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?

Just to share my experience. I did very little studying for it. No USMLE world, etc. I took the COMSAE practice test cold and passed so didn't worry too much. Did about 50 USMLE questions out of a book in the library. Other than that, I flipped through Savarse in a couple of hours and memorized the autonomic rules before I walked in for the test. Seriously, nothing else. Felt that the test was fine and no real surprises. Shooting for a pass and feel very comfortable that I did. If you feel the urge to study, I would use your step 2 books and save your money. As a caveat, I passed level 1 and 2 comfortably, have rotated on ortho, medicine, ER, and anesthesia prior to taking the exam.

Marie337, level 3 is similar to level 2, only difference I can remember is somewhat more patient management. If you did fine on Level 2 and have a well rounded 4th year, I think you could take it before you have a munchkin taking up your time. Only problem may be in scheduling it. I found the dates available restrictive and if your trying to fit it in a tight time frame it may not work. I pretty sure you have to graduate before your able to schedule it. Maybe you could work with your dean's office and NBOME for an exception to at least get it scheduled in that 3 weeks between graduation and delivery? All this being said, you may just want to wait until later in your intern year to take it. I could imagine you will not be very comfortable sitting there for hours and remember the COMLEX limits those bathroom breaks. Good luck.

For others toying with the notion of taking COMLEX 3 cold:

I studied ten minutes for COMLEX 3, with a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale in hand (seriously). I just looked at the autonomic chapter of Savarese. No other directed study at all. I got 700+ on the test, quite a bit higher than I got on COMLEX 1 or 2, both of which I spent a considerable amount of studying for. I'm sure the broad training I got in my first year of emergency medicine was more helpful than some other residency programs' intern years would be.

I don't want to rehash an old thread but I didn't see an answer as I browsed through the thread.

Does anyone know where I can get some practice questions other than familypractice.com. It looks like you need a AAFP ID# to login for free questions and I don't have one. I also hear that the questions on FP.com are pretty close to what you might see.

I really don't want to overkill the board prep materials if possible, but I'm using USMLE world which I found worked great for me prepping for part II.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

How much ACLS on the test? Is it stressed?

I am using Combank for my Qbank and they say a 62.8% is the overall percentage needed to pass the COMLEX with a >90% probability. I was wondering what others who used the combank experienced. Thanks for any input.

Hey, I was wondering why you picked Combank over Kaplan or USMLE World?

Hope things are going well with you

Hey, I was wondering why you picked Combank over Kaplan or USMLE World?

I used Combank for Step II and thought it was pretty much on. From reading the feedback, it appeared that USMLEWorld was way overboard for the COMLEX. I just used Boards & Wards, Savarese, and Combank with some Swanson's. Good luck!

How's residency going for you? Where are you at?

Just released from the NBOME on 01/29/09:

Beginning February 26, 2009 a small number of test questions on the COMLEX-USA Level 3 Exam will include audio and/or video clips as exhibits. The number of items associated with audio and/or video materials will be no more than six per examination...


http://www.nbome.org/news-single.asp?blogid=41

I studied for a day and used some combank. the combank qs are spot on.
Except Combank gives a little more information so you can actually make an educated response. Stuff like age, sex, and maybe a clinical presentation.

It was a little different than COMLEX's "this pt is sick. What's the cause?:laugh:

I studied for a day and used some combank. the combank qs are spot on.
Except Combank gives a little more information so you can actually make an educated response. Stuff like age, sex, and maybe a clinical presentation.

It was a little different than COMLEX's "this pt is sick. What's the cause?:laugh:

How are you doing JRF? Glad to see you thought highly of COMLEX 3 like I did. I don't remember receiving more than 5 sets of labs in the 400 questions. I did however receive at least 5 cranial/chapman's questions. :thumbup:

I studied for a day and used some combank. the combank qs are spot on.
Except Combank gives a little more information so you can actually make an educated response. Stuff like age, sex, and maybe a clinical presentation.

It was a little different than COMLEX's "this pt is sick. What's the cause?:laugh:

thought I would give un update on scores. So like i said i studied for a day, used Combank and averaged 80% on combank. Scores out to day and I got a 787.
:thumbup:

How are you doing JRF? Glad to see you thought highly of COMLEX 3 like I did. I don't remember receiving more than 5 sets of labs in the 400 questions. I did however receive at least 5 cranial/chapman's questions. :thumbup:

Doing well can't wait until hell year is over.

thought I would give un update on scores. So like i said i studied for a day, used Combank and averaged 80% on combank. Scores out to day and I got a 787.
:thumbup:

With ONE day of studying you landed a 787? :eek:

I take mine in 4 days. Been studying for a week now with my FA for Step 2 (have notes in it from my Step 2 days) and COMBANK. The latter has really helped me focus my studying. So worth the money so far!

Shooting for > 650.

Doing well can't wait until hell year is over.

I can't complain about my year - hasn't been too rough though not something id ever want to repeat. I miss basketball mornings at DMU that's for sure.

Not sure if you need an 800 for a 99 two digit or what! Oh well who really cares about these scores anyway?! Last general med exam ever. I couldn't be more glad.

so took the "new version" of the exam with the "audio and video" cases. I believe I had 2 heart sounds and 2 videos...both pretty straight forward...to be quite honest with you, you didn't even have to really look at them because the question stem itself kind of gave the answer away...like for example SEM that radiates to the carotids....you know what that is right ;) and then patient who pushes hard on the wall and the scapula "pops out" you know what that nerve that is right ;)

fair amount of Ob/Gyn and Peds...but more ob/gyn...of course plenty of medicine....hardly any surgery, derm, or neuro...

I used crush step 3...read it plenty of times...did all of Kaplan Q BOOK and Savarese for OMM....felt like it was a bit too much for the exam...but I really wanted to do well on this thing because I'll be applying for fellowships after residency. I'll update with my score in 4-6 weeks, good luck everyone!

Oh BTW I'm a medicine intern so probably felt more comfortable with the medicine than other residents in other fields (except family med of course who gets a little bit of everything :)

so took the "new version" of the exam with the "audio and video" cases. I believe I had 2 heart sounds and 2 videos...both pretty straight forward...to be quite honest with you, you didn't even have to really look at them because the question stem itself kind of gave the answer away...like for example SEM that radiates to the carotids....you know what that is right ;) and then patient who pushes hard on the wall and the scapula "pops out" you know what that nerve that is right ;)

fair amount of Ob/Gyn and Peds...but more ob/gyn...of course plenty of medicine....hardly any surgery, derm, or neuro...

I used crush step 3...read it plenty of times...did all of Kaplan Q BOOK and Savarese for OMM....felt like it was a bit too much for the exam...but I really wanted to do well on this thing because I'll be applying for fellowships after residency. I'll update with my score in 4-6 weeks, good luck everyone!

Oh BTW I'm a medicine intern so probably felt more comfortable with the medicine than other residents in other fields (except family med of course who gets a little bit of everything :)

I took mine on the 26th and the above description sounds very similar to my exam.

I used COMBANK and felt like it was EXCELLENT prep for COMLEX-III! Yes, there are only ~900 or so questions but they are very high yield. It really helped to focus my studying on the "must knows." There were a few verbatim questions on my exam and SEVERAL concepts repeated. I will let you guys know just how good it was once I get my score in ~ 6 weeks or so..:D

Again, COMBANK is amazing and so worth the $85. G'luck guys!

First of all thank you everyone for posting your level 3 experiences. I just took my exam last week and I think I did well. I have yet to break the 600 mark in my previous exams so I was hoping just to beat my previous scores. I probably prepared for 4 weeks during a light rotation but I did most of my studying over 4 weekends.

For the prep I used Step 2 secrets ( I used it for level 2 and had lots of good notes in it), Strong Medicine, Combank, Comsae, High Yield OB/GYN and Savares.
1) Personally Step 2 secrets(same as Crush 2) was very comprehensive and contained all the information I needed to do well on the level 3. The only difference was that since Level 3 has a little more focus on management so I went through Strong Medicine and just added that information into my secrets.
2) Strong medicine - Went through the whole thing in 2 days. Its very a very easy read and personally I like the way the information was presented. There were some mistakes in the book especially the ID chapter but over all I think the book was worth going over.
3) Combank - Excellent choice for Level 3. As someone mentioned earlier even though there are only 850 or so questions in the combank they are all high yield. I think 5-10 questions were very very similar to the combank on the real exam. The question format was also very similar and there is heavy emphasis on OB/GYN and peds on both the combank and comlex. I finished the combank once and got 70%. I had some extra time so went through the high yield points and answers a few days before the exam. The writer are pretty spot on as far as there advice after each question is concerned.
4) OB/GYN high yield - I am really glad I went though the book. I swear it seemed like I had 80+ OB/GYN questions on the exam. Know this book and you will breeze through most of the exam. Its a very easy read and should not take more than 2 days.
5) Savares - its a given that this book is extremely high yield and the best way to get free points. I had notes from level 2 so didnt really use the book this time. Even if you did go over the book it should not take more than 5 hours. Surprisingly a broad range of OMM knowledge was tested on the exam which I will talk about later but its worth it to go over the book/notes. I used the comlex cram sheet as well(http://pages.prodigy.net/stn1/Downloads.htm (http://pages.prodigy.net/stn1/Downloads.htm)). It was good to look at the night before.
5) Comase - kinda pricey. But I guess worth it for some people. Honestly I am not sure if it helped me. I mean you go through the exam (its not timed) at your own pace and get a score in the end. You dont get the correct answers and all you get is a break down of what sections you did well on etc. I think the format was simlar to the real thing but the questions were not. I scored a 550 on the exam.
6) I bought swanson family practive review. What a waste of money. The book is for someone who has a month off and wants to prep for the exam during it. I am sure if you go through it you will do well because it is very comprehensive and comlex is all about primary care.

Overall I think the exam was fair. I felt like it was better than level 1 but about the same as level 2. If you did well on level 2 you should be fine on level 3. There was just a tad bit more emphasis on management.

In order of importance

OB/GYN (80+ q's) My God does comlex love babies and vaginas. Tons of bleeds, discharges, PROM, cervix dilations, abnormal ultra sound, GBS, uterine atony,PID, fibroids, endometriosis, molar pregnancies, gestational DM, preeclampsia, ammenorrhae, urinary incontenece, I could go on and on. Pretty much EVERYTHING was tested. I think if there is one book you need to know inside out is HY OB/GYN. I am glad I did a month of OB/GYN before the exam. And don't forget the breasts. Just a couple of questions on breast masses and management ( biopsy vs aspiration vs f/u)

Visuals - There were tons (alteast 30+) visuals on the exam from obscure skin lesions, tons of EKGS (for some reason I had alteast 4 third degree blocks ekg questions), heart sounds(the answer is in the question, really no need to hear the sound), winged scapula(again visual aid not necessary), CXR (wide mediastinum, penumothorax, sarcoidosis, CHF, pneumonia), a dead featus (hydrops fetalis), a couple of OB ultrasounds(one visual of I think the broad ligament with endometriosis), head CTs (know all the bleeds, diagnosis, treatment, radiology). The quality of pictures was improved over the previous exams but I was still unhappy with some of them.

