I just registered for COMLEX III next month. I am a general surgery intern, and have had the majority of my non-surgical rotations. I just bought crush step 3 and the NMS q book. Anyone have any advice for studying (length of time, books, important topics, etc) What about the new computer format and how many questions do you need to pass?

I just took the exam this past monday. Not as much OB/GYN and PEDS as I suspected. Now, from what I understand, because the test is now computerized, it is random, so my test may be nothing like yours but I can at least tell you what mine focused on

1) Most peds were infants less than 2 years of age. And of course the little kids that refuse to $hit for their parents and you need to know why.
2) Lots of headache stuff, especially emergency situations
3) old farts where is what you did primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention?
4) My OMT questions all seemed to be thoracic sympathetic levels and rib techniques, I swear to you, not one sacrum question one mine
5) A lot of trick questons that are very poorly asked, but that is typical of COMLEX
6) Lots of questions where you start reading the question and you know what the patient has and what to do to treat it, but none of your multiple choice options match up or make any damn sense. Things you could perhaps do, but not really the gold standard
7) A lot of pregnant teens on mine that didn't want anybody knowing they were pregnant

For the test I studied----

1) USMLE 3 recall. Great book and has everything you need to pass this test minus OMT, just takes time to learn everything in it in detail
2) Savarese for OMT. Seemed to be all I needed to pass my test if only I actually learned the rib raising techniques
3) I watched some family practice board review DVD's and took notes. I also visited familypractice.com and took some of the sample FP board questions they made available to the general public. I am not an Fp, but these materials did provide me with a good fund of general medicine knowledge
4) Lastly, I studied some sample COMLEX exams made available my the NBOME.

As I am sure you know, no matter what you study, no matter how much you know, there is some questions you just won't get because they are poorly asked and/or vague

I wish I knew how the test was scored!! According to NBOME website, they take a linear transformation of your three digit score and somehow turn it into a two digit score. Your two digit score must be at least 75 to pass. I wish they'd explain this better instead of leaving it a mystery as to how you magically get some two digit number.

The computer test itself is nicer than pencil and paper, you have plenty of time to complete all sections of the test and brakes are appropriately placed. It just bothers me that with this new technology it now may take longer to get your scores than it did with the old "hamster on the wheel" pencil and paper exams. Don't know about you all but if I don't have a medical lisence by the end of my intern year, I get a good spanking from my program.

I just got done taking step III as well and I'm amazed that my test seems to be nothing like yours. Lots of OB/GYN, very little OMT, fair amount of peds and surprisingly a good deal of IM stuff. I agree with #5 and 6. It was a frustrating test for me and I just hope I passed. For what's it worth I studied Savarese, Crush, B&W, and NMS questions. I don't know what to reccomend since the test is so obscure in my opinion.

I just took the exam this past monday. Not as much OB/GYN and PEDS as I suspected. Now, from what I understand, because the test is now computerized, it is random, so my test may be nothing like yours but I can at least tell you what mine focused on

1) Most peds were infants less than 2 years of age. And of course the little kids that refuse to $hit for their parents and you need to know why.
2) Lots of headache stuff, especially emergency situations
3) old farts where is what you did primary, secondary, or tertiary prevention?
4) My OMT questions all seemed to be thoracic sympathetic levels and rib techniques, I swear to you, not one sacrum question one mine
5) A lot of trick questons that are very poorly asked, but that is typical of COMLEX
6) Lots of questions where you start reading the question and you know what the patient has and what to do to treat it, but none of your multiple choice options match up or make any damn sense. Things you could perhaps do, but not really the gold standard
7) A lot of pregnant teens on mine that didn't want anybody knowing they were pregnant

For the test I studied----

1) USMLE 3 recall. Great book and has everything you need to pass this test minus OMT, just takes time to learn everything in it in detail
2) Savarese for OMT. Seemed to be all I needed to pass my test if only I actually learned the rib raising techniques
3) I watched some family practice board review DVD's and took notes. I also visited familypractice.com and took some of the sample FP board questions they made available to the general public. I am not an Fp, but these materials did provide me with a good fund of general medicine knowledge
4) Lastly, I studied some sample COMLEX exams made available my the NBOME.

As I am sure you know, no matter what you study, no matter how much you know, there is some questions you just won't get because they are poorly asked and/or vague

I wish I knew how the test was scored!! According to NBOME website, they take a linear transformation of your three digit score and somehow turn it into a two digit score. Your two digit score must be at least 75 to pass. I wish they'd explain this better instead of leaving it a mystery as to how you magically get some two digit number.

The computer test itself is nicer than pencil and paper, you have plenty of time to complete all sections of the test and brakes are appropriately placed. It just bothers me that with this new technology it now may take longer to get your scores than it did with the old "hamster on the wheel" pencil and paper exams. Don't know about you all but if I don't have a medical lisence by the end of my intern year, I get a good spanking from my program.

Throw in High Yeild OBGYN.

Can get through the major sections easily in 2 days. It helped me tremendously.

Thanks for the info. I never took the USMLE so this will be my first time taking a computerized test, but I am one of those test takers that likes to skip questions I do not know and then come back to it later. Also I like to usually review the ones that I "think I know." Is there a way on the exam to skip Q's and come back along with going over the remaining ones again before submitting? Thanks

Bumping...

Trying to start my COMLEX studying as I am taking the exam in March. Any other opinions/thoughts?

Thanks for the info. I never took the USMLE so this will be my first time taking a computerized test, but I am one of those test takers that likes to skip questions I do not know and then come back to it later. Also I like to usually review the ones that I "think I know." Is there a way on the exam to skip Q's and come back along with going over the remaining ones again before submitting? Thanks


Go to http://www.nbome.com and do the practice computerized test. It will show you how you have the option to skip a question and come back during your "review" of the block. Apparently, once you finish a block of 50 questions, you can't go back, but before you submit that block, you can skip around as much as you like and you can also mark ones that you have answered, but would like to review before you submit it at the end of 60 minutes.

My only advice would be that when you are actually taking the exam...and you have the option to "constructively" comment on a question (you have this option with each question)....DO IT.

There were so many questions that had xrays that didn't match the question...or questions that left you thinking "what are they wanting here?" I took the time to critique the questions I thought were poor ones. Being a former teacher, I guess I am able to look at the multiple choice questions and realize which ones are poorly written. Anyway, we all complain about the comlex...now, they are actually giving us a chance to give real-time feedback. I didn't write on every question, but I bet I commented on at least 15 or so that I thought were extremely bad.

Also, I had a lot of 'home-health' questions. (What will you send a guy home with to optimize his ambulation...?) I had a lot of sacral/innominate, but no cranial. I've heard all sorts of things. I took it the first week it was offered way back in september, so there's a lot I don't remember.

I'm just hoping I don't have to reschedule it...and pay for it myself this time!

