The NAVLE is a test comprised of 360 clinically relevant multiple-choice questions that every veterinary student must pass in order to obtain licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the United States or Canada. And for many veterinarians, it may be the most difficult test they take on the journey toward becoming a licensed and practicing veterinarian.
Because this test is so pivotal to becoming a veterinarian in the United States and Canada, it is important to spend time studying and preparing for this exam. Many students choose to use a test prep program/subscription in order o help them study.
The two most commonly used test prep programs are ZUKU Review and Vet Prep. Both of these NAVLE preparation programs cost a couple of hundred dollars. Due to the cost and the time it takes to work through all of the resources in either of these test preparation programs, most students will have to choose one or the other.
So the question becomes, which is better? ZUKU Review or Vet Prep.
Let’s take a look and find out.
Zuku Review vs. Vet Prep
Honestly, Zuku Review and Vet Prep are pretty similar. Both offer a premium and a standard version, available in either 6-month, 3-month, or 45-day subscriptions. Pricing is nearly identical for the comparative options
So I have compiled some information in the chart below to help compare the differences between the subscriptions. This information is based on what I could find on both companies’ web pages. If you see any errors, please let me know. Otherwise, refer to Zuku Review or VetPrep for more information.
| Zuku Premium | Zuku Standard | VetPrep Premium | VetPrep Standard | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guarantee | Yes* | Yes* | Yes** | Yes** |
| 50+ Hours of Distilled Videos | Yes | – | – | – |
| Audio Downloads | Yes | – | – | – |
| Two 5-hour Readiness Exams | Yes | – | – | – |
| 1800 Vet Board Game Flashcards | Yes | – | – | – |
| 3300+ NAVLE Format Questions | Unlimited | Once Through | – | – |
| Thousands of Unique Questions with Detailed Answer Explanations | – | – | Yes | Yes |
| Answers linked to Merck Vet Manual | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Phone App | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Study Calendar and Pre-Planning Tools | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Over 1200 Image Questions | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Visual Veterinary Prep Lectures on 70+ Key Conditions | Yes | Yes | – | – |
| Engaging Content from expert presenters in 150+ PowerLectures | – | – | Yes | – |
| Missed Questions Recycle | Yes | Yes | ***See Pile of Done | – |
| Timed tests mimic NAVLE or NAVLE-Like Timed Exams | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Detailed Progress Statistics | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Friendly and Top-Notch Customer Support plus “Ask an Expert” | – | – | Yes | Yes |
| Stay Fresh with Unlimited Random Question Review with the Pile of Done*** | – | – | Yes | – |
| Complimentary Vetcetra Student Membership | – | – | Yes | Yes |
| 100+ Power Pages help you review key board topics | – | – | Yes | Yes |
Both companies also offer a free email subscription-based question of the day, which can be a great way to get a better feel for the types of questions each subscription will offer. I highly recommend signing up for these emails early on in your veterinary student career.
You can find the sign-up links below:
Which Subscription are Most Students Choosing?
While potentially a little outdated, a 2011-2012 Student American Veterinary Medical Association (SAVMA) report indicated that of four survey options for review services (Zuku, VetPrep, VIN, Other), most people who used a review service used VetPrep, the second most commonly used service was ZUKU.
In that study, they also asked students how useful the review service was that they used to prepare for the NAVLE. I have summarized the results in the table below.
| Zuku | VetPrep | |
|---|---|---|
| Students who used this service and found it very useful | 44% | 78% |
| Students who used this service and found it somewhat useful | 55% | 21% |
| Students who used this service and found it not useful | 1% | 1% |
A 2018 SAVMA survey found similar results. This report didn’t give specific numbers but presented information in a graph chart. From that chart it looked like of the survey respondents, a little over 350 students used Zuku and a little over 475 students used VetPrep. About 55-60% found Zuku very useful and about 40-45% found Zuku somewhat useful. Only a handful found Zuku not useful. For VetPrep, about 65-70% found it very useful and 30-35% found it somewhat useful. Again, just a handful found Vet Prep not useful.
If you want to choose which review service to use based on statistics, VetPrep seems like the obvious choice. However, I personally used Zuku Review as my subscription review service, continued with the VetPrep question of the day, and then took a self-assessment test prior to taking the actual NAVLE. And I’m happy to report that I passed the NAVLE on my first attempt.
So ultimately, it doesn’t matter which one you choose. Zuku may be a little better for visual learners with more videos and image questions. But VetPrep is a solid choice and has been a leader in the NAVLE prep industry for a long time.
As you make your decision, remember that students also recommended using just one review service, as using too many resources can be cumbersome and requires more organization instead of basic focus. And whether you choose Zuku or VetPrep for your main studying, make sure to sign up for the question of the day from both services. Also, don’t forget that another great tool to add to your NAVLE prep as you near your test date are the NAVLE self-assessments.
If you’re looking for more opinions, here are a few more blog posts/forums to read.
- Beginning NAVLE Preparations: What are my options? – Merck Manuals Student Stories
- NAVLE prep- VetPrep & Zuku Standard vs. Premium – SDN Forum
Regardless of which service you choose, the most important thing is that you pick one and get started studying. Good luck on the NAVLE everyone!