Peds - The milestones are annoying to learn and I am glad I had none on my exam. I had a few questions on otitis media and complications (Mastoiditis). Just a couple of congential heart defect questions ( Tetraolgy of Fellot, VSD). Obvious high yield questions like pyloric stenosis (I think I had 3-4 questions on it) symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. CF is high yield. I think I had 4-5 questions on CF symptoms and diagnosis.

OMM (20+) classic sympathetic innervation/referral questions, several
name-that-nerve/organ based on presumed viscerosomatic lesion, lots of chapman's points (appendix, kidneys, adrenal glads, colon)KNOW THE POSITINING FOR CERVICAL MUSCLE ENERGY and COUNTERSTRAIN(anterior and posterior points). I had 2-3 cranial questions, 2-3 rib dysfunction question (which rib to work on -upper or lower). Maybe 2-3 sacral dysfunction questions.

Preventative med -Lots of questions on immunization(vaccines for HIV, nursing home, immigrant, egg allergy), CA screening (colon, prostate, breast, cervical). Surprsingly I had 5-7 questions on medicaid/Medicare (how qualifies for which). Maybe 5 ethical questions. I think most of the questions are common sense but this is a high yield topic so I would suggest spending a few hours on this.

EM - Quite a few questions start of with XYZ presents to the ER with XYZ. I had a few trauma questions but just remeber your ABCD's and the answers are pretty easy. I had a few ACLS questions (V tach, asystole) but relatively easy management questions.

Cardio - As I mentioed before quite a few EKGs. KNOW YOUR MURMURS. I had 5-10 murmur questions I think. Pretty straight forward as always with buzz words (holosystolic, radiation to carotids, midsystolic click etc). Very easy points so just know them well.

GI - Not a lot of diarrhea. Just a few simple SBO, rectal bleed (Colitis, Cancer, anal fissure), lower abdominal pain (PID, hernia). Mostly straight forward. I think I had a question on Giardia dx and treatment. Hep B, celaic disease, IBS and ascending cholangitis had a few questions

Psych - The psych meds are definetly high yield. TCA, SSRI, MAOI, anti psychotics side effects are a must to know and alteast 5-10 questions. Not much depression, bipolar stuff but a few bulemia and anorexia questions.

Ortho/Neuro - My favorite subject. Alteast 5 questions on lumbar stenois, ridiculopathy and sciatica. 5-10 questions on Bleeds, Parkinsons diagnosis and treatment, dementia cerebral palsy, neuropathy and dermatomes. Some questions on neuropathies, ALS, MS, Guillan Barree.

Renal - management of hematuria in various age groups but not many electrolyte imbalance or acid/base questions. I don't get the comlex. The vast majority of us are in Medicine heavy internships while they test us on OB/GYN and not CRF, HF, MI, COPD. Oh well.

Rheumatology - some questions on MS, RA, OA, lupus and dermatomytosis. Most straighforward with buzz words.

Immunology - Some level 1 questions about immunological reactions. I didnt even bother trying too hard cause I honestly dont remember that stuff.

Epidemiology - Worst section of the comlex for me. I must have had 4-5 WTF questions. Questions that usually belong in the USMLE are creaping over to the COMLEX side. I had a few questions about cohort studies, P values etc. I totally bombed those questions cause I had no idea they would test them. Oh well. I really dont know how anyone would study for those questions.

Optho - Not much. I think a question on "cotton wool spots", "curtain falling over eyes" - amaurosis fugax - get carotid ultra sound etc.

Resp - ASTHMA is very HY. I had 10 questions on various presentations of Asthma with diagnosis and treatment. Short term and long term treatment etc. Some questions on CF, COPD, sarcoidosis.


Well I wrote down everything I could remember. Sorry if I wasnt too specific. Over all the exam seemed fair but there were 20 questions that were honestly not answerable (alteast with the amount of prep I did). Best of luck!!!:thumbup:

Good stuff.

What exactly is Strong Medicine....Don't think I have seen it mentioned anywhere else?

As for those doing the COMSAE, PMR's concerns are valid however you can do what I did for Step 2 which is do the entire test w/ a friend, discuss/research the answers & for those that you cannot decide on, have one pick one answer & the other the 2nd choice, keeping all 2nd choice answers on one person's exam. We ended up having approx 20 Qs out of 200 for which we put 2 separate answers & our scores were far enough apart to give us confidence in choosing our 1st choice answers if a similar Q popped up on the actual Step 2.

http://www.amazon.com/Strong-Medicine-Step-Joseph-DiCostanzo/dp/1560536314

Strong Medicine for Step 3 has been mentioned quite a few times in the previous pages. It really didnt matter if I knew the right answers in the COMSAE as none of my questions were repeated. It was just good practice before the real thing. I still don't recommend buying it if you bought the combank.

Was the extra info you got from "Strong Medicine" was in FA for step 3?
The books I have right now are
1. FA step 3
2. Savarese
3. OB-GYN & Peds High yield
4. B&W (liked the OB/Peds/trauma sections)

I can add another but if people think it truly has info not found in other books or that the format is better.

I heard bad things about FA step 3 from friends and here on SDN. I personally really liked the strong medicine format because of it's format and emphasis on management. I would add combank in your list of resources.

Excellent....thanks for the input...Time to use my 15% off B&N coupon :D

Double post.....my computer sucks :(

Is it likely that I could do well on Step 3 prior to doing a residency or internship year? I didn't match this year and I'll have plenty of time to take this test before the match next year. Is this exam doable with the resources listed in this thread without additional clinical experience?

Is it likely that I could do well on Step 3 prior to doing a residency or internship year? I didn't match this year and I'll have plenty of time to take this test before the match next year. Is this exam doable with the resources listed in this thread without additional clinical experience?

Yes. I didn't find it too different from COMLEX-II. In fact I used my Step 2 FA. My intern year experience did help with the medicine questions but I wouldn't say it was necessary...

Sorry to hear the match didn't go as expected. I'm sure you'll make it happen next year. G'luck. :thumbup:

Is it likely that I could do well on Step 3 prior to doing a residency or internship year? I didn't match this year and I'll have plenty of time to take this test before the match next year. Is this exam doable with the resources listed in this thread without additional clinical experience?

Level 3 is just like Level 2. An internship helps but its certainly not necessary to do well on the exam. I suggest you try to scramble into a osteopathic transitional program and try to prematch into a program with open PGY2 spots.

Thanks for the information, Dr.Saib and PMR. My situation is pretty unique and trying to find a program with a PGY2 spot with my geographic limitations next year would be next to impossible, so I've opted to forgo a traditional intern year.

anybody want to buy my NMS book of questions? I'll let it go for $11 shipped out the door.

so took the "new version" of the exam with the "audio and video" cases. I believe I had 2 heart sounds and 2 videos...both pretty straight forward...to be quite honest with you, you didn't even have to really look at them because the question stem itself kind of gave the answer away...like for example SEM that radiates to the carotids....you know what that is right ;) and then patient who pushes hard on the wall and the scapula "pops out" you know what that nerve that is right ;)

fair amount of Ob/Gyn and Peds...but more ob/gyn...of course plenty of medicine....hardly any surgery, derm, or neuro...

I used crush step 3...read it plenty of times...did all of Kaplan Q BOOK and Savarese for OMM....felt like it was a bit too much for the exam...but I really wanted to do well on this thing because I'll be applying for fellowships after residency. I'll update with my score in 4-6 weeks, good luck everyone!

Oh BTW I'm a medicine intern so probably felt more comfortable with the medicine than other residents in other fields (except family med of course who gets a little bit of everything :)


626 (88) would have done better if it wasn't for that "business medicine" section...anyways, I felt I did strong enough to at least get looked at by the GI fellowship programs I'll be applying to and showed improvement on my step II scores. Best of luck everyone!

With ONE day of studying you landed a 787? :eek:

I take mine in 4 days. Been studying for a week now with my FA for Step 2 (have notes in it from my Step 2 days) and COMBANK. The latter has really helped me focus my studying. So worth the money so far!

Shooting for > 650.

Got my score a bit over a week ago: 716. :D

No more COMLEX exams. Ever.

It's all eyes from here on out. Can't wait!

Hello all,
For those who have taken comlex 3...which questions seemed to better prepare you for the comlex 3 - usmleworld or kaplan qbank? Thanks

new to SDN. scored 718 on comlex III - what does this mean? i'm a family med resident, but have been considering doing another residency afterwards. would this help to make me a somewhat competitive candidate? thanks.

:troll:

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.



I totally agree, i hate when people come here and brag about how they studied a week and scored a 700 plus ..........just study for the darn exam and make sure you do it and get done with this COMLEX nonsense

Anyone know how well the Combank percentage correlates with exam performance?

Hey everyone, I'm about to kick into gear for studying for the COMLEX III. Would anyone be willing to sell their books to me at a good price?

I'm looking for
CRUSH STEP 3
NMS Q BOOK
USMLE 3 RECALL
HIGH YIELD OB GYN

Thanks,
Lonepair

It is worth purchasing the premier review home study prep for comlex 3? I take then comlex in 1 month and currently been studying Kaplan's Master the Boards, First Aid, B&W, Crush, Sarvese, and combank. I'm just concerned because I didn't pass Comlex 2 the first time and don't want that to happen with Comlex 3

Took COMLEX III at the end of April, got my scores back in Mid-June and got 780 (99). I used Crush Step 3 and COMBANK for 2 weeks. I got ~75% correct after going through the questions once. I also used savarese for OMM. I had made notes in my Savarese of OMM questions I had on step 2 and they correlated very well with the OMM questions I saw on step 3. Overall the test was not to bad. Good luck to all future test takers. Oh yeah, I'm an OB/GYN resident.

Anyone know how many questions are in each block?

I passed COMLEX III first try. It's basically the same as Step II with some additional medicare and hypothetical social situations thrown in the mix to keep you on your toes. Know your guidelines and how to order appropriate diagnostic tests.

It's 50 questions x 8 blocks. 40 minutes for lunch.

study materials: My residency (FM) and USMLE boards and wards. Also USMLE 3 Board review book (NMS) that SDN gave me for a contest awhile back :) :thumbup: I read something for 5-10 minutes every day for 4-5 months. Kept the book by the porcelain throne!

Keep the faith gang and NO MORE COMLEX WOO HOO! Time to start studying for FM boards. :laugh:

With Love Post-Call,
Richie

2nd year ObGyn resident. Just took Step III 10/13. Combank score only 64%--went through all the questions once and reviewed all missed questions once. Actual COMLEX results still pending.

