Comlex 2008 step 1 experiences thread

[PlasticMan]

Anyone taken the COMLEX this year and want to comment on it? What are they emphasizing this time around? What was your preparation(UWORLD, COMSAE, Kaplan,USMLERx, etc.) and how did it compare?

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[ShyRem]

They better get their butts in gear and grade some exams!

I mean, really, how hard would it be to just flash a message on the screen after your exam that just says "You passed" or "Go schedule another date"?? It's computerized for heavens sakes! We should be told immediately whether we passed or not (even "gee, it's really close" if one or two questions could make or break you) even if we don't get our exact scores.

 

[lunallena]

did anyone feel like some of the questions were just too clinical for our level? I mean, i had these knee injury questions that i was like WTF, why would they ask me that? i mean, ask me something about septic arthritis, ACL/pcl ok but not some weird crap. I also had a bunch of management questions on female reproductive problems and others that pissed me off. Oh well hopefully it's over

 

[ShyRem]

I think those were the questions I got right. I tend to be a more clinical thinker rather than a memorizer-upchucker. I know a lot of people were griping about some of those pregnancy questions which were quite clinical so of course I was happy to see them.

 

[djnels01]

They better get their butts in gear and grade some exams!

I mean, really, how hard would it be to just flash a message on the screen after your exam that just says "You passed" or "Go schedule another date"?? It's computerized for heavens sakes! We should be told immediately whether we passed or not (even "gee, it's really close" if one or two questions could make or break you) even if we don't get our exact scores.

I agree, they should tell you after you submit your final answer whether you've passed or not. I have a theory why they don't:

Not counting the 50 experimental questions, I think they analyze the results to all the questions and "toss out" those that hardly anyone got right. I'm thinking of those "way out there" questions that we all seem to have a few of on our exam. It's been said that there's no curve but why else would it take so long to grade an online computerized test? If 0% of test takers got a test question right for a legitimate reason (bad wording, no absolute right answer, etc.) that question should be thrown out... right?

Does this sound crazy to anyone?

 

[ShyRem]

Ok. Then give us a raw percentage on the spot. If it's over 50%, you know you're safe. If it's under 50%, you know you should probably keep studying. And then give a disclaimer that it's PRELIMINARY. Heck, give the student the option of seeing an immediate, uncurved raw score. That way folks who don't want it won't see it, folks who are worried can know to either celebrate or throw up or keep feeding their ulcer.

 

[lilzelda2]

Okay I just took it today

I might get stoned for saying this, but I perfered COMLEX to the USMLE. My exam was pretty easy and basic, so I left the test center pretty happy. The USMLE I'm still having panic attacks about.

First Aid and the Green book cover pretty much everything that was on my test. Nothing really required alot of thinking, or atleast as much thinking as Saturday. I didn't know everything, but I knew most of it.

Anatomy: Mainly lower limb, upper limb and neuroanatomy. The neuro was this person has this leison which artery is occluded and it was big arteries and common leisions. Oh and they used the secondary names for some of the brainstem leisions.

OMM: I had a lot of OMM questions, and I spent about a day or two studying OMM and I didn't think it was that bad. Those Trigger point boxes are really good to know in the green book. Mainly Sacrum, VS, Chapmans, had 3-4 Cranial. 2 Counterstrain, maybe 2 ME. Couple diagnosis of the spine. Psoas everywhere.

Micro: Mainly bacteria, STD'S galore. I even had matching on what type of protection you should use. Other than STD'S it was diarrhea. Alot of people and cats. First aid was enough.

Phys/Path: A little of everything. Nothing sticks out. I did have to make some respiratory diagnosis using X-ray, which I thought was a bit much. Had a couple of EKG's. Oh no calculations, no stats.

Pharm: Hmm couple questions on antipsychotics. 1-3 on Antimicrobials. Had a couple on antihistamines. Usual dose of Cardio.

Bhr/Psy: I had a lot of people doing drugs. It seems everyone was in a withdrawl at one point. I would know that chart in first aid and I know Kaplan does a good job on this subject as well. I think I only had one what should u do question.

Biochem/Gen: I had about maybe 10 biochem q's overall. Very basic, I would know the diseases, key enzyme's in pathways. Had 1 q on Genetics.

Okay I hope that was helpful, good luck to everyone.

