DO 2024: COMLEX 1 prep v. Step 1 prep, score relations to Step 2CK

[Kardio]

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The guidelines for scoring well on Step 1 are pretty well established (UFAP/Zanki). Would I be better off using something else if I’m aiming to score well on COMLEX and just pass Step 1?

Also - would rigorous Level 1/Step 1 prep effect my ability to do well on Level 2/Step 2CK?

 

[IntheClouds4ever]

Vast majority of students that study for Step I using UFAPS did well on COMLEX I. Albeit, you need to use a question bank like COMQUEST to prep for comlex style questions and OMM.

rigorous Step I study is immensely useful for step 2. The P/F changes nothing in the context of an incoming student. You’re going to need to study your ass off to get high scores on COMLEX or Step 2.

 

[Chibucks15]

Step one isn’t easy regardless. Study like usual. It sets you up better for later anyway

 

[BorntobeDO?]

The guidelines for scoring well on Step 1 are pretty well established (UFAP/Zanki). Would I be better off using something else if I’m aiming to score well on COMLEX and just pass Step 1?

Also - would rigorous Level 1/Step 1 prep effect my ability to do well on Level 2/Step 2CK?

Yes, step 1 performance was the greatest correlation with high step 2 score.

I actually don’t think you change prep. The best performers in my class killed both.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

You prep for both the same way, then cram OMM for 2-4 days before COMLEX depending on how confident you are in you OMM concepts. No less the 2 days between Step & COMLEX; allow for 1 day rest or you will keel over & die from exhaustion.

Don't waste your money on COMQUEST/COMBANK; only utilize if it's free after you take Step. Your school will be writing questions similar to how COMLEX writes for 2 years, so you'll be very used to the garbage COMLEX question style by the time you sit for the exam.

 

[Kardio]

Don't waste your money on COMQUEST/COMBANK; only utilize if it's free after you take Step. Your school will be writing questions similar to how COMLEX writes for 2 years, so you'll be very used to the garbage COMLEX question style by the time you sit for the exam.

I respect Step 1 as a massive and challenging test. That being said, would it not make more sense to complete the COMQUEST/COMBANK, rather than UWorld? Seems like that would prep me better for doing well on COMLEX but still pass Step.

 

[Kardio]

Looks like this thread will not age well:

Changes coming to COMLEX Level 1 and 2-CE too!!!

"The NBOME Board of Directors approved plans to shorten COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE from 400 to 352 test items, beginning June 2020... This change should also reduce some of the stress associated with the time-pressured environment... Similar changes have been approved for COMLEX-USA Level 1 beginning...

forums.studentdoctor.net

 

[IntheClouds4ever]

I respect Step 1 as a massive and challenging test. That being said, would it not make more sense to complete the COMQUEST/COMBANK, rather than UWorld? Seems like that would prep me better for doing well on COMLEX but still pass Step.

you should be doing both and uworld twice.. you’re underestimating Step if you think COMQUEST is sufficient

 

[BorntobeDO?]

I respect Step 1 as a massive and challenging test. That being said, would it not make more sense to complete the COMQUEST/COMBANK, rather than UWorld? Seems like that would prep me better for doing well on COMLEX but still pass Step.

Comquest is a good bank. uWorld is still the gold standard. I would do both of those if you have time.

 

[NecrotizingFasciitis]

I respect Step 1 as a massive and challenging test. That being said, would it not make more sense to complete the COMQUEST/COMBANK, rather than UWorld? Seems like that would prep me better for doing well on COMLEX but still pass Step.

If you have time, sure do both. If you are crunched for time & cannot do 2-3 QBanks (UWorld + COMBANK + COMQUEST) I would vote UWorld.

UWorld is more difficult (which is good), has better explanations, is (probably) more comprehensive, definitely has less errors, & will prepare anybody thoroughly well to take either board exam.

The only thing I would recommend anyone doing is taking a practice exam a few weeks before your test date (my school required us to take 2 back to back, one from NBOME one from comquest.) That is all the familiarity you really need to "get used to" comlex question styles (IMO.)

There is ultimately no right/wrong answer as long as you learn the material & learn it well. But, I will say that there were several threads on SDN come board season last year from those who only used DO question banks all year/up until comlex, who were startled to find that they were at risk of failing step 1 based on their practice exam scores (despite already having taken comlex) & were getting wrecked by UWorld (despite performing well on comquest/combank all year) only a few days out from their step exam. This was not the case for those that used UWorld all year/most of dedicated & crammed combank/comquest before comlex. It's a lot easier to go from using UWorld to using combank/comquest than it is the other way around, & I believe there is a reason for that with respect to quality/content of the material contained within the QBanks.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

If you have time, sure do both. If you are crunched for time & cannot do 2-3 QBanks (UWorld + COMBANK + COMQUEST) I would vote UWorld.