Just to give everyone a heads up; per NBOME website, COMLEX III re-scaling will take place this winter and will affect February 2010 test-takers. Looking at COMLEX II postings, scores were dramatically lower for those folks and included numerous 100 point score drops between COMLEX I and II. Many people ended up failing COMLEX II. It leaves me in a tough situation; do I rush my studying and take it it January 2010 or just take my time and deal with the new scaling system in February or March 2010.

Just to give everyone a heads up; per NBOME website, COMLEX III re-scaling will take place this winter and will affect February 2010 test-takers. Looking at COMLEX II postings, scores were dramatically lower for those folks and included numerous 100 point score drops between COMLEX I and II. Many people ended up failing COMLEX II. It leaves me in a tough situation; do I rush my studying and take it it January 2010 or just take my time and deal with the new scaling system in February or March 2010.

WOW! I am surprised to read this because I thought I was the only one thinking about this :) I actually took the COMLEX early for this reason ONLY! Judging from the Step 2 forum, it seems like it'll be a lot harder pass when these new standards take place.

The test seemed pretty fair overall. I used Crush Step 3 and Savarese (hopefully for the last time!). I also used COMQUEST (the new COMLEX question bank) for questions and I felt very prepared with these. The question style was very similar and the topics covered were high yield and focused on outpatient medicine as well as inpatient - something needed for the COMLEX 3. To my understanding, they're relatively new but when I used it they had ~890 questions. I wish I had more time to use it though because some of the incorrect answers would've helped on the exam and I did not spend enough time reading the explanations for the incorrect answer options. My COMQUEST score was 72%. My recommendation is Crush Step 3 + COMQUEST + Savarese. My COMLEX score is still pending but I felt well prepared with these three. Good luck :xf::luck:

Edit: I also used Boards and Wards on my downtime in the hospital and went through about half of "Master the Boards" for Step 3. These were both really good sources as well. I was kinda last minute and rushed so I couldn't go through these thoroughly. I would recommend all of these though if you have the time.

Here I go again, taking in 6 days. Psych resident here not fond of treating vaginal infections nor runny noses, but I find myself yet again trying to distinguish that frothy yellow-green, malodorous dischrage b/w that thick grayish white fishy odor discharge on KOH prep. Used COMBANK last time and was close but no cigar.

This time:
Kaplan Qbank (1000 ?s) this really doesn't help w/ COMLEX style questions though - obviously. But I used it to prepare me for Steps 1&2 and it worked.

NBOME COMSAE $50 (200 ?s)

OLD NBOME ?s from 2000, 2003 (300 ?s)

And lastly, I heard about this one late into my studying COMQUEST MED QBANK. I did poorly on COMSAE so I decided I would try this question bank.
This one looks and feels like the real exam. The questions are written very similarly to COMLEX/COMSAE - the format/interface is identical.

I plan to finish this one, there should be enough time (900 ?s). Wish I heard about it sooner, I would have forgone the COMSAE entirely (a $50 one time shot w/o any explanations or idea which ?s you missed) and used COMQUESTMED in its place - a far greater value IMHO ($75 for an entire month w/ explanations and an opportunity to look through/use again).

Also used FA3 principly and got my hands on Step 2 Secrets recently for gap coverage. Also using Crush and B&W for cross reference stuff in addition to Kaplan live lecture series cases - the 2 volume book set.

Hopefully none of you have to endure this much pain and hardship, but in the rare case that you do, perhaps this post will be of some value to you.

Best wishes,

JMC

hey guys, new to posting but been viewing for a while. any more comlex 3 experiences/advice? ill be taking it end of jan and i cannot get myself to study! lol thanks in advance

Did anyone use the NMS for USMLE Step 3 qbook?

Lastly, how did Crush Step 3 correlate to the COMLEX 3. I'm reading it now and it seems almost identical to Crush 2/USMLE Secrets 2. It seems too basic and easy? Did any of you find it really helpful?

Honestly, I think Crush Step III is crap. I read through it once and honestly didn't get much out it. I prefer the Kaplan Master the Boards and Kaplan Atep II CK notes. From what I remember, the First Aid Step II book was also a good review. For OB/GYN, I'm going to use High Yield (100 pages) and for peds, First Aid Peds ( I once read through it in one day). I will then complete the Kaplan Q book and lastly, Comquest qbank and Savarese. Starting in January, the bar is being raised and the pass rate will likely take a bit hit 96% now, and will likely drop to 85-88%, so be aware.

Honestly, I think Crush Step III is crap. I read through it once and honestly didn't get much out it. I prefer the Kaplan Master the Boards and Kaplan Atep II CK notes. From what I remember, the First Aid Step II book was also a good review. For OB/GYN, I'm going to use High Yield (100 pages) and for peds, First Aid Peds ( I once read through it in one day). I will then complete the Kaplan Q book and lastly, Comquest qbank and Savarese. Starting in January, the bar is being raised and the pass rate will likely take a bit hit 96% now, and will likely drop to 85-88%, so be aware.

I'm taking it in a few weeks for precisely that reason. I think they will make the exam harder. I'm guessing there were complaints that the exam is too closely related to step II so they will probably have more subjective management related questions. Yeah, just look at the COMLEX 2 forum. A lot more people failed this past summer than the the previous one.

Are you going to be able to read all those books? That seems like overkill to me

First-year resident here....Took it 2 months ago and passed. Used First Aid for Step 3, Secrets for Step 2, Combank, and Savarese....did fine. You will too.

good luck.

hey, does anyone know when the re-scaling of comlex step 3 first starts to take affect. Is it just for Feb test takers. I just registered for my exam on Jan 28th and don't want to be affected by this new 'scale'

To the post above: Directly from NBOME "For Level 3, standards will be reviewed in September 2009, taking effect February 2010."

Darn it! This sort of thing always happens to me! Now, everyone is making the assumption that a "review of the pass/fail standards" means that the test will become harder to pass. That's probably a safe assumption, but is it enough to mean that it would be wise to take the test earlier than originally planned?
I signed up to take mine at the end of February because I'll be on an easy elective rotation that month and will have lots of time to study. So, now I'm stuck with the decision to move the test up by a month and take it in January with 1 month less to study or should I just stick to my original date and study as planned? Either way I'm going to need to study really hard for this thing because I have a bad track record with COMLEX so far. I'm thinking it might be riskier to move it up then to just try my hand at the new pass/fail standards?

Any other thoughts?

To the post above: Directly from NBOME "For Level 3, standards will be reviewed in September 2009, taking effect February 2010."

Darn it! This sort of thing always happens to me! Now, everyone is making the assumption that a "review of the pass/fail standards" means that the test will become harder to pass. That's probably a safe assumption, but is it enough to mean that it would be wise to take the test earlier than originally planned?
I signed up to take mine at the end of February because I'll be on an easy elective rotation that month and will have lots of time to study. So, now I'm stuck with the decision to move the test up by a month and take it in January with 1 month less to study or should I just stick to my original date and study as planned? Either way I'm going to need to study really hard for this thing because I have a bad track record with COMLEX so far. I'm thinking it might be riskier to move it up then to just try my hand at the new pass/fail standards?

Any other thoughts?

After reading the horror stories on the COMLEX-II forum about students with 600+ COMLEX-I scores yet significantly dropped level II scores, I'd try to take COMLEX-III **BEFORE** Feb 2010!

Get your FA for Step 2 (or Crush or whatever) register for COMQUEST and nail this bad boy. It's very much like level II. Nothing crazy.

This is even more true if you have a track record of below average COMLEX-I and II scores. You can't afford a big drop b/c of some new (unfair?) standard!

Do you guys remember how long it took to receive your COMLEX 3 scores? Was it more than 4 weeks?

I went into lock down for 3 wks as everything was on the line from my perspective. QBanks were key, but only after I studied FA front to back and used B&W, Step 2 Secrets and Crush to fill in gaps.

I really like COMQUEST for the look/feel of the exam. Tremendous value when you consider the COMSAE that NBOME sells for $50 and is only 200?s and you can only use it once (which I bought and used - and felt ripped off afterwards). I used Kaplan Qbank step3 and Combank too, I like COMQUEST best and this one qbank would definitely be enough to get most by on their 1st attempt.

Scores came in just over the 5 week mark. Good luck peeps.

Any more opinions on combank vs. comquest? I have not used either, but this time I want to avoid the usmle qbanks!

Unfortunately I didn't look into step three early enough, and will be taking it after the February changes.

anyone use usmle world for step 3? Is it good...i have been using that and FA for step 3 and that is basically it. And also Savaresse. Should I stop with usmle world and start using the new comquest question bank??

Thanks in advance

Just finished COMLEX III today. Honestly, if you're a 3rd year medicine resident you dont need to study much at all---it's amazing how much you learn. I just looked over Boards and Wards (OB and Peds) and looked over the notes I made for OMM for step 1/2 (total study time of 3 days prior to the exam). That should suffice to pass (that's all that matters at this point---fellowship stuff is over ;)).

Good luck everyone.

R2 internal medicine resident...no studying and did exactly the same as step 2. Definitely glad I didnt study cuz it was the same crap as step 2. good luck, dont sweat it. psyched to be done with nbome.

Just got my score back yesterday...Only thing I did was do all questions on COMBANK for Level 3 once through & review the Type I & Type II prinicples for OMM.

Took it 6 months into G.Surg residency so I was pretty surprised to find out I scored 713. This was my highest score by far & I did so little to actually prepare for it. Most of my questions were done in down time at the hospital between cases or on a quick lunch break.

Strong Medicine vs. Crush Step 3 vs. First Aid Step 3 vs Boards and Wards...
(in addition to Savarese for OMM and high yield for OB/gyn)

Seems like people choose either Strong Medicine or Crush though...which one?

Don't want to have too many books....

Thanks!

I heard that there was a new version of Step 3 COMLEX that was starting this month. Has anyone taken it this month? How was it? What were the changes? Thanks.

I heard that there was a new version of Step 3 COMLEX that was starting this month. Has anyone taken it this month? How was it? What were the changes? Thanks.

Not new version just a different standard of passing

Well, I take it this friday. I've been studying Crush and doing as many questions on Combank as I can stand and reviewing the ones I missed. Hopefully all will go well. To those of you that passed and used Combank, what kind of percentage were you getting on those questions? They say you need a 63% to have a >90% probability of passing, I'm close to that now, but it makes me nervous if I'm still under that mark?

Just finished taking the Comlex Step 3 this afternoon. Overall it was about what I expected. I knew some questions well, I didn't know others at all, and the rest were somewhere in between. There were lots of pregnancy questions, vaginal discharge type questions, lots of OMM stuff, mostly dealing with somatovisceral reflexes and chapman points. Overall fairly similar to step 2, but more heavily weighted towards medical decision making.
I studied primarily using COMBANK, but started out with Kaplan videos just for peds and OB/Gyn.
I thought the combank questions were very adequate for getting me prepared. I only did about 500 of the 800 or so they offer and if I could go back and do it again I would be sure to finish them all and then go back through all of them again just to make sure I memorized the stuff they said to memorize in the review sections because alot of what they said to focus on ended up being on the exam.
I feel "ok" after taking it. I just hope I did well enough to pass. We'll see in about a month or so I guess!?

