In match 2020 and beyond, are DO students required to report USMLE scores?

[Dreamstoo]

Curious.

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[Dr. Death]

No

 

[Caffeine Matters]

its my understanding that you will report your score, but not assign the score when applying to programs.
For example, if you have LOR for surgery and LOR for EM, you would upload all scores/letters to ERAS, but you would not assign the EM LOR to surgery programs.

 

[camng11]

So will a failed usmle count against you at all? Or even a low score, would programs be able to see the scores

 

[QueenJames]

Yes a failed USMLE will screw you over.

Then again.. having JUST a COMLEX will also limit you quite a bit when it comes to applications.

Even FM programs around my neck of the woods in underserved areas are starting to require USMLEs from DOs.

As sad as it is, be ready to take take both sets of boards.

It's gonna suck but oh well.

Wanna be on the same playing field as the MDs, gotta take the same exams they do.

Screw the NBOME.

Buncha money-hungry clowns and do not listen to your school about taking one over the other.

 

[Rekt]

With the way ERAS is set up, no is the answer to your actual question. You don't have to report your USMLE score if you don't want to. But you can't be selective either. You either upload all steps or none. Ethically, that's up to you.

Should you take usmle? Yes.

 

[sumtimesuwonder]

My understanding is that you have to include your USMLE ID on ERAS, but you don't necessarily have to authorize your scores to be sent to programs. This does not prevent PD's from asking you if you took the USMLE and putting you in a tough spot if you failed.

 

[Mass Effect]

I think that if you take the exam, you should have to report the result, whatever it may be. It's things like this that make people DO is not equivalent to MD. Now that there's one match, COMLEX should no longer be a thing. It should all be USMLE and DOs should have an OMM section.

 

[QueenJames]

I think that if you take the exam, you should have to report the result, whatever it may be. It's things like this that make people DO is not equivalent to MD. Now that there's one match, COMLEX should no longer be a thing. It should all be USMLE and DOs should have an OMM section.

Agreed but not gonna happen.

I have directly heard from an official from the NBOME organization that this will not happen... because IT'S ABOUT THE MONEY.

NBOME stands to lose SO MUCH if this happens.

It's bull.

It's not cool.

But it is what it is.

Until then.... hope you future DOs reading this better start cracking out your first aid right now and get through sketchy before school starts!!!

Y'all got a few months.

LMAO.

 

[deleted986861]

Yeah my buddy is filling his out and he was debating on putting the usmle ID or not. I told him I didn’t think he had to and he could just report his comlex but I am not sure. I didn’t take usmle.

 

[The Med-Peds Dude]

I would not recommend taking USMLE unless you are confident you will do as well or better than COMLEX. A low USMLE just makes things more confusing when assessing your application.

There is a push on for improved acceptance of COMLEX scores. You should consider whether a program that does not accept COMLEX is actually DO-friendly.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

I would not recommend taking USMLE unless you are confident you will do as well or better than COMLEX. A low USMLE just makes things more confusing when assessing your application.

There is a push on for improved acceptance of COMLEX scores. You should consider whether a program that does not accept COMLEX is actually DO-friendly.

I disagree. I think a 230 USMLE is probably better than a 600 COMLEX. Although the COMLEX score is higher in terms of percentile rank.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

Oops, my bad. I disagree with all due respect then lol.

 

[WorldChanger36]

Overall OP the answer is no you don't have to report it. Last years cycle it never came up. For psych no one cared if you had either comlex or usmle but if you had both they had to consider both. It really is speciality dependent. My advice to everyone in the do I need to take USMLE crowd, plan to take at least step 1. If you don't think you are gonna do that hot, don't take it.

 

[DO2015CA]

The dude is a PD lol

Oops, my bad. I disagree with all due respect then lol.

Lol I also disagree with respect. There are simply programs that don’t/choose not to understand COMLEX scores. During my interview cycle there were programs that had cutoffs at 550 for comlex only but just 200 for USMLE. One PDs views doesn’t speak for all. I would’ve much rather had a 210 than a 650 when applying this past year because I applied only ACGME. After speaking with fellow applicants, the ones that’s that took USMLE and did bad were getting better invites than those who rocked just the COMLEX.

 

[Sardonix]

Lol I also disagree with respect. There are simply programs that don’t/choose not to understand COMLEX scores. During my interview cycle there were programs that had cutoffs at 550 for comlex only but just 200 for USMLE. One PDs views doesn’t speak for all. I would’ve much rather had a 210 than a 650 when applying this past year because I applied only ACGME. After speaking with fellow applicants, the ones that’s that took USMLE and did bad were getting better invites than those who rocked just the COMLEX.

Very interesting. As someone with a +Average Lvl 1 and -Average Step 1 I've been thinking about stuff like this a lot.

 

[DameJulie]

Lol I also disagree with respect. There are simply programs that don’t/choose not to understand COMLEX scores. During my interview cycle there were programs that had cutoffs at 550 for comlex only but just 200 for USMLE. One PDs views doesn’t speak for all. I would’ve much rather had a 210 than a 650 when applying this past year because I applied only ACGME. After speaking with fellow applicants, the ones that’s that took USMLE and did bad were getting better invites than those who rocked just the COMLEX.

