Summary of COMLEX Results by Percent Passing

[group_theory]

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Summary of COMLEX Results by Percent Passing (2006-2008)

Source: National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiner, Quarterly Newsletter Spring 2009


LEVEL 1

YEAR 2005-2006
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 3587/4194
Pass Rate (1st time): 90.6%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 65.1%
Pass Rate (total): 86.9%

YEAR 2006-2007
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 3434/4157
Pass Rate (1st time): 88.5%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 62.7%
Pass Rate (total): 84.0%

YEAR 2007-2008
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 3655/4235
Pass Rate (1st time): 90.0%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 62.4%
Pass Rate (total): 86.2%


LEVEL 2 CE

YEAR 2005-2006
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 2785/3322
Pass Rate (1st time): 87.0%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 61.6%
Pass Rate (total): 82.9%

YEAR 2006-2007
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 3114/3701
Pass Rate (1st time): 88.1%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 63.9%
Pass Rate (total): 84.4%


Level 3

YEAR 2005-2006
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 2434/2817
Pass Rate (1st time): 88.7%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 62.4%
Pass Rate (total): 85.1%

YEAR 2006-2007
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 3173/3770
Pass Rate (1st time): 87.7%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 65.4%
Pass Rate (total): 84.2%

YEAR 2007-2008
Number of Candidates (1st time/Total): 3444/3953
Pass Rate (1st time): 91.0%
Pass Rate (re-takers): 69.0%
Pass Rate (total): 88.2%



COMLEX 2-PE

First-Time Test Taker

Year: 2005-2006
All Tested: 2856
Passed: 2721
Failed: 135
(Failed Humanistic Domain - 15, Failed Biomechanical/Biomedical Domain - 113, Failed Both Domains - 7)

Year: 2006-2007
All Tested: 3099
Passed: 2896
Failed: 203
(Failed Humanistic Domain - 55, Failed Biomechanical/Biomedical Domain - 126, Failed Both Domains - 22)

Year: 2007-2008
All Tested: 3470
Passed: 3248
Failed: 222
(Failed Humanistic Domain - 82, Failed Biomechanical/Biomedical Domain - 122, Failed Both Domains - 18)

 

[hooperg]

Seems like there has been a strongly upward-trending number of students who fail the "humanistic" domain (aka $1200-subjective-bullshi_-extortion parameter) of the COMLEX II PE. I would assume that the NBOME is either:

1. Hiring more hippies as standardized patients

...or

2. Needed the extra 100 Grand for more gold-encrusted Persian rugs
👎thumbdown👎

 

[MedStudentWanna]

What's kind of surprising to me is that the total pass rate for last year was only 86%. What happened to the other 14%? Are we to assume they eventually passed on subsequent attempts?

 

[group_theory]

What's kind of surprising to me is that the total pass rate for last year was only 86%. What happened to the other 14%? Are we to assume they eventually passed on subsequent attempts?

No assumptions. That 86% means that of all the test takers for that year and that level, 86% pass, 14% fail. Those who fail will have to retake the test, or not retake the test and give up.

 

[DrWBD]

What's kind of surprising to me is that the total pass rate for last year was only 86%. What happened to the other 14%? Are we to assume they eventually passed on subsequent attempts?

People who fail the first time have a higher chance of failure on subsequent attempts (or a lower chance of passing, depending on how you want to look at it). Unless there was some very unfortunate event that happened before or during the test, it's a bad sign if you fail a standardized test like COMLEX. A small minority of students never pass, unfortunately.

 

[bonesawz]

People who fail the first time have a higher chance of failure on subsequent attempts (or a lower chance of passing, depending on how you want to look at it). Unless there was some very unfortunate event that happened before or during the test, it's a bad sign if you fail a standardized test like COMLEX. A small minority of students never pass, unfortunately.

or fortunately. Not trying to be mean, but there is a base competency level that has to be met for a reason. At least they had a chance.

 

[bigDinLV]

No assumptions. That 86% means that of all the test takers for that year and that level, 86% pass, 14% fail. Those who fail will have to retake the test, or not retake the test and give up.

So you're saying 28 people in a class of 200 will simply never become doctors because they can't pass boards? That just doesn't seem right.

 

[ShyFly]

28 of first time takers. But what's disturbing is that that number is probably increasing due to their new rules this year I read about in the COMLEX section

 

[ShyRem]

new rules? What new rules?

 

[womp]

Is the Comlex curved so that only 10% fail each year, or is there a minimum baseline of mastery that is required?

 

[passthekoolaid]

So you're saying 28 people in a class of 200 will simply never become doctors because they can't pass boards? That just doesn't seem right.

You're right. Maybe they should just start handing out DO degrees at orientation. I mean, why have standards of competency? It's not like you really need to know anything to be a doctor...

 

[bigDinLV]

You're right. Maybe they should just start handing out DO degrees at orientation. I mean, why have standards of competency? It's not like you really need to know anything to be a doctor...

I was making a reference to what seems like an unusually high rate of failure.

Looks like your level of reading comprehension will put you in that group.

 

[Scorcher31]

Well if you think about it out of 100 students 90% pass step 1 on their first try so 10 fail.