I heard that there was a new version of Step 3 COMLEX that was starting this month. Has anyone taken it this month? How was it? What were the changes? Thanks.


With the whole disaster with Level 2, we have found out they have been changing the standards for the exam. Level 2 was done last year in June, Level 1 and 3 are starting to change.

The passing rates for 2 dropped ~9%....We may see the same for 1 and 3 now.

Thanks for your input, I'm taking the exam next friday. Been using FA, boards and wards, COMQUEST, and Savarese. I'm getting really nervious. What is the format of the exam like (couldn't really find anything on their website, maybe I'm blind)? How may sections? How many questions in each section? How much time do you get? Are there any mandatory breaks?

Taking my step 3 on Monday. What are the specifics on the scoring change? Anyone have an idea what percentage of questions is a passing score now? Working through comquest now...hopefully the tutor section pays off.

there are 8 sets of 50 question sections for a total of 400 questions, divided into 2 4hr blocks. Good luck.

Thank you so much. Good luck to you too!

Thanks for your input, I'm taking the exam next friday. Been using FA, boards and wards, COMQUEST, and Savarese. I'm getting really nervious. What is the format of the exam like (couldn't really find anything on their website, maybe I'm blind)? How may sections? How many questions in each section? How much time do you get? Are there any mandatory breaks?

Its pretty much just like step 2. 400 questions, 200 in morning, 200 in afternoon. The questions are almost all single question multiple choice. There are some matching sets. The only new things I noticed were a couple of audio clips of heart murmurs and a video of a patient interview. There were a number of EKGs, CTs, and chest films, even a hip film. Keep studying hard, this is definitely a manageable exam, lots of basics. I can promise you there will be a number of completely out there questions that there is no way you could prepare for, but they are definitely in the minority.

I appreciate the words of encouragement. Thank you so much for posting. Cheers

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this: I am doing an ACGME residency and took COMLEX I and II, USMLE step I and II CE, do I have to take USMLE CS and step III or can I just take COMLEX step III? Thanks in advance!

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this: I am doing an ACGME residency and took COMLEX I and II, USMLE step I and II CE, do I have to take USMLE CS and step III or can I just take COMLEX step III? Thanks in advance!

I think you just have to take either one, but you'd probably have to ask your state license board if they require COMLEX since you're a D.O. I would directly ask them before signing up for either exam.

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this: I am doing an ACGME residency and took COMLEX I and II, USMLE step I and II CE, do I have to take USMLE CS and step III or can I just take COMLEX step III? Thanks in advance!

I just took COMLEX III. No problems applying for a state license. As previous poster recommended, you may be obligated to take COMLEX, but don't know. I never took the USMLE.


Wook

comlex 3 scores released yesterday for test takers up through 1/28. Got my results back and did great! 768!
I used Crush, Savarese, the q's in back of Savarese, did all of combank, and did about 50% of USMLE world (on the subjects I was weakest in). Studied approximately 5 weeks. about 45 min/day during the week, then pouding out questions on the weekend. Good luck to those test takers for which the scoring has changed. Not sure if it will be more difficult to pass, but this is the COMLEX, remember. No matter how much you study, you will get crappy questions that are one line long and require inference. some are clearly baiting you to the correct answers, and many questions that are groups of q's will provide the correct answer for diagnosis if you know the work/up, etc (they give you hints). don't stress. you'll be done with COMLEX soon.

BTW- I am a psych resident, 2nd year, and studied for this thing in the midst of call and taking care of my 10 month old baby at home...

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this: I am doing an ACGME residency and took COMLEX I and II, USMLE step I and II CE, do I have to take USMLE CS and step III or can I just take COMLEX step III? Thanks in advance!

since you are a DO, i am pretty sure you need to take the full comlex series in order to get your state license to practice. the usmle is mainly for helping get into residency (ACGME). however, i do have DO friends who chose to take USMLE 3 because they were planning to apply for post-medicine fellowships that would like to see USMLE 3 scores in part of the application profile, and they do not know what to do with a COMLEX score since it does not translate. hope this helps. if in doubt, call the AOA directly to make sure you have your bases covered.

Sorry if this is not the right place to post this: I am doing an ACGME residency and took COMLEX I and II, USMLE step I and II CE, do I have to take USMLE CS and step III or can I just take COMLEX step III? Thanks in advance!

I believe you need to take the USMLE CS and Step III in order to avoid taking the COMLEX Step III. You have to complete the entire series of either COMLEX or USMLE to get your license.

the requirements for licensure are state dependent and vary depending on the state. some states have separate osteopathic state licensing boards like California while other states are combined like New York. For example to get a state license in California you are required to have taken and passed COMLEX I, II, III and can't substitute USMLE for it, while in New York they have different requirements and you can, so you could take COMLEX I, II and USMLE Step III and be able to receive your license. As a DO you are probably just better off finishing off the COMLEX series, the only reason to take USMLE step III would be if some ACGME fellowships want to see that.

I used USMLE World for steps 1 and 2 and I felt like they were awesome for preparing me for the USMLE steps, but a little overkill for the COMLEX. This year I decided to try Comquest and used it and Boards for the Wards as my main study sources. I studied 6 days about 6 hours a day. I took all 900 quesitons on Comquest and reviewed their answers. I am an ER intern so my education all year has been helpful. We also just took our inservice exam which I have steadily been studying for all year. The test overall was very similar to step 2. I had a few questions that I think belong on step 1 and I was having to dig deep to try find the answer. There are some really bad questions as usual. I never know how I did when I leave the testing center. It took me 6 hours to complete. I hope the new grading system doesn't get me. Hopefully I am done with NBOME for life! Good luck to everyone!

Here is what I think of Comquest
Pros:
1. ~900 questions and the concepts overall were pretty good. There were at least 10 very similar topics and of course these topics can get repeated.
2. similar computer layout to actual test
3. has OMT questions which I missed out on with USMLE World

Cons:
1. Comquest needs a little bit longer passages. Although time is not reallly an issue with the COMLEX, the passages were longer overall on the real test. I would finish 50 Comquest questions in 30 minutes so if the real test was like Comquest then I should have been done in 4.5 hours (took 30 minutes for lunch and break) instead of 6.
2. Although 900 questions is a good start, I would like to see more. I was done with the questions in 4 days but I didn't want to spend more money on another question bank.
3. You can "mark" a question which is great and similar to the COMLEX. The problem is the day before my exam I wanted to look at all my marked questions. There was not a way to look at them besides going into each exam and scrolling through to see a red flag indicating a marked question. You need to be able to create a test with just marked questions. You can do it for missed questions so I don't know why you can't for marked.
4. I felt like I would go through 400 questions without seeing a certain topic (ex. ideal cholesterol for an individual) then I would get 5 questions out of 50 on a block. I would rather have them spaced out so that I can learn from one and read the answer and then the next time I could get it right. I felt like USMLE World tested but also taught. I did learn from Comquest but I would have liked to have the knowledge I just gained tested again to see if I retained it.

Found out this week I passed step 3! I did better than my step 2 scores too!
As I think I've stated before I used Combank as my primary study source, basically my routine was to do a block of 50 questions, then take the time to carefully review every question I got wrong and review study material for whatever the subject matter was (if I missed a question on vaginal discharge, I would review all of the possible vaginal infections, their presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, etc..) I did this almost daily for a good 4-5 weeks. Before that I did review some old kaplan videos on Peds and OB/Gyn, but I don't feel those were all that helpful. The combank questions and subsequent review was the most helpful for me.
Best of luck to everyone else!
I'M SO GLAD TO BE DONE WITH THE NBOME!!!:D:D

Anyone else use COMQUEST for STep 3 prep? Thoughts?

Did USMLE world most of it,
read Crush 3,
Did Comquest and Combank. Shorter, less number of questions, can go thru quite fast.

Combank is the better question bank. But neither provided a decent preview of OMM questions on the actual test. They are at least couple months behind.

Actual test is 800 questions.
A lot of OMM. Surprisingly only a handful of sacrum, cranial questions. Very few picture questions regarding medical conditions. Lot of 2 set or 3 set questions.
Questions are short for the most part.

If I had to do it differently, I would have read the Green OMM book 3 times end to end. I think the most OMM % out of them all (steps 1,2,3).

the issue about management and stuff is a bit exaggerated in my opinion. It's not like you're typing in a blank slate. It's multiple choice.

also, a lot of the questions started with the patient being pregnant and ended with a question keeping in mind the patient is pregnant.

The tes is 400 questions, not 800. I disagree completely with your analysis. Comquest is the only way to go for this test; Combank was basically irrelevant in terms of question style and length. Vast majority of my questions today were 3-4 lines long. Only 3-4 "WTF" questions. The quality of this test, I presume, has improved over the last 10 years. OMM was very fair. There was more pathophysiology and mechanisms than what I would have wished for; it seems like those tended to be the questions that really hammered me. I actually used the entire 4 hours for my afternoon 'session' which does have me a bit nervous, given the fact that I was done with COMLEX II about two hours early ( I cored well above the mean). In any case, I don't know what more I could have done.

Did USMLE world most of it,
read Crush 3,
Did Comquest and Combank. Shorter, less number of questions, can go thru quite fast.

Combank is the better question bank. But neither provided a decent preview of OMM questions on the actual test. They are at least couple months behind.

Actual test is 800 questions.
A lot of OMM. Surprisingly only a handful of sacrum, cranial questions. Very few picture questions regarding medical conditions. Lot of 2 set or 3 set questions.
Questions are short for the most part.

If I had to do it differently, I would have read the Green OMM book 3 times end to end. I think the most OMM % out of them all (steps 1,2,3).

the issue about management and stuff is a bit exaggerated in my opinion. It's not like you're typing in a blank slate. It's multiple choice.

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?

Just took the COMLEX III. Read through and study USMLE first AID for step three, the blue or green Savarese book for OMM, and then DEFINITELY COMBANK for the questions... these were much more focused on actual Comlex step three questions with relevant answer explanations, and bottom line points for a quick review that doesn't take all that much time. It is possible to cram through these two books and the COMBANK in a week or two (especially if you have used the first aid series and Savareese to study for steps 1 + 2).

Do this and you will ace the test. cheers - drNascent

I just comlex III as well and for once feel pretty nervous. The first 2 steps I thought were a breeze (scored >600 on both), but this one had a a LOT of random stuff...

differences in medicare A-D?
tons of ethics/medicolegal
medical contraindications for scuba divers
best behavioral test for conduct d/o?
when to start feeding babies baby food
some guy rubs butter on an old burn wound - best test to determine if limb still viable?
ex-lap in lady shows open, oozing vesicles all over her uterus - dx, tx, complications?

Retarded questions abound. There's no way to study for this thing.