 

[nvshelat]

Okay I just took it today

I might get stoned for saying this, but I perfered COMLEX to the USMLE. My exam was pretty easy and basic, so I left the test center pretty happy. The USMLE I'm still having panic attacks about.

First Aid and the Green book cover pretty much everything that was on my test. Nothing really required alot of thinking, or atleast as much thinking as Saturday. I didn't know everything, but I knew most of it.

Anatomy: Mainly lower limb, upper limb and neuroanatomy. The neuro was this person has this leison which artery is occluded and it was big arteries and common leisions. Oh and they used the secondary names for some of the brainstem leisions.

OMM: I had a lot of OMM questions, and I spent about a day or two studying OMM and I didn't think it was that bad. Those Trigger point boxes are really good to know in the green book. Mainly Sacrum, VS, Chapmans, had 3-4 Cranial. 2 Counterstrain, maybe 2 ME. Couple diagnosis of the spine. Psoas everywhere.

Micro: Mainly bacteria, STD'S galore. I even had matching on what type of protection you should use. Other than STD'S it was diarrhea. Alot of people and cats. First aid was enough.

Phys/Path: A little of everything. Nothing sticks out. I did have to make some respiratory diagnosis using X-ray, which I thought was a bit much. Had a couple of EKG's. Oh no calculations, no stats.

Pharm: Hmm couple questions on antipsychotics. 1-3 on Antimicrobials. Had a couple on antihistamines. Usual dose of Cardio.

Bhr/Psy: I had a lot of people doing drugs. It seems everyone was in a withdrawl at one point. I would know that chart in first aid and I know Kaplan does a good job on this subject as well. I think I only had one what should u do question.

Biochem/Gen: I had about maybe 10 biochem q's overall. Very basic, I would know the diseases, key enzyme's in pathways. Had 1 q on Genetics.

Okay I hope that was helpful, good luck to everyone.

Funny you say that zelda, I preferred my USMLE to the COMLEX.

Took it yesterday, felt the same as you pretty much in terms of what was covered. Think we had the same exam - people on drugs on withdrawal, same type of neuro although I find that stuff very difficult. For the most part, the questions were "You know it or don't" - left the test center 2 hrs early bc most of the qtns were this way, and also 1/2 the length of USMLE qtns.

Good luck to everyone who hasn't taken it yet

 

[FrankWolf83]

Thanks for posting all the comments regarding the exam - they're a huge help in reminding us to review review review Congrats to all who're done w/ the exam!!!!

 

[hooperg]

I believe I have uncovered a dreadful secret pertaining to the mythical evaluation procedures for the COMLEX. At this point, I can only say that it involves wombats and a single Ti-83 Graphing Calculator codenamed A.T.

I fear that if I reveal too much, my vertebral artery may be transected in the middle of the night by a cloaked Stilliian assassin.

 

[megswinter82]

That comment just made my whole day

 

[DragonWell]

After what seemed like an eternity, I finally got my COMLEX score back.

I am indebted to all the posters on this board who provided advice and encouragement, especially Taus for sharing his excellent study plan.

Took the test on 5/22, score received 6/27. I used UWorld as my Qbank: completed 100%, started out in the mid 60's and ended up in the low 70's. I'm at a "new" DO school and worked hard for the first two years, which I think helped as much as any specific board studying I did immediately before the test.

Some of my numbers which might aid future testers in predicting their own scores:

NBME 4: 580
NBME 3: 600
CBSE: 88
UW Assessment: 720
COMSAE: 583
200 question NBOME booklet: 160/200

COMLEX: 683/95

Just in case anyone is freaked out by their COMSAE score, as you can see, it underpredicted my actual score by 100 points! I guess this might mean COMSAE is pretty inaccurate, although in fairness, after taking COMSAE about a week before my test, I did change my studying quite a bit. It'll be interesting to see other results.

Now more waiting for USMLE.

 

[gouda]

Can we look up our COMLEX scores online just like you can for USMLE? Or do we just wait for them by mail?

 

[It'sElectric]

Way to go DragonWell! Any advice on the differences between usmle and comlex? I took the usmle already, and now I'm just counting down the days until I take comlex (3 more) - wishing I could've scheduled it literally 2 days after usmle.

Anything extra I can study?? At this point I'm just trying to keep everything from leaving my brain. Read back through FA, brushed up on OMM related topics, and even looked at some neuro. Should I focus on drugs?

