COMAT exams: UWorld vs Comquest

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Pinkleton

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I love UW questions. But based on what I've read about the COMAT exams, they are horribly written tests just like the COMLEX. I'm thinking about doing Comquest step 2 questions instead to prepare for the level of BS I will likely see on my shelf exams. My goal is to honor them. Does anyone who's taken the COMATs have any advice?
 
There is a thread about COMAT exams here --> http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=853786

I will say that although they are not nearly as well-written as UW questions, they aren't as horrible as I was expecting. Yes, they're vague and sometimes tough to sift through (reminiscent of Level 1 questions) but I think that on the whole they reflect the information you study.

They are notorious for having information that you aren't going to find in any resource or read about anywhere. These types of questions will be on both COMAT and COMLEX. Just deal with it and move on. Everyone else is going to guess at these as well. As for the other questions, they generally reflect the specialty they're covering.

I've scored extremely well on all of them and only used Step 2CK resources (which is really all that is available). Because I've used CaseFiles, PreTest, UWorld, Blueprints, etc., and scored very well, I think it's safe to say that if you study hard on your rotations you can do well on them. It's really up to you.

But don't go into them expecting to see the level of thought required by UW questions or that type of great question writing. They just don't have that.
 
There is a thread about COMAT exams here --> http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=853786

I will say that although they are not nearly as well-written as UW questions, they aren't as horrible as I was expecting. Yes, they're vague and sometimes tough to sift through (reminiscent of Level 1 questions) but I think that on the whole they reflect the information you study.

They are notorious for having information that you aren't going to find in any resource or read about anywhere. These types of questions will be on both COMAT and COMLEX. Just deal with it and move on. Everyone else is going to guess at these as well. As for the other questions, they generally reflect the specialty they're covering.

I've scored extremely well on all of them and only used Step 2CK resources (which is really all that is available). Because I've used CaseFiles, PreTest, UWorld, Blueprints, etc., and scored very well, I think it's safe to say that if you study hard on your rotations you can do well on them. It's really up to you.

But don't go into them expecting to see the level of thought required by UW questions or that type of great question writing. They just don't have that.

Thanks, that is encouraging to hear. I looked at some COMQUEST questions and they are very different from uworld and seem similar in style to questions on my level 1, so I may try that as well. Any recommendation on how to prepare for any OMM questions? I'm extremely weak in the area
 
Not really. I personally despise OMM (aside from viscerosomatics and muscle energy or counterstrain) so I literally refuse to study it. I feel it takes up space in my brain where actual useful, evidence-based medicine could fit.

That being said, Savarese is a great source but more for the basics. Somatic Dysfunction in Osteopathic Family Medicine is a relatively good book to give you the BS you need to know for the OMM shelf. And that was actually the shelf I did the worst on (but still above average) because the questions are *very* random on that one. Not any way you could fully prepare for those curveballs aside from just knowing the basics cold and being a great guesser.
 
Not really. I personally despise OMM (aside from viscerosomatics and muscle energy or counterstrain) so I literally refuse to study it.

This is really a poor attitude to have. It is fine not buy into all of OMM but why would you refuse to study it? These are for the most part EASY points on the COMLEX. You literally just need to go through Savarese and you will crush the section... why give away those points because you are stubborn? Med school is a game... play it.

Survivor DO
 
This is really a poor attitude to have. It is fine not buy into all of OMM but why would you refuse to study it? These are for the most part EASY points on the COMLEX. You literally just need to go through Savarese and you will crush the section... why give away those points because you are stubborn? Med school is a game... play it.

Survivor DO

I was exaggerating. Of course I study OMM. They are definitely the easiest points on the test and I would never give those away. I usually spend a couple days leading up to the shelf or COMLEX going over it but I don't put in a ton of time studying it. I'd rather devote my energy towards learning information that will be heavily tested on USMLE and also that I'll actually use one day.
 
Does anyone have the link to the study guide for the COMAT exams? I heard theres a pretty good one, but can't find one.
 
Don't you think saying that med school is a game is a poor attitude?

I'm a lowly third year but still....

I hate OMM. I refuse to study it as well. thats a decent attitude- I mean I'd rather do well as a physician taking care of patients even if it means that I tanked the OMM section- I'm only applying to MD programs anyway
 
I hate OMM and refused to study it too! Did I miss some easy points on the comlex? YES. Do I give a crap. NO! I refuse to learn fake stuff that I will never use.
 
I hate OMM and refused to study it too! Did I miss some easy points on the comlex? YES. Do I give a crap. NO! I refuse to learn fake stuff that I will never use.

Yet....you went to an osteopathic school. Look before you leap, eh? Many specialists don't use half of what they learned in med school..many would admit to not know how to run a code. Around 20md programs take transfer students I believe. Google and give it a shot.
 
don't go into them expecting to see the level of thought required by UW questions or that type of great question writing.
6hfzzw
 
Well I took the peds COMAT and the question quality wasn't too bad. Oversimplified a bit I feel like and way too much focus on management compared to UW. I had very little if any pathophys and pharm. No real testing of disease processes. Seemed irrelevant for the most part and I'm not sure how you're suppose to prepare for these
 
Can we bring this thread back and stay on topic please. I want to purchase one of these qbanks for the Comat exams but I'm really unsure which to purchase. I used Uworld for Step 1 and really liked it, so I'm leaning towards UW. On the other hand Comquest is designed for osteopathic exams so maybe it's more appropriate for the Comat. Just wish these qbanks weren't so crazy expensive!.
 
I decided to go with uworld, when i was studying for step 1, I realized doing comquest wasn't as productive as doing uworld. Obviously comats and step 2 is a different testing experience but uworld still gives you good information.

I still plan on buying comquest before comlex though
 
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