A recurring theme was PEDS and OB/GYN. Know these topics well. I had maybe over 15 questions on neonatal sepsis work-up. Every teenager had an STD.

I'm convinced I failed - of the 30 iffy questions I remembered to look up at home I answered maybe about 5 right. :xf:

I did Comquest - didn't think it prepared me well at all. I don't know if any question bank can prepare you for this random test which in reality, is intended for primary care people. Good luck all,
Eye.

Evil...I agree completely. I took the same exam. I wish that I could say after walking out that I could have studied A, B, or C for the next go around (if I failed), but honestly, I wouldn't know where to begin. I too scored >600 on COMLEX I and II. I think I marked about 10-14 in each section that I either had it down to two answers, or just wasn't sure. I was surprised by several of the IM questions that were extremely up-to-date in terms of literature; there was one question I looked up and the "gold standard" had not been clearly documented until 5 years ago. I think the Peds residents probably would have made out well on this exam.

Two big questions remain: What percentage will we need to pass? (I've heard all sorts of rumors. I've also heard that up to 2 50 q sections of the exam don't even count as they are 'experimental'. When I was still in school, admin said between 60-65%) Second question is: when will we get our scores? (Looks like it's been taking NBOME 3-4 weeks to get the scores back)

Just got my score back and passed comfortably. It took about 5 weeks to receive my score. It was posted on a Friday.

I had a lot of those questions that you guys are referring to that I had NO IDEA about as well and walked out feeling horrible. I think it's natural for us to remember the 50 bad questions and forget the other 300 -350 questions that we had a good idea about. I suspect that some of those WTF questions either experimental, don't count for much, or I guessed right on all of them because I did better than I did on Step I and II and had more awkward questions on this test. There were far less direct management questions than I expected.

My resources were Savarese for OMT (read twice), Boards and Wards, my old Secrets Step II book, and COMQUEST for questions. Like others have mentioned, there is a lot of material that is tested from COMQUEST that is only in the explanation and not asked directly so I read all of the explanations twice even if I got the answer right. I knew a lot of questions cold just from that. These three resources prepared me well for the questions that I could have got right and the rest of the questions are just too random to prepare for with any preparation out there in my opinion - and don't really matter. All I cared about was passing this test and being done with the COMLEX and I ended up doing better than that so I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. I'm pretty sure my score is with the new scale too.

My recommendation is spending about 3 weeks studying for 1-2 hours each night (real studying, not passive) and you'll be fine. If you just took it and feel bad about those WTF questions, just wait til you get your score because you may pleasantly surprised. Time for me to go celebrate.

yeah, it's 400 questions.

I got my passing score back on-line after about 4 weeks, about 1 day later than my colleague who took the USMLE step 3 on the same day as me, but she took 2 days of that test.

Actual mailer came in about 9 days later.

If I had to re-opinion it, I still lean towards neither comquest nor combank being very uptodate with what's on the COMLEX step 3. Some questions were there, I admit. Just do both, they're reasonably cheap, fast, and they don't have that many questions on their banks anyway.

To be honest, I'm not sure if the test is even clinically relevant for primary care.
It had the most OMM, though.

I kept thinking if this was their way of punishing us for not doing an osteopathic residency. I think one of the comquest or combank writers all have CVs stating they are doing ROADS residencies in allo.

Nonetheless, on the paper report I got High performance on osteopathic section. Good luck to all. Final advice is, just do both comquest and combank.

and the paper report does not tell you whether or not you did good or bad on ob, peds, im, etc.

Different report from usmle.

lastly, the comlex website is down quite often, I'm not sure if that's a temporary thing, but in the wee hours, it doesn't work.

For the COMLEX III, spend a lot of time on outpatient medicine and management questions in medicine. Knowing whether to give a medication IM or IV or knowing treatment and techniques in OMM is more important than the basics of OMM. Using MKSAP or Harrison's Q&A will help because the content is more clinical. Pocket medicine is a nice book to carry around and read during rounds. Taking this exam during the end of internship or spring of internship year would help considering you would have learned a lot of medicine by that time. The exam is detail oriented rather than simple clinical diagnosis. Family medicine review books like Swanson are good for topics like Sports medicine. COMSAE can help with knowing the format of the questions and help you with topics.

For those that took the May 2010 COMLEX III, scores are up today (13 days turnaround for some of us!)

In any case, I disagree with your assessment, almost in its entirety. The IM on COMLEX III is very BASIC. I will leave it at that. OMM basics is IMPORTANT; if you don't know the basics cold, how can you answer treatment questions? I am a first year psychiatry resident; this is my first time taking the COMLEX III and I suspect that my percentile score (NBOME does not have a percentile calculator for Part III yet) is probably 99%.

For the COMLEX III, spend a lot of time on outpatient medicine and management questions in medicine. Knowing whether to give a medication IM or IV or knowing treatment and techniques in OMM is more important than the basics of OMM. Using MKSAP or Harrison's Q&A will help because the content is more clinical. Pocket medicine is a nice book to carry around and read during rounds. Taking this exam during the end of internship or spring of internship year would help considering you would have learned a lot of medicine by that time. The exam is detail oriented rather than simple clinical diagnosis. Family medicine review books like Swanson are good for topics like Sports medicine. COMSAE can help with knowing the format of the questions and help you with topics.

Hey all, I'm a to-be intern about to start a tough ACGME internship year, and my PD wants a passing COMLEX III score by relatively early on in the year. My year starts off with SICU-surgery-surgery-ER, and I'm considering the possibility of taking the exam near the end of my ER month.

1. My only issue with doing this is that I won't have done any internal medicine wards months yet, and I honestly haven't done real, true internal medicine since the very end of M3 year. That said, I know COMLEX III emphasizes peds and OB, neither of which I'm going to do this year. I'm also not looking to knock the exam out of the park, I just want to get it done and out of the way. Is it a bad idea to take the exam without having done medicine? I got right around the average on COMLEX I and II.

2. I'm thinking about doing Crush Step 3, Savarese, and COMQuest all twice. Is that enough, or is there anything I should add, in your guys' opinions?

Thanks in advance for any responses.

--IB

Taking COMLEX 3 at the end of your intern year will be a lot easier.
You will learn a lot during intern year.
I just got my score and did very well 618.
The interns that took the exam later in the year generally did better than those who took it earlier in the year at my program.
Your study plan is good. I would do both combank and comquest.
Good luck.

Toughbreak

so what is hte % needed to pass?

Everyone that has taken the exam over the past 3 months received significantly higher scores than what they expected; many scored their highest board score on COMLEX III.

In terms of passing, I suspect that 62-66% is a passing score; but we'll never know for sure.

I took COMLEX 3 back in mid-April and passed comfortably. Honestly, I could not have care less what my score was so long as it was north of 350.

I had a high degree of anxiety going into the exam due to my institution's recently enacted rule that we must pass COMLEX 3 in order to be promoted as a resident.

My advice to future test takers would be to take it as early as possible, and definitely use one of the online question banks. I used COMBANK, and while it was very helpful, I actually thought it was a little easier than the real thing. Also, I felt HY Ob-Gyn and Crush Step 3 were good. And of course, Savarese for OMT.

You will still get plenty of "WTF" questions. I had some that simply no amount of studying would prepare you for. Don't sweat them.

Now I'm done with the NBOME. I'm just glad we all got this done before the NBOME decides to emulate the USMLE and make the exam into a two-day affair.

For those that took the May 2010 COMLEX III, scores are up today (13 days turnaround for some of us!)

In any case, I disagree with your assessment, almost in its entirety. The IM on COMLEX III is very BASIC. I will leave it at that. OMM basics is IMPORTANT; if you don't know the basics cold, how can you answer treatment questions? I am a first year psychiatry resident; this is my first time taking the COMLEX III and I suspect that my percentile score (NBOME does not have a percentile calculator for Part III yet) is probably 99%.

Congratulations on the great score. You mentioned Comquest. Is there anything other source that you used which you felt was beneficial? What about USMLE World Step 3 qbank? I've heard it's almost exactly like COMLEX 2, how true is that statement? How well did the Kaplan Qbank prepare you for this test? Would you do it again if given a choice?

Comquest is good for differential diagnosis. Their questions are close in terms of the content and styles of the exams.

Congratulations on the great score. You mentioned Comquest. Is there anything other source that you used which you felt was beneficial? What about USMLE World Step 3 qbank? I've heard it's almost exactly like COMLEX 2, how true is that statement? How well did the Kaplan Qbank prepare you for this test? Would you do it again if given a choice?

Hands down, COMQUEST had the best questions. Obviously, a week or so before your exam, I suggest taking the COMSAE; it's nearly identical to the actual exam (but I did not have any questions that showed up on both).

is it true what they say that comlex 2 vs comlex 3 is th same exam?

because I know that for comquest and combank their step 2 and step 3 qbanks are identical

Hands down, COMQUEST had the best questions. Obviously, a week or so before your exam, I suggest taking the COMSAE; it's nearly identical to the actual exam (but I did not have any questions that showed up on both).

Thanks, I'm going to do that for sure. You stated earlier you did the Kaplan Q bank for step 3. How was that?

Kaplan Q Bank was probably overkill. I think the Kaplan Q Book (you can buy a previous edition with only a few missing questions for $2) is the your best bet; make sure to read the explanations. Another series that I SWEAR BY is Deja Review. Make sure to do the entire series including Step II Deja. I also completed the OB/GYN, IM, Surgery, and Peds. These, along with Master the Boards, will get you a long way (plus Savarese).

Kaplan Q Bank was probably overkill. I think the Kaplan Q Book (you can buy a previous edition with only a few missing questions for $2) is the your best bet; make sure to read the explanations. Another series that I SWEAR BY is Deja Review. Make sure to do the entire series including Step II Deja. I also completed the OB/GYN, IM, Surgery, and Peds. These, along with Master the Boards, will get you a long way (plus Savarese).

I've been reading the Deja Review books and they've been good. What is Master the Boards?

Do you guys think that USMLE World for step 3 is overkill? Useless? I'm planning on using Crush Step 3 (2nd edition) and the USMLE Workd Qbank to study. Any opinions?

COMQuest or COMBank as well as USMLERx and UWorld are all good. COMLEX Level 3 is totally clinical. Most questions are about how do you manage this instead of focusing on diagnosis.

COMQuest or COMBank as well as USMLERx and UWorld are all good. COMLEX Level 3 is totally clinical. Most questions are about how do you manage this instead of focusing on diagnosis.

Agreed, there was a lot more management on the test. UWorld was better than COMQUEST or COMBANK for COMLEX 3 in my opinion. COMQUEST and COMBANK just repeat their Step 2 questions. There are 1200 UW questions and they had a lot of those WTF type of questions you will see.

On the real test, there are a lot of management questions. For example, I had at least 15 specific ACLS questions regarding management not just asking me to interpret a rhythm strip. There are questions that are easy if you finished intern year or completed a significant portion of it. UWorld had very specific management related questions that I saw on my real exam.