I'm just glad they didn't use short story-sized questions like the USMLE, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to get out of there so early. :)

One question went almost exactly like this: "elderly man comes into ER, is incontinent, appears ataxic, and demented...diagnosis?" and then I wonder why I spent so much time doing huge Q-book questions in the first place. So basically there's no change in the NBOME's use of questions with not enough information, poor "exhibits" or pictures (except the ekgs were pretty clear) and basically answers that never seem to go along with the question stem. :confused: My real problem was that other than their practice items, there's no good question book/bank to practice with because USMLE-style questions is no way near what you'll get. It actually ended up being only slightly more difficult than their practice items in case you were wondering..

Now that I've just taken it, I realize that reading Boards and Wards will definitely suffice for those who just can't seem to sit down and read anything larger than 9" x 5" that won't fit into a pocket. The subject matter itself was pretty even for me between IM, OB, Peds, but not that much OMM. But you'll easily finish 50 questions in an hour. The fellow intern I was taking it with just missed getting out before 2PM.

If you really feel that you're lacking in OB or Peds, then don't bother with Blueprints, but try Crush for those more important/high-yield subjects. Oh and if you know of a good review book about medicare/medicaid and how to get an old guy into a nursing home quick, do tell because its on the exam! ;)

One question went almost exactly like this: "elderly man comes into ER, is incontinent, appears ataxic, and demented...diagnosis?"

I'm just a 2nd year but couldn't that be normal-tension hydrocephalus? "Wacky (dementia), Wobbly (ataxia), and Wet (incontinence).

Btw, I read Pathophysiology for B&W by Ayala while studying for class.

I'm just a 2nd year but couldn't that be normal-tension hydrocephalus? "Wacky (dementia), Wobbly (ataxia), and Wet (incontinence).

Btw, I read Pathophysiology for B&W by Ayala while studying for class.

yes it could be, but knowing the COMLEX, that won't be one of your answer choices . . .

deleted duplicate

I took it yesterday. WTF?!? I did make about 100 constructive comments. Seriosuly. There were so many flawed questions. Here's what I don't get: medical school (especially DO schools) emphasize the importance of taking a good solid history. Yet when we're tested we're expected to make management decisions based on a 2-sentence presentation of a patient. The answer I'm looking for in the multiple choice is usually "take a better history." The Q-Bank questions are excellent in this regard. I passed Level I and II first time around, but I don't know about this one (I felt like this after the other two though too). The test is so bad, I wouldn't even know how to prepare for it if I had to take it again. I left the testing center completely disorientated and...well...violated. It truly boggles the mind. Who the f--- writes these questions?!?

God, I hope I passed.

hey all, I am takiing the exam at the end of March. Just curious about the format of the exam. Is it all MC questions or are there computer simulated patient encounters like in USMLE step 3. Thanks for the help, cant seem to find this info on NBOME web site

I have a logistics question for you guys - did you get an admission ticket before you took the exam? I'm taking it next week and I have yet to receive anything in the mail.

Took step 3 today. I actually didn't think it was all that bad (maybe that's because I'm in FP, I don't know). The exam seemed a lot like our FP in-service exam. I had a ton of ob/gyn and peds, a little bit of OMT, and not much medicine stuff. I liked that our breaks were optional - my ten minute breaks were only about three-minute bathroom breaks and I took only 10 minutes for lunch - so I got done reasonably early (got there around 10, got done at 4:30).

My only complaint was about the "exhibits," especially the X-rays. They were so zoomed-in you couldn't tell what body part you were looking at (i.e. what part of the abdomen). My comments for every "exhibit" were "another poor quality exhibit." :laugh:

Thank God it's over. Hopefully I passed! (I'm kind of nervous about thinking it wasn't that bad, because everytime I think that I do crappy.) I guess I'll find out in a few months.

Congrats on being done! You didn't get that ticket you were asking for did you?

Hope your year's going well.



Took step 3 today. I actually didn't think it was all that bad (maybe that's because I'm in FP, I don't know). The exam seemed a lot like our FP in-service exam. I had a ton of ob/gyn and peds, a little bit of OMT, and not much medicine stuff. I liked that our breaks were optional - my ten minute breaks were only about three-minute bathroom breaks and I took only 10 minutes for lunch - so I got done reasonably early (got there around 10, got done at 4:30).

My only complaint was about the "exhibits," especially the X-rays. They were so zoomed-in you couldn't tell what body part you were looking at (i.e. what part of the abdomen). My comments for every "exhibit" were "another poor quality exhibit." :laugh:

Thank God it's over. Hopefully I passed! (I'm kind of nervous about thinking it wasn't that bad, because everytime I think that I do crappy.) I guess I'll find out in a few months.

HEEEYYYYYY DOtobe!!!!!!

I just took my test on 3/13....thank god that is DONE!!! Just have to wait and wait and wait and wait for the results - typical as usual.

PM me when you get a chance and let me know how the heck you are....



Kathy

Wow! That was an UGLY test. I thought they might improve the quality of the test by putting it on computer--apparently that wasn't part of the plan.

Lots of OB management. About 32 OMT questions too.

I don't know how well I did, but I know this: I couldn't have done much more studying that would've helped me for some of the questions on that exam.

I know what tachyCARDIA is and I know what tachyPNEA is, but what the hell are TACKY MUCOUS MEMBRANES??? Weird, weird test.

If I didn't pass I'm screwed cuz I won't know what to change in terms of study material to improve my score.

Just took COMLEX step 3 today and man that was a pretty hard test.

First I am a Pathology resident so that does not help much in terms of Step 3.

Just free associating some of the questions.

OB and Peds like I expected and lots of back pain and nerve problems. Scoliosis and what types of braces or surgery to use and do. Car Accidents. PALS, ACLS, children choking on hot dogs, people choking on fish bones. One mix and match with Vitamins B1, B6, B12, and few others.
Guy bleeding from what I thought were varices (gives history of alcoholic) and chest x-ray looked like pneumothorax--I must have really messed that one up.
questions on concussions and when to return to play sports again.
Not much bread and butter family med with HTN, DM, and cholesterol.
Not too much OPP although the pack pain and nerve problems of the upper and lower extremity were common.
afib, aflutter, WPW, were what I thought the EKGs were.
Xrays had something that was either calcaneal fracture, or plantar fascitis. Guy has pain with walking but fine at rest so I thought ohh easy plantar fascitis but then I saw the X-ray and looked like a fracture. I suck at xrays.
when to screen for lead poisioning.
main lab value to follow diagnosis and treatment of IDA---ferritin was not a choice so I chose TIBC
I thought it was pretty hard overall. Not many that I flat out knew the answer to.
Just hoping I got enough to pass.

Just got done today and feel so violated. the asinine questions continue...if this is the best they can come up with, God help the osteopathic profession...kinda shameful to think that these absolutely worthless and pathetic questions are what determines our capability to be fully licensed physicians...