Of those 10 ~%60 pass when they retake. So after two trys only 4 of the 100 are stuck.

Lets assume they try a third time and just say 2 of them get lucky and pass. This would mean that 2 out of 100 medical students may never pass step 1. I know it might sound harsh, but honestly it's probably a good thing.

 

[digitlnoize]

For anyone who cares:

LECOM-B had a 100% first try pass rate on COMLEX I this past year (Class of 2011). Woo Hoo!

 

[matlabsux]

Wow 100% sure sounds impressive, but does LECOM allow all 2nd year students to take step 1? Some schools will forbid certain under-performing students from taking licensing exams to inflate their own statistics. Does LECOM allow everyone who has passed their classes to take step 1?

 

[Flushot]

28 of first time takers. But what's disturbing is that that number is probably increasing due to their new rules this year I read about in the COMLEX section

new rules? What new rules?

I too am curious about these new rules, if they even exist.

 

[digitlnoize]

Wow 100% sure sounds impressive, but does LECOM allow all 2nd year students to take step 1? Some schools will forbid certain under-performing students from taking licensing exams to inflate their own statistics. Does LECOM allow everyone who has passed their classes to take step 1?

As far as I know, everyone who passed 2nd year took step I. People with grades below 75 (I think) had to do a special board review course before they were allowed to take it...

Of course, if you failed, you can't take it until you pass...which usually means repeating a year...not sure how many failed, but it's usually not very many...

 

[matlabsux]

As far as I know, everyone who passed 2nd year took step I. People with grades below 75 (I think) had to do a special board review course before they were allowed to take it...

Of course, if you failed, you can't take it until you pass...which usually means repeating a year...not sure how many failed, but it's usually not very many...

So then it's not a true 100% pass rate, it's a 100% of who we allowed to take it pass rate? Students who passed their classes (even if by a slim margin) are required to pass a practice step to be allowed to sit for the real thing? That is less impressive, but it's why you have to dig when schools tout statistics of any kind.

 

[digitlnoize]

So then it's not a true 100% pass rate, it's a 100% of who we allowed to take it pass rate? Students who passed their classes (even if by a slim margin) are required to pass a practice step to be allowed to sit for the real thing? That is less impressive, but it's why you have to dig when schools tout statistics of any kind.

I don't really see the difference. If everyone who passed 2nd year was allowed to take the exam...what's the problem? So what if 5-10 people needed an extra week of review (which is all it is)...I don't see how this makes the number less valid.

Besides, I'm not sure that they weren't "allowed" to. For the most part, we trust our administration and they are VERY good at identifying people's weaknesses. Every single one of our exams is a "practice step". After 2 years of those, they have a very good idea of who is in danger of failing. Those people are identified early and are given some help and direction. Big deal.

Again, the entire passing class of 2011 passed comlex on the first try. I don't think it's your place to take that away from them. It's an amazing accomplishment.

 

[matlabsux]

Calm down, no one is trying to take away anything from those who passed a very difficult exam. I'm simply pointing out that schools like to massage data or not tell the whole story when touting their programs, so applicants need to ask very careful and often difficult questions.

I commend all of those LECOM students who passed their exam, but if it's not a true 100% pass rate then LECOM is being disingenuous when it advertises it as such. If the 100% is real then kudos to LECOM.

 

[digitlnoize]

Calm down, no one is trying to take away anything from those who passed a very difficult exam. I'm simply pointing out that schools like to massage data or not tell the whole story when touting their programs, so applicants need to ask very careful and often difficult questions.

I commend all of those LECOM students who passed their exam, but if it's not a true 100% pass rate then LECOM is being disingenuous when it advertises it as such. If the 100% is real then kudos to LECOM.

I know that things like this happen, but it really doesn't seem to be the case. Also, as far as I know, LECOM-B isn't "advertising" this fact yet. They told us students, mostly to build our confidence, I think. I don't think they released a press release on it or anything...lol.

Again, as far as I know, everyone who passed 2nd year took COMLEX I. Those who were close to failing, did an extra week of board review courses the school set up for them, and THEN took COMLEX I. They probably would've gotten the same results if they'd studied at home and scheduled a later COMLEX I anyways...which is what I would do if I were barely passing.

I think my class only has 1 or 2 people who failed 2nd year last year, so that means the other 160 students all passed. It's not like there's 20-50 students "failing" and not being allowed to take COMLEX.

Of course, I agree that people need to be very skeptical of claims like this, but from what I know, it seems legit. Since LECOM-B's 2nd year open, we've been #2 in % passing until this year when we were obviously #1. That's a pretty good track record from where I stand. This PBL thing works pretty darn well.

 

[drfosho]

LECON.

I don't like this.

 

[tripleJ]

speaking of LECOM, does anyone have a link to a pic of the sculptures that showed the dean touching the finger of god (or whatever it was) that were erected on campus?

 

[BLA]

It seems like the pass rate is going to decrease significantly this year. The "Pounded on COMLEX II" thread in the Step II forum coupled with the NBOME announcement that they are resetting their pass standards makes this very likely. Sucks 👎 http://www.nbome.org/news-single.asp?blogid=88 Those are the new rules referred to above