Phys and BioC on COMLEX?

[sabsaf123]

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Hey all,

So it seemed to me that students had always said that COMLEX had a huge focus on Micro, path, and pharm (and OMM) while the USMLE focused on these subjects and on physiology and biochem. However, some students from last years class seemed to suggest that they are trying to make the COMLEX more like the USMLE...does that mean COMLEX is now asking more phys and biochem questions?

I ask this because I plan to use UWorld to study for COMLEX. IF COMLEX does not have a large focus on phys and bioc, can I skim through those Uworld questions/explanations?

I'm not studying for step 1 now cuz it would be easier to study during my research year.

 

[BorntobeDO?]

Hey all,

So it seemed to me that students had always said that COMLEX had a huge focus on Micro, path, and pharm (and OMM) while the USMLE focused on these subjects and on physiology and biochem. However, some students from last years class seemed to suggest that they are trying to make the COMLEX more like the USMLE...does that mean COMLEX is now asking more phys and biochem questions?

I ask this because I plan to use UWorld to study for COMLEX. IF COMLEX does not have a large focus on phys and bioc, can I skim through those Uworld questions/explanations?

I'm not studying for step 1 now cuz it would be easier to study during my research year.

Mine had a surprising amount of biochem on it, I probably had 10-15 questions. I expected less than 5. Still a 400 question test, with 80+ OMM questions. So there are higher yield areas. still a large focus on Micro and Pharm on mine.

 

[ortnakas]

I'd spend more time on content review for bugs and drugs than biochem/physio if you're focusing on COMLEX, but wouldn't recommend shorting yourself on any topic on UWorld.

 

[sabsaf123]

So what I gather from you guys is that COMLEX does indeed have a large focus on micro and pharm compared to USMLE? Is that the major difference between the recent COMLEX exams and USMLEs?

 

[alprazoslam]

They have an entire new blueprint for this testing season so it will be different.

I had 3x as much biochem At least on usmle than comlex. Not sure on physio. So it varies greatly


EDIT

I meant to say more biochem on comlex than usmle sorry

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

Don't skip phys.

 

[deleted645092]

It’s true, at least in the past, that the general breakdown of subjects on COMLEX is Path < Micro < Pharm < OMM < Else, with path/ micro/ pharm basically interchangeable in regards to frequency on any given test. With the new blueprint they released that someone mentioned above, it ay change, but overall at least as of July that was the case.

That being said, you should never, ever, EVER short yourself on physiology. It’s what everything else is based off and if you ever plan on taking care of a patient, you need to know it. They may not ask straight physiology questions on COMLEX but you still nee to have an understanding.

As for biochem, you can get by just studying the tables in First Aid if you only plan on taking COMLEX. It isn’t like Step 1 where you need to know all the cofactors, enzymes, and positive- and negative- feedback mechanisms, moreso you need to be able to identify genetic disorders from one another. However I would recommend against taking Step 1 during a research year where you’ll presumably be at least a year out from your preclinical education. You’re going to forget a lot of the Step 1-nitty gritty material and either score lower or work much harder than you need to in order to relearn everything.

 

[sabsaf123]

They have an entire new blueprint for this testing season so it will be different.

I had 3x as much biochem At least on usmle than comlex. Not sure on physio. So it varies greatly

It’s true, at least in the past, that the general breakdown of subjects on COMLEX is Path < Micro < Pharm < OMM < Else, with path/ micro/ pharm basically interchangeable in regards to frequency on any given test. With the new blueprint they released that someone mentioned above, it ay change, but overall at least as of July that was the case.

That being said, you should never, ever, EVER short yourself on physiology. It’s what everything else is based off and if you ever plan on taking care of a patient, you need to know it. They may not ask straight physiology questions on COMLEX but you still nee to have an understanding.

