answer: A. Presence of articular cartilage and a joint capsule lined
with synovial membrane
Rationale: True synovial joints, like the ball-and-socket hip joint, are
characterized by articular cartilage, a joint capsule, and a synovial
membrane that produces lubricating synovial fluid.
5. In the canine aortic arch, which three major arteries arise from
the ascending aorta?
A. Right subclavian, right common carotid, and left common carotid
B. Left common carotid, right subclavian, and right common carotid
C. Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left
subclavian
D. Brachiocephalic trunk, right subclavian, and right common
carotid
Answer: C. Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left
subclavian
Rationale: The canine aortic arch gives off three main branches: the
brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery, and the left
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subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic trunk then splits into the
right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.
6. A 6-year-old Labrador Retriever presents with an acute onset
of non-weight-bearing lameness in the right forelimb.
Radiographs reveal fragmentation of the medial coronoid
process. Which breed is also predisposed to this condition?
A. Great Dane
B. Rottweiler
C. Dachshund
D. Greyhound
Answer: B. Rottweiler
Rationale: Fragmented medial coronoid process is a common
developmental elbow disorder in large-breed dogs, particularly
Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Golden Retrievers.
7. The dorsal root of a spinal nerve carries what type of fibers?
A. Motor (efferent)
B. Sensory (afferent)
C. Both sensory and motor
D. Autonomic (sympathetic)
Answer: B. Sensory (afferent)
Rationale: The dorsal root of a spinal nerve contains sensory
(afferent) nerve fibers, which carry information from the peripheral
nervous system to the spinal cord. The cell bodies of these neurons
are located in the dorsal root ganglion.
8. Which structure in the kidney is primarily responsible for
filtering blood?
AAVSB PAVE QUALIFYING SCIENCE 2026
PRACTICE EXAMINATION (QSE) COMPLETE
(140) CURRENT TESTING QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES|GRADED A+.
AAVSB PAVE
Below are 140 questions on AAVSB PAVE Qualifying Science
Examination (QSE) – Practice Exam designed to mirror the
format, content, and difficulty of the actual exam. Each question
includes four answer choices (A-D), the correct answer, and a
detailed rationale to reinforce your understanding of the
veterinary science concepts being tested.
MULTIPLE CHOICE.
AAVSB PAVE Qualifying Science Examination (QSE) – Practice
Exam (140 Questions)
Section 1: Normal Structure and Function (Anatomy &
Physiology – 25%)
1. Which bone articulates with the acetabulum to form the hip
joint?
A. Tibia
B. Fibula
, Page 2 of 69
C. Femur
D. Patella
Answer: C. Femur
Rationale: The head of the femur articulates with the acetabulum of
the os coxae to form the coxofemoral (hip) joint. This ball-and-
socket joint allows for a wide range of movement in the hind limb.
2. The foramen magnum is located in which bone?
A. Frontal bone
B. Parietal bone
C. Occipital bone
D. Temporal bone
Answer: C. Occipital bone
Rationale: The foramen magnum is a large opening at the base of
the occipital bone. It allows the spinal cord to connect with the
brain.
3. A veterinary surgeon needs to perform a distal femoral
osteotomy. In the dog, which two muscles attach to the third
trochanter of the femur?
A. Biceps femoris and semitendinosus
B. Superficial gluteal and middle gluteal
C. Quadratus femoris and gemelli
D. Gracilis and pectineus
Answer: B. Superficial gluteal and middle gluteal
Rationale: In dogs, the third trochanter is a unique feature of the
femur that serves as the insertion point for the gluteal muscles. This
, Page 3 of 69
site is clinically relevant for retrograde intramedullary pinning of the
femur.
4. Which of the following is a true characteristic of a ball-and-
socket synovial joint?
A. Presence of articular cartilage and a joint capsule lined with
synovial membrane
B. Presence of intervertebral discs
C. Held together by dense regular connective tissue with no joint
space
D. Provides minimal movement, primarily for shock absorption
Answer: A. Presence of articular cartilage and a joint capsule lined
with synovial membrane
Rationale: True synovial joints, like the ball-and-socket hip joint, are
characterized by articular cartilage, a joint capsule, and a synovial
membrane that produces lubricating synovial fluid.
5. In the canine aortic arch, which three major arteries arise from
the ascending aorta?
A. Right subclavian, right common carotid, and left common carotid
B. Left common carotid, right subclavian, and right common carotid
C. Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left
subclavian
D. Brachiocephalic trunk, right subclavian, and right common
carotid
Answer: C. Brachiocephalic trunk, left common carotid, and left
subclavian
Rationale: The canine aortic arch gives off three main branches: the
brachiocephalic trunk, the left common carotid artery, and the left
, Page 4 of 69
subclavian artery. The brachiocephalic trunk then splits into the
right common carotid and right subclavian arteries.
6. A 6-year-old Labrador Retriever presents with an acute onset
of non-weight-bearing lameness in the right forelimb.
Radiographs reveal fragmentation of the medial coronoid
process. Which breed is also predisposed to this condition?
A. Great Dane
B. Rottweiler
C. Dachshund
D. Greyhound
Answer: B. Rottweiler
Rationale: Fragmented medial coronoid process is a common
developmental elbow disorder in large-breed dogs, particularly
Rottweilers, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Golden Retrievers.
7. The dorsal root of a spinal nerve carries what type of fibers?
A. Motor (efferent)
B. Sensory (afferent)
C. Both sensory and motor
D. Autonomic (sympathetic)
Answer: B. Sensory (afferent)
Rationale: The dorsal root of a spinal nerve contains sensory
(afferent) nerve fibers, which carry information from the peripheral
nervous system to the spinal cord. The cell bodies of these neurons
are located in the dorsal root ganglion.
8. Which structure in the kidney is primarily responsible for
filtering blood?