I got my step III scores back this week, and am thrilled that I don't have to ever take a COMLEX exam again. I took my exam at the end of my transitional internship, went through comQuest 1.5 times, and looked up stuff I didn't know from that. I did 100 pts better than I had on step I or II. Probably would have done even better had I done a month in OB/Gyn, but I passed with ample room to spare.

Don't sweat the exam. I was usually scoring in the 60% range on comquest, and I scored in the high 600s on this exam. Comquest is very similar to the real thing in terms of questions and layout. During the exam there were plenty of wtf questions, but you can't prepare for those anyway, so just click "B" and go on with the test.

There are pros and cons to any time you take it... if you take the test early you remember more stuff from peds, surgery, ob/gyn, etc--whichever specialties you won't rotate through during internship. If you take it late, you'll know a lot more info in depth, but may have forgotten some other stuff. Pick your poison and get started on a q bank.

Anyone else for tips on preparing for this thing...

I was just going to read my step 2 secrets book, Savarese, and do Comquest..

ive got a little over 5 weeks to prepare for it.

Edit: i may add on Uworld...i used it for step 2..and it was pretty solid

If one has gone through COMQuest for Step 2, is it needed to purchase the one for Step 3 since it is the same stuff? Literally, no difference ...

I have made notes on them, should one just use that and maybe COMBank for step 3??

-

Do I really need a Step 3 book???

I have first aid for family medicine boards and swanson's family medicine review books plus my step 2 secret, saverese, HY peds and ob/gyn ect. I am a 2nd year FM resident and a horrible test taker. I would think I would be okay with the books I already have and tons of questions, or would I be crazy not to get crush step 3??

thanks so much!

Im only getting like 55% halfway through it. what do you need to pass without being worried? and is the comsae reliable? LaDoc did you take the comsae?

-

Got scores back from 9/30 test date..PASSED!

resources used: Uworld/Comquest qbanks and usmle step 2 secrets book

My goal was to just get it out of the way early on my intern year..and my goal was to only pass.

got around low 60's in Uworld completing around 90% and reading every explanation, right or wrong. And was around 65% on comquest. The explanations on comquest was pretty awful. I used combank for step 2, and i didnt think that one helped all that much. I sort of feel the same with comquest as well for step 3. However, i do recommend getting at least one of these banks for the OMM questions. The OMM explanations in comquest were semi-OK.

sorry...posted by mistake.

Got score back from the 10/28 test

My residency was kind enough to let me take the COMLEX over the USMLE. I thought the exam was poorly written (I felt like I had no idea on what the answer was on 50% of the questions) but at least it is over now and I wont have to deal with NBOME anymore. I thought the test was "random" heavy with a little OB, medicine here and there.

I used the COMBANK, Step 2 secrets, the green OMM book and the small Kaplan Step 3 book (20 bucks on amazon). It's really hard to study during the internship year but I just studied whenever I could and got through them once. The must haves are Step 2 secrets and the OMM book. If you already read secrets and the OMM book for Step2 you should be able to read it again in a couple days. 3 weeks of studying ~2-4hrs per day.

COMBANK average 66% overall (questions were NOT similar on the real test) COMBANK is outdated in my opinion

COMLEX 50Q free test ~70% (the free 50 question block they give you as a tutorial)

Real test: 657/89 (weird because my step 2 had a higher 2 digit but lower 3 digit score)
Although for USMLE Step 3, taking the test at the end of your internship or beginning of PGY2 may help because of the CCS component, for the COMLEX step 3 I would take it ASAP while your step 2 material is fresh towards the beginning of your internship. There's no CCS to worry about on this test and the format is very similar to Step 2. Hope it helps.

Took the test 10/8 -- passed comfortably but didn't blow the exam out of the water. Very heavy on ob/gyn, peds, and GI as expected, along with the random impossible things that we all know are classic for COMLEX by now.

Got through Savarese, Crush Step 3, and COMQuest all once and reviewed all of my COMQuest answers once. Recognized a fair amount from COMQuest, and would recommend it. Didn't do COMBank, so can't comment on its utility. Would definitely recommend the other stuff tho -- Secrets vs. Crush is kind of +/- in my opinion, since Brochert wrote them both and they're similar.

If you just want to pass, doing what I did in a couple of weeks is more than enough. Did some questions beforehand, but did most of my actual studying during my ER rotation where I had 19 twelve-hour shifts -- worked out fine. PM me if you have any more specific q's.

Took the test 10/8 -- passed comfortably but didn't blow the exam out of the water. Very heavy on ob/gyn, peds, and GI as expected, along with the random impossible things that we all know are classic for COMLEX by now.

Got through Savarese, Crush Step 3, and COMQuest all once and reviewed all of my COMQuest answers once. Recognized a fair amount from COMQuest, and would recommend it. Didn't do COMBank, so can't comment on its utility. Would definitely recommend the other stuff tho -- Secrets vs. Crush is kind of +/- in my opinion, since Brochert wrote them both and they're similar.

If you just want to pass, doing what I did in a couple of weeks is more than enough. Did some questions beforehand, but did most of my actual studying during my ER rotation where I had 19 twelve-hour shifts -- worked out fine. PM me if you have any more specific q's.

Did you just now get your scores back? The Army has this wonderful policy that if we don't pass part 3 by June 30 we get pulled from residency and made an administrative officer for the next 4 years. Probably the dumbest policy ever. Anyways, I want to get an idea of about how many attempts I *could* have if I'm taking it for the first time on January 10. I figure AT LEAST 3, if not more. Is it taking most people 6-8 weeks to get scores, or more like 3-4?

I'm reading through First Aid for Step 3 prior to starting any practice questions. I might dig up my Step 2 secrets book if I can find it. I plan to use COMQuest and possibly COMBank if I have time/money. I'm not trying to get a 700 or anything, I'd be perfectly happy with a 350, I just want to make damn sure I don't end up as an admin type for the next four years.

felt like got ran over by or truck or something walking out of that test. So many completely random questions, AND questions that can have 2 equally good answers and the correct one really depend on if you can read minds. I had a lot of baby question. alert baby, not so alert baby, crying baby, babies throwing up, babies not eating, babies not pooping....etc..ALOT of neonates and peds...My least favorite subject..:mad:
It was a weird and frustrating test because there are that you have to read twice because the answer is way too obvious but then there are question that are so vague...much like what I read in one of the earlier post
"patient sick, what's the diagnosis? "......:laugh:

Such an awful feeling to not know....

Anyway, Just wondering about this 350 passing score. Does this mean the average percent is lower for passing step 3 or does it mean there's greaer standard deviations from the mean compared to step 2 and 1 for passing?

if we do bad on one subject but great on the rest, is that still a fail?
thanks

if we do bad on one subject but great on the rest, is that still a fail?
thanks

I dont think so. I think it is still an overall thing

felt like got ran over by or truck or something walking out of that test. So many completely random questions, AND questions that can have 2 equally good answers and the correct one really depend on if you can read minds. I had a lot of baby question. alert baby, not so alert baby, crying baby, babies throwing up, babies not eating, babies not pooping....etc..ALOT of neonates and peds...My least favorite subject..:mad:
It was a weird and frustrating test because there are that you have to read twice because the answer is way too obvious but then there are question that are so vague...much like what I read in one of the earlier post
"patient sick, what's the diagnosis? "......:laugh:

Such an awful feeling to not know....

Anyway, Just wondering about this 350 passing score. Does this mean the average percent is lower for passing step 3 or does it mean there's greaer standard deviations from the mean compared to step 2 and 1 for passing?


Standard deviation is greater on Step 3. it is 120s compared to 70s on Step 2. So for example, 500 is still the mean but I thin ~610 was 90th percentile for Step 2 but 655 is a 90th for step 3

preparation:
UWorld step III cumulative score: ~60%
read over savarese for OMM
took in December of intern year IM residency

prior Comlex I 618 USMLE 228
Comlex II 5?? (forgot) USMLE 223
Comlex III 585 <-----------thought I had failed walking out of the test

Comlex III questions were random, exceedingly frustrating, and nearly impossible to study for at times. Because I had been practicing with Uworld (where the questions are well-written and evidence-based), I essentially set myself up for disappointment, anger and fear during the test and beyond until I got my score back. For your sanity-- try another question bank that has more similar-in-style questions or in addition to Uworld which is a great, thorough study resource.

I was surprised with the number of actual OMM questions on the Comlex- do not blow this off. My particular test had every single GU/GYN problem known to man, UTI, cystitis, STD's galore, prostatitis, etc. Even some urology tests and procedures I had never heard of before. Know your Gyn/GU antibiotics for the outpatient tx of UTI, STD's, etc. The EKG's I had were pretty easy, I also had to listen to a few murmers and connect them to the defect. For peds questions I had all the meconium plug/pyloric stenosis/ duodenal atresia/ merkle's/ etc.

Anyway, good luck with this one. I think the best advice is.... just use common sense? Be prepared for random questions and know you are not alone in experiencing frustration. Do your best and do not give up. Thanks to everyone that posted previously. It really made me feel better to read this forum after my test and see that other people walked out of the test thinking there was a chance they failed (like me) and ended up passing (like me-- thank goodness!!!!).

Good luck, message me with any questions!

I was surprised with the number of actual OMM questions on the Comlex- do not blow this off.



Hey, what kind of OMM questions did you have?

took my test in the middle of january just got my score back today.

My prep:

Bought comquest 6 days prior to the exam, completed half of the bank. Purchased first aid, and read the ob/gyn and peds sections in it a couple days before. also read savarese.

overall % correct on comquest: 75%.

level 1 score: mid 600's
Level 2 score: mid 500's

my test:

completely random. comquest tested some similar topics and there were like maybe 10-20 exact questions on my test from the comquest.

content: 75% ob/gyn & peds. 3 year old kid with this, 2 month old with that, 45 year old who had vaginal bleeding, over, and over, and over, and over, and over again.

i wish i could tell you all what to study, but honestly even if i studied for 6 months for this test i wouldn't have felt prepared just because they ask random questions (billing codes for omt??!!!!!). I would advise to just know the meat of most of the ob/gyn and ped and that should get you a knowledge base to make an educated guess for most of the questions.

the material tested in medicine was mostly covered in comquest.

felt that on half the test i was guessing. and not just an educated guess, but a blind guess (usualy had it down to two). honestly felt like i got ruined by this test, was seriously convinced i failed. this is the first time i felt like i walked out of one of these exams and felt like i failed.

Actual Score: Mid 600's.

Overall, this is def. a mgmt test. 75% of the test asked "what would u do next?" The exam is horribly written, by inexperienced, test writers. The test is horribly vague and u feel like pulling your hair out when you are done.

Just remember taht over 90% of people pass on the first attempt, and regardless of how you felt after your exam, you most likely passed!!!

