Rumor I heard about LECOM's 100% Pass Rate

[mj42]

For current LECOM-B students: I just got accepted and absolutely loved LECOM-B. It became my top choice after seeing their phenomenal PBL program and how knowledgeable the kids were in addition to the extremely kind and responsive faculty. Yet just yesterday I heard that the reason LECOM is 100% in their boards is because they only allow certain students who are qualified for it to take it. Is this true? I was under the impression that everybody in the class took it and passed.

Thanks

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[beeFs]

I have heard this about a couple of schools, but not sure if its true. I'll be interested to hear what people have to say...

 

[ShinyDome19]

I interviewed at LECOM Erie a few weeks ago and the COMLEX pass rate for Erie and Bradenton was brought up in our introductory Q/A session. We were told by the administrator that the 100% pass rate at Bradenton and the 96% (I think it was 96) were true values for first time test takers at Erie. I think I remember him saying that there was a pre-test for the COMLEX that students took at both schools, but your eligibility of taking the actual COMLEX exam wasnt affected by your score on the pre-test. This was a couple weeks ago though, so hopefully I remembered everything he said correctly.

 

[PunkmedGirl]

I interviewed at LECOM Erie a few weeks ago and the COMLEX pass rate for Erie and Bradenton was brought up in our introductory Q/A session. We were told by the administrator that the 100% pass rate at Bradenton and the 96% (I think it was 96) were true values for first time test takers at Erie. I think I remember him saying that there was a pre-test for the COMLEX that students took at both schools, but your eligibility of taking the actual COMLEX exam wasnt affected by your score on the pre-test. This was a couple weeks ago though, so hopefully I remembered everything he said correctly.

Yes, a couple of LECOM-B students confirmed what you are stating that LECOM doesn't hold you back from taking the boards, but the do give a pre-test that lets you know where you currently stand in scoring on the boards.

 

[bleeker10]

Also if you have less than a 3.0 GPA, you are required to attend board review classes put on by LECOM. We have been told there is a correlation between having over a 3.0 GPA and passing the boards. I haven't seen any evidence of that though.

 

[nlax30]

During your 2nd year they give us a few diagnostic review tests that are scored so we can see what specific subject areas we may be weak in and from previous classes they have general score ranges that correlate with passing and board scores so we can guage how we are doing but at least for our class there was not a single test or requirement we had to fulfill to sit for the exam.

In all honesty I wouldn't be all that concerned about pass rates as the difference between a 100% and 95% could only be a few students. More telling though is we've had very good average scores on COMLEX the past couple years. Last year I think 2nd highest (I think TCOM was #1) and then my class this year was either 1st or 2nd..... Will have to check.

Personally, if you aren't passing the classes and just bomb every diagnostic board exam then you probably shouldn't take step 1 anyway..... At least for the data our school has kept, I've seen the raw data and there's been a decen correlation between PBL grades, diagnostic tests, and board scores and there is definitely a point where you would be likely to fail step 1, and taking some extra time to make sure you pass it the first time would be a HUGE advantage.

They did have some additional board review for those who below a certain score on the diagnostics but besides the few who end up repeating a year or leaving for academic reasons I didn't really know anyone who was outright denied sitting for boards based on a diagnostic exam.

 

[SAvoodoo]

Also if you have less than a 3.0 GPA, you are required to attend board review classes put on by LECOM. We have been told there is a correlation between having over a 3.0 GPA and passing the boards. I haven't seen any evidence of that though.

you'll see it next year when Dr. Kell presents about board review. lots of nice charts and graphs and such 🙂

 

[bleeker10]

you'll see it next year when Dr. Kell presents about board review. lots of nice charts and graphs and such 🙂

Oh I'm sure they have the stats and graphs and pretty pictures to back it up. I can't see a reason for them to lie about something like that to us, especially since we need something to look forward to. I know I am studying more and trying to do well in my classes so I have a great shot at passing and doing well on the boards. It is pretty interesting to hear though. I know I would be very nervous about not passing when heading into Step 1 if I had less than a 3.0.

