COMLEX step II

[Orthodoc2be]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I've been doing questions on Comquest, and from what I've heard, it resembles the actual step II exam the most. It seems like the questions are practically the same as for step I and it doesn't seem to involve a lot of workup or management questions. Anyone else getting the same thing?

With that being said, for those of you out there who have taken COMLEX step II, would it be sufficient to review FA USMLE step I (since I have so many useful notes in it) in addition to doing comquest and combank questions?

 

[bleeker10]

I've heard anecdotal evidence that since the COMLEX was re-scaled last year, COMBANK is a better qbank than COMQUEST. I'm not sure if this is true or not. I'll probably do both if possible.

As far as books, I've heard varying things. Step Up to Step 2, FA for Step 2, Step 2 secrets, Crush Step 2 are all books I've heard being used with varying levels of success. I think the best thing is to find one book that works best for me and stick with it. I didn't like the format of Step Up to Medicine (very cluttered) so I'll probably do FA or Step 2 Secrets.

How long should I spend studying for Level 2? I've heard the adage "2 months, 2 weeks, 2 pencils" for Levels 1, 2, 3 respectively. Would one month of dedicated studying be enough?

 

[SHuffDO]

The COMLEX was re-scaled only for the curve (pasing score) to my knowledge, not the actual questions so I don't think that has any significance to making one QBank better than the other. I've heard of people passing with high scores after using COMQUEST, and some of them after failing using other question banks just this past year, after the re-scaling. To my understanding, supplementing it with UWorld, Secrets, and Step Up is almost a guaranteed >500 score.

 

[bleeker10]

The COMLEX was re-scaled only for the curve (pasing score) to my knowledge, not the actual questions so I don't think that has any significance to making one QBank better than the other. I've heard of people passing with high scores after using COMQUEST, and some of them after failing using other question banks just this past year, after the re-scaling. To my understanding, supplementing it with UWorld, Secrets, and Step Up is almost a guaranteed >500 score.

Thanks. I wasn't sure if they added new questions or just re-scaled it for score purposes. I'll probably use COMQUEST because I've heard good things about it.

 

[digitlnoize]

I did UWorld x 1 year, Combank (provided by school) x 6 months, and Comquest x 1 month.

Focus on UWorld for content and the COMLEX banks for OMM questions. They're both good, in their own ways and between the both of them and the green book, you should be fairly well prepared for OMM.

Other must-haves: Kaplan Step 2 Videos and Step 2 Secrets (really helped A LOT).

 

[docstudent123]

how is Master the Boards by Dr. Conrad Fischer, by Kaplan?

Also FA for step2 is from 2007, is that good enough? the new edition doesnt come out till april.
Same goes for StepUp, its the older version, 2nd edition

And for OMM how is FA for COMLEX?

Thanks!

 

[digitlnoize]

how is Master the Boards by Dr. Conrad Fischer, by Kaplan?

Also FA for step2 is from 2007, is that good enough? the new edition doesnt come out till april.
Same goes for StepUp, its the older version, 2nd edition

And for OMM how is FA for COMLEX?

Thanks!

I had StepUp, but a friend had Master the Boards and it looked similar, but better organized to me. Conrad Fischer is THE MAN as far as I'm concerned.

Flipped through FA for Step 2, but Step 2 secrets is better.

The Kaplan Step 2 books (which are out there, either in internet PDF land or on ebay, or on the Kaplan website) are also VERY good.

FA for COMLEX is an ok OMM review to supplement to Green Book.

 

[Rollo]

So what's the consensus? COMBANK or COMQUEST?

 

[SAvoodoo]

So what's the consensus? COMBANK or COMQUEST?

I used both under the thought that more questions couldn't hurt. i've talked to people who liked one over the other but i don't think there is a consensus. if you've got time/money do both, if not i would just pick one and go for it. as long as you do all of one you're better off than going half way on both.

/side note, i liked comquest better based on the name, made me feel like i was on some epic journey or something

 

[RM38]

I would also recommend using both for the test as I felt the questions styles and focus of my test was a mixture between the 2 Qbanks (they are slightly different). I used Combank for 2 months as it has more questions and used Comquest for 1 month. In my opinion spending a little extra money on both Qbanks for a test that is so important is worth it as the extra expense is really just a drop in the bucket compared to most people's student loans. I used Step up to Step 2 for my book which I really liked, but I also know a few people who used Conrad Fischer's book and they thought it was great.

 

[quaeriteprimum]

I used both under the thought that more questions couldn't hurt. i've talked to people who liked one over the other but i don't think there is a consensus. if you've got time/money do both, if not i would just pick one and go for it. as long as you do all of one you're better off than going half way on both.

/side note, i liked comquest better based on the name, made me feel like i was on some epic journey or something

kudos. use both banks.

You are way better off just buying BOTH and using BOTH -- it will leave you more prepared, because their questions are different and complement each other, and in the end it will be cheaper than having to retake the step two, and regretting not having spent an extra $75 for some practice questions. Trust me, it's true.

...someone else told me that when they had to retake step two, ALL that they did was study BOTH comb@nk and comque5t thoroughly, and retook it to pass.