Differences in studying for COMLEX vs USMLE Step 3

[95439]

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I was planning on using USMLE World and mainly First Aid (along with the Mass General pocketbook and possibly the Washington manual of internal medicine) to study for USMLE Step 3. But since I'll only be taking the COMLEX Step 3, should I change up the way I was planning on studying? Are they basically the same test? Any advice would be appreciated as always..

Thank you!

 

[anonymous path]

If you are a clinical person, the comlex will be easier for you. I am path, and have so then suffered this test. The USMLE (for which we all study, but some like me don't take because we take comlex) is "difficult but fair" according to the guys at PremierReview. The comlex on the other hand, appears easier, but the test writers try and "trick" you, and so in my experience of taking it 4 times, it can make you feel that you are doing very well only to discover that you are not.

I think 20-30% of the test is impossible to study for... It takes 67-70% to pass according to the NBOME. This means that if you know everything but are not clinical you can still fail (aka: me). But if you are clinical... then, yes you can probably just do what you've always done with regard to your studies... and end up answering the questions from your experience anyway.