Competency-Based Veterinary Education (CBVE) represents an adoption of the medical education competency model which focuses on learner-centered education with outcomes-based assessments. One of the most commonly-asked questions about CBVE is: What evaluative or assessment tools should we use in various circumstances? To that end, here we have collated informative summaries and references for several evaluative tools. Each tool is described and has pertinent domains and competencies listed. Examples, documented uses, evidence for efficacy (pro and con where available), and selected references are provided for each tool. When available, links to examples in use are provided.

Each tool could employ a variety of scales, including conventional scales related to levels of performance (excellent to poor) or competence (developing to proficient). The CBVE approach has contributed an additional scale type, referred to by ten Cate et al. (2020) as “entrustment - supervision scales,” which reference the extent to which the supervisor has confidence in the learner’s ability to complete a task without assistance. Such scales are not assessment tools but can be used with practical assessment tools such as mini-CEXs, ITERs, or others. Because entrustment-supervision scales are still novel, we have included a description of them in the “practical examinations” section of this document.