DO scores on USMLE in comparison to COMLEX

[EgyptianDoc]

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I'm curious to know if there is any data on how the average DO student scores on the USMLE in comparison to the COMLEX. Do the two scores correlate somehow or do DO students have a tougher time scoring high on the USMLE compared to the MD students?

 

[ChiDO]

Depends on the student and their preparation. I have talked to students who have taken the test. Some scored better on the USMLE then the COMLEX and vice versa.

If I had to make a generalization, I feel that if you do very well on one, you'll do very well on the other.

 

[ceftazidime]

I don't believe there's any data comparing the actual scores. Probably because the tests are administered by different organizations (NBME vs NBOME) who publish data but do not collaborate with each other as far as I know.

There is data on pass rates of the USMLE, comparing US MDs to DOs to IMGs. Interestingly, the most recent data (2007) showed that DOs had a higher pass rate than US MDs on the USMLE Step 2 CK (96% vs 95%). I saw this data in the "First Aid for the USMLE Step 3" book, and it can probably also be found on the NBME or NRMP website. I know it's not a huge difference, but this should squash any lingering biases out there.

 

[droogdoc]

From some current students I have talked to as well as reading posts about this similar question it seems the COMLEX is written in a very heavy clinical context, while the questions themselves can seem vague and can make people wonder what exactly they are asking. COMLEX also has OMM on it, USMLE obviously doesnt.

The USMLE is does not approach questions with as much clinical empahsis as the COMLEX (seems odd), but the questions are "better written" and you are usually given way more info to answer it than you need. Also, supposedly the USMLE has much more Biochem on it than COMLEX.

I would Google for more info. There are some sources that do a somewhat in-depth comparison.

 

[Captain Fantastic]

2008 USMLE Step 1 Pass rates (first time takers):
MD - 92%
DO - 80%
FMG - 73%

2008 USMLE Step 2 CK Pass rates (first time takers):
MD - 96%
DO - 87%
FMG - 81%

2008 USMLE Step 2 CS Pass rates (first time takers):
MD - 97%
DO - 87%
FMG - 72%

2008 USMLE Step 3 Pass rates (first time takers):
MD - 95%
DO - 95%
FMG - 78%

Source: http://www.usmle.org/Scores_Transcripts/performance/2008.html

Note the sample size of DO students for Step 2 and 3 is very small.

 

[nlax30]

Someone else already said it, but if you've prepared well and do well on one, chances are you'll do well on the other. I took both and while the questions do tend to be written a little different I really didn't study differently for one vs the other (besides OMM of course) and scored above average on both.

Do a search on here but there was an article published a while ago in the DO journal looking at USMLE and COMLEX scores that supposedly came up with a equation you could use to estimate say what your corresponding usmle score might be from your comlex score. Probably no the most accurate thing but may give you a rough ballpark between the two.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

I smoked the COMLEX. I did pretty well on the USMLE. However, my two digit USMLE score was better than my two digit COMLEX score. Go figure.

PS: If you are going to take the USMLE, f'ing pass it. We dont need our USMLE pass numbers to go lower than what they are.

 

[Thomas Hearns]

thanks for the stats.