Preparing for BOTH COMLEX and USMLE

[Hokie06]

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I have two questions guys!

So the prospect of having to take two DIFFERENT types of standardized exam at the end of your second year is scary! How do you guys go about doing this with only a month of preparation? Is the testing format similar for both exams? Will we have to enroll in two prep courses simultaneously? Also, I heard that USMLE requires more knowledge of biochemistry than it is taught in DO schools and tested on the COMLEX. Can anyone that have gone through this give us advice on the most efficient way to prepare for both boards?

My second question is, since many DO schools utilize the systems approach to teaching medicine, isn't it likely that the material we learn in class will not coincide with the USMLE prep books or any other preparatory books? So how do you go about preparing for the boards as you take the classes?

Thanks guys!

 

[Semicolon]

Very good questions; I'd like to know this myself. 👍

 

[JaggerPlate]

1. Breathe.
2. Worry about doing well and getting used to being in medical school first.
3. Make sure you are dead set on doing an ACGME residency (as AOA residencies will be interested in your COMLEX score).
4. Might want to ask a mod to move this to Osteo ... as pre-meds really won't know.
5. Many people do it every year, score well, and match impressive ACGME residencies ... meaning that it is done quite often, and that should give you some comfort.

 

[scpod]

....How do you guys go about doing this with only a month of preparation?....

Your entire first two years of medical school is essentially "board prep". What the board prep courses do for you is REVIEW the material you should have already learned. The best thing you can do is to learn the material well the first time. Medicine is learned be repetition-- the more you go over something, the better chance there is that it will stick.

The board prep courses are the same regardless of whether it's MD or DO. In fact, the books that Kaplan has are identical for either (they pretty much just change the covers), with the exception that OMM is included in the DO books.

The decision to take both boards is not one you should even be making now. Concentrate on getting the best grades you can in the first two years and you will be helping yourself in the long run.

As for actual methods for studying, preparing...etc. Check out the Step One forums. All this stuff has been covers thousands of times over the last 10 years.

The number one thing you need to do right now is to FORGET ABOUT THE BOARDS!!!! That stuff comes later. If you adequately prepare yourself by learning as much as you can early on, then the boards will be no problem. Don't put the cart before the horse!

 

[udsoccer7]

Most students that I know that have taken both the USMLEs and the COMLEX scheduled the USMLE first, and the COMLEX 1 to 2 weeks afterwards. They focus on studying for the USMLEs then after the test, will just study OMM for the COMLEX.

 

[virusgirl]

You don't necessarily have to take the USMLE to do an allopathic residency; many places will accept both USMLE and COMLEX scores. You'll have to do some research, but if you have your heart set on an allopathic residency, you are NOT required to sit for the USMLE!

 

[JaggerPlate]

You don't necessarily have to take the USMLE to do an allopathic residency; many places will accept both USMLE and COMLEX scores. You'll have to do some research, but if you have your heart set on an allopathic residency, you are NOT required to sit for the USMLE!

Maybe for FM or something, but it makes no sense to apply to ACGME residencies without a USMLE score.

 

[Just Joshin]

You don't necessarily have to take the USMLE to do an allopathic residency; many places will accept both USMLE and COMLEX scores. You'll have to do some research, but if you have your heart set on an allopathic residency, you are NOT required to sit for the USMLE!

Is research required for most allo residencies? Even in non competitive fields?

 

[Hokie06]

great question justin, I would like to know the answer to that as well. I know that some dermatology residencies require you to be in the top 25% of your class, score above a certain level on the boards, a year of research in the field, and become a member of a dermatology organizations. Some programs also require a traditional internship year before you can actually apply directly to the program. But I'm sure these requirements vary depending on where you apply.

For those residencies that do require research, how do you get involved in them? When do you have time? Also, which fields generally have these requirements?

 

[MossPoh]

This is really stuff you worry about once you get there. Things like research usually involve you seeking them out once you get to the school. I mean, how do most people get involved with research in undergrad? They ask around and try to pursue something they're interested in. The general guideline is just to study hard and do as well as possible. If you like research then try to do some, but by going to an osteopathic school you are already leaning towards NOT doing as much research. It just isn't the main objective of most DO schools. I'd be very very very surprised if most of us stuck with what we originally thought we wanted. Many people don't become interested in a speciality until 3rd year, aka after the boards. So, study hard, do well, network during clinical rotations, maybe do a poster or something but don't worry about any of that till you get to the school.

 

[GreenShirt]

USMLE/COMLEX

I'm a second year taking both exams in June. Our school gave us access to Kaplan QBank to study for the exams. QBank is based on USMLE. The questions I've covered so far have overlapped well with what I have learned in my classes, so I don't think it'll be too much extra effort to take both exams. I recommend you look around the USMLE/COMLEX forum if you're curios. Many say the USMLE is more Biochem-Oriented while the COMLEX has OPP on it of course. You'll learn biochemistry in DO schools too, so at worst you'll have to learn a little more if you want to take the USMLE

Reserach

Reasearch is an important application component for competitive allopathic residencies. There was a graph on SDN a while back that showed about 50-80% of students matching into the upper half of specialties had research experience. I'll see if I can dig it up and post it.