 

[DragonWell]

Can we look up our COMLEX scores online just like you can for USMLE? Or do we just wait for them by mail?

http://www.nbome.org/onlineReg.htm

Login, then click "View Scores"

Way to go DragonWell! Any advice on the differences between usmle and comlex? I took the usmle already, and now I'm just counting down the days until I take comlex (3 more) - wishing I could've scheduled it literally 2 days after usmle.

Anything extra I can study?? At this point I'm just trying to keep everything from leaving my brain. Read back through FA, brushed up on OMM related topics, and even looked at some neuro. Should I focus on drugs?

Thanks! If I were in your shoes, I'd probably do just what you're doing - hit a few FA pages, some of the nitpicky OMM details, maybe look at the pictures in back of FA. The test was definitely different than USMLE, but not in a way that is easily explainable. Similar subjects, but slightly different focus. I'm sure you're well prepared, just rest up the day before, then go in and kick some ass.

 

[It'sElectric]

http://www.nbome.org/onlineReg.htm

Login, then click "View Scores"



Thanks! If I were in your shoes, I'd probably do just what you're doing - hit a few FA pages, some of the nitpicky OMM details, maybe look at the pictures in back of FA. The test was definitely different than USMLE, but not in a way that is easily explainable. Similar subjects, but slightly different focus. I'm sure you're well prepared, just rest up the day before, then go in and kick some ass.

Much appreciated! And congratulations again. Hopefully you'll receive equally good news when usmle scores come out in a little over 2 weeks.

 

[docluver]

Kaplan Comlex Qbank: 74%
COMSAE: 543
COMLEX Step 1: 563

I agree that the COMSAE has a tendency to underpredict scores. I guess that is a good thing so most of you will be pleasantly suprised. Good luck to everybody and I'm going out to celebrate.

 

[It'sElectric]

Kaplan Comlex Qbank: 74%
COMSAE: 543
COMLEX Step 1: 563

I agree that the COMSAE has a tendency to underpredict scores. I guess that is a good thing so most of you will be pleasantly suprised. Good luck to everybody and I'm going out to celebrate.

Congratulations! It's great to finally see some scores coming back.

 

[daveyjwin]

I actually got about 20 points worse than my COMSAE score, which was actually kinda dissapointing, but I'm still above average, and since I'm trying to get into IM, I suppose that's what counts. Anyone know how to figure out my percentile score? Also, any links sources of info on what COMLEX score you need for certain specialties? I'd just like to get my bearings before I go mope for a day or two...

 

[scpod]

Anything extra I can study?? At this point I'm just trying to keep everything from leaving my brain. Read back through FA, brushed up on OMM related topics, and even looked at some neuro. Should I focus on drugs?

Agree with what Dragonwell said. In addition, just make sure you know those levels, and know the autonomic nervous system (including drugs) backwards and forwards.

I'd have to say just RELAX, because it's not all that hard. So much of it is just straight forward. You'll even wonder at first if they are trying to trick you, but they aren't. I really believe there were about 75 questions that were in our OMM lectures....and you only have to get about 100 questions right to pass. Run through the stuff in FA and your OMM high yield stuff, and you'll have it made.

 

[hopefulfuturedo]

Only 100 to pass are you serious?????

Agree with what Dragonwell said. In addition, just make sure you know those levels, and know the autonomic nervous system (including drugs) backwards and forwards.

I'd have to say just RELAX, because it's not all that hard. So much of it is just straight forward. You'll even wonder at first if they are trying to trick you, but they aren't. I really believe there were about 75 questions that were in our OMM lectures....and you only have to get about 100 questions right to pass. Run through the stuff in FA and your OMM high yield stuff, and you'll have it made.

 

[scpod]

Only 100 to pass are you serious?????

It should have read ANOTHER hundred. Because, you really only have to get about 40% right to pass.

 

[osli]

40%? Are you serious? That seems awfully low, but I'll take it.

BTW, any idea where the "average" 500 percentage might be? And how do most people interpret their score. i.e., I know more about the USMLE than the COMLEX... I know that 230 at least qualifies you for most specialties, and 240 puts you right in the heart of the competitive range (i.e., you score won't hurt you much vs. anyone else). 250 is about as high of a score that matters, even for plastics and derm... anything above 250 is just gravy and bragging rights mostly.

