COMLEX-USA
The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) is a series of three
COMLEX-USA Level 1
COMLEX-USA Level 1 is typically taken after completion of the second year of medical school. The exam consists of 352 questions administered in one day and consists of two, four-hour exam sessions separated by a 40-minute break. Each of the four-hour sessions allows a ten-minute break in addition to the time allotted for the respective four-hour sessions. Candidates are expected to know the basic mechanisms of health and disease process. The mean score for the COMLEX-USA Level 1 is approximately 500-540 (for first time test-takers), with a standard deviation of about 85 (although this may vary slightly from year to year).[3] It was announced on January 24, 2022, that the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination will be moving from a 3-digit numeric score to solely pass/fail beginning on May 10, 2022.[2]
Specifically, Level 1 covers basic medical sciences, including:
- Anatomy
- Behavioral Science
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Osteopathic Principles and Practice
- Pathology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
- Public Health
COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE
COMLEX-USA Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE), is generally taken during the third or fourth year of medical school. Level 2-CE requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge of clinical concepts and medical decision-making. The mean score for the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE is approximately 540 (for first time test-takers), with a standard deviation of about 100 (although this may vary slightly from year to year).
The examination is problem-based and symptoms-based, integrating the clinical disciplines of:
- emergency medicine
- family medicine
- internal medicine
- gynecology
- osteopathic principles
- pediatrics
- psychiatry
- surgery
COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE (discontinued)
In 2005 the NBOME introduced the COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation (PE). It was announced on February 14, 2021, that the COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE examination will be discontinued indefinitely and a commission will be set up "to consider and identify new ways to evaluate fundamental competencies currently assessed in the Level 2-PE."
The exam required candidates to demonstrate proficiency in:
- history taking and physical examination skills
- integrated differential diagnosis and clinical problem solving
- written communication and synthesis of clinical findings (SOAP note format)
- osteopathic principles and/or osteopathic manipulative treatment
COMLEX-USA Level 3
The final examination, COMLEX-USA Level 3, is generally taken after starting a residency program. The exam is a two-day computer-based examination consisting of up to 420 multiple choice questions, and up to 26 additional clinical decision-making cases.[6] The mean score for COMLEX-USA Level 3 is approximately 520 (for first-time test takers), with a standard deviation of about 85.[7]
It covers the clinical disciplines of medicine, including:
- emergency medicine
- family medicine
- internal medicine
- gynecology
- osteopathic principles
- pediatrics
- psychiatry
- surgery
USMLE comparison
In 2020, the
References
- ^ "COMLEX Computer Based Testing (CBT)". NBOME. 2010. Archived from the original on 30 May 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
- ^ a b "COMLEX-USA Level 1 to Eliminate Numeric Scores". NBOME. 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ^ Carolyn Schierhorn (December 21, 2011). "Match Report Sheds Light on Credentials Needed to Secure Residencies". The DO. Archived from the original on 2012-06-07. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
- ^ "NBOME COMLEX LEVEL 2 UPDATE". NBOME. 2021. Retrieved 31 March 2012.
- ^ "Testing Sites for the COMLEX-USA Level 2 PE". nbome.org. Retrieved 2017-11-08.
- ^ "COMLEX-USA • Level 3 — NBOME". nbome.org. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
- ^ "Scoring Principles — NBOME". nbome.org. Retrieved 2017-11-06.
- ^ "CBT Score Conversion (COMLEX-USA to USMLE)". nbome.org. Retrieved 2017-11-08.