comlex 1 retakers

[gwinnie]

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Retaking soon and I don't know what to do. My first time I didn't do a lot of questions so I've been makin up for that this time. I thought I was getting better with the subjects but I took a comsae and i'm not "getting it". Alot was stuff you can't even really look up in FA or pathoma or anywhere. Has anyone felt this way and was there anything you could do to fix it? I know ppl will say do more questions and that's what I'm planning but i'm honestly scared I might fail again

 

[Rekt]

Retaking soon and I don't know what to do. My first time I didn't do a lot of questions so I've been makin up for that this time. I thought I was getting better with the subjects but I took a comsae and i'm not "getting it". Alot was stuff you can't even really look up in FA or pathoma or anywhere. Has anyone felt this way and was there anything you could do to fix it? I know ppl will say do more questions and that's what I'm planning but i'm honestly scared I might fail again

We need more information. What did you do the first time, what resources? What are you using now? What was your comsae? You sound pretty lackadaisical about comlex. You need to understand the importance of this exam. If you fail again, your medicine career is essentially over. Buckle up and get to work. You should be living and breathing UWod, FA, Pathoma, Sketchy, Board and Beyond.

 

[MusicDOc124]

Did you really identify where you went wrong last time? What are you doing differently than last time?

I know numerous people who failed and retook it and did fine, but they all were honest with themselves with how they weren't prepared.

All of whom also signed up for some sort of review course such as DIT, boards boot camp, etc.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I haven't taken my first practice exam for any boards yet, but the first thing would do is look for my worst section & target that area first to study. Make you're weaknesses your strengths, or at least stronger.

 

[Medic741]

Did you use sketchy

 

[Goro]

Retaking soon and I don't know what to do. My first time I didn't do a lot of questions so I've been makin up for that this time. I thought I was getting better with the subjects but I took a comsae and i'm not "getting it". Alot was stuff you can't even really look up in FA or pathoma or anywhere. Has anyone felt this way and was there anything you could do to fix it? I know ppl will say do more questions and that's what I'm planning but i'm honestly scared I might fail again

As a teaching moment, the bolded strategy you took seems to me to be a form of committing career suicide.

You need to be doing any many practice questions as you can, from as many question banks as possible.

You should NOT take COMLEX until you are ready.

The gestalt I've seen on SDN is Anki, Najeeb, Pathoma, Sketchy (which my students swear by), BNB, UWorld etc. Plus COMBANK

 

[Medic741]

I'd recommend Physeo -- their review of systems is board question oriented and I've been really impressed at how well they focus on the HY topics... GL though...

 

[NOLADO84]

UWorld x 2+ COMBANK x 2 + Sketchy + Pathoma+ FA = Pass boards with flying colors


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[samac]

I was someone who had to retake because of personal obstacles.
If you’re overwhelmed by the information you prob my need to use a structured program instead of taking it on yourself, creating your own schedule and figuring out how to use different resources.

Definitely use Uworld no matter what you do, Qbanks are golden. If sketchy works for you I still remember my micro stuff over a year later because of the pictures.

Many people I know who’ve failed swear by boards boot camp.

 

[NotYou20]

95% of the information tested is in FA, pathoma, uworld, and the green book. If you can't figure things out from a comsae after looking them up you probably have some serious problems understanding the material and need to figure out what isn't clicking.

 

[ProfAnon]

Retaking soon and I don't know what to do. My first time I didn't do a lot of questions so I've been makin up for that this time. I thought I was getting better with the subjects but I took a comsae and i'm not "getting it". Alot was stuff you can't even really look up in FA or pathoma or anywhere. Has anyone felt this way and was there anything you could do to fix it? I know ppl will say do more questions and that's what I'm planning but i'm honestly scared I might fail again

You should absolutely use a structured program, from your description you are an ideal candidate. You can't just flounder doing what you "think" is right and "not getting it". I have seen many students, such as yourself, seek advice from well-meaning fellow students, and it doesn't work for them. The conventional wisdom on SDN on what to use for boards is awesome for most people, and for an average student I would say absolutely follow those guidelines. However, if you already have a failure, and your recent COMSAE indicates you are not progressing as you should, you need to stop seeking advice from those who didn't struggle, because what they did is not working for you. I'm telling you this because I have dealt with many students in your exact situation and I know what works and what doesn't.

I recommend Boards Boot Camp (BBC). It is really designed for students like yourself, and I do not recommend it for everyone. Do their program, follow exactly what they tell you. You should also speak to your school and and make sure they can give you the time to complete the program. They also do assessments and will tell you when you are ready. I also agree with the earlier advice of not taking it until you are ready. If the COMSAE says you are going to fail, in all likelihood you will fail (I don't run into many students who fail a COMSAE and pass the real deal, although I have seen some pass COMSAEs and fail the real deal). If you do not like BBC there are other programs. The PASS program is also great for students in your situation, however it is an in-person program, fairly expensive, and is on a particular schedule (so you have to start it when they start).

That is my 2 cents, good luck!