Comquest/Comlex Correlation

[Dr.TurkandJD]

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hey guys,

I haven't been able to find a good threat that basis people comquest score to their real comlex scores. Can someone post what they were getting avg on a Quest block and what they got on the COMLEX? I just have no idea where I stand and I am terrified that my exam is in 10 days. Thanks!

 

[Planes2Doc]

I'd like to know this too. Also, has anyone already taken COMLEX and have any useful advice? 😉

 

[hallowmann]

Take a comsae. They're not very accurate from what I've heard, but if you're doing ok on them (5xx-ish+) you're probably fine. Or at least that's what people say.

 

[GUH]

Take a comsae. They're not very accurate from what I've heard, but if you're doing ok on them (5xx-ish+) you're probably fine. Or at least that's what people say.

What's your definition of "fine"? Assuming a symmetrical distribution, only about half of students will score 500+ on COMSAEs. About 1/6th of students will score below a 420 on COMSAEs. The first-time passing rate for COMLEX tends to hover around 90+%.

But I do agree with your suggestion to take a COMSAE. They have been helpful in identifying my weakest areas.

 

[hallowmann]

What's your definition of "fine"? Assuming a symmetrical distribution, only about half of students will score 500+ on COMSAEs. About 1/6th of students will score below a 420 on COMSAEs. The first-time passing rate for COMLEX tends to hover around 90+%.

But I do agree with your suggestion to take a COMSAE. They have been helpful in identifying my weakest areas.

I mean "fine" in that they shouldn't be afraid of failing if they score >500 on a COMSAE. If they score below that, given how random some the questions tend to be it could be mean they are fine, but it could also just mean that the COMSAE tested their strengths and the real thing could potentially test their weaknesses resulting in a close to failing score.

My reason for saying this is because the COMSAEs are notorious for poorly predicting scores, with some where the same person gets 420 on one and then 550 on the other. If you get >500 leading up to the exam, you're probably well into the passing range. If you get less, then I would review more before taking the real thing. If you fail the COMSAE, you might consider postponing the real thing if you don't have a few weeks to address your weaknesses, but chances are you do have that time.

You have to take the COMSAE distribution with a little caution. Most schools have their students take it before dedicated study time (probably as a way to scare them into studying), so its not surprising 1/6 would fail, because they haven't really reviewed yet.

 

[user3]

I mean "fine" in that they shouldn't be afraid of failing if they score >500 on a COMSAE. If they score below that, given how random some the questions tend to be it could be mean they are fine, but it could also just mean that the COMSAE tested their strengths and the real thing could potentially test their weaknesses resulting in a close to failing score.

My reason for saying this is because the COMSAEs are notorious for poorly predicting scores, with some where the same person gets 420 on one and then 550 on the other. If you get >500 leading up to the exam, you're probably well into the passing range. If you get less, then I would review more before taking the real thing. If you fail the COMSAE, you might consider postponing the real thing if you don't have a few weeks to address your weaknesses, but chances are you do have that time.

You have to take the COMSAE distribution with a little caution. Most schools have their students take it before dedicated study time (probably as a way to scare them into studying), so its not surprising 1/6 would fail, because they haven't really reviewed yet.

this person was scoring in the 500's on their COMSAE's and STILL failed the COMLEX 1.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/failed-comlex-1…freaking-out.1087483/

🙁

 

[kenjixshadow]

@user3 failed by a few points, but it looked like he passed the second time.

---

Anyway, so the best strategy for COMLEX 1 includes 1) Uworld 2) FA 3) Saverese 4) Know microbiology cold 5) Memorize these 2 videos





Then take COMSAEs, seem doable.

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

Comsaes are only useful if you simulate the test day.

Dont take them on your couch with the TV on and your phone in your lap.
Go to the library, put in earplugs, stress yourself out, then take one.

 

[hallowmann]

this person was scoring in the 500's on their COMSAE's and STILL failed the COMLEX 1.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/threads/failed-comlex-1…freaking-out.1087483/

🙁

Now why'd you have to go and post something like that... freaking me out man...

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

Now why'd you have to go and post something like that... freaking me out man...

For real, you can go ahead and ignore 100% of n=1 stories about comsaes and q banks correlating to step 1.

Everybody uses them differently, under different conditions, during different points of the year.
They are good to gauge your own knowledge of stuff. Not to predict anything.

 

[Postictal Raiden]

A friend of mine is taking the exam in a month and wanted me to post a question for him on SDN. I thought this is the best place to post the question. Please share your input.

"I am scoring 62% average on COMquest which is 2% below the average on COMquest . What's the correlation between comquest and the actual COMLEX?"

Thanks

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

A friend of mine is taking the exam in a month and wanted me to post a question for him on SDN. I thought this is the best place to post the question. Please share your input.

"I am scoring 62% average on COMquest which is 2% below the average on COMquest . What's the correlation between comquest and the actual COMLEX?"