Overall

Don't worry about this too much now. You never know how you'll feel until you start medical. You may decide to just take the COMLEX or that you want to Match into Family Practice and therefore don't need research.

 

[JaggerPlate]

This is really stuff you worry about once you get there.

For sure.

 

[112258]

Maybe for FM or something, but it makes no sense to apply to ACGME residencies without a USMLE score.

This is not true at all. Family practice is not the exception. If your status is correct, you're a pre-med? Wait until your 2nd year to decide this. Our school told us (as well as other people I have talked to that have gone through it- older students, doctors, etc) only to take the USMLE if you are applying to the COMPETITIVE allopathic residencies. Its a low percentage of people in the class that take both tests. I plan on applying to both programs and am only taking the COMLEX.

 

[wongb18c]

Most students that I know that have taken both the USMLEs and the COMLEX scheduled the USMLE first, and the COMLEX 1 to 2 weeks afterwards. They focus on studying for the USMLEs then after the test, will just study OMM for the COMLEX.

Hmm I was actually wondering about that and someone already answered it.

 

[Taus]

This is not true at all. Family practice is not the exception. If your status is correct, you're a pre-med? Wait until your 2nd year to decide this. Our school told us (as well as other people I have talked to that have gone through it- older students, doctors, etc) only to take the USMLE if you are applying to the COMPETITIVE allopathic residencies. Its a low percentage of people in the class that take both tests. I plan on applying to both programs and am only taking the COMLEX.

Don't forget that there are such things as highly competitive programs in non-competitive specialties (ie IM, PM&R, Neuro, etc) that will be much more accessible w/ a strong USMLE score.

Also, many people change their minds about their specialty choice many times after they have already taken Step 1. If you only took the COMLEX b/c you thought you wanted FP, peds, a small IM program, etc and then later decide you want something like Anesthesia, Emed, or something more competitive (or in a specific location)......you may have shot yourself in the foot. Don't close any doors before you know which one you'll want to walk through.

Studying for both tests is not nearly as big of a deal as people make it out to be. Study for the USMLE, take a few days to relax and study OMM, then take the COMLEX. It is true that it is only worth taking the USMLE if you know you'll do relatively well. You can easily find out how you'll do by taking one of the practice NBME tests a few weeks before the USMLE. If you do ok, proceed w/ the real thing. If not, cancel your test and only sit for the COMLEX.

Hope that helps

 

[Chocolate Bear]

Well said, Taus. Thanks for the perspective! 👍

 

[Colbert]

Pretty much every residency program is different in terms of what they require. I've looked into some major university hospitals that will accept COMLEX for all of their programs for DO students (like surgical subspecialties), and some that won't accept COMLEX for any of their residency programs (even the most noncompetitive ones). It's extremely hard to make a generalized statement about which ones do and don't require USMLE.

Don't decide now if you want to take both exams. Don't even try to decide during your first year. All you should focus on for now is learning as much as humanly possible during your courses. There is a strong correlation between performance during your first two years and your board score because in the time you have to "review," you don't have time to learn too much new stuff, you're just reviewing what you already know.

 

[Taus]

Pretty much every residency program is different in terms of what they require. I've looked into some major university hospitals that will accept COMLEX for all of their programs for DO students (like surgical subspecialties), and some that won't accept COMLEX for any of their residency programs (even the most noncompetitive ones). It's extremely hard to make a generalized statement about which ones do and don't require USMLE.

That is true, however you need to know that there is a difference b/w what they require and what they will really take seriously. It is obviously not a cut and dry situation, but either way, why would you want to potentially limit your options in any way?

Don't decide now if you want to take both exams. Don't even try to decide during your first year. All you should focus on for now is learning as much as humanly possible during your courses. There is a strong correlation between performance during your first two years and your board score because in the time you have to "review," you don't have time to learn too much new stuff, you're just reviewing what you already know.

excellent advice

 

[JonnyG]

Even at DO friendly places I interviewed at this year (anesthesia), I was routinely told that it placed me in a different category from other osteo students because I had taken the USMLE.

 

[engineeredout]

So when people talk about research for residencies, how much research is being put in? Is it a research project done over the summer between first and second year? You don't have time to do research 3rd or 4th year do you?

 

[scpod]

So when people talk about research for residencies, how much research is being put in? Is it a research project done over the summer between first and second year? You don't have time to do research 3rd or 4th year do you?

