COMLEX 1 score

[JohnnyBlaze2020]

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Hey everyone. I'm a 3rd year DO student. I did not take the USMLE. I got a 601 on the COMLEX level 1. I've been searching through these forums for something reliable regarding average comlex level 1 score per speciality but haven't found anything. Can someone shed some light on what fields are open to me? Side note, I know that my score is only a piece of the puzzle. Research, pre-clinical GPA, level 2 score and rotation evaluations all play a role in determining a good applicant. I'm just looking to see what would be available to me. Thank you in advance!

 

[IslandStyle808]

http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Charting-Outcomes-US-Osteopathic-2016.pdf

 

[surfguy84]

Take step 1. youre really limiting yourself otherwise.

 

[DrWhozits]

http://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Charting-Outcomes-US-Osteopathic-2016.pdf

I definitely agree that you should check out the above; however, keep in mind that it does not address the fact that many of these people also took the USMLE which sort of skews the usefulness of COMLEX averages for these.

 

[kbeitz]

I definitely agree that you should check out the above; however, keep in mind that it does not address the fact that many of these people also took the USMLE which sort of skews the usefulness of COMLEX averages for these.

Did this report not control for applicants that took both tests? If it didn't I find this report to be useless. How would one know whether to attribute match success to one test or the other?

 

[IslandStyle808]

I definitely agree that you should check out the above; however, keep in mind that it does not address the fact that many of these people also took the USMLE which sort of skews the usefulness of COMLEX averages for these.

Did this report not control for applicants that took both tests? If it didn't I find this report to be useless. How would one know whether to attribute match success to one test or the other?

It doesn't take into acccount for those who took the USMLE, but its better than nothing. The reports before were much worse since DOs were clumped with IMGs.

 

[JamesPotterMS-3]

To be 100% honest, if you got a 550+ on COMLEX, I would highly suggest just spending 3-4 weeks brushing up on FA and sitting for Step 1 as well. Many more doors are going to be kept open for you. I'm also an OMS-III and all the attendings I've worked with in the past month have said that taking the USMLE (and passing) was a very smart choice.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

What kind of rotations are people doing where they have so much free time to take step 1? Like, I'm coming home after my 10-11 hour shifts and crashing.

 

[JohnnyBlaze2020]

Thank you everyone for the input. I just don't think studying for Step1 is feasible at this point while in rotations. If I can't get a decent residency with a 601, then I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Thank you everyone for the input. I just don't think studying for Step1 is feasible at this point while in rotations. If I can't get a decent residency with a 601, then I'll cross that bridge when I get there.

You've got a pretty good shot at a pretty wide range of specialties. A lot of more competitive ones and places in more competitive areas are probably more locked off tho.

 

[Jinxapotato]

To be 100% honest, if you got a 550+ on COMLEX, I would highly suggest just spending 3-4 weeks brushing up on FA and sitting for Step 1 as well. Many more doors are going to be kept open for you. I'm also an OMS-III and all the attendings I've worked with in the past month have said that taking the USMLE (and passing) was a very smart choice.

This. I am in exact same situation as OP (600+ COMLEX, haven't taken USMLE), my adviser, 3 resident, my program chair and the chair of the specialty I wanna match into - ALL advised me to take USMLE. They told me to take a couchy easy elective (aka no shelf exam at my school), and study hard during that month, then take it. They say if you scored 600+ on COMLEX you SHOULD at least do average on USMLE if you brush it up again.

 

[jw3600]

Take USMLE 2 CK next year.

 

[Mad Jack]

What kind of rotations are people doing where they have so much free time to take step 1? Like, I'm coming home after my 10-11 hour shifts and crashing.

I took mine right after the COMLEX. Wasn't able to find enough extra time for Step 2 though.

 

[ortnakas]

What kind of rotations are people doing where they have so much free time to take step 1? Like, I'm coming home after my 10-11 hour shifts and crashing.

Agreed. Even on my easier-hour rotations, I was either studying for shelves or taking the opportunity to get the rest of my life in order. I don't think I ever could have back-tracked enough to successfully study for Step 1 all over again.

I think the morale of the story is sign up for USMLE, take NBMEs, and then take it if the odds appear to be in your favor. But if for whatever reason you didn't take it, just roll with your COMLEX score, rock rotations and move on with your life (while considering taking Step 2).

 

[Rekt]

Only 50% of DOs take USMLE. Placement rate is 99% (for now). It isn't the end of the world if you don't take it.

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

Only 50% of DOs take USMLE. Placement rate is 99% (for now). It isn't the end of the world if you don't take it.

I think that a 600 in a DO heavy area is still probably worth something too tbh.

 

[W19]

I would never go near the USMLE if I were a DO... Then again, I am not trying to get into a ultra competitive specialty.

It seems like the vast majority of DO who take both do worst in the USMLE...

 

[jw3600]

I would never go near the USMLE if I were a DO... Then again, I am not trying to get into a ultra competitive specialty.

It seems like the vast majority of DO who take both do worst in the USMLE...

Worse compared to what?

 

[W19]

Worse compared to what?

I meant to say when you look at DO who took both exams, they often have a lower percentile score in USMLE compared to COMLEX (of course, there are outliers)... Then again, SDN is a small sample.

 

[jw3600]

I meant to say when you look at DO who took both exams, they often have a lower percentile score in USMLE compared to COMLEX (of course, they are outliers)... Then again, SDN is a small sample.

You are correct about the data. I just feel that's more explained by the population taking the test. I'm more impressed by a 75th percentile USMLE (low 240s) then a 90th percentile COMLEX (~600s). The former is more impressive and will do more for your career. So even if your USMLE percentile isn't as high as your comlex, out performing a majority of your MD counterparts is an important statement.

 

[W19]

You are correct about the data. I just feel that's more explained by the population taking the test. I'm more impressed by a 75th percentile USMLE (low 240s) then a 90th percentile COMLEX (~600s). The former is more impressive and will do more for your career. So even if your USMLE percentile isn't as high as your comlex, out performing a majority of your MD counterparts is an important statement.

What do you mean? By the account of many DO students in SDN, the ones who take the USMLE are for the most part the top performing students in basic science. I have seen posts in here in which DO students say that school officials discourage students that aren't performing well from taking the USMLE.

If the top performing students can't outdo or even be on par with the average MD students, there is a problem...

My step1 score ~220. I feel like I should put that out there so people can understand that I am not the typical MD student who look down on DO...

 

[Drrrrrr. Celty]

I would never go near the USMLE if I were a DO... Then again, I am not trying to get into a ultra competitive specialty.

It seems like the vast majority of DO who take both do worst in the USMLE...

I meant to say when you look at DO who took both exams, they often have a lower percentile score in USMLE compared to COMLEX (of course, there are outliers)... Then again, SDN is a small sample.

Well, yah. I think having an average DO USMLE like say a 220 is still good to get a few extra interviews or etc.
Also it's not too surprising that most people score better on COMLEX percentile-wise than USMLE. I don't really imagine any reason someone wouldn't unless they didn't study OMM or the COMLEX's question style.

 

[Lexdiamondz]

Only 50% of DOs take USMLE. Placement rate is 99% (for now). It isn't the end of the world if you don't take it.

It isn't the end of the world by any means. With that said, their options for a good ACGME residency are inherently much more limited by not taking the USMLE. Now if OP wanted to go the AOA route it's a non-issue.

As a general rule, most competitive ACGME residencies are off the table without a USMLE score.

 

[W19]

What's wrong with AOA programs?