How does that compare to COMLEX? We don't know the highest possible USMLE score, but for COMLEX its 800. The highest people usually get on USMLE is in the low-mid 270's... what does that compare to in COMLEX land? And where do the crucial 230/240 type breakpoints that put you in competition for some of the more competitive specialties line up to COMLEX?

 

[DragonWell]

40%? Are you serious? That seems awfully low, but I'll take it.

BTW, any idea where the "average" 500 percentage might be? And how do most people interpret their score. i.e., I know more about the USMLE than the COMLEX... I know that 230 at least qualifies you for most specialties, and 240 puts you right in the heart of the competitive range (i.e., you score won't hurt you much vs. anyone else). 250 is about as high of a score that matters, even for plastics and derm... anything above 250 is just gravy and bragging rights mostly.

How does that compare to COMLEX? We don't know the highest possible USMLE score, but for COMLEX its 800. The highest people usually get on USMLE is in the low-mid 270's... what does that compare to in COMLEX land? And where do the crucial 230/240 type breakpoints that put you in competition for some of the more competitive specialties line up to COMLEX?

quoted from this thread

The learning specialist at our school broke the scoring of the COMLEX down like this:

400: Passing
500: Avg
Upper 500's: "what most people get" (not sure if she meant everywhere or just at our school)
600's: You can do whatever you want (residency-wise)
700's: You're a super genius

Again, this is from our learning specialist at school. Not sure what others have heard, but this is what I've been basing my "goal score" on.

I have no idea what raw percent correct would equal a certain score...seems like this would vary depending on the particular test. As I understand it, COMLEX is scaled so that the mean is 500 and the SD is 79, so you can figure out your percentile using this info. I believe the USMLE has a mean of 220 and a SD of about 20, so I guess you could mathematically compare them this way. In reality though, there's probably a lot more than numbers to compare...

 

[osli]

Thanks.... super genious!

 

[Donvb]

40%? Are you serious? That seems awfully low, but I'll take it.

BTW, any idea where the "average" 500 percentage might be? And how do most people interpret their score. i.e., I know more about the USMLE than the COMLEX... I know that 230 at least qualifies you for most specialties, and 240 puts you right in the heart of the competitive range (i.e., you score won't hurt you much vs. anyone else). 250 is about as high of a score that matters, even for plastics and derm... anything above 250 is just gravy and bragging rights mostly.

How does that compare to COMLEX? We don't know the highest possible USMLE score, but for COMLEX its 800. The highest people usually get on USMLE is in the low-mid 270's... what does that compare to in COMLEX land? And where do the crucial 230/240 type breakpoints that put you in competition for some of the more competitive specialties line up to COMLEX?

This information is from the Department of Academic affairs at St. Josephs Hospital and Medical center from 2007...

COMLEX USMLE
score=percentile
500=50 216=50
520=60 222=60
541=70 229=70
566=80 236=80
582=85 241=85
601=90 247=90
630=95 255=95

So when you ask about the "competitive" USMLE scores of 230s/240s you can compare those to a 560s/600s... The Standard deviation is much bigger in the COMLEX so the spread is larger...

 

[It'sElectric]

Just took the piece of garbage today. I have no idea what happened. I've taken both the usmle and comlex now, and I can without a doubt say that one test is far superior than the other. I don't know if different versions of the comlex are drastically different than others, or what, but the one I had today was RIDICULOUS. Very, very few bread and butter questions. Lots of obscure anatomy/neuro and various ob/gyn. That was NOT a licensing exam. That was an anatomy exam that had garbage I've never seen in any of the review books I used.

I had next to no physiology, only 3-4 behavioral/psych questions, and 0 Sacrum Questions! I didn't think that last part was honestly possible. I had lots of viscero, lots of chapman's, and lots of ribs. Lots of random pharm as well.

I have no idea how this exam is scored, but if my exam is scored on the same curve as other exams (assuming they might be "easier"), I'm screwed. COMSAE wasn't even remotely representative of the exam I just took.

I used FA, UWorld, BRS Phys, Goljan, and OMM review packet from our school. I was shooting for 600+, but now I'm just praying that I passed.

Anyone have a clue as to how this thing is graded/normalized?? Very concerned.

P.S. Sorry to sound like a giant whiner, but I just felt blindsided today.

 

[TGV2010]

DVB- I just recieved my letter in the mail from comlex but that didnt actually give me the percentile either. Do we have to call them to get our percentile?