Goodbye AOA/NBOME, i'm thankful to never have to deal with you or your poorly written exams ever again!

Got my score back today, went up > 100 points from step 2. I felt I had a lot more riding on this test so I decided to actually study this time.

Books

First Aid for Step 3
USMLE Step 2 Secrets
Savarese OMT

Question Bank

Comquest


I'm a psych intern and had only done one month each of ER, medicine clinic, and inpatient family medicine prior to my exam; everything else was psych.

I studied over the course of about two months, generally on the weekends with some weekends not studying at all. I setup a schedule and divided myself into "blocks" based upon systems (Pulm, CV, GI, MSK, etc.). I also would study during downtime throughout the day (you have a lot of this as a psych intern) and while on call.

For each, "block", I would read the respective chapter in First Aid and take notes. When I was tired of reading, I would do practice questions ONLY FOR THAT BLOCK. One I completed a block in first aid, I would go through all of the questions for that specific topic in comquest. When going through the questions, I would take time to take notes, look stuff up, and actually try to understand both the correct and incorrect answers. I did this for each block topic.

About 1-2 weeks prior to the exam, I had completed first aid along with all of my notes. OMT was the last, "block" I did and I basically went through savarese in two days. For the last 1-2 weeks, I just drilled comquest questions and did high-yield review with USMLE Step 2 secrets. The last two days prior to the test I did nothing.

It worked, as I scored a 640. My test seemed to have a crapton of urology. I do not recall too much NBOME randomness on my test. I thought it was fair and I felt a bit different walking out than I did on prior tests. I was still concerned that I failed, but I actually felt like I probably passed.

Also of note, I have always been stronger in, "clinical stuff". I have consistently been getting "above average" evals for my home and off-service rotations. I've been told I did a better job than some of the FM interns as well. *shrug* Just another factor as I seemed to be a bit stronger in clinical stuff.

At any rate, it's over. Good bye OMT and NBOME.

Anyone have a promotion code for either COMBANK or COMQUEST? Thanks!

I could not agree with you more! Took it today..........ridiculous context! I walked out asking myself, WTF was that???!

Took COMLEX 3 in November. Did half of the USMLE World Qbank and read once through the Crash for Step III. It was the only step I thought I failed for sure because the questions were so random. Got a 640. Definitely better to just do as many questions as you can and take it sooner rather than later.

Probably will just do the following:

1. Boards/Wards
2. First Aid for Family Medicine
3. COMBANK/COMQuest
4. COMSAE (if avail)

Hoping to take this bad boy in August...

new to SDN. scored 718 on comlex III - what does this mean? i'm a family med resident, but have been considering doing another residency afterwards. would this help to make me a somewhat competitive candidate? thanks.

I really find it perplexing when someone gets a two digit near 99 and asks if this is going to be competitive. Are you just looking for praise? C'mon, man! It's an incredible score. Really? Really? Are you really not confident that a 718 is competitive? C'mon man!!

BUMP!! Taking it in 3 weeks 1 day!!! Advice any previous/ recent COMLEX III takers?
I plan to use FA step 3, COMQUEST and Skim through Savarese.....

Thanks!

Just got my scores! woo!

step 3 - 809/96 = 99%

Did comquest once = 76% average and repeated incorrect questions
Also did Kaplan Qbook questions - sections on Imed and ob/gyn/peds.
Studied savarese
Master the boards twice
Skimmed First Aid USMLE step 2 (YES, STEP 2)

In retrospect, i would not have spent time on Surgery. I mainly concentrated on OB/GYN and Peds and OMM.

Best of luck!

Just got my scores! woo!

step 3 - 809/96 = 99%

Did comquest once = 76% average and repeated incorrect questions
Also did Kaplan Qbook questions - sections on Imed and ob/gyn/peds.
Studied savarese
Master the boards twice
Skimmed First Aid USMLE step 2 (YES, STEP 2)

In retrospect, i would not have spent time on Surgery. I mainly concentrated on OB/GYN and Peds and OMM.

Best of luck!

809??

Max score is 800, I thought.

809??

Max score is 800, I thought.
You can get higher as shown above. In each test their are sample questions that they would like to use in future years, getting those correct give you bonus points. It generally doesn't matter because us non-robots miss enough regular questions that the bonus is hidden. There is a surgical candidate that interviewed where I'm at with an 840ish score.

I'm currently a 4th year and I want to get this test out of the way.

Anyone take Step III comlex at end of 4th year or right before start of internship?

I have 2 primary care, 1 ICU, and 1 ED rotations left. I feel its easier to study now that it would be as an intern.

I'm currently a 4th year and I want to get this test out of the way.

Anyone take Step III comlex at end of 4th year or right before start of internship?

I have 2 primary care, 1 ICU, and 1 ED rotations left. I feel its easier to study now that it would be as an intern.

Believe you need to have a diploma from medical school to be able to schedule the exam. Thus, I would guess you probably could take it in July.

COMQUEST average? I just started so my average 63% but way to early to tell. Let me know whats a good average.


Thanks

What's everyone's opinion on taking this test before residency and getting it out of the way?? Also, I am looking to use crush 3/first aid/ MTB for studying. Are those good book resources? Any opinions on q banks would be appreciated. Thanks.

( I am looking for advice from those who recently have taken the exam).

Now at 82% correct with some repeats of incorrect answers as well as some correct ones to really solidify my knowledge. I just covered the answers and answered the question without the choices.

Anyone use this combo or any opinions: UW3, COMQUEST 3, and either master the boards or crush step 3 (or both)?

Anyone use this combo or any opinions: UW3, COMQUEST 3, and either master the boards or crush step 3 (or both)?

I am pretty much looking to do the same. If u hear anything plz let me know. Thanks.

I'm hoping to take it before starting intern year since I have a 2 month break before graduation. I was gonna do First Aid+COMQUEST+COMBANK.

Scores from the 13th of Feb released today.

I used COMBANK because I had a free month to use, otherwise I would have used comquest/UWorld like I did on steps 1/2. I mainly did questions for 4 weeks and used step up to step 2 since I was already familiar with it from step 2. I also used FA for Step 3 for OB and Peds. FWIW, I'm doing a TR internship so I had a pretty broad exposure to specialties including peds, OB and psych.

Overall Combank average 74% partly because I was scoring in the ~40% range on OMM as I didn't study any OMM until the week before.

Comlex step 3 score was in the high 600's.

Glad to have it over with, it's been nice being able to study anesthesiology books without feeling guilty about not studying for step 3. :laugh:

edit: I also skimmed through that green savarese sp? book for the first time ever, about a week before the exam.

Scores from the 13th of Feb released today.

I used COMBANK because I had a free month to use, otherwise I would have used comquest/UWorld like I did on steps 1/2. I mainly did questions for 4 weeks and used step up to step 2 since I was already familiar with it from step 2. I also used FA for Step 3 for OB and Peds. FWIW, I'm doing a TR internship so I had a pretty broad exposure to specialties including peds, OB and psych.

Overall Combank average 74% partly because I was scoring in the ~40% range on OMM as I didn't study any OMM until the week before.

Comlex step 3 score was in the high 600's.

Glad to have it over with, it's been nice being able to study anesthesiology books without feeling guilty about not studying for step 3. :laugh:

edit: I also skimmed through that green savarese sp? book for the first time ever, about a week before the exam.

What's your take on COMBANK? You mentioned you did it but you didn't sound too enthusiastic about it

What's your take on COMBANK? You mentioned you did it but you didn't sound too enthusiastic about it

I like combank, especially for the OMM.

Took a comsae today, scored 550. I'm happy with it, just gotta do well on exam day and pass this baby. Taking it 4/3.

If the standard deviation is 80 and the average score is 500 and passing score is 350, doesn't that essentially mean the pass rate is 97% on this thing?

I like combank, especially for the OMM.

Took a comsae today, scored 550. I'm happy with it, just gotta do well on exam day and pass this baby. Taking it 4/3.

Good Luck, let us know what you think afterward.

Right now I'm in school and will graduate in May. Can I sign up now to take comlex 3 in June? Or do I have to wait till graduation to register for the exam?

you have to have someone (ie your employer) certify your application. i'd just wait til you start residency to start the process.

you have to have someone (ie your employer) certify your application. i'd just wait til you start residency to start the process.

So does this mean I cant take comlex 3 before I start residency? Kinda wanted to get it done with, since I'll be even busier in residency.

COMLEX Step 3 on May 7th, read crush and halfway through MTB, went through UW once, will finish comquest within the next two days. My question: should I go through UW again, comquest again, go through combank (kinda reluctant as overall opinion seems to be its not that great) or do kaplan qbank? I think doing questions in tutor is better than straight reading review books, but I don't want to pick the wrong qbank or goof up my final three weeks of studying. So review or new? combank or kaplan?

As if you could study for this thing anyway :laugh:

You need to be certified by your school as having graduated to sign up for the exam. And frankly, I was grateful for having had intern year just behind me when I took it - the exam was SO much easier for a medicine intern year.

You need to be certified by your school as having graduated to sign up for the exam. And frankly, I was grateful for having had intern year just behind me when I took it - the exam was SO much easier for a medicine intern year.

:laugh:

you didn't have my POS exam.

COMLEX Step 3 on May 7th, read crush and halfway through MTB, went through UW once, will finish comquest within the next two days. My question: should I go through UW again, comquest again, go through combank (kinda reluctant as overall opinion seems to be its not that great) or do kaplan qbank? I think doing questions in tutor is better than straight reading review books, but I don't want to pick the wrong qbank or goof up my final three weeks of studying. So review or new? combank or kaplan?

As if you could study for this thing anyway :laugh:

Oooook. So, chose COMBANK. While it is good for reviewing basic topics, as a qbank it seems much, much too easy in a majority of questions. 1076 questions BTW.

Just got back from this stupid exam. What a joke. Pretty sure I failed it. Can't imagine how else I would have studied for it though: over three months, 3 qbanks, 2 review books, and reviewed my step 2 UW notes and briefly tormented myself with an OMM review. The fault did not lie with inadequate preparation.

It was by far the worst written out of the 3 extremely poorly written exams.

Vague question stems. A plenitude of WTF questions that were impossible to study for. Lots of awful OMM questions. Somebody should file a lawsuit against the esteemed scholars responsible for writing this thing. How are you supposed to study for this?! Super pissed that I'm out $700 and have to use my free time to study for it again at some point. And the best part is it is an entirely meaningless exam that is no reflection on the reality of how good of a physician you are.

Ugh.

Just got back from this stupid exam. What a joke. Pretty sure I failed it. Can't imagine how else I would have studied for it though: over three months, 3 qbanks, 2 review books, and reviewed my step 2 UW notes and briefly tormented myself with an OMM review. The fault did not lie with inadequate preparation.

It was by far the worst written out of the 3 extremely poorly written exams.