Thanks

There is none, but with a month left of studying I would be comfortable with those scores. Also the "asking for a friend" thing hasn't fooled anyone in a few decades.

 

[GUH]

There is none, but with a month left of studying I would be comfortable with those scores. Also the "asking for a friend" thing hasn't fooled anyone in a few decades.

I think Ibn is a first year

 

[Postictal Raiden]

There is none, but with a month left of studying I would be comfortable with those scores. Also the "asking for a friend" thing hasn't fooled anyone in a few decades.

Thank you for the first half of your response.

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

Thank you for the first half of your response.

You are welcome for all of it.

But in all seriousness...


It makes sense that there should be a correlation between qbanks and actual scores. The problem is....That data doesnt exist.
If there were a data set that included a series of test takers who entered in their timed, random, first time percentage on questions taken within 1month of their test date... That would be very useful.

Tons of people come on SDN looking for that info, and if somebody compiled the data i would bet it correlates real well with real scores.

Sdn has a bunch of n=1s though. Nobody controls for when they started taking questions, how far out they are from the test day, what conditions they take the questions in, what their ACTUAL comlex score is, where they are in their study plan, etc.



There are thousands of confounders in trying to correlate these numbers.

If there was a correlation though, the absolute first people to publish it would be combank/comquest. It would be the biggest selling point that they could ever offer.

The very fact that they dont even try to publish a correlation formula is pretty good proof that there isnt one yet.

 

[CLR2303]

While we're on the topic of COMSAE correlation, our school requires us to pass a COMSAE with a 440 before we can take COMLEX. It makes sense, as they want to ensure a 100% first time pass rate.
I'm signed up for COMLEX in 2 weeks and have failed Form A and Form D (428 and 427 respectively, about 1 month apart). I am sort of baffled by this other than that I do suck at standardized exams because I talk myself out of the answer. I have to take another COMSAE tomorrow (form C) and if I don't pass I have to reschedule COMLEX for the end of June.
I am sort of relieved and sort of terrified that there isn't much data re: correlation of scores... as it seems like it can work for or against you.
Does it look like I'm totally screwed if I don't change something about how I'm studying?
(I am currently about half way through DIT, finishing Kaplan USMLE Q bank and about 25% into COMBANK- I know it's not where I wanted to be but I don't feel like I've been slacking off to be getting these scores)
Any advice?

 

[GUH]

There are thousands of confounders in trying to correlate these numbers.

If there was a correlation though, the absolute first people to publish it would be combank/comquest. It would be the biggest selling point that they could ever offer.

The very fact that they dont even try to publish a correlation formula is pretty good proof that there isnt one yet.

I'm not so certain of that. Could you imagine the moaning and complaining that would occur if the NBOME made any official claims of a COMSAE/COMLEX correlation from all the students who do worse on the real thing?

 

[YankeeCandle1141]

I'm not so certain of that. Could you imagine the moaning and complaining that would occur if the NBOME made any official claims of a COMSAE/COMLEX correlation from all the students who do worse on the real thing?

Nbome wouldnt do it. Combank and comquest would

 

[GUH]

Nbome wouldnt do it. Combank and comquest would

Sorry; I misread your post. I still think that they would want to be on the cautious side regarding claims of score correlation.

 

[abolt18]

While we're on the topic of COMSAE correlation, our school requires us to pass a COMSAE with a 440 before we can take COMLEX. It makes sense, as they want to ensure a 100% first time pass rate.
I'm signed up for COMLEX in 2 weeks and have failed Form A and Form D (428 and 427 respectively, about 1 month apart). I am sort of baffled by this other than that I do suck at standardized exams because I talk myself out of the answer. I have to take another COMSAE tomorrow (form C) and if I don't pass I have to reschedule COMLEX for the end of June.
I am sort of relieved and sort of terrified that there isn't much data re: correlation of scores... as it seems like it can work for or against you.
Does it look like I'm totally screwed if I don't change something about how I'm studying?
(I am currently about half way through DIT, finishing Kaplan USMLE Q bank and about 25% into COMBANK- I know it's not where I wanted to be but I don't feel like I've been slacking off to be getting these scores)
Any advice?

Sounds like you could take a big score boost to just work on not changing answers. Do you find you missed a lot of questions that you would have otherwise gotten right, but talked yourself out of it? That happened to me a lot, but I've got a rule that I force myself to stick to no matter how hard, but I go with my gut. Unless I have an "aha" moment and realize that another answer is correct, or I read the question wrong, I don't change. When I DO talk myself into an answer, I miss it more often than not. So if I'm ever uncertain about an answer, after ruling out the ones I know aren't right, I'll go with my gut and move on.

Oh yes, and you should DEFINITELY memorize and write down the viscerosomatics video on YouTube as well as the chapman's points video. Practice drawing them out 5-6 times each, then do it from memory right when you start your test. They get you a lot of easy OMM points (I.e. Low hanging fruit)