 

[osli]

I took the exam today as well. Very strange beast. Not a single physiology question that I can remember. Lots of questions requiring an extensive clinical knowledge and a good grasp of epidemiology (lots of "which is the most common cause of" and "what would be the most likely result of..." type questions).

Maybe 3 neuro, but no pictures - just descriptions of lesions. In fact, I think I had maybe 10 pictures on the whole exam.

What I did have a lot of were EKG's. Seven of them... all 12 lead interpretations. And I had four questions asking me about what ligament was damaged in an ankle sprain. And four more asking exactly the same thing on cranial OMT. And tons of questions that started out as an OB case presentation.

Lots of DOC for bugs, some that are beyond what I know clinically at this point. Lots of pharm side effects, some so obscure I've never run across them (i.e., they described a side effect I had never heard of, let alone attributable to one of the drugs listed). And a micro question so off-the-wall that I don't even know if some of the answer choices were bacteria, parasites, fungi, or what. Never heard of them, ever, and were so weird I can't even remember the spelling well enough to look them up. Worse yet, the patient presentation was absolutely nothing like I have ever run across, so I'm pretty sure it was due to one of those obscure bugs/things that I had no clue about.

Perhaps 5 questions with multiple correct answers. About that many more that weren't technically answerable based on the information provided (i.e., botched stem), but that you could easily figure out what they were intending to get at.

All in all though, not that bad of an exam. Certainly not nearly as difficult as UW. I felt like about 80% of the questions were straightforward. Some of those a bit obscure, many quality questions, a lot of clinical interpretation that I'm glad our school prepared us for, and a fair helping of gimmies. About 10% was probably straightforward but was something I just didn't bother to look at or study (ankle ligaments anyone?). And the other 10% were just poor questions in one way or another.

And what's with the matching? If you want to write three questions in a row with the same answer choices... just write three questions in a row with the same answer choices! I guess in theory maybe it makes the questions a little easier to have them clumped together, so whatever, but it just seems weird.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

OMG ... I'm now scared to death and I'm gonna puke again ... (been sick since last week and had been puking) ... I might need some more phenergan after reading all these horrific experiences ... so not looking forward to taking this exam in 1 year

 

[osli]

Nah, it really wasn't that bad. Or at least, it really wasn't that difficult. I'd say half of the test was gimmie no-brainer questions... "woman with discharge and wet mount shows flagellated organisms moving around..." type stuff (that might even be more difficult than a lot of questions). But then the other half was a mix of good questions that made you at least feel like your studying was useful, and then those frustrating questions where you feel like you know everything about the subject and still can't answer their question.

Their terminology did tick me off at times... not being able to answer a question because they used different terms than I was familiar with. Like having an SVT on EKG with ectopic pacemakers... I know all about the physiology, EKG findings, treatment, symptoms, etc. and wasn't sure of the correct answer choice because they used terminology unfamiliar to me. Well, I think I remember hearing an old faculty member use those terms in a lecture two years ago, but it certainly isn't the common terms used in review books (or Dubin's rapid EKG interpretation) that I'm familiar with.

Just relax though. The test isn't that bad. I'd mark anywhere from 20 to 30 questions on UWorld in a 50 question block (includes ones where I took a very educated guess but couldn't really explain fully if you asked me to teach it to you), but only about 10 in a COMLEX block that I had the same degree of uncertainty about.

 

[DeLaughterDO]

DVB- I just recieved my letter in the mail from comlex but that didnt actually give me the percentile either. Do we have to call them to get our percentile?

calculate z score

z score = (score - mean)/standard deviation

then look up your z-score to percentile here.

 

[Donvb]

DVB- I just recieved my letter in the mail from comlex but that didnt actually give me the percentile either. Do we have to call them to get our percentile?

They give you the standard deviation of 79, so use that with the average of 500 to find your estimated percentile... Or estimate your percentile with the numbers that I posted above...

 

[FrankWolf83]

So I just took the comlex today and although I swore I won't look at another computer screen for a week, I'm already back.

I'm not sure how many forms are out there, but here are *my* experiences. They might not help you on your exam, but maybe can answer "what do I need to know as a future physician."

