Updates: combined match, COMLEX changes

[DrMom]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Here's the info I have on these issues. Hopefully, this will be helpful for you guys.

Combined Match
Talks continue between the AOA & AODME (a group dealing with DO residencies) and the NRMP. These groups (along with another Osteopathic oversight group) will issue a report for the July 2005 AOA Board of Trustees & House of Delegates meeting. If the joint match is approved by these groups in July, from what I've been told all residencies & internships would have to have all of their documentation into the NRMP by September in order to have everything lined up for the class of 2007 to have a chance at the combined match. Since it is unlikely that everything will work that smoothly, it looks like the class of 2008 is the first one to have a reasonable chance at the combined match.

COMLEX computerization
Starting in July 2005, the COMLEX Levels 1, 2, and 3 will be computerized exams (like the USMLE is). The exams will be shortened to around 400 questions and 1 day and will no longer be administered on the same days nationwide because there are not testing centers that can accomodate everyone at once. Each exam will have about 40 available test dates throughout the year. For level 1 there wil be a cluster of dates in the summer and another one in the fall, with some other dates spread around. Level 2 dates will be more spread out since you only have to have completed MS3 to be eligible to take the exam. Level 3 will have most of its dates in the winter and spring because you have to have completed 6 months of PGY1 to be eligible to take it.

 

[docbill]

Great NEWS

 

[DrMom]

If you're in the class of 2008 or later 😉 (remember: the combined match is not a done deal yet. On my committee I'm strongly emphasizing that this combined match is supported by students & would be beneficial for Osteopathic residencies in the long run)


The bad news is that the COMLEX will be costing more once it is computerized.


Also, I forgot to include that there will be some sort of scoring adjustment because the tests will be shorter, but from what I've been told it will still be a 3-digit score and a percentile. That means that it still won't be the same scoring as the USMLE is.

 

[Nate]

This is great news indeed.

 

[docbill]

At least there is change in motion... better then being stalled.

 

[Yosh]

That will be great for Step III....

 

[Non-Trad DO]

Dr. Mom,
👍 I'm pretty sure however, USMLE is a three digit score with a percetile. 😕

 

[DrMom]

The USMLE's 2 digit score is not a percentile.

 

[babyruth]

The COMLEX is not being offered on computer until later in the year, so the 2007 class will still take paper copies!

 

[DrMom]

The COMLEX is not being offered on computer until later in the year, so the 2007 class will still take paper copies!

Those who take step 1 in June 2005 will have the paper version, but anyone taking it in Oct (or whenever they sign up for it) will have the computerized version.

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

Those who take step 1 in June 2005 will have the paper version, but anyone taking it in Oct (or whenever they sign up for it) will have the computerized version.

Dang mom, you had me all excited... 🙁

Well, at least those that fail won't have to take the two day juggernaut again

 

[DrMom]

Well, at least those that fail won't have to take the two day juggernaut again

But they'll also be dealing with a completely new test format...the very first time it is being used on step 1. Nothing like failing & then being a guniea pig.

 

[PACtoDOC]

So if we are taking Step II this summer coming up (CO2006), then will it definitely be on computer? Because if it does, our school is going to have to change our schedules. We are all currently scheduled to have a study month in August to study for step II, but if they do it on computer, we may be then be able to schedule it on our own and then schedule our study month accordingly.

 

[DrMom]

From what I was told by the NBOME, those of us 2006ers are definitely taking the computerized step 2 & the schools are aware of this. My school expects us to take it in Jan rather than Aug and has a 1 week review scheduled for then (we don't get any other time off to study). I haven't heard what they'll be doing considering the changes.

 

[frank51]

I'm currently going through the application process, so I still don't know whether I'll end up at a D.O school or an M.D school. I was just wondering, how do D.O students who are interested in pursuing an Allopathic residency deal with having to take both USMLE & COMLEX; do you need to take additional time out to study for the USMLE? or do you just take the COMLEX one day, and the USMLE the next day.

 

[Doctor Peloncito]

I'm currently going through the application process, so I still don't know whether I'll end up at a D.O school or an M.D school. I was just wondering, how do D.O students who are interested in pursuing an Allopathic residency deal with having to take both USMLE & COMLEX; do you need to take additional time out to study for the USMLE? or do you just take the COMLEX one day, and the USMLE the next day.

do a search on this topic. I don't want to sound mean, but this is a waste of our time unless you don't find your answer.

 

[DrMom]

do a search on this topic. I don't want to sound mean, but this is a waste of our time unless you don't find your answer.

do the search as an advanced search & limit yourself to the Boards forum & you should find some good stuff.