With that out of the way, I was wondering if the comments remained annonymous or are they identifiable. I mean I tried to be diplomatic, but when there is a washed out photograph of what could have been anal or vaginal warts (only I couldn't tell because of the nature of the image) and nothing else in the question to identify a possible diagnoisis, the "constructive" comments tend to become a little rude...

Another question...how long after the test do the results show up on the online system? Thanks in advance guys...

Wow! That was an UGLY test. I thought they might improve the quality of the test by putting it on computer--apparently that wasn't part of the plan.

Lots of OB management. About 32 OMT questions too.

I don't know how well I did, but I know this: I couldn't have done much more studying that would've helped me for some of the questions on that exam.

I know what tachyCARDIA is and I know what tachyPNEA is, but what the hell are TACKY MUCOUS MEMBRANES??? Weird, weird test.

If I didn't pass I'm screwed cuz I won't know what to change in terms of study material to improve my score.

This is my current problem. I recently failed the test (found out earlier this week). I've never failed a board exam before, so I was pretty shocked. I'm a psych intern who's spent the majority of my year in psych and neuro, which is probably a contributing factor.

Anyway, my problem now is that I don't know WHAT to study. The test is so goofy...I don't know what to use. It didn't seem to test anything that you see in clinic or on the wards. Nothing on HTN, diabetes, COPD, HLD, etc. All the bread & butter medicine....not covered.

What makes this even more confusing is that the QBank and QBook questions I'm doing now (I retake in May) seem nothing like the COMLEX questions. I am desparate guys/gals...any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How do you study for this f---ing thing?

Took step 3 today. I actually didn't think it was all that bad (maybe that's because I'm in FP, I don't know). The exam seemed a lot like our FP in-service exam.

I agree, and again, as a psych intern I've done ZERO Peds or OBGYN, so I am focusing more on those topics. In fact, besides QBank, my main study source this time around is the McGraw-Hill Family Practice board review book. I complained that COMLEX III seemed like a VERY POORLY written Family Medicine exam, so I'm preparing for it with that in mind.

It was definitely difficult and I think the fact we are psych/path residents makes it even more difficult. I focused on bread and butter medicine however you are right there was very little of that on there.
Crazy **** like kids getting beetles in there ear and having hearing and speech problems and drowning and choking.
Crazy ass picture of I dont know where in the body thinking it was Vaginal/anal warts?
Lots of scoliosis and what types of braces to use...are you kidding me?
back pain, nerve pain.
kid who is a "mouth breather", snores, cant stay awake during the day...sleep apnea or choanal atresia? think the answer was sleep apnea but why couldnt it be choanal atresia?
lots of emergency medicine questions like the ACLS, PALS, choking, cardioversion, drowning, unconscious, coma, posturing, neuro stuff. Much more of that than the bread and butter medicine.

I just registered for COMLEX III next month. I am a general surgery intern, and have had the majority of my non-surgical rotations. I just bought crush step 3 and the NMS q book. Anyone have any advice for studying (length of time, books, important topics, etc) What about the new computer format and how many questions do you need to pass?

Ridiculous test - amount that you study is apparently irrelevant. The test has questions I would have never imagined. For example: Women placed on birth control pills now back in office at one month with complaint of breast tenderness. I narrowed it down to 1) continue with the pills or 2) discontinue caffeine? What is that? I would tell my patient both but these answers were far better than the other choices. GOOD LUCK

This is my current problem. I recently failed the test (found out earlier this week). I've never failed a board exam before, so I was pretty shocked. I'm a psych intern who's spent the majority of my year in psych and neuro, which is probably a contributing factor.

Anyway, my problem now is that I don't know WHAT to study. The test is so goofy...I don't know what to use. It didn't seem to test anything that you see in clinic or on the wards. Nothing on HTN, diabetes, COPD, HLD, etc. All the bread & butter medicine....not covered.

What makes this even more confusing is that the QBank and QBook questions I'm doing now (I retake in May) seem nothing like the COMLEX questions. I am desparate guys/gals...any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How do you study for this f---ing thing?

I have no idea how to study for this exam. I covered Crush, QBank, Savarese, ACLS and skimmed B&W. I have taken time out of residency to get this nightmare over with and now this slap in the face - failing again this week? Is this a fixed test? Are you kidding me? I studied an enormous amount (if I told you the hours you wouldn't believe me). Failed? I don't get it. I am well prepared - better than in med school. Comlex Step 3 is a joke. I am retaking in May now too - since that's the soonest that I can take it. I would rather take it in April but it has a 90 day interval required. PLEASE HELP. THanks

I did very well on COMLEX Step 1 and good on COMLEX step 2. I thought COMLEX 3 was ridiculous but definitely passable. Right now I feel as if there is a 50-50 shot whether I pass or fail. I did not do an intern year and I am a pathology resident. The way I feel now is I am going to prepare to take it again in May.
I just used Crush Step 3 and Saverese. I thought Crush Step 3 is a very good outline but it is not enough on its own. I also did some QBank questions which I thought were in general easier than the COMLEX because they give you an entire history while the COMLEX seems to try to be vague. I think I am going to try and read some of the emedicine site on the topics I am weak in. I had a lot of emergency medicine on my exam, patients who were unconscious, back pain, nerve injury and problems, headaches. Even stupid **** like nerve innervation to pronator teres which I forgot long ago. That was more like a COMLEX Step 1 problem than Step 3. I am going to try and focus on the areas I am weak in and read more in depth. Thats my plan and hopefully I will not have to take this stupid ass test again.

I take the test in 3 weeks and it sounds like people's thoughts are about what I was thinking. I am in my second year of IM at a ACGME residency program. Everyone tells me not to study for step III because it is so IM heavy anyone in IM could pass. Wish that were the case for COMLEX. It sounds like they really push the peds and OB. I have nothing against the DO profression as a whole, but I have got so sick the of the administrative aspects miserable leadership, after this test I am looking forward to never having anything to do with them again.
(The worst I heard was from a practicing FP who told me about his FP boards about 10 years ago-as part of their boards everyone had to write 10 practice questions. They took a break after that. An hour or so later, they walked in with the rest of their tests. Yes, they photocopied everyone's questions and put it on the test. He said they didn't even get them all straight. I guess they have improved a little bit-not much)

Since I just found out I passed, I thought I'd add my 2 cents...

The exam is very similar in format to step two with a tad more emphasis on treatement. For COMLEX, my exam was more straight forward then previous levels. However, it still had some questions where I had no clue what they were asking and/or what the answer was.

I read through Boards and Wards once, and then did all the USMLEWorld Questions once. I did USMLEWorld in tutor mode, reading and trying to understand each answer. I spent about 30 minutes reviewing Saverese for OMM.

This exam had OMM questions, even some stuff I hadn't read in a couple of years. It's not overly heavy on the OMM, but it does have a few questions on this topic.