Background: I studied FA, Goljan Path, class notes, Mosby Micro flash cards, Savarese, 1500 questions on UWorld, and read articles on EMedicine and Medscape. UWorld questions were on average much better questions because they tested your understanding rather on regurgitation. I can't memorize and I hate doing it. Hence I'm frustrated with

Test Format:

8 Sessions of 50 questions each. Session 1 2 and 3 were straightforward. I am not a fast test taker but I finished 1.5 hrs early, giving me enough time to go over session 4 which was the beginning of a very long afternoon. I went from marking 2/5 questions / session to 15/ session on round 4. Those 15 questions weren't hard per se, nor were they analytic, but rather "did you memorize this fact," or they were totally out of my league and would not have known if I weren't a practicing physician already. You either know it or you don't.


Micro: maybe 80 questions, and 76 of them were straightforward. Like, what is this cat+ coag+ gram+ cocci, and the answer choices were staph aureus and a bunch of gram-. Def know MCC and the charts.

Virology: just your typicle viruses - very straightforward. Do yourself a favor and look up EVERY bug you've studied and know what it looks like both on a patient and on slide. There were a few pictures of people with a certain viral infection, which most I knew before looking at the picture and then confirmed my thoughts with the "exhibit". However, make sure you know the specific pathology of why people get DIC, why people get a fever and how, and what that would look like on a person, and why exactly they would get diarrhea or a rash or blood in their urine if they took a certain drug, etc.


Pharm: Maybe 100 questions, and 80 of those I learned in class. The rest were OBGYN related and were neither in FA, nor lecture material. Most of the pharm was straightforward, but I have no clue what hypertensive you give to a pregnant mother at what trimester, nor what osteoarthritis/RA drug you would give in certain conditions. I knew I would get Step 2 kind of questions and that's one thing I would have done differently had I not been told otherwise by 3rd/4th years. There were maybe 4 other questions that I had no idea what certain words in the question stem meant. Not a single cancer drug :-(

Biochem: Not that many, just a few basics on what is elevated or deficient in such and such a disease. What is XR and AR. All were in FA.

Path: I didn't see that many, but yet again I got 2 histo slides I had never seen before. Goljan and FA gave me more than I needed.

Anatomy/Musculoskeletal: I felt like there were at least 12 questions on this in each session. I've heard so many times that FA is all you need for anatomy and that couldn't be further from the truth. I knew my brachial plexus cold, as well as dermatomes and innervation and arterial supply of the extremeities, but that was not enough. If you didn't know what EXACT nerve was responsible for any one reflex - you were screwed. I wish I had known all those who wrote the questions were constipated. I mean, how the h-e-double-hockey sticks am I supposed to know what artery/vein profuses your butt. I suppose that's important? So many times I wondered if I was taking a board for the American Orthepedic Oncologists society. Def pick up some kind of book that walks you through all the imporant clinical anatomy of the entire body, including the skull and thorax.

OMM: There was only ONE innominate question and it was so easy an MD could have gotten it right. The rest you would have only known if you got a lecture on this in class; apparently you can cure everything using Cranial. Make sure you know how to cure male erection and ejaculation problems using your palpatory skills - and don't forget the woman in labor, a cheerleader with a headache, and your mom with an ear infection. Forget everything else you learned at your grande College of Osteopathic Medicine. No seriously... they'll call it College of Cranial Medicine if they could.

Repro: Get a step 2 book to read on this. Some questions came from FA, a ton came from Savarese (over, and over, and over), and a bunch I had not expected to see on a step 1 exam.


Other surprises: Physio is def important - I was going to throw an embolus had I gotten yet another question on pulmonary physiology. I also had matching on those beloved suppressor genes - can you say USMLE?

Renal and Heme: Straightforward. If your px has anemia or a kidney problem - how do you tell what it is without palpating their C2-S4.

Cardio: 10 or so EKGs, straightforward. Use Dubin as FA was also inadequate here.



Moral of the story: You can't prepare for every question you're going to see on Comlex - but you can totally prepare to be an awesome physician.


GOOD LUCK to everyone else who has to take it!!!

 

[ShyRem]

Wish I'd had your 10 or so EKGs Frank. Those would have been SUCH gimme questions for me. But noooo... instead I had the two 5 question matching sections on CD markers and ILs. Kill me.

Ah, well. Congrats on it being over, Frank!!!!! (BTW: it's gonna feel pretty weird tomorrow to NOT have to study!)

 

[scpod]

.... (BTW: it's gonna feel pretty weird tomorrow to NOT have to study!)