UWorld is more difficult (which is good), has better explanations, is (probably) more comprehensive, definitely has less errors, & will prepare anybody thoroughly well to take either board exam.

The only thing I would recommend anyone doing is taking a practice exam a few weeks before your test date (my school required us to take 2 back to back, one from NBOME one from comquest.) That is all the familiarity you really need to "get used to" comlex question styles (IMO.)

There is ultimately no right/wrong answer as long as you learn the material & learn it well. But, I will say that there were several threads on SDN come board season last year from those who only used DO question banks all year/up until comlex, who were startled to find that they were at risk of failing step 1 based on their practice exam scores (despite already having taken comlex) & were getting wrecked by UWorld (despite performing well on comquest/combank all year) only a few days out from their step exam. This was not the case for those that used UWorld all year/most of dedicated & crammed combank/comquest before comlex. It's a lot easier to go from using UWorld to using combank/comquest than it is the other way around, & I believe there is a reason for that with respect to quality/content of the material contained within the QBanks.

ComQuest is designed by the same people who do UWorld. It is better than COMBANK, and I think most people who use it agree. That said I still agree with prioritizing UWorld if you can only do one, get the gold standard.

 

[cassis_Cake]

Careful about taking it easy on Step 1 just because it is P or F now, it can spells your demise. Step 2 has a lot of step 1 materials in my opinion and that helped me tremendously in doing well on step 2.

 

[Kardio]

Careful about taking it easy on Step 1 just because it is P or F now, it can spells your demise. Step 2 has a lot of step 1 materials in my opinion and that helped me tremendously in doing well on step 2.

I'm with ya on both those points. Just looking to gauge how I might modify my prep in a hypothetical world where Step 1 is P/F and Level 1 is scores (which, it seems by the NBOME's recent post, may not be the case).

 

[wxman]

Yes, step 1 performance was the greatest correlation with high step 2 score.

I actually don’t think you change prep. The best performers in my class killed both.

As others mentioned, don’t forget to actually study for the COMLEX. A buddy of mine scored 265+ on Step 1, and then ended up failing Level 1 because he did not include a Qbank like COMQUEST into his prep.

Remember, these are licensing exams. State medical boards set the maximum amount of attempts you can take your specific licensing exam (COMLEX for DOs, USMLE for MDs) before they deny you a license.

Study for your license exam as if your medical license counted on it.


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[Sardonix]

Prep the same way, but now you have some wiggle room knowing you don't need +270 perfection. Makes learning for the sake of learning easier to handle rather than cramming and panicking for months on end. Though I'm sure there will still be plenty of that.

 

[Espressso]

OP... UWorld is King, regardless of the exam. If your school faculty tries to tell you that UW doesn't prep you well for Comlex, they are either lying or oblivious. Either way, it's not advice you should be taking.

Depending on how you have done so far in preclinical course work you should do UW 1.5-2 times before your exam. You can sprinkle in comquest or combank for the OMT questions in between the exams. I took 6 days in between and it was too long but it did give me a few days to knock out a good amount of OMT questions. If you crush Step 1 you will more than likely crush Level 1.

Don't even hesitate on UW. It's a must.

 

[deleted859689]

I plan on studying for USMLE as if it was scored - then follow others' advice on cramming for COMLEX. Best predictor of step 2? step 1. Pimped out during rotations? No problem.

 

[Neopolymath]

As others mentioned, don’t forget to actually study for the COMLEX. A buddy of mine scored 265+ on Step 1, and then ended up failing Level 1 because he did not include a Qbank like COMQUEST into his prep.

Remember, these are licensing exams. State medical boards set the maximum amount of attempts you can take your specific licensing exam (COMLEX for DOs, USMLE for MDs) before they deny you a license.

Study for your license exam as if your medical license counted on it.


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I find this almost impossible. I have taken both and honestly felt I could have randomly guessed on Comlex and still passed. If you are a 250 level student this is essentially 0.0000p1% possible and fearmongering. There is zero reason to prep for Comlex at that level. I didn't and I don't know anyone that did.

 

[deleted898021]

As others mentioned, don’t forget to actually study for the COMLEX. A buddy of mine scored 265+ on Step 1, and then ended up failing Level 1 because he did not include a Qbank like COMQUEST into his prep.

Remember, these are licensing exams. State medical boards set the maximum amount of attempts you can take your specific licensing exam (COMLEX for DOs, USMLE for MDs) before they deny you a license.

Study for your license exam as if your medical license counted on it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thats not possible.... A 265 STEP1!?, theres NO way he failed COMLEX lol