I'm glad I passed and that I don't have to take anymore of the COMLEX steps.

Wook

I had a crapload of OMM questions on my step 3 today. Probably 15-20% of my questions. Some were legit questions (positioning for muscle energy treatments), but others were silly (OMM for a fib, dyspareunia). Still had images that were freaking blurry and questions that were very poorly worded. Overall, I thought it was better than step 1 and worse than step 2. Lots of OB/gyn, immunizations, derm (not heard anyone mention that one as notable before), medico-legal.

I had a crapload of OMM questions on my step 3 today. Probably 15-20% of my questions. Some were legit questions (positioning for muscle energy treatments), but others were silly (OMM for a fib, dyspareunia). Still had images that were freaking blurry and questions that were very poorly worded. Overall, I thought it was better than step 1 and worse than step 2. Lots of OB/gyn, immunizations, derm (not heard anyone mention that one as notable before), medico-legal.

DrMom, what kind of time did you dedicate to studying (during the day while working? go to the coffee shop? one solid hour a day? two? three?) and what materials did you use? Thanks :)

I used the NMS question book for step 3, Boards and Wards, Savarese (autonomics were big again, also had sacral questions), and First Aid (found quite a few errors in this book & don't recommend it). I did half-assed studying whenever I'd get a few minutes, but I did take off the day before the test to cram.

I've take Step I and II, now I wanted to start studying a bit early for Step 3? Would Me using Crush and Swansons FP get me by? I have Dr. Simmons OMT book and that has never failed yet for OMT...

THanks,

I have no idea how to study for this exam. I covered Crush, QBank, Savarese, ACLS and skimmed B&W. I have taken time out of residency to get this nightmare over with and now this slap in the face - failing again this week? Is this a fixed test? Are you kidding me? I studied an enormous amount (if I told you the hours you wouldn't believe me). Failed? I don't get it. I am well prepared - better than in med school. Comlex Step 3 is a joke. I am retaking in May now too - since that's the soonest that I can take it. I would rather take it in April but it has a 90 day interval required. PLEASE HELP. THanks

Hey racquetball,

fyi comlex III can be retaken after 60 days. I sent you a PM in case you don't get back to this formum any time soon.

thanks

harleyman

I can't seem to find it on the NBOME website as discussed earlier in this thread. Anybody have any idea where it is?

I can't seem to find it on the NBOME website as discussed earlier in this thread. Anybody have any idea where it is?

Is this it?

http://www.nbome.org/


Wook

I can't seem to find it on the NBOME website as discussed earlier in this thread. Anybody have any idea where it is?

wook posted the NBOME website for you. just click on the "CBT tutorial" in the left column

I've take Step I and II, now I wanted to start studying a bit early for Step 3? Would Me using Crush and Swansons FP get me by? I have Dr. Simmons OMT book and that has never failed yet for OMT...

THanks,

Swanson's is not going to help you. Its worthless IMHO for this exam. And its a pain to slog through.

I did well on step III by studying:
a few bits of my old CRUSH STEP II which I was already familiar with.
some parts of my BOARDS AND WARDS, which I was already familiar with.

High Yeild OB-GYN. This is a must have if you stink with ob stuff. As I did.

STRONG MEDICINE. Best single source for stepIII.

NMS step III. A hell of a lot more intuitive and less daunting than NMS for stepII and I. A damn fine question book. Highly recommended.

About one-two hours flying through guts, rashes, and fever work up in pediatrics with my PEDS BLUEPRINTS.

About 20 minutes pounding Savarese autonomics in the skull. I didn't even bother with the rest.

I spent about a month total studying. About 30 minutes a day when I was sitting on the john. Thats how UNMOTIVATED I was to take this thing.
I crammed for 5 days before the exam.

I felt the test was INSANE. I thought I flunked it FOR SURE. Got in the 94% or something nuts like that. So whatever I did worked.

TAKE THIS THING YOUR INTERN YEAR OR YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF. Nothing worse than studying for your respective field's board exams AND THIS THING at the same time. Especially when you've forgotton most of it.

STRONG MEDICINE. Best single source for stepIII.

Totally agree and also agree GET STEP 3 USMLE OR COMLEX out of the way ASAP!!! I have seen chief surgery resident with ivy league credentials bomb step 3 in their 5th year of surgery and jeopardize licenses and jobs and stuff.

also agree GET STEP 3 USMLE OR COMLEX out of the way ASAP!!!

:thumbup:

Day 1: Boards and Wards - read once
Day 2: Step 2 Secrets - read once
Day 3-4: QBook - one time through (800 questions)
Day 5: Savarese - read once

Pretty simple strategy and passed comfortably.

How does the COMLEX 3 compare to the USMLE step 3? DO you guys use the same study materials?

Is there also a CCS section?

How does the COMLEX 3 compare to the USMLE step 3? DO you guys use the same study materials?

Is there also a CCS section?

Don't know about USMLE step 3, only took COMLEX 3.

COMLEX 3 is very similar to COMLEX 2 (ie no CCS).


Wook

hi everyone, just wanted to BUMP this thread and keep it going since im planning taking the dreaded test sometime before christmas, and just wanted an update on what resources people are still using.

strong medicine has gotten a few good reviews
swanson's family practice has gotten some good, some bad, reviews
saverese (selected chapters) is obviously still a must ...

im thinking Ventdependent's algorithim of High Yield OBGYN, Strong Medicine, NMS step III, with a little peds and omt thrown in sounds like a plan. as the last post on this thread was back in february, im just wondering if anyone had any new thoughts? i guess this stuff doesn't change too much :o

See my thoughts in the other thread for specifics. Not to throw off anyone else's mojo or high hopes but COMLEX 3 was unpleasant. Don't think having another month to study would have helped either. A friend of a friend had the same experience I did...he took it the same day last week. Apparently I'm a worthless doctor because if that test was an accurate assessment of my knowledge of medicine, I haven't learned very much. Hopefully I'll do better the second time I take it.

can anyone give any advice on comlex step three I am retaking the examination... and for some reason I didn't even make it on the grid for the health care delivery issues.. What recommendations do you all have for the health care delivery issues sections.. any books or online recs. thanks for the replies... also what helped the most... i have gone through crush... qbook....savarese...boards and words and skimmed swansons.. i don't want to repeat this test...

can this test be taken before starting internship?

can this test be taken before starting internship?


Yes.

Wook

Is NMS Step II question book similar to the step III version?

can this test be taken before starting internship?

You must have your D.O. degree before you can take COMLEX III.

You must have your D.O. degree before you can take COMLEX III.



http://www.premierreview.com/step2livereviewDemo.asp?id=104&pp=left_hd_complex3.gif&Mat=31
strongly recommended.

So from what I gather, this is a very good replication of the abstract nature of step 1 and step 2 exams. Well I'm about to start studying for this damn thing.

Books:

SWANSON'S
OMT BOOK
FIRST AID III

Ya think that should do it?