Ummmmm.....I do more studying now than I did the last two years...LOL. The only difference is that, now, it's not just for a test. I'm really interested in learning how to care for my patients better. OK, I do have some shelf exams to worry about, and I'm unmercifully pimped all day long-- I don't like feeling like an idiot (which happens quite often) . But, it's a lot more fun now. At least it is to me.

 

[Doctor4Life1769]

Nah, it really wasn't that bad. Or at least, it really wasn't that difficult. I'd say half of the test was gimmie no-brainer questions... "woman with discharge and wet mount shows flagellated organisms moving around..." type stuff (that might even be more difficult than a lot of questions). But then the other half was a mix of good questions that made you at least feel like your studying was useful, and then those frustrating questions where you feel like you know everything about the subject and still can't answer their question.

Their terminology did tick me off at times... not being able to answer a question because they used different terms than I was familiar with. Like having an SVT on EKG with ectopic pacemakers... I know all about the physiology, EKG findings, treatment, symptoms, etc. and wasn't sure of the correct answer choice because they used terminology unfamiliar to me. Well, I think I remember hearing an old faculty member use those terms in a lecture two years ago, but it certainly isn't the common terms used in review books (or Dubin's rapid EKG interpretation) that I'm familiar with.

Just relax though. The test isn't that bad. I'd mark anywhere from 20 to 30 questions on UWorld in a 50 question block (includes ones where I took a very educated guess but couldn't really explain fully if you asked me to teach it to you), but only about 10 in a COMLEX block that I had the same degree of uncertainty about.

Thanks for the words of advice ... I just feel like there won't be enough time to study for Step I AND during 2nd year classes (our curriculum is systems-based, so not a whole lot of repetition from year 1).

 

[osli]

I think systems based probably prepares you a lot better for the style of COMLEX. It's a very clinically-oriented exam, and while you might forget some biochem details from your early systems in your first year, you get a lot better feel for the clinical side.

Even so, there were a few clinical questions that stumped me too. The OB presentations I mostly felt pretty solid on, only because we had a pretty tough OB section in our curriculum.

The advice above is golden if you want to nail this exam. It isn't enough to memorize brachial plexus and some dermatomes. You need to know precisely what never goes where, flexes what, and senses what... and it isn't good enough to know C5-6 or C6-7 level like I've been used to. The choices will just give you C5, 6, 7, 8, etc. and sometimes it was tough for me to get that specific. And know the lower leg as well as you do the upper. And know cranial. Somehow. Just do.

 

[ShyRem]

Ummmmm.....I do more studying now than I did the last two years...LOL. The only difference is that, now, it's not just for a test. I'm really interested in learning how to care for my patients better. OK, I do have some shelf exams to worry about, and I'm unmercifully pimped all day long-- I don't like feeling like an idiot (which happens quite often) . But, it's a lot more fun now. At least it is to me.

Yes, but FrankWolf doesn't have clinicals starting until August. So he's got a couple days to NOT study. And believe me... it felt very strange. I know I'll have to study during rotations. I'm about ready to start devouring my surgery book for my first rotation (yes, surgery first. )

 

[jbone]

My turn to chime in...
Ohhhhh, where do I begin. Took the bad boy biotch COMLEX yesterday and after 400 questions, it all seems like a blur but I will do my best to report a little. First, KNOW YOUR PHARM! (Can I get an amen!) I was pounded with pharm the whole day and was a little ticked about it because I felt I was ready for it...I wasn’t. I had a TON of anatomy in regards to nerves and muscles and a few on blood supplies. Seriously, how many times can someone fall on an outstretched arm? I had more then a fair share of OMM which for me, was actually pretty difficult. Be smart and review the ribs because there might be 65 questions on it. Not a lot of Chapman’s points (the ones that were on there were strange and not the commons). Everyone was pregnant, obese, smoked, or had chronic bronchitis on my exam so know those cold. Unbelievably, I actually had a lot of biochem and cell/molecular stuff so hit some markers/IL/CD/pathways etc. There were many “duh” questions but then there were MANY questions that made you wonder how they thought up this shiz. I had a question asking me the specifics about the chicken pox! I am talking specifics here. Not “think your way through” questions…you either knew that level of difficulty or you didn’t. And the pictures/MRIs/CTs…seriously good luck. The pictures were HORRIBLE . I did not know if I was looking at a magnified peanut or a cow’s nasal hair.
Anyway, I am off to pound the USMLE on Thursday. 350 questions will be a breeze compared to that biotch but it is doable. Need to learn STATS/Cell and molecular in a few days…wish me luck. Good luck to those who have not taken it yet, drop me a line if you have any questions.