There are some specialties where the average resident has 5 or 6 publications. "When" you do it is not as important as that you get it done. Some schools will allow you research months during rotations. For some, though, you may just have to find the time whenever you can. A couple of my classmates got 2 or 3 publications done during the first two years of med school. It's pretty much up to you to decide how much effort you want to put into it.

 

[Buckeye(OH)]

Study as if you are only taking the USMLE. Take this test first. Study for two days, then take the COMLEX. Do NOT take the COMLEX before the USMLE, because you will feel unprepared for the USMLE which is a much more difficult test.

I took mine June 4 and June 7 back in 2007.

 

[Hokie06]

Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate it. I went to the bookstore yesterday and looked at the First Aid USMLE Step 1 book and boy did it look intimidating... now I am fearful I will fail out of medical school haha.. but one thing I did read that I thought was helpful was using step 1 books in conjunction with your medical education. Can anyone suggest good books we can use as we learn the systems? I know the first aid book is a must have but I heard there are several other good ones we can use as we learn the material in class. Thanks!

 

[3shtr]

Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate it. I went to the bookstore yesterday and looked at the First Aid USMLE Step 1 book and boy did it look intimidating... now I am fearful I will fail out of medical school haha.. but one thing I did read that I thought was helpful was using step 1 books in conjunction with your medical education. Can anyone suggest good books we can use as we learn the systems? I know the first aid book is a must have but I heard there are several other good ones we can use as we learn the material in class. Thanks!

-Goljan: Rapid Review Path. Don't leave home without it.
- In fact, the entire rapid review series is pretty good.
- Chung, BRS Anatomy, more like a textbook than for board review. I have never been tested on something that wasn't in this book.
- USMLE Step 1 secrets....offers insight into extremely high yield material in a vignette-style and easy to read format.

 

[nascardoc]

Thanks for the input guys I really appreciate it. I went to the bookstore yesterday and looked at the First Aid USMLE Step 1 book and boy did it look intimidating... now I am fearful I will fail out of medical school haha.. but one thing I did read that I thought was helpful was using step 1 books in conjunction with your medical education. Can anyone suggest good books we can use as we learn the systems? I know the first aid book is a must have but I heard there are several other good ones we can use as we learn the material in class. Thanks!

We have a systems-based curriculum at LMU-DCOM and these are the following books I HIGHLY recommend:

- First Aid for the USMLE (FA for the COMLEX is strictly OMM, so go for the USMLE instead)

- Rapid Review: Pathology by Dr. Goljan

- Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Biochem

- Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews: Pharm -OR- Katzung & Trevors Pharm Examination & Board Review ---- I use both of these. Lippincotts has better pictures/graphs, but Katzung has more end of chapter questions. Both are great.

- BRS Physiology

- Robbins and Cotran Review of Pathology (quesiton book) --- this book has about 35-70 questions per system, with explanations for each answer (why right and wrong)

- OMT Review by Saverse ---- awesome book for OMM

1) Do all of the COMLEX steps test OMT (esp Step III). Wouldn't someone in an ACGME residency forget all of it by the time Step III rolls around?

2) If you get a RES 42 approval and avoid COMLEX III, taking USMLE III instead, does that still create problems in CA and the other 5 states?

3) Do you have to take USMLE II in order to take USMLE III (if you are a DO nd take COMLEX I & II)

1) Yes, each step has OMT. You just have to stay on top of it to remember it. Either use it on patients, even if you are in an ACGME program, or review OMT books so you don't lose it. Not passing your boards, and losing your residency, would suck b/c you ignored OMT. Sadly, it happens.

2) Dunno....sorry. Haven't researched that at all.

3) USMLE can be taken in any order, so you can take Step 2 without taking Step 1, so you should be able to take Step 3 without doing Step 1 or 2.

Also, remember that if you go to an osteopathic school, you are required to take the COMLEX, so you can't pick and choose what you take. If you choose to do the USMLE, it is in addition to the COMLEX, not in place of.

 

[JonnyG]

1) Yes, each step has OMT. You just have to stay on top of it to remember it. Either use it on patients, even if you are in an ACGME program, or review OMT books so you don't lose it. Not passing your boards, and losing your residency, would suck b/c you ignored OMT. Sadly, it happens.

.

You would never get the questions right if you used omt on patients as your study source. its all theory mainly sympathetic inervations and some cranial. Though you dont even need omt to do well on the comlex most of the time they add something in that is not at all relevant to the question

 

[Terpskins99]

Honestly, it seems to me that taking USMLE Step 1 is a little overrated.

It helps, certainly. But I don't think it is absolutely crucial. I've met DO folks that have matched at ACGME diagnostic radiology and radiation oncology residencies without taking the USMLE.

Assuming you're a strong student, you can still land the bulk of ACGME residencies without a USMLE score. Internal medicine, neurology, OB/GYN, general surgery, peds and path are just a few residencies that routinely take in DO's without USMLE.