Dr. DO MBA

So from what I gather, this is a very good replication of the abstract nature of step 1 and step 2 exams. Well I'm about to start studying for this damn thing.

Books:

SWANSON'S
OMT BOOK
FIRST AID III

Ya think that should do it?

Dr. DO MBA

are you kidding?
besides usmleworld why use anything else?
i heard u need a 350/800 to pass and there's only a handfull of omm questions

COMBANK is coming out this month for step III. It should be kick-ass. Our school is actually thinking about buying us all subcriptions to raise our Step III pass rates. Here's the site: www.combankmed.com

COMBANK is coming out this month for step III. It should be kick-ass. Our school is actually thinking about buying us all subcriptions to raise our Step III pass rates. Here's the site: www.combankmed.com

Hmmm...are you sure the site and the company are legit? I checked them out and I was pretty excited about a COMLEX-specific question bank. However, the demo option doesn't work, and if you click on the Subscribe Now button, at the end it asks you for a ton of information (including credit card security code, cell phone number and cell provider), and the screen is not secured (the little lock doesn't appear at the bottom of the browser to indicate the data will be encrypted). Just seems fishy to me.

I hope the site is legit. Something like COMBank is badly needed, and I'm surprised people haven't jumped on the opportunity to create COMLEX-specific study aids.

Hmmm...are you sure the site and the company are legit? I checked them out and I was pretty excited about a COMLEX-specific question bank. However, the demo option doesn't work, and if you click on the Subscribe Now button, at the end it asks you for a ton of information (including credit card security code, cell phone number and cell provider), and the screen is not secured (the little lock doesn't appear at the bottom of the browser to indicate the data will be encrypted). Just seems fishy to me.

I hope the site is legit. Something like COMBank is badly needed, and I'm surprised people haven't jumped on the opportunity to create COMLEX-specific study aids.

www.comlexedge.com

www.comlexedge.com

You guys need none of this, just take it. TRUST me. If you passed all of the MSIII clinicals first try, you will pass the test

You guys need none of this, just take it. TRUST me. If you passed all of the MSIII clinicals first try, you will pass the test

what are MSIII clinicals?

www.comlexedge.com

This is the COMLEX III ( 3 ) forum...not 1 or 2.:rolleyes:

This is the COMLEX III ( 3 ) forum...not 1 or 2.:rolleyes:

Hey genius...that was posted to answer shinken's comment and not for the purposes of step 3 test prep.

what are MSIII clinicals?

Third year rotations. Hated COMP for forcing down those shelfs, but they do help when it comes time for the steps.

You must have your D.O. degree before you can take COMLEX III.

Can you schedule it in advance...as in I anticipate to have my DO degree on 5/16...can I schedule it now in November for some time in late May or early June? Anybody done did this?

I just logged onto NBOME to try...it doesn't appear that you can.

Daddy needs to start moonlighting by early 2nd year. I gotz mad billz to pay.

Wurd.

why dont u take one for the team and call the bozo's at nbome and let us know what you find out.

why dont u take one for the team and call the bozo's at nbome and let us know what you find out.

Nothing would make me happier tough guy.

I just logged onto NBOME to try...it doesn't appear that you can.




Your school needs to provide some sort of "token" (ie confirmation that you have or will graduate) to NBOME before you can sign up for the test.



Wook

why dont u take one for the team and call the bozo's at nbome and let us know what you find out.

I decided to take one for the team myself and just got off the phone with nbome...wow what a bunch of MIT grads they have over there.

I was lucky enough to speak to the 'not so sharp knife of the nbome drawer'

Not to bore you with details i'll give you a summary of the mind blowing conversation that took place.

Me: Do you need to graduate before scheduling step 3?
Nbome: No
Me: Okay, then can you help me schedule it?
Nbome: when do you graduate?
Me: May 2008
Nbome: Well then you can't take it.
Me: But you just said I dont need to graduate first.
Nbome: Yes, but only students in special circumstances can take it before graduation
Me: What special circumstances?
Nbome: Sorry If I misquoted you sir but you cannot schedule it until you are deemed eligible by your school
Me: How the heck do you become eligible?
Nbome: You need to graduate.


talk about going in circles!
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I decided to take one for the team myself and just got off the phone with nbome...wow what a bunch of MIT grads they have over there.

I was lucky enough to speak to the 'not so sharp knife of the nbome drawer'

Not to bore you with details i'll give you a summary of the mind blowing conversation that took place.

Me: Do you need to graduate before scheduling step 3?
Nbome: No
Me: Okay, then can you help me schedule it?
Nbome: when do you graduate?
Me: May 2008
Nbome: Well then you can't take it.
Me: But you just said I dont need to graduate first.
Nbome: Yes, but only students in special circumstances can take it before graduation
Me: What special circumstances?
Nbome: Sorry If I misquoted you sir but you cannot schedule it until you are deemed eligible by your school
Me: How the heck do you become eligible?
Nbome: You need to graduate.


talk about going in circles!
:rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

I called this morning during my commute, but you beat me to posting. They said you have to call the school to determine your eligibility, but the bulletin online, which they referred me to, says you can schedule it up to 6 months before you actually take the test. So how do we schedule it in advance without graduating? Sounds like the next step is to call COMP and find out what determines eligibility - the obvious answer is graduation, but come on...we should be able to schedule it in advance on good faith that we'll graduate on time. Perhaps not though, I did read that if you take it and you are not eligible...you lose your money and your results are voided.

COMBANK rocks...:laugh::laugh:. This is one bad-%#$ question bank. All kinds of COMLEX tips/pearls on the homepage too under "exam advice."

COMBANK rocks...:laugh::laugh:. This is one bad-%#$ question bank. All kinds of COMLEX tips/pearls on the homepage too under "exam advice."

Posts: 2

shaaaaaaaaadyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy promo

Whatever dude...thanks for the warm SDN welcome.

nothin but love brother

Swanson's is not going to help you. Its worthless IMHO for this exam. And its a pain to slog through.

I did well on step III by studying:
a few bits of my old CRUSH STEP II which I was already familiar with.
some parts of my BOARDS AND WARDS, which I was already familiar with.

High Yeild OB-GYN. This is a must have if you stink with ob stuff. As I did.

STRONG MEDICINE. Best single source for stepIII.

NMS step III. A hell of a lot more intuitive and less daunting than NMS for stepII and I. A damn fine question book. Highly recommended.

About one-two hours flying through guts, rashes, and fever work up in pediatrics with my PEDS BLUEPRINTS.

About 20 minutes pounding Savarese autonomics in the skull. I didn't even bother with the rest.

I spent about a month total studying. About 30 minutes a day when I was sitting on the john. Thats how UNMOTIVATED I was to take this thing.
I crammed for 5 days before the exam.

I felt the test was INSANE. I thought I flunked it FOR SURE. Got in the 94% or something nuts like that. So whatever I did worked.

