AMTRA Written and Oral Assessments including exam dates
Contents
Online exams
Most AMTRA written and viva (oral) exams take place online - though we do offer pen-and-paper exams, and online exams hosted on University equipment and with IT support, twice a year.
For more details read the sections on Assessments generally, more specific information on Written Assessments, on the Viva (oral exam), and full details on Managing Your Online Viva.
Written examsThe online format brings major benefits for candidates and employers, including avoiding time away from home and work, avoiding travelling costs, and more flexibility about the way in which you sit your assessments, splitting modules to suit you and your work needs.
Full details of the process are in the " Online written exams: Instructions and Information for Candidates and Employers " which should be studied.
While the purpose and academic effort is the same as a conventional Assessment, the way you prepare for and "sit" online assessments may be different to what you have experienced previously.
Each module exam (Base, Companion Animal, Farm, Equine, Avian, Veterinary Nurse) will be made available on a specific date and time.
You will need to be alone in a quiet room, using a computer equipped with a webcam and which in other ways meets the Harper Adams University requirements - see the instructions document linked above.
Changes to AMTRA Exams in 2024 and 2025
A number of changes are coming to AMTRA/Harper Adams exams during 2024 and early 2025, starting from September 2024.
Read more on the page detailing exam changes.
Written exam dates
Each written module will take place on a particular day of the week, within each of the exam blocks - see below for the standard online exams, or see note 1 for the on-campus exams.
Day of week within exam block
Module(s) on this day (for standard online exams - see note 1 for on-campus exams)
Monday
Base
Tuesday
Companion Animal and Veterinary Nurse
Wednesday
Equine
Thursday
Avian (2025), and Farm Animal
Friday
Avian (2024)
Exam block
Notes
Booking deadline (receipt by AMTRA office)
27 to 28 January 2025
Base and Companion only (note 2)
Noon on 20 December 2024
3 to 6 February 2025
Noon on 20 December 2024
10 to 13 March 2025
Noon on 7 February 2025
7 to 10 April 2025
Legacy training manual (note 3)
Noon on 7 March 2025
10 to 11 April 2025
On-campus exams (note 1)
Noon on 7 March 2025
19 to 22 May 2025
Noon 17 April 2025
16 to 17 June 2025
Base and Companion only (note 2)
Noon on 16 May 2025
21 to 24 July 2025
Noon on 20 June 2025
15 to 18 September 2025
Noon on 15 August 2025
23 to 24 October 2025
On-campus exams (note 1)
Noon on 19 September 2025
10 to 11 November 2025
Base and Companion only (note 2)
Noon on 10 October 2025
8 to 11 December 2025
Noon on 7 November 2025
Note 1: Alternative format on-campus exams
These exams highlighted above will take place at Harper Adams University in Shropshire: you will be able to choose either a traditional pen-and-paper exam (the same exam questions/format as those done online), or will still be an online exam but on University equipment in University facilities, and so may better suit those who are less computer-confident or who don't have access to suitable equipment or Internet connection. Make sure when you book your exam that you make it clear which format you are choosing.
Please book as normal with AMTRA, but spaces at this exam are limited and thus subject to confirmation.
Please note that these on-campus exams are subject to sufficient numbers choosing to book, and may be withdrawn at the discretion of Harper Adams University if unviable.
Alternative format, pen-and-paper exam at Harper Adams - 10/11 April 2025 and 23/24 October 2025.
Alternative format, online exam on campus at Harper Adams - 10/11 April 2025 and 23/24 October 2025.
10 April and 23 October: Base, Companion and VN modules
11 April and 24 October: Equine, Farm and Avian modules.
note 2: Base and Companion exams
These exams are only available for those who wish to sit both Base and Companion at this sitting. That can include re-sits (if re-sitting both), and can include people aiming at more modules overall but who wish to sit both Base and Companion on this occasion. No other modules are available.
note 3: Legacy training manual, last chance exam
In general, exams from January 2025 are based on the new AMTRA training manual. However, this final set of online exams from 7 to 10 April will be a final opportunity for those who have studied the legacy training manual to sit exams based on that earlier version. The exams are open to all: first attempts and re-sits.
This will be the final such exam - anyone not passing will have to sit an exam based on the new training manual.
Note that there are also on-campus exams (both pen-and-paper, and online) taking place at Harper Adams University on 10 and 11 April (i.e. in the same week). These are based on the new training manual.
How to book your place
Please return the exam booking form to us.
On the form, make sure you include the date for each module you wish to book - don't forget to include the Base module as well as species module(s) if that's appropriate for you. And do include the viva (oral) Assessment if you're ready to book that too.
If you wish to spread out your modules over multiple assessment periods, that's fine, and there's no additional charge.
If you already know what you want to do when, you can book them all in one go even for different months, or you can book them individually as and when you're ready - it's up to you. Also, there's no requirement to do them in a particular order - whatever works best for you.
Exam drop-in sessions
One of these sessions is held before each exam round. They are aimed at candidates sitting exams in that exam round, and trainers and others supporting such individuals.
An exam drop-in session is for questions regarding the Systems Access Test; technical specifications for your laptop; exam day process etc. It is not a revision session and will not cover modular content.
The links should allow anyone to join the session as a guest, so it's not company specific, and there's no need to book in advance.
- 10th January 2025, 1000-1045: January 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 21st February 2025, 1000-1045: March 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 21st March 2025, 1000-1045: April 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 2nd May 2025, 1000-1045: May 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 30th May 2025, 1000-1045: June 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 4th July 2025, 1000-1045: July 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 29th August 2025, 1000-1045: September 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 3rd October 2025, 1000-1045: October 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 24th October 2025, 1000-1045: November 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
- 21st November 2025, 1000-1045: December 2025 AMTRA Exams - Drop-In Session
Online vivas
Anyone passing the new-format Base or Veterinary Nurse written exam taken from September 2024 onwards (so not including the last chance at the older format exams in the week 28 October to 1 November 2024) is not required to pass the viva. See more on exam changes.
Online vivas are undertaken via Zoom. Subject to certain conditions, the viva Assessment can be taken from home or work or any suitable location of your choosing.
Because very few people now need to sit a viva, they are provided on demand via a waiting list. Please contact the AMTRA office and ask to be included on this list if you wish to sit a viva. Email [email protected] with your name and AMTRA number.
Revalidation viva
If you're looking for information about the "revalidation viva", including for those without enough CPD points, please see the revalidation viva page.
Training providers
AMTRA in conjunction with Harper Adams University now offers ONLINE training to support qualification for the role of SQP/RAMA.
This is a great online training collaboration between AMTRA and Harper Adams. The training supports the journey to our range of level four & level five modules leading to the SQP/RAMA qualification, offering various routes to qualification according to professional need.
Many candidates find the AMTRA training manual, together with support from their employer, is a solid basis for getting ready to sit the AMTRA/Harper Adams exams. But for those wanting a bit more support, this new online training course offers a great opportunity to mix recorded content and live interaction with knowledgeable and experienced tutors.
Click here for other possible training providers.
Final notes
Please also read our guidance on the qualification process for more information on exams.
Exam bookings must be received by AMTRA by the booking deadlines given above - usually 4 weeks prior to the written exam dates, or for online vivas usually 6 business days before the assessment date (subject to availablity).
Candidates with additional support needs who are seeking adjustments must notify Harper Adams at least 6 weeks in advance of the exam date.
The exam booking form can be found on the forms page.