Horrible Comlex
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Why did you take a "just pass" mentality if when you succeeded in doing that you are upset?
I'm not sure if you can retake a passing COMLEX, it's not like the MCAT were you can take it over and over till you get the score you like. What you should really be focusing on is your clinical rotations and step 2. While a poor COMLEX will hurt, honoring all your rotations and killing step 2 will go a long way.
Good luck.
I'm not sure if you can retake a passing COMLEX, it's not like the MCAT were you can take it over and over till you get the score you like. What you should really be focusing on is your clinical rotations and step 2. While a poor COMLEX will hurt, honoring all your rotations and killing step 2 will go a long way.
Good luck.
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I am talking about USMLE step 1 not retaking the comlex. Honestly the just pass mentality doesnt mean to barely pass above 400, it just means to not be hardcore gun ho in trying trying to get a 600 or get in the top 10%. I would be fine if it were just below average or just somewhere around the average, but just barely passing is not something I am comfortable settling with.
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Hey Pancit, kumusta ka?!!
First off - mag beer muna tayo, oh, anong sarap ng San Miguel beer....
so grab a few with some good lumpia and chill on the porch.....
Now, back to the COMLEX - The exam is not indicative of what you know. I've heard of a few DO programs that strongly suggest their potential candidates take the USMLE Step 2 since the programs know that the COMLEX leaves something to be desired.
So, you could do the following - don't worry about Level 1 - you passed. Bust your butt and do well on your 3rd year clinicals and get good evals, do well on your shelf exams, take a month or so and study hard for Level 2. It's going to contain the same sort of bizarre questions as Level 1 so I would recommend doing all of combankmed.com or comquest question banks.
Then consider taking USMLE Step 2 (don't need step 1 to do it), do USMLE World Qbank and ace that puppy. EM is a bit competitive these days and several EM PDs have told me that a good Step 2 score would really help as it is more clinical than Step 1 (which is basic sciences).
For IM, you may just want to touch base and schedule an appt. with an IM PD or one of your faculty mentors to get the scoop there.
Hope it helps. Remember, this is nowhere near as stressful as hanging on the outside of a Rabbit bus going down the mountains in Baguio.....or riding in a trike in Angeles after a long night at the Fire Empire.....
Mabuhay!!!
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Agreed. Take the time you have to really do well on your rotations and part two of COMLEX. If you spend the time and effort trying to take USMLE step one now.... the other aspects of your life will suffer. If you're not careful, you might do even worse on part two.
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why would you *not* take the USMLE?
Though if you do do it, make sure you're 100% in and do the best you possibly can.
Though if you do do it, make sure you're 100% in and do the best you possibly can.
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I think you pretty much just answered your own question. Now that the OP is doing third-year rotations, and needs to spend the time to do well on the rotations, study for shelf exams, and study for part two..... where is the time going to come from to "make sure you're 100% in [USMLE Step One] and do the best you possibly can."
Honestly, if the OP's desire is to get into an IM program.... well, it isn't all that hard. But, using your time wisely is imperative at this point if you want to make it work out.
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Please do not touch the USMLE Step 1 with a 10-foot pole until you take at least 2 NBMEs practice tests and both your scores are over 220.
If not, cancel your test date, ask for a refund and save yourself the embarrasment of having 2 mediocre board scores on your transcript.
G'luck.
If not, cancel your test date, ask for a refund and save yourself the embarrasment of having 2 mediocre board scores on your transcript.
G'luck.
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Take USMLE Step 1 and Step 2. The COMLEX is a very poor indicator of medical knowledge. Like doctorsaib said, take lots of practice tests first to ensure you'll at least not fail or just barely pass, and then go for it.
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I thought the issue here brought up by scpod that the time used to prepare for the USMLE during 3rd year would be best spent preparing for Step 2 and acing rotations. I agree with that plan; don't look at the USMLE step 1 and move on.
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Taking Step 1 while studying for clinicals is possible, just difficult.
However, it will only get more difficult the further away you get from the COMLEX Level 1 and all that basic science knowledge is forgotten.
Even a low COMLEX score is usually enough to get into a lower to mid-tier IM residency but to maximize the chance of getting into a good residency I believe the USMLEs should be taken (both 1 and 2).
I don't know anyone who took only Step 2 so can't comment on how well that strategy would work...
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The problem that I see with this is that as a DO student you are now required to report your USMLE scores to ACGME residencies if you take them. You can no longer just not report your score if it turns out bad. It's already the end of October and the chances of doing well on step one are getting pretty slim because you don't have that much time to study for it. Who need to scores that suck? Take the time to study and get a great part two score on COMLEX, IMHO.
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I can see how it would be possible, but not so much advisable for this situation. If the OP didn't do so well on the COMLEX, I can't see how cramming in the another Step 1 during the 3rd year would work out. Maybe if the OP discovered a ACGME residency that required a USMLE score, I'd understand.
This might be a bit off topic, but something the OP might want to know. According to this thread:
http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=657254&highlight=do+you+have+to+report+COMLEX
You don't have to report the COMLEX to ACGME programs, but apparently, most do anyway? Is there a benefit? In this case, there wouldn't be so, the OP would just keep it to themselves, right?