 

[SAvoodoo]

Oh I'm sure they have the stats and graphs and pretty pictures to back it up. I can't see a reason for them to lie about something like that to us, especially since we need something to look forward to. I know I am studying more and trying to do well in my classes so I have a great shot at passing and doing well on the boards. It is pretty interesting to hear though. I know I would be very nervous about not passing when heading into Step 1 if I had less than a 3.0.

the people i'm nervous for are just above 2.5 (under 2.5 is mandatory review which i've heard has a pretty decent pass rate). if you're around 3.0 you should be ok, but those that are just over 2.5 and don't realize the situation they're in...they're in trouble

 

[Biology101]

Oh I'm sure they have the stats and graphs and pretty pictures to back it up. I can't see a reason for them to lie about something like that to us, especially since we need something to look forward to. I know I am studying more and trying to do well in my classes so I have a great shot at passing and doing well on the boards. It is pretty interesting to hear though. I know I would be very nervous about not passing when heading into Step 1 if I had less than a 3.0.

There must be something they dont mention, Like those who would fail, choose not to take it. I have a hard time believing that 100% of people pass, and while that is great, its very hard to believe.

 

[Donvb]

There must be something they dont mention, Like those who would fail, choose not to take it. I have a hard time believing that 100% of people pass, and while that is great, its very hard to believe.

LECOM-Erie requires you to take two "diagnostic exams" before you take your boards... One early 2nd year and one later in the year. They also take into account numerous other factors (they have an equation that Dr. Kell uses) such as grades from 1st year, 2nd year grades, practice test scores... They take all of this information to decide if you are ready to pass the exam. If they decide you are not ready they do not allow you to take the exam until you complete their required "board review" month where you come to the school and do board review after your MSII year is completed. (in May) I had numerous people in my class who were required to attend these lectures. After you finish your board review course you take another "diagnostic exam" and then they decide if you are ready.

If you do good on your diagnostic tests and have good grades they leave you alone and you can take the exams when you please. If they think you aren't ready they will mold you into the good little LECOM student they always wanted you to be... And Dr. Raymond will infuse "high yield" pathology into your brain! THAT is how they get high board passing rates.

 

[ShyRem]

This is exactly why I caution people about "board pass rates" as an indicator for a school.

 

[Altruist]

This is exactly why I caution people about "board pass rates" as an indicator for a school.

Definitely. Each student controls his/her own fate as far as boards go.

To add yet another 2 cents to this whole thing... Yes, LECOM-B had a 100% pass rate last year. No, they don't let you get to the end of 2nd year and then tell you "you can't take step I." They may require you take a board review, depending on grades and results on diagnostic tests.

However... keep in mind that it is not true that 100% of people who started school here with the class of 2011 passed Step 1. People definitely flunked out or chose to leave before then. In my class, we lost around 12-15 people (of 162) after 1st semester. Some are coming back to repeat next year; others aren't.

So my point is, there are 2 ways to get 100% passing: 1) Drill and prepare your students so well that all of them pass or 2) Flunk out all the marginal students so that the ones who'll pass on their first try are the only ones left.

I do feel that LECOM-B does their best to make sure all their students pass, but the wash-out rate my class experienced does make me wonder just a little bit.

 

[scpod]

I do feel that LECOM-B does their best to make sure all their students pass, but the wash-out rate my class experienced does make me wonder just a little bit.

Lecom-B has a process of remediation for those who fail classes. It hasn't changed over the years. All schools do this. I know of several cases where they bent over backwards to help my classmates and keep them in class. I also know a few cases where my classmates either refused help or elected to just drop out instead of re-taking one test. Several of them just relized that they really didn't want to put the effort in it.

Regardless of how you feel, if you do things the ways Lecom-B tells you to do it, instead of rebelling and doing things your own way, you WILL pass clesses and the boards.

When I came through they gave quite a few diagnostic tests. I never found them all that helpful... but they did show some areas where I could study a little more. No one who passed their classes was held back from taking boards at all. If you had less than a 75 average in PBL they asked you to go to an extra week of board review, but from what I hear they didn't even enforce that. IOW, I know people with <75 who didn't go.

I can't see anything unusual in those practices at all. In fact, I'm sure plenty of other places would love to end classes in April and get the amount of board review from the school that Lecom-B offers. I cana guarantee yo uthat taking all those practice exams was helpful in getting me ready to sit there for 8 hours (although I actually finished in 5...haha!).

Look, they know what they are doing. They know what you need to pass the boards and they know how to get you to do it if you want to listen. If you don't, and you don't do well, then it's not their fault. You pay a lot of money for your education. Why not listen to the peple who have been doing it for a while now with good results?

Bottom line-- 100% of the people who passed all their classes took the test and none failed. Lecom-B did not stop anyone from taking the test. Some people failed out of school because they couldn't pass their classes. That happens everywhere. Some will remediate; some won't. People who can't pass their classes shouldn't be taking the boards anyway.