Vague question stems. A plenitude of WTF questions that were impossible to study for. Lots of awful OMM questions. Somebody should file a lawsuit against the esteemed scholars responsible for writing this thing. How are you supposed to study for this?! Super pissed that I'm out $700 and have to use my free time to study for it again at some point. And the best part is it is an entirely meaningless exam that is no reflection on the reality of how good of a physician you are.

Ugh.

Me to....So many ridiculous questions....TONS of OMM, Peds, OB/GYN

Barely any internal medicine questions. WTF is with all those questions on audiometry?!?!?!

I think I failed. Can you ake the USMLE step 3 for licensing instead?

Took COMLEX 3 today... unbelievable how terrible this exam is. Questions are completely irrelevant to medical practice. I'm pretty sure I failed this exam. Way too many random OMM questions. I'm sorry, but in the Emergency Department I don't plan on doing osteopathic structural exams. What ever happened to the easy viscerosomatic reflex and chapman point questions (maybe 10/50 OMM questions). I did USMLE world, COMQUEST (was averaging 75-80%), First Aid step 3 and savarese. There is no way to study for the randomness of these questions.

I did really well on COMLEX 1 and 2 (>600) and USMLE 1 and 2 (>230) but I also left those tests feeling much better. I don't know what happened today. :confused:

Super frustrated right now. All I can do is pray for a miracle.

Took COMLEX 3 today... unbelievable how terrible this exam is. Questions are completely irrelevant to medical practice. I'm pretty sure I failed this exam. Way too many random OMM questions. I'm sorry, but in the Emergency Department I don't plan on doing osteopathic structural exams. What ever happened to the easy viscerosomatic reflex and chapman point questions (maybe 10/50 OMM questions). I did USMLE world, COMQUEST (was averaging 75-80%), First Aid step 3 and savarese. There is no way to study for the randomness of these questions.

I did really well on COMLEX 1 and 2 (>600) and USMLE 1 and 2 (>230) but I also left those tests feeling much better. I don't know what happened today. :confused:

Super frustrated right now. All I can do is pray for a miracle.


It seems like the may 7 test was a real bomb lol. I still cannot believe the questions I got.

for those who took the test recently, which question bank did you find most helpful?

comquest?
combank?
usmleworld?

did you find any particular text helpful?

first aid step 3
boards and wards?

thanks

for those who took the test recently, which question bank did you find most helpful?

comquest?
combank?
usmleworld?

did you find any particular text helpful?

first aid step 3
boards and wards?

thanks

Crush

COMBANK & COMQUEST....Unfortunately, I really do not feel like that is a gold standard to prepare for the exam. It is such a terrible test.

Kaplan Master the Boards, Comquest, Combank, and Savarese. I think Uworld is probably a waste of time and money.

I plan on using MTB, COMBANK, COMQUEST and skim read FA STEP 2 again. Should I use UWORLD ?

i only did question banks and COMSAE. found some UW notes and read those. otherwise, didnt touch a book except savarese. no time.

It seems like the may 7 test was a real bomb lol. I still cannot believe the questions I got.

I took the May 14 test and also found it to be really difficult. I was quite surprised that ppl stated it was easy. For me it was not easy and even more difficult than step 2. That's my perception though and maybe to some it was not that hard. I left feeling frustrated too afterwards. I didn't like the test at all. I don't know how ppl can say they did not study for this thing. Even after 2 months of studying, I didn't feel prepared at all.
Btw, I used crush 3 ,combank , and some first aid step 2, and savarese.
Really surprised that the results came out in 4 weeks. :)

I took the May 14 test and also found it to be really difficult. I was quite surprised that ppl stated it was easy. For me it was not easy and even more difficult than step 2. That's my perception though and maybe to some it was not that hard. I left feeling frustrated too afterwards. I didn't like the test at all. I don't know how ppl can say they did not study for this thing. Even after 2 months of studying, I didn't feel prepared at all.
Btw, I used crush 3 ,combank , and some first aid step 2, and savarese.
Really surprised that the results came out in 4 weeks. :)

I wanted to study a lot more but in reality only had a week to cram stuff in.

Studying doesn't help for this exam. I felt I bombed it and somehow passed. I don't get it. I felt so much better on Step 2 than this crap.

I wanted to study a lot more but in reality only had a week to cram stuff in.

Studying doesn't help for this exam. I felt I bombed it and somehow passed. I don't get it. I felt so much better on Step 2 than this crap.


I thought I failed it too but glad to have passed it. Yeah I really felt crappy after the exam .

This is my first post on these forums and will probably be my last, not because I do not wish to be helpful but because I don't want to think about Comlex 1-3 -- and especially 3 -- ever again. Here's the deal: I was one of those med students who had to work like mad just to get myself to the middle of my class rankings for the first two years, but then got all honors on every rotation the second two years, one of three at my school to do it. In other words, I'm not the best standardized test-taker. Give me oral exams or practicals any day.

Comlex 1-2 scores were mediocre. Was intern of the year and resident of the year two out of my 4 years in training at my hospital (total of about 80 residents over several programs). Then I failed Comlex 3...by three points. If you think I'm kidding, feel free to ask my 401(k), the student loan people in my state, my surprised (disappointed?) attendings, and my family. Study method was to read through First Aid 3, Crush 3, B&W, pretty much all the usual suspects. Like most people report on here, I skimmed Savarese, which is to say that I memorized the sympathetic/parasympathetic charts/diagrams that everyone on here says you MUST know. More on this in a moment. Was pretty sure my excellent training and that study method would carry me through, esp. since I had an extra 50 points to play with (350, cf. 400). It didn't.

Took test again on May 14 2012 after 6 more weeks of studying. Passed, with 190 point increase. The jump is attributable to two things, both important, but the second more important than the first:

1) Changed study method, obviously. Did not read review books and memorize facts like I did for Comlex 1, 2, and first attempt at 3. Review books, you see, give you the name of the disease entity you're studying then the complaints, etc, and how to diagnose it. The exam (and the real world, as you know), comes in the reverse order...you get the complaints, etc, and use your diagnostic skills/tests to come up with the disease entity. Then you treat. Put more succinctly, in a way, you are learning the material in the reverse order you will be using it. Believe it or not that actually crosses up a lot of bad test-takers, including me. Solution: I could not afford online question banks, so used borrowed question books in this way: read question, attempt to answer question, whether right or wrong, I would then go to FA, B&W, Crush, whatever, and read about disease process relevant to that question. Did this about 400 times. Made it more concept-relevant than abstract, to me, as if I were seeing patients in vignettes in my mind rather than (re-)memorizing. Began recalling patients I had seen with these diseases during training (this absolutely solidifies retention). I got through the material much faster, as well.

2) When it comes to Savarese, a lot of people on here say they "read over it" or "skimmed" it or "looked through it" the night before. Pure excrement. If you did, you either knew it from before and didn't need to read it for boards, you're a good guesser and/or wonderful test-taker, or you're lying. The BEST ADVICE anyone can give you for Comlex 3 (and probably any of them, but I am speaking only about Comlex 3) is to actually READ Savarese. First, do an internet search for errata in your edition of Savarese, mark them in your book, and then actually READ the book -- don't look through, go over, or skim. The OMT questions on Comlex 3 are the GIMMES. They're incredibly simple. The test-writers are GIVING you these points, and yes, there are a LOT OF THEM. I was an idiot for not reading it the first time. Even with what I remembered from medical school, my score report from my failed exam said I was on that borderline thing regarding OMT knowledge. After failing the exam, remembering how many OMT questions there were on the thing and hearing EVERYONE say that they had a lot on their tests, too, it seemed pretty simple that improvement in that area would give me the most bang for the buck as far as improving my score. Solution: Corrected errata, then read Savarese. Then read it again. Then read it chapter-by-chapter twice (meaning I would read a chapter then read it again before moving on to the next one). Then read it all the way through again. Reading Savarese can be done in one day, two for better retention, three if you're really taking your time. The point is that I was HOPING OMT questions would come up on the test because I knew I'd get them right. This reduced my test-taking anxiety, too. By test day I had read through it five times. My score report (which came back in just short of four weeks, I believe...right, my fellow May 14th'ers?) showed the bars denoting performance on OMT questions and general OMT knowledge to have moved to the extreme right as opposed to the borderline performance of before. Without question, reading (and reading and reading) Savarese was the key to increasing my score so much. And no, I'm not Dr. Savarese, nor am I affiliated with his text in any way except that I could probably write it backwards and forwards now.

I'm not saying all this stuff to gloat or to show off, because there are people who have done much less and gotten better Comlex 3 scores than me. I'm only writing this because I figure maybe it'll help someone who has failed this awful -- and it really is awful...poor grammar/punctuation, substandard pictures and audio components, etc -- exam. It has nothing to do with what kind of doctor you are or will be. During the time that I had failed and was studying for the retake, it cost me a lot of money, a couple of friends, and even an attending or two distanced themselves from me in their disapointment, plus a few family members (I could tell) were wondering if all my medical education was worth it. And all because of an exam whose writers take an aspect of medical diagnosis and treatment that has the least scientific evidence to support it...and make it the most important part of the exam, the biggest single subject that is tested. Anyway, now that I did the two things above, I get to tell my detractors that if they need me I'll be doing what I know I'm good at -- helping patients get better -- or maybe shopping for a new car (after paying back some debts, of course).

I hope this helps someone. Feel free to send me direct messages with questions, comments, or ridicule, but I don't plan on posting here publicly again. Thanks.

Is it still mostly obgyn, peds and OMM that is high yield?

Is it still mostly obgyn, peds and OMM that is high yield?


Yes, so much of my test was OB/GYN, Peds, and OMM.

I agree with above. The test is total crap and I felt so bad leaving it. Thank god I passed.

Congrats guys! Blah... guess I'll be doing Savarese for OMM, and COMBANK/COMQUEST for the OMM questions and Ob/gyn + peds, which is not exactly relevant to my field of psychiatry (except maybe peds). Seems like everyone here is using Crush Step 3?

used kaplan. didnt touch crush.

Hey all, bump for anyone who has taken COMLEX III recently. Any updates or tips?

Also, for those that have taken it: I will be doing 1 month of COMQUEST, and 1 month of COMBANK, one after the other (take exam end of September). About to start. Which one should I buy and do first? I want to do the lower yield one first, then whichever qbank is better last so I'm best prepared before the exam. Thanks!

I did a little bit of both question banks and found Comquest to be much more pertinent! Prep as best ypu can be prepared to see the questions alternate between gimmes and WTF?! Good luck!

Thanks cbest, appreciate it!

Took it in late June... passed, well above the average. I "studied" using first aid for step 3 (since it was provided in my residency's lounge) and comquest for about 3 weeks before the exam.

Thanks for the update. Are all of the comquest q's useful?

Are there Clinical management cases on comlex level 3 like usmle step 3? Or is the test kind of like level 2 with more emphasis on management?

Sounds more like level 2.

Anybody take Level III recently and care to give their thoughts? I take this sucker in 3 days... I'll try and give my impressions after the exam.