TAKE THIS THING YOUR INTERN YEAR OR YOU WILL HATE YOURSELF. Nothing worse than studying for your respective field's board exams AND THIS THING at the same time. Especially when you've forgotton most of it.

I'm taking this approach. I'm using Strong Medicine, HY Ob/Gyn (used this for Step II as well), Kaplan Qbook and UW.

I'm done with both parts of COMLEX II and have the next 2 months off practically so I figure I start review a bit for COMLEX III. I'd love to take that bad boy < 3 months into internship.

My full-proof recipe for dominating this test:

Blueprints OB/GYN and ER
Green OMT book
Boards and Wards
COMBANK Qbank for questions (a must)

I studied a total of one month and rocked out on COMLEX III. It was by far my best performance of the steps. Make sure you go over your EKGs the day before the test.

I would not waste an excessive money buying a bunch of crap for this. Some of the questions are so crappy, no amount of studying is going to help you. I just did a question bank of my choice, in this case Kaplan (cheap off of ebay). Then, I reviewed my Step 2 stuff for any "holes". I crammed OMM the day before, and did very well on Step 3.

A few people get away with cramming for this test, but they are in the minority. I know a bunch of people who have struggle with it. I think it's better to prepare thoroughly just to be on the safe side since you never know what you're going to get with this test. NBOME is just all over the place with there questions. I know smart people in ortho and optho programs who have failed one or more times on COMLEX step 3. Just showing up for the test is not enough in my opinion.

A few people get away with cramming for this test, but they are in the minority. I know a bunch of people who have struggle with it. I think it's better to prepare thoroughly just to be on the safe side since you never know what you're going to get with this test. NBOME is just all over the place with there questions. I know smart people in ortho and optho programs who have failed one or more times on COMLEX step 3. Just showing up for the test is not enough in my opinion.

Agreed.

COMLEX III (and internship) will be the last time in my career I will get to learn my general medicine. I really want to hammer in these concepts. And besides knowing my sh!t I've set a personal goal of topping my COMLEX I and II scores (> 650).

Just call me crazy...

Done!. My goal was to get a 351 on comlex 3 and I did a bit better than that. Just wanted to give a head's up to people taking it soon

1) Its pretty much step 2 all overagain
2) Swansons peds and ob/gyn questions were verbatim
3) Usmle World is Def an overkill
4) First Aid for step 3 is a garbage book. Worthless. Just use your step 2 first aid.
5) Know chapman's hokey pokey and chapter 2 from Simmons or 9 from Savarese? sp? (inside and out)
6) Its pretty easy to pass you only need about 55-60% per my calculations.

Good Luck.


Southbeath Tri April 13th sign up@ www.southbeachtri.com

I agree...USMLE world is overkill and takes you in the wrong direction. COMBANK is definately much better for questions. Swanson's is good but I can't stand all of their "all of the following EXCEPT" answer choices. You just don't see these on COMLEX.

I used Swanson FP, Crush, and Usmleasy. I read Saverese once and glanced at Boards and Boards and Wards. I thought it went well. We'll see what the final scores say, I took it Feb 25th!

I've set a personal goal of topping my COMLEX I and II scores (> 650).

Just call me crazy...

You're crazy.

I took step 3 today and to my surprise it was actually a fair exam, unlike its predecessors. The majority of the questions were written concisely but devoid of the confusion and hocus pocus randomness that was so prevalent in steps 1 &2. I think if you do kaplan q bank and use two reference books like board & wards and FA(FA 2 is probably better than FA 3) you should be able to pass this exam comfortably. I spent a month in preparation for this exam (2-3 hrs/day) and it may have been overkill. I'm not a good standadized exam test taker but I was in disbelief at how direct the questions were. Of course there were a few Q's that were off the wall but that is to be expected, it is the comlex afterall! Overall, my exam had an equal breakdown of medicine/obgyn/peds/ with a sprinkle of OMM/psych/surgery/preventative medicine stuff. Good luck to all those that are taking it.

How long do you to have to wait for the score reports?

I took step 3 today and to my surprise it was actually a fair exam, unlike its predecessors. The majority of the questions were written concisely but devoid of the confusion and hocus pocus randomness that was so prevalent in steps 1 &2. I think if you do kaplan q bank and use two reference books like board & wards and FA(FA 2 is probably better than FA 3) you should be able to pass this exam comfortably. I spent a month in preparation for this exam (2-3 hrs/day) and it may have been overkill. I'm not a good standadized exam test taker but I was in disbelief at how direct the questions were. Of course there were a few Q's that were off the wall but that is to be expected, it is the comlex afterall! Overall, my exam had an equal breakdown of medicine/obgyn/peds/ with a sprinkle of OMM/psych/surgery/preventative medicine stuff. Good luck to all those that are taking it.

How long do you to have to wait for the score reports?

I took it yesterday as well and agree with you completely. The WTF factor was way down. I felt like if you read the q's carefully and had studied the basics (all the things that pop up on I and II) you'd do fine. Most of the time, you could rule out the wrong answers with the information in the stem. I actually used almost the whole allotted time for the first time ever. I went at a comfortable pace, and re-read only my marked q's.

I will say there was a lot more OMM and osteopathic principles on this exam than I expected. But the questions were not crazy and off the wall, they were very reasonable. Just zip through the high points in Savarese or Simmons reviews and you should do great on those q's.

I agree there was not an over-representation of any one field.

taking it again, tommorw, been doing premier review and combankmed, with some strong medicine

maybe ill pass

Just took the COMLEX Level 3 today.

I thought it was mostly a mix of internal med/peds/OB-gyn with approximately 3-5 OMM questions in each section.
For the most part, I felt that this was the first test the NBOME put out that was straightforward. Of course there were definitely a few obscure questions here and there and some where I thought had more than one answer.

For the OMM questions, it was mostly innervations. I had one sacrum question and a few extremities.

Pictures/EKGs were very straight forward.

For my prep, I used Crush Step 3 (read it twice), blue Savarese OMM book, and USMLEworld question bank for one month. I spent maybe 1 hour a night and definitely did not have my head in to studying at all.
I think because I am a PGY-2 IM resident that really helped.
Lots of medicine.

Hopefully that is the last COMLEX exam I will ever have to take again!!!

took it gain, stillf u c k ing sucked, they even had 2 stats q's on there, **** them, hope i pass

Yeah, some were straight forward, some were questionable, and some were just straight gangster.....

I thought KAPLAN Q-book was good, some good concepts from the NBOME booklet as well. I don't know what else I could have done....

I just hope I pass, 350 only right?

Just took it for the first time yesterday. I agree with what has been said so far just wish I would have figured that there was going to be that much Peds. All i remember is that every time I clicked on on "next" a a Peds question popped up I said to my self "...I wish I would have hit peds a little harder. I'm an F'in dumba**.".
We'll see... but just in case anyone is woundering I used the Lange Step 3 sample exam that was written by the DO with the pink and black cover, Crush and Strong Medicine. Really wish I would have done more Peds. Later Folks.:cool:

Oh yeah, Savarese (green) also.