 

[Idiopathic]

I'm currently going through the application process, so I still don't know whether I'll end up at a D.O school or an M.D school. I was just wondering, how do D.O students who are interested in pursuing an Allopathic residency deal with having to take both USMLE & COMLEX; do you need to take additional time out to study for the USMLE? or do you just take the COMLEX one day, and the USMLE the next day.

To answer your question, which would "waste" about 30 seconds of time 🙄 , people do both. Many of my classmates took the tests back-to-back, however I took 17 days between the two. It is at the students discretion. I would suggest taking more than one day between the two tests, if possible. They are different enough to warrant some test-specific studying.

edit: and to follow-up, you do not "have" to take both exams. Several students choose to, but it is not required for 95% of residencies.

 

[Popoy]

Here's the info I have on these issues. Hopefully, this will be helpful for you guys.

Combined Match
Talks continue between the AOA & AODME (a group dealing with DO residencies) and the NRMP. These groups (along with another Osteopathic oversight group) will issue a report for the July 2005 AOA Board of Trustees & House of Delegates meeting. If the joint match is approved by these groups in July, from what I've been told all residencies & internships would have to have all of their documentation into the NRMP by September in order to have everything lined up for the class of 2007 to have a chance at the combined match. Since it is unlikely that everything will work that smoothly, it looks like the class of 2008 is the first one to have a reasonable chance at the combined match.

COMLEX computerization
Starting in July 2005, the COMLEX Levels 1, 2, and 3 will be computerized exams (like the USMLE is). The exams will be shortened to around 400 questions and 1 day and will no longer be administered on the same days nationwide because there are not testing centers that can accomodate everyone at once. Each exam will have about 40 available test dates throughout the year. For level 1 there wil be a cluster of dates in the summer and another one in the fall, with some other dates spread around. Level 2 dates will be more spread out since you only have to have completed MS3 to be eligible to take the exam. Level 3 will have most of its dates in the winter and spring because you have to have completed 6 months of PGY1 to be eligible to take it.

Thank goodness!!! Progress from the AOA and NBOME.... I never thought I'd live to see the day 🙂

 

[DrMom]

Thank goodness!!! Progress from the AOA and NBOME.... I never thought I'd live to see the day 🙂

I'm still waiting to see if there is approval of the joint match from the AOA board of directors, but I've spoken to one of them who was very positive about the prospect (and understood the student standpoint). The joint match is definitely not a done deal at this point, but things are looking pretty good.

I do have to say that I've been taken very seriously on the AOA committee I'm on. I wasn't sure if I was a token student to make things look good or a full member of the committee. I can tell you now that I'm a full member who is listened to. They really considered what I had to say about the pros of a combined match (not only for the students, but also for osteopathic residencies) and there is another issue that I brought up that is already being acted on. 😀

My hope is that more progressive students will get involved & get some other changes implemented.

 

[DermpathDO]

[/Quote]
Also, I forgot to include that there will be some sort of scoring adjustment because the tests will be shorter, but from what I've been told it will still be a 3-digit score and a percentile. That means that it still won't be the same scoring as the USMLE is.[/QUOTE]

Actually,
the score will be a 3 digit score and a two digit score which is not the same as a percentile. In asking the people involved how the score which was a 2 digit score and looked like a percentile was not one....I didn't get a clear answer.

More confusion I know, but the exam will be one day and not 2 days and it will be 400 questions in one sitting, computerized. There is still some discussion going on as to adminsitration of the exam, but Dr Mom has been essentially correct as to the adminsitration details.

 

[DrMom]

but Dr Mom has been essentially correct as to the adminsitration details.

I'd sure hope so since the info came directly to me from the executive director of the NBOME



😉

 

[glorytaker]

From what I was told by the NBOME, those of us 2006ers are definitely taking the computerized step 2 & the schools are aware of this. My school expects us to take it in Jan rather than Aug and has a 1 week review scheduled for then (we don't get any other time off to study). I haven't heard what they'll be doing considering the changes.

Sweet! Only 1 day, and more sites to take it. Very good news. Thanks so much for the awesome news!!! 🙂

 

[babyruth]

Is it also true that the new form will include more radiology and pathology slides sinc eit is on computer?

 

[Idiopathic]

Contrary to what we were told, there were more questions that dealt with picture (6-8% of the test) on COMLEX, as opposed to my version of USMLE. I would imagine that the pictures will not be that much more important, if at all.