Having to take two board exams (aka harder versions of MCAT) worries me. I understand it's best to perform well on two boards. However, would it be more realistic to focus the prep/energy for USMLE by aiming for a good score, and pass the COMLEX (400+) would be ok??

 

[DO2015CA]

Having to take two board exams (aka harder versions of MCAT) worries me. I understand it's best to perform well on two boards. However, would it be more realistic to focus the prep/energy for USMLE by aiming for a good score, and pass the COMLEX (400+) would be ok??

That is what you do. It’s not two different board exams. They are the same material plus OMM for the comlex. The questions are just asked differently but you will do practice questions for both so you will get accustomed to the different wordings. USMLE is the more thorough exam so you study for that. Even if you back out and only taken the COMLEX, you will do better because you prepared more thoroughly.

 

[DO2015CA]

Very interesting. As someone with a +Average Lvl 1 and -Average Step 1 I've been thinking about stuff like this a lot.

It’s going to be specialty dependent but you will be happy you took it even if it is subpar if you are applying to historic MD programs.

 

[deleted986861]

.

 

[Caffeine Matters]

That is what you do. It’s not two different board exams. They are the same material plus OMM for the comlex. The questions are just asked differently but you will do practice questions for both so you will get accustomed to the different wordings. USMLE is the more thorough exam so you study for that. Even if you back out and only taken the COMLEX, you will do better because you prepared more thoroughly.

DO2015CA that is your opinion that the 2 exams are not different. I disagree 1000%.
In my experience;
COMLEX is about regurgitation facts found in First Aid, OMM, obscure ethics, and some very easy freebies "T12 chapman = what?"
USMLE is about reasoning. You don't necessarily have to "memorize first aid", you just have to comprehend the question, and apply logic. Occasionally they will test you on applying a fact from First Aid.

That is because they are different tests. (that is my opinion)

 

[Caffeine Matters]

Having to take two board exams (aka harder versions of MCAT) worries me. I understand it's best to perform well on two boards. However, would it be more realistic to focus the prep/energy for USMLE by aiming for a good score, and pass the COMLEX (400+) would be ok??

Julie. It depends on what you want to do.

I know people who just did Combank twice. No First Aid. No Uworld and rocked 700 club on Comlex.
I know people who did Uworld + Combank and got 500 Comlex and 220 USMLE.

Primary care? Just focus on crushing your comlex. Do combank twice. Make flash cards of your weaknesses and master them.
Surgery? you need a USMLE 230+ and it would be worth your time to use Uworld to prep for USMLE.

Program directors look at your score to gauge how hard you work and predict how well you will do as a resident. A 600 club Comlex score will make you a top pick for DO friendly programs and specialties. If you want to apply for competitive specialties or mostly MD programs, then work your butt off and study for 2 tests.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

If you are taking the new comlex and you think it will be a walk in the park I’d advise you to think twice. Since everyone said it was easy/subpar the new questions are more and depth and even more vague than before at least these new Comsaes compared to last years.

Most of my OMS2 friends told me the COMLEX was easier than the COMSAE.

 

[DrStephenStrange]

DO2015CA that is your opinion that the 2 exams are not different. I disagree 1000%.
In my experience;
COMLEX is about regurgitation facts found in First Aid, OMM, obscure ethics, and some very easy freebies "T12 chapman = what?"
USMLE is about reasoning. You don't necessarily have to "memorize first aid", you just have to comprehend the question, and apply logic. Occasionally they will test you on applying a fact from First Aid.

That is because they are different tests. (that is my opinion)

Which is why you study mainly for the USMLE and then review OMM for COMLEX.

 

[DO2015CA]

DO2015CA that is your opinion that the 2 exams are not different. I disagree 1000%.
In my experience;
COMLEX is about regurgitation facts found in First Aid, OMM, obscure ethics, and some very easy freebies "T12 chapman = what?"
USMLE is about reasoning. You don't necessarily have to "memorize first aid", you just have to comprehend the question, and apply logic. Occasionally they will test you on applying a fact from First Aid.

That is because they are different tests. (that is my opinion)

How does this change what I said? It does cover the same material. It is the same test. Your example about T12 is OMM. If you study for the USMLE then the regurgitation is the easy part. As to why I said study for the USMLE and then study OMM.

 

[Caffeine Matters]

How does this change what I said? It does cover the same material. It is the same test. Your example about T12 is OMM. If you study for the USMLE then the regurgitation is the easy part. As to why I said study for the USMLE and then study OMM.

Its not the same material.

USMLE questions ask for an interpretation or next best management. You don't need First Aid for USMLE, you just need Uworld to learn reasoning.
COMLEX questions are 1st order, can you regurgitate First Aid.

To make my point, hypothetical study scenarios look like this.
USMLE
Just memorize First Aid? = fail step 1 (score 180-200)
2x read First aid and Uworld = Pass 210+
Two passes at Uworld = 240+

COMLEX
Memorize First Aid = 650+ Comlex.
2x read First Aid and Uworld = 500 Comlex
Two passes at Uworld = 400 Comlex

Most people do UFAP, and end up with a 500+ comlex and 210+ USMLE... This creates the illusion that they are the same test. After all, you pass both right? The reason why so many DO students don't ace each test, is because they don't recognize that they are completely different tests. They end up blending the two together and get average scores.

If you focus on how they are each different, you can ace both.