I just went to the NBOME website to see about requesting the $8, 200 question practice booklet and to my surprise - its gone - now they have this phase I self assessment for $50, not even appropriate for 4th years/interns about to take step III.

WTF?

Anyone able to purchase this booklet recently? I used similar booklets for both steps I and II and found them both to be helpful as they were old test ?'s written exactly the same way.

some advice...

don't buy qbank or usmleworld for Step III. if you could get through your intern year and passed step I and II, you'll be fine. i spent one week going through the boards and ward (the green copy from like 10 years ago) and ordered the $8 200 question NBOME practice exam.

you'll do just fine...don't stress out.

are you kidding?
besides usmleworld why use anything else?
i heard u need a 350/800 to pass and there's only a handfull of omm questions

actually, i think it's 350/8??. i know someone who got >800 on Step III

For those that did USMLE World. Did you just do the multiple choice questions, or did you do the clinical case scenario questions as well? From what I understand, the COMLEX does not have the case scenario questions like the USMLE has. Am I correct?

some advice...

don't buy qbank or usmleworld for Step III. if you could get through your intern year and passed step I and II, you'll be fine. i spent one week going through the boards and ward (the green copy from like 10 years ago) and ordered the $8 200 question NBOME practice exam.

you'll do just fine...don't stress out.

Can I get my hands on your $8 200 questions? Thank you.

Hi ,

Took step III at the end of Feb. and got my scores the other day (~5 ww). What I did for it, lots of questions, but my attention span for reading has lowered by the minute since MS I.

Kaplan qbook
HY OB/GYN peds for more questions
Savarese green OMT book
The Toronto Notes: great big Canadian review book, highly recommend, think of every medical specialty condensed down to what an FP needs to know about it, great for boards and clinical rotations

I studied for it a fair amount, I figured this is the last time I want to give any money at all to the NBOME.

As for the test,

Questions were relatively straight forward, typical NBOME stuff such as read the question and the answer you want isn't there, imaging was absolutely atrocious/atrioshus/verybad. So if an xray shows up good luck. Just glad to be done with it.

Two words:

VERSED and KY.........

This test is classic COMLEX. That being said, even the least clinically inclined 'terns can make it through (just like me!)

I used Swanson FP, Crush, and Usmleasy. I read Saverese once and glanced at Boards and Wards. I thought it went well. We'll see what the final scores say, I took it Feb 25th!

I got my scores back roughly 5 weeks after taking the test and did extremely well. Goodluck to those of you taking/waiting for scores.

what is usmleasy?

why do I keep hearing that USMLE WORLD is overkill? I am taking both USMLE & COMLEX so would you still recommend usmleasy?

swansons fp- are there questions in this book?

thanks

what is usmleasy?

why do I keep hearing that USMLE WORLD is overkill? I am taking both USMLE & COMLEX so would you still recommend usmleasy?

swansons fp- are there questions in this book?

thanks

Swanson's is entirely questions with explanations.

USMLEasy is basically a Q bank like USMLE WORLD. I've good things about both. I got USMLEasy because it was the first site I went to and paid. I scored 99th percentile on Step III, so it helped me, but look at both and decide which site suits you best.

Hey all... I'm taking exam april 28th. Kind of nervous about it because I know some residents who failed it a few times. Though I don't think their study habit is as strict as my.

I did alright on comlex I and II, passed it during 1st try w/ cushion. I don't know why but just nervous about this one.

I did about 800 kaplan qbank questions and doing usmleworld questions now, about 500+ so far,which seems a bit harder... any comments on that ?

I'm also an ob/gyn resident and using green OMM book to look up facilitations. The OMM on partIII is similar to part II ??? meaning a lot of facilitation and innervations as to specific techniques?

Also... 350/800 ? to pass? that means you don't even need 50% of the questions right? Is that correct?

;)OK everbody though the front page of the NBOME web site hadn't officially been updated when I checked, as I have done everyday for the last week, The scores through 31 March 2008 should be in your account.
I passed, not fantastically, but I'm done.:luck:

sia simba, the 350 or 400, from what I've been told does not have to correlate with half the questions... it all depends on the stats. For step III passinf is 350 and 75 (2-digit). There is information on the NBOME site that explains the scoring if you have more q's about it. I posted earlier on this thread and wrote what I used. Someone else may be able to help you with the Kaplan question.
I had facilitations and treatment OMT q's but mostly diagnosis...total OMT q's approx. 20ish. Approx 60ish peds, 30-40 ob and the rest was medicine,surg, ACLS...etc in descending order...off to grab a Cuban coffee and get a really good buzz b/f heading back to the Peds ER...later, peace..Good luck everybody.

a lot of urology and even random chapman point questions this time, quite disturbing

A lot of Peds and OMM in my opinion. Facilitations were more involving the cervical region. Chapman as well. Also had health maintenance questions, such as screening exam.

I feel very BLAH over all about the exam after stepping out of it. How did everyone else feel? There were also a few repeated questions... but as always... comlex.

I will update on what I used to study, how I did on practice exams, and how I did on actual exam when I get my scores.

You know those people who tell you to study Savarese or Simmons the night before and you will do fine on the OMM questions? They were wrong.

I did pretty well overall, with a 626 (88) but should have done much better than that, because on the subject breakdown, it was really just the OMM that got me. I just didn't study the stupid stuff like pump and bucket handle, muscle attachments, etc. And there were some theory type questions that I had forgotten, but would have aced had I spent more than 2 hours reviewing OMM before the test.

I did USMLEWorld, about 30% of the questions, had about a 55% average on them.

So looking at these two contradictory quotes, it appears that you are describing your own advice regarding a quick review of Simmons or Savarese as wrong. Then again, I think most people would be happy with an above-average 626 on COMLEX 3.

I did last-minute studying of the free pages you download from Simmons and got a 600. I was happy with that. Granted, you're going to need more OMM study if you want to ace the thing, but for those not planning to use much (if any) OMM in their practice, more extensive study of the subject during busy internship and residency is unwarranted in order to pass the test and get on with what they really want to do.

I took it yesterday as well and agree with you completely. The WTF factor was way down. I felt like if you read the q's carefully and had studied the basics (all the things that pop up on I and II) you'd do fine. Most of the time, you could rule out the wrong answers with the information in the stem. I actually used almost the whole allotted time for the first time ever. I went at a comfortable pace, and re-read only my marked q's.

I will say there was a lot more OMM and osteopathic principles on this exam than I expected. But the questions were not crazy and off the wall, they were very reasonable. Just zip through the high points in Savarese or Simmons reviews and you should do great on those q's.

I agree there was not an over-representation of any one field.