 

[jbone]

Just took the piece of garbage today. I have no idea what happened. I've taken both the usmle and comlex now, and I can without a doubt say that one test is far superior than the other. I don't know if different versions of the comlex are drastically different than others, or what, but the one I had today was RIDICULOUS. Very, very few bread and butter questions. Lots of obscure anatomy/neuro and various ob/gyn. That was NOT a licensing exam. That was an anatomy exam that had garbage I've never seen in any of the review books I used.

I had next to no physiology, only 3-4 behavioral/psych questions, and 0 Sacrum Questions! I didn't think that last part was honestly possible. I had lots of viscero, lots of chapman's, and lots of ribs. Lots of random pharm as well.

I have no idea how this exam is scored, but if my exam is scored on the same curve as other exams (assuming they might be "easier"), I'm screwed. COMSAE wasn't even remotely representative of the exam I just took.

I used FA, UWorld, BRS Phys, Goljan, and OMM review packet from our school. I was shooting for 600+, but now I'm just praying that I passed.

Anyone have a clue as to how this thing is graded/normalized?? Very concerned.

P.S. Sorry to sound like a giant whiner, but I just felt blindsided today.

Bet we took the same exam. They must have it out for DMU students.

 

[BobBarker]

Any June test dates have their scores back yet? I keep getting more and more nervous about this. I really think I did pretty well on USMLE, but I just didn't have that great of a feeling about COMLEX. I don't care what score I get, as long as it is atleast 400. June 10th Comlex, June 4th USMLE, no results yet for either.

 

[.edu-MD]

OMM: Make sure you know how to cure male erection and ejaculation problems using your palpatory skills

Is this what they're teaching in OMM these days?

 

[DO it right]

Is this what they're teaching in OMM these days?

you have to think in terms of sympathetics/parasym...it's easy to follow on from there.......is it practical? i guess that has to wait for a a couple of weeks 'till i start rotations

 

[.edu-MD]

i guess that has to wait for a a couple of weeks 'till i start rotations

I'm sure your patients will enjoy it...

 

[OMMnerd]

does anybody know if there's a specific day of the week when they send the scores? and do they send you an email with your scores or snailmail? and if they do send you an email, do they have you go to the same link that someone posted on here before www.nbome.org? thanks.

 

[DragonWell]

does anybody know if there's a specific day of the week when they send the scores? and do they send you an email with your scores or snailmail? and if they do send you an email, do they have you go to the same link that someone posted on here before www.nbome.org? thanks.

Dunno if they always come on a specific day, but my score came on a Friday afternoon. No email was sent, but a snailmail score arrived a few days after my score was posted at http://www.nbome.org/onlineReg.htm

 

[ShyRem]

You mean i'm just going to have to continually check that stupid site 3 times a day like I'm obsessive-compulsive???






Oh, wait. I'm a med student. I *am* OCD.

 

[scpod]

You mean i'm just going to have to continually check that stupid site 3 times a day like I'm obsessive-compulsive???

I think I checked four times a day: before early rounds, at lunch, after my last patient, and again later that night after getting home. I didn't leave the hospital that Friday evening until close to 9PM and was SURPRISED to find my status had changed to "Pass", so I looked up my score. One note, when you log on it forever said "approved" or something like that on the status page under part one. About a week before I got my score the status changed to "test taken". When you see that, get ready!

 

[HunterGatherer]

I think I checked four times a day: before early rounds, at lunch, after my last patient, and again later that night after getting home. I didn't leave the hospital that Friday evening until close to 9PM and was SURPRISED to find my status had changed to "Pass", so I looked up my score. One note, when you log on it forever said "approved" or something like that on the status page under part one. About a week before I got my score the status changed to "test taken". When you see that, get ready!

Mine says " exam taken" and I only took the exam 6 days ago. only checked once though since I thought we get scores in 6 weeks.

 

[It'sElectric]

Mine says " exam taken" and I only took the exam 6 days ago. only checked once though since I thought we get scores in 6 weeks.

Same here...some I'm guessing we'll have quite a bit more than a week before the actual score is reported.