Will VCOM students get toasted on the COMLEX?

[sdeel]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Here at VCOM we are in a curious predicament. We are taking our COMLEX in October; directly in the midst of our rotations. Has anyone else had to take their boards during rotations? IF so, a good way to balance studying and rotation duties?
To compound the situation we must also take the USMLE. What would be a good time to take it with our "unique" situation at hand?

 

[applicant2002]

just wondering....why are you taking it in October? (as opposed to this past June). is it a school requirement or something?

 

[sdeel]

Our school required us to take it in october as they were waiting on the COMLEX to go computertized. Instead we get the 800? paper version. brilliant

 

[Atlas]

You lucked out in that you didn't have to take that S.O.B. of an exam, but you are probably worse off trying to study for the COMLEX in the middle of your rotations. I don't know how you're gonna pull that off. 😕 In fact, rumor (and this is just rumor!) has it that you may be required to take the 2-day paper exam afterall. I don't want to elaborate because it is just a rumor. However, I don't envy your position either way. Good luck to you.

Atlas

 

[DrMom]

It isn't a rumor. The NBOME's website says

Effective immediately, the NBOME has suspended the administration of only COMLEX-USA Level 1 in computerized format until May 2006.

The NBOME will offer Level 1 in the paper and pencil format of 750 test items with the usual test item format at the campuses of the colleges of osteopathic medicine on October 11 –12, 2005.

 

[Atlas]

It isn't a rumor. The NBOME's website says

Thanks for pointing that out! Well...see...there you go! You're taking the paper exam!!

 

[Idiopathic]

To compound the situation we must also take the USMLE.

Say what?

 

[sdeel]

Say what?

VCOM is requiring all of its students take both the USMLE and COMLEX by late nov or dec. We are only required to pass the COMLEX to continue onward, but must sit for the USMLE! 😀

 

[Dr Alo]

Actually, teh comlex is so clinical now, that after a rotation or two, you may be better off. Here is my assessment of teh comlex after taking it:
http://www.thealo.com/maloblog/blog_comment.asp?bi=3&m=7&y=2005&d=1&s=search

 

[Atlas]

It'll be harder in some areas...especially pharm. You're gonna be learning the trade names and getting them mixed up with the generic names. Even the pharmacists in my class say that was a problem on this last exam! I wish you the best of luck. Maybe you can sneek in some valuable study time on your rotations!! 😉

 

[Pox in a box]

VCOM is requiring all of its students take both the USMLE and COMLEX by late nov or dec. We are only required to pass the COMLEX to continue onward, but must sit for the USMLE! 😀

WHY?

 

[avanb803]

I also go to VCOM and don't really care about the COMLEX... I'm mostly concerned about the USMLE. Since we are forced by our school to take the USLME between Sept. and Dec. AFTER we start rotations, would people recommend taking the exam early? For example, we have August off, would you take it early September after break, or try to study during rotations and take it in October/November? Oh another complication is that we have to take comlex Oct. 12th. I know it's a BS situation, but it's what we are stuck with. Any feedback is appreciated.

 

[sdeel]

Why? Thats a good question. I personally think it is b/c we are a new school and the dean wants to "gauge" our test taking ability and further validate the COMLEX in the eyes of a "allopathic dominated" state such as virginia. That is just my opinion.
However, in many of my classmates opinions--by "forcing" us to take the USMLE it will be incentive for many to chose the allopathic route if they do well. So will it backfire or be brilliant?

 

[Sinnman]

I just took the USMLE.

I certainly would not be worried about it. If you can do well on the COMLEX, you will do fine on the USMLE. I don't know why people have the attidude that the USMLE is harder. In my opinion, the USMLE was a MUCH better test and didn't ask a fraction of the minutia that the COMLEX did (like the INSANE pharm ?s).

Start early, study hard and you should do fine on both.

It's probably better to study for both and take the COMLEX first, purge the OMM from your brain, beef-up on cell, molecular and biochem and take the USMLE within 2 wks. I took a month off between the two and it was a mistake (you're right Idio). I could not force myself to do much after the COMLEX.

 

[zorro21]

i agree. the usmle is a much better written exam and more straight forward. the comlex is very vague and poorly written. i always did about 30 points better on the practice usmle exams than the comlex exams.

 

[avanb803]

yes

 

[sdeel]

Just finished the exam today..........the answer is YES we got torched....but i guess that is a normal response right??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!