You know those people who tell you to study Savarese or Simmons the night before and you will do fine on the OMM questions? They were wrong.

I did pretty well overall, with a 626 (88) but should have done much better than that, because on the subject breakdown, it was really just the OMM that got me. I just didn't study the stupid stuff like pump and bucket handle, muscle attachments, etc. And there were some theory type questions that I had forgotten, but would have aced had I spent more than 2 hours reviewing OMM before the test.

I did USMLEWorld, about 30% of the questions, had about a 55% average on them.

I have a question about taking comlexIII early (the month before residency). Ive heard different answers whether its a good idea or even possible. I would like to just get it out of the way so I dont have to worry about it during my first year. Plus, I think I will have more time to study the end of 4th year than I will as an intern.

Anyone do this? Good idea?:thumbup::thumbdown

To the above poster, I would honestly wait and take it during residency. It is NOT much of a burden, plus you will learn a lot more than if you were a 4th year medical student. By the end of the 4th year, most people could care less to study, let alone take a board exam.

Your knowledge in medicine grows exponentially in my opinion during residency as compared to being a medical student. That is just my 2 cents.

I took my comlex3 on 4-28 and saw my grade on the nbome website. I was doing about 45% on usmleworld and scored 84/540. That is good enough for me.

Goodluck to the rest of everyone!

Took it on 4/28 too and found out I passed! Just relieved to be done with it. Though I would agee w/ above poster about waiting until residency to take it. A burden but not that bad and you will be surprised about how much you learn in that one year of residency!

Took it today. My goodness that is a horrible exam. Might have been just my exam or the fact that I didn't overkill study like I did for Steps I and II but I thought it was the hardest.

-as usual, lots of vague, poorly written questions.
-many questions that expect you to diagnose after about one sentence of history.
-strange ethics questions that probably had 2 correct answers
-a few stats questions, study design questions
-no cranial
-3 sacrum questions
-a couple of viscerosomatic questions, seemed like everything was T12-L2.
-one question about staining patterns of certain helminthic oocysts (!!!!!!) - I almost choked
-not only did you have to know screening timetables for cancer but you also had to know medicare pay guidelines for such screening timetables (!!!!!!!)
-a lot of EKGs
-as usual, all the radiographs were of such poor quality they were useless in helping you with the question, one was so dark if you didn't know better you would have picked PTX even though that clearly wasn't the answer
-non straight-forward peds immunization questions.

-a couple of topics that were so far out there that if I failed this exam, I wouldn't even know where to begin to study. At least on previous exams, if I didn't know the answer, I was at least familiar with the topic and knew exactly where I would go to review or look it up. Many of my topics today were so out there I still don't know where to look to see if I got the right answer. Pure guesswork.

Hopefully scores will come in 4 instead of 6 weeks.

Took it today. My goodness that is a horrible exam. Might have been just my exam or the fact that I didn't overkill study like I did for Steps I and II but I thought it was the hardest.

-as usual, lots of vague, poorly written questions.
-many questions that expect you to diagnose after about one sentence of history.
-strange ethics questions that probably had 2 correct answers
-a few stats questions, study design questions
-no cranial
-3 sacrum questions
-a couple of viscerosomatic questions, seemed like everything was T12-L2.
-one question about staining patterns of certain helminthic oocysts (!!!!!!) - I almost choked
-not only did you have to know screening timetables for cancer but you also had to know medicare pay guidelines for such screening timetables (!!!!!!!)
-a lot of EKGs
-as usual, all the radiographs were of such poor quality they were useless in helping you with the question, one was so dark if you didn't know better you would have picked PTX even though that clearly wasn't the answer
-non straight-forward peds immunization questions.

-a couple of topics that were so far out there that if I failed this exam, I wouldn't even know where to begin to study. At least on previous exams, if I didn't know the answer, I was at least familiar with the topic and knew exactly where I would go to review or look it up. Many of my topics today were so out there I still don't know where to look to see if I got the right answer. Pure guesswork.

Hopefully scores will come in 4 instead of 6 weeks.

I also took the comlex today and felt pretty much the same. I definitely think this was the most vague of all three. Felt like you could get a question wrong just based on the language they used. I used Crush Step 3, Boards and Wards, NMS questions and the Combank to study. I definitely felt like the previous poster that USMLEWorld was overkill for COMLEX 2 and was better for the USMLE.

-lots of EKGs
-screening questions according to Medicare...
-had a question where you had to calculate the serum osmolality!! (which I obviously didn't remember)
-lots of viscerosomatic levels, ilial, sacral, chapman tender points and no cranium questions...most of the OMM questions were how would you set up the patient for treatment
-radiographs sucked as usual
-a lot of ob and peds, but some random ones too, don't remember any developmental milestones
and the rest of it was just random medicine, surgery, some psych...lots of depression

Just hoping I answered enough right to pass...

I just got my Step 3 score today. I passed and actually scored 35pts higher than Step 2 and 64pts higher than Step 1.
How I did it.
I waited until after my internal medicine internship year was over, walked into the Prometric testing center and sat for the exam. Didn't study one minute. Didn't even look at one OMM review problem. Didn't do a single practice test question.
It worked for me. Now I am enjoying my PM&R residency with no stress whatsoever.

Slacker for life.

I think that internship is all you need if you see a lot and work hard.

Isn't 350 a passing score? Seems doable with some last minute cramming...

I take it on Monday! :eek: Did the old Comlex step 3 q's, about 300 of them, Crush Step 3 and B/W...will look at more EKGs probably from my ACLS CD just to nail them down.

Still need to thumb through Savarese and Simmons, will do this Sunday night.

That should be enough, no? Anybody approach this exam laxidasicly and get bit in the rear?

Completed one month of medicine and 2 months of neuro in my psych internship so far....unlike the above poster who completed an entire internship w/o studying and showed up and passed - congrats by the way.

Passed comfortably. Did exactly as you did. Lots of peds, ob, and GI. Scarily similar to step II. Walk in, take one break for an early lunch, and you'll stroll out by 1-2 pm tops.

Can anybody give some correlation to combank percentage. I currently am scoring 70% with test on 9/29. Almost done with all the questions in combank. I need a high score for fellowship apps. Any info would help!:D

Can anybody give some correlation to combank percentage. I currently am scoring 70% with test on 9/29. Almost done with all the questions in combank. I need a high score for fellowship apps. Any info would help!:D

step 3 scores for september test takers are posted....

on the main nbome page it says the scores are not posted yet...

but if you log on and view your scores it should be listed!!!

-carino

When is a good time to take this test? I'm going to be having my first baby about 3 weeks before starting residency, although I'm hoping that I can get a month off somehow. I'm wondering if I should just try to get this out of the way at the end of 4th year. I just don't see myself having much time to study during internship with a newborn at home. Also, I'm going into psychiatry, so I'm not sure how helpful much of my internship will be for the exam. Any thoughts?