FAILED COMLEX Step II Twice - Need Advice

[meduc]

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Anyone have advice for board prep regarding COMLEX Step 2?? I have failed twice - with little improvement between the first and second score. I tried Boards Boot Camp with use of COMBANK the second time around and still did not pass.

I was looking into a comprehensive course such as Kaplan or Falcon - but those are geared towards USMLE Step II rather than COMLEX CK II.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Proverbs31]

Anyone have advice for board prep regarding COMLEX Step 2?? I have failed twice - with little improvement between the first and second score. I tried Boards Boot Camp with use of COMBANK the second time around and still did not pass.

I was looking into a comprehensive course such as Kaplan or Falcon - but those are geared towards USMLE Step II rather than COMLEX CK II.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

First off my friend...Trust and KNOW that this test means nothing to the point of what kind of a doctor you will be!! You first have to release all that crap and fear from your mind. I have found often it is that old fear from failing one time (or 2,3,etc) that prevents one from going into the next test with a clear head to focus and do well. YOU KNOW your material. You CAN do this!!

Now...what were your weak areas? What did the COMLEX sheet print out of score reveal your low performance in? What are you not doing? Are you reviewing and reading ALL the explanations to questions both right and wrong? Are you also using a follow-up book? Such as First Aid or something? Are you speaking positive to yourself throughout your studies? Nerves and stressing prohibits anything from assimilating in your mind for memory (IMHO)
I used COMQUEST and HIGHLY reccommend it for the OMM stuff and comlex -like questions. Even the format is the same so on game day you will feel comfortable. I think you need to read...First AId or USMLEWORLD Questions--Or do both ...do questions and answers and also COMQUEST--which is cheap and will completely prepare you for the OMM questions. You need to think hard about what exactly is it that is not connecting on the test? Are you over-analyzing...not studying the BIG details/small details to help you understand concepts? Nerves on test day? Etc??
Half of the OMM questions I didnt even know what they were describing or explaining but the asking, I just plugged in my equation for OMM or pulled from my memorized (and written down on the white laminated sheets) sympathetic and parasympathetic levels and that answered almost 50% of the OMM questions....I know you can do this...Believe in yourself and try to figure out what you're overlooking?

I reccommend HIGHLY---> COMQUEST and FA or COMQUEST and USMLEWORLD.....either combo will pass you...read ALL questions and ALL explanations completely...you WILL PASS..Be normal...study 4 hrs or so a day...exercise, pep talk, eat right..Pray...you got this...🙂 Best of luck!

\\\PS I DO NOT RECC ANY KAPLAN OR FALCON crap...YOU CAN DO THIS WITHOUT SPENDING A GRAND PLUS!

 

[Wyclef]

COMQUEST IS THE BOMB!!! It's just like the real test. A few questions are word for word. With only 800 questions, you should be able to quickly go thru it twice. It was fantastic! I just got my score back and was very pleased.

 

[radiodoc99]

Spend more time reading into details and on questions. The Kaplan and Falcon course may help but keep reviewing your weak points.

Here is a FREE blog resource with lectures on many COMLEX topics. Listen daily and earn points.

Educational programming, opinions, lectures and podcasts for the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX)

http://www.comlexflashcards.com/

 

[sweetlenovo88]

Anyone have advice for board prep regarding COMLEX Step 2?? I have failed twice - with little improvement between the first and second score. I tried Boards Boot Camp with use of COMBANK the second time around and still did not pass.

I was looking into a comprehensive course such as Kaplan or Falcon - but those are geared towards USMLE Step II rather than COMLEX CK II.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

I failed it the first time and passed it on the second by a 150 point increase. PM me if you want to chat on Skype, I have a very good 20 pages of notes I made from the COMQUEST and COMBANK question banks.

 

[meduc]

Thanks guys - I appreciate your posts...

 

[studentDO1001]

I also ended up failing COMLEX 2 CE twice. I went up 70 points the second time, but still failed. I never did USMLEWORLD, just comquest and combank. Is USMLEWORLD helpful this time around? Please need help. Can someone direct me to what I should do? Also, are there any review courses other than KAPLAN that are helpful? If anyone is able to talk on Skype or any other way can you please pm me. I would really appreciate it!

 

[Dello]

I passed comfortably by doing only questions. I went through every single word in every explanation twice and the most benefit came from my second time. A significant portion of my test was only in the explanations and was never directly asked in a question. I remembered these mostly after my second run through the banks. The question banks aren't just to see what percent you get, use them to learn the material. I'm willing to bet those who failed did not read the explanations of each question (regardless of getting it right) and make a second run through doing the same thing. I'd highly recommend that next time as opposed to spending thousands of dollars on prep courses or rushing through questions.

 

[studentDO1001]

Thanks Dello, I am definitely going to spend time carefully reading the explanations this time. Thanks for your help.

 

[radiodoc99]

What question bank did you use for the COMLEX?

 

[jakstat]

i was in your situation a couple months back. Idk about just going reading the explanations. Maybe the people that do well just doing questions are already good test takers.? In my opinion, you should analyze why you did poorly...from your study habits to your test taking. You really want to take every opportunity to improve even if it means rebuilding your fundamental clinical knowledge. Then theres building up the test taking knowledge. Since this is your last attempt, you really dont want to leave anything up to chance.

 

[phyukhine]

I am in the same boat. I am a fourth yr student. I just found out that I failed (the first time). I am retaking it on Dec 12, and i have interviews scheduled before that. I used Conrad Fisher, Comquest and some UW questions. Comquest doesn't give the comprehensive explanations, that's why I was using UW. However, I must admit that I did not go over Medical Ethics questions, Preventative medicine, dermatology and ophthalmology sections. I had about 50% of these combined on my test. I am so nervous that i am not going to pass for the second time (touchwood). Any advice for the fellow junior student??? and how did the interviews go? Should I let the programs (that I already had interviews) know that I failed? Should I apply to more programs as well? What are my options? I need help!!!

 

[JamDoc]

Anyone have advice for board prep regarding COMLEX Step 2?? I have failed twice - with little improvement between the first and second score. I tried Boards Boot Camp with use of COMBANK the second time around and still did not pass.

I was looking into a comprehensive course such as Kaplan or Falcon - but those are geared towards USMLE Step II rather than COMLEX CK II.

Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Any updates meduc? How did you do the third time? Any advice? I'm about to start studying. Thanks!