As for biochem, you can get by just studying the tables in First Aid if you only plan on taking COMLEX. It isn’t like Step 1 where you need to know all the cofactors, enzymes, and positive- and negative- feedback mechanisms, moreso you need to be able to identify genetic disorders from one another. However I would recommend against taking Step 1 during a research year where you’ll presumably be at least a year out from your preclinical education. You’re going to forget a lot of the Step 1-nitty gritty material and either score lower or work much harder than you need to in order to relearn everything.

Is this new blueprint found somewhere online? The thing is that I am an average student and right now my main goal is to try to get a 500+ on COMLEX. So I am trying to focus on the most high yield subjects that bump me into the 480-520 range. I gather, from this thread, that if I go thru sketchy micro and pharm (which I've already done ~90% w/ my course work), pathoma, and the green OMM book that I should be atleast within range. Obvs as I go thru dedicated using UW my score should go up even more but I want to feel comfortable that I am at least hitting a 480.

 

[sabsaf123]

Don't skip phys.

But if it's not on comlex why not? If you mean that it is important for pt care then I completely agree which is why I studied really hard for it during first and second year. However, maximizing comlex is my goal right now.

 

[FourniersGreenGang]

Biochem on both exams is laughably easy. You don't need to go crazy with it. I thought comlex had more personally. Focus on the clinically relevant biochem and you're golden.

 

[alprazoslam]

It’s true, at least in the past, that the general breakdown of subjects on COMLEX is Path < Micro < Pharm < OMM < Else, with path/ micro/ pharm basically interchangeable in regards to frequency on any given test. With the new blueprint they released that someone mentioned above, it ay change, but overall at least as of July that was the case.

That being said, you should never, ever, EVER short yourself on physiology. It’s what everything else is based off and if you ever plan on taking care of a patient, you need to know it. They may not ask straight physiology questions on COMLEX but you still nee to have an understanding.

As for biochem, you can get by just studying the tables in First Aid if you only plan on taking COMLEX. It isn’t like Step 1 where you need to know all the cofactors, enzymes, and positive- and negative- feedback mechanisms, moreso you need to be able to identify genetic disorders from one another. However I would recommend against taking Step 1 during a research year where you’ll presumably be at least a year out from your preclinical education. You’re going to forget a lot of the Step 1-nitty gritty material and either score lower or work much harder than you need to in order to relearn everything.

I misworded what I said earlier. I had a lot more specific biochem in comlex than usmle. Usmle asked broad strokes theme questions on biochem comlex asked specific enzymes in regards to current metabolic state.

Comlex is a shytfest lol


I had maybe TWO bchem questions on usmle. But yes physiology was much heavier.

 

[AnatomyGrey12]

But if it's not on comlex why not? If you mean that it is important for pt care then I completely agree which is why I studied really hard for it during first and second year. However, maximizing comlex is my goal right now.

To understand pharm and path you need to understand phys. Even in my practice questions I get questions right even when I don't know the answer because I can think through the phys and how it would be affected

 

[alprazoslam]

But if it's not on comlex why not? If you mean that it is important for pt care then I completely agree which is why I studied really hard for it during first and second year. However, maximizing comlex is my goal right now.

Phys is the basis of medicine don’t skip it

 

[alprazoslam]

To understand pharm and path you need to understand phys. Even in my practice questions I get questions right even when I don't know the answer because I can think through the phys and how it would be affected

If somebody wants to skip phys go be a nurse prac lmao

 

[FourniersGreenGang]

If somebody wants to skip phys go be a nurse prac lmao

 

[deleted645092]

Also don't forget that pharm mechanisms (receptor cascades), immunology, and genetics all overlap and are considered biochem.

I think those are the most important, I didn't so much have a lot of enzyme deficiencies and such on Step1 and Level1 as much as those subjects above.

 

[sabsaf123]

To understand pharm and path you need to understand phys. Even in my practice questions I get questions right even when I don't know the answer because I can think through the phys and how it would be affected

Well for my classes I watched the dr Najeeb’s videos which really helped me understand the phys but now that it’s been months Idk if I still remember how to calculate the renal clearance of creatinine or what the s4 heart sound represents. Would going through brs be sufficient?