COMLEX and USMLE
Class of 2012
Agenda
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Accreditation
Registration
Performance Statistics
Preparation
Resources
Exam Administration
Score Reports
Accreditation
AOA Accreditation
Requirements
• Class of 2008 and ALL
SUBSEQUENT Classes (2009,
2010,....) MUST TAKE AND PASS
COMLEX-USA I & II licensing
examinations to graduate.
Registration
2-Step Process
1. NBOME for authorization and payment
2. Prometric for test administration
COMLEX Registration
• nbome.org
– Bulletin of Information
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$485 (2009 rates) $505 after July 10
Forms on line
Going on NOW!! Unbelievable
For June test date
What Number???
• Secure Code Number to register
– the NBOME e-mailed to you
• Social Security Number
– only to confirm your identity
Quarter 8 Deadline
• June 26, 2010
• “I want to STRONGLY EMPHASIZE
that your compliance will be expected.
Failure to follow the policy guidelines at
this time could result in adverse effects
of your academic progress.”
(Steve Laird, 1/19/07)
Prometric
• Must register and pay with NBOME first
• Still need test site
• Thomson-Prometric
– prometric.com
• 8 sites in Missouri alone
USMLE Registration
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On your own
May keep some allopathic options open
Scores about 10% lower than COMLEX
60 students per year report results
0 – 2 students have results mailed per year
Some have taken it in advance as practice
Best Advice
• “Take all the licensing exams
you can find and pass them.”
(Dean Phil Slocum)
Alternative Advice
• “Find all the licensing exams
you can pass and take them.”
(Tim Tucker)
Statistics
COMLEX and USMLE Level I
Board Performance, Past 5 Years
Performance
KCOM %
Total Mean KCOM Mean
KCOM %
Range
USMLE
COMLEX
COMLEX
COMLEX
High
78
510
527
98.0
Low
73
499
516
94.2
COMLEX Scores
• Standard Scores (3-digit). The standard scores
are reported on a scale with a mean of 500 and a
standard deviation of 100. The minimal passing
score for Part I is 400.
• Scaled Scores (2-digit). Scaled scores are
reported on a scale with a mean of 80. The
minimal passing score for Part I is 75.
USMLE Scores
• Standard Scores (3-digit). The minimal
passing score for Part I is 182.
• Scaled Scores (2-digit). The minimal
passing score for Part I is 75
Preparation
General Guidelines
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Attend lectures
Note relative weaknesses on Diagnostic
Review 1 – 2 hours per week until finals
Q-bank runs 90 days starting in March
– Looking at USMLE options
Significant COMLEX Dates
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Review Notes
Diagnostic
Review lectures
Mock Final
Finals week
Boards by
Thanksgiving Break
January 9, 2010
April 20 – 23, 2010
Early May, 2009
May 17 – 21, 2010
June 26, 2010
USMLE Shelf Exam
• March 23, 2009 (last year) First Monday
of the Spring Quarter, March 22, 2010
• 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
• Required
• Retired questions, integrated
• Results are always low (35% is fine)
Suggestions: Anatomy
• Know Uray’s innervations
Suggestions:
OTM
• The “Ten-Page” packet and review
• Ask Dr. Lockwood if he will be giving a
“fast paced, high intensity OMM board
review” in April or May
• The “little red book”
Suggestions:
Principles of Medicine
• Direct relevance to boards
• Tests were good preparation for COMLEX
Attend specialists lectures
Suggestions:
Pediatrics
• The “drugs and bugs” review was helpful
for both boards
(calculation of volumes, etc. was not on
COMLEX but did appear on the USMLE)
Suggestions:
Pathology
• Physiology integrated pathology
– Endocrine
– Lung capacity
– Alcohol, Biochemistry and Drugs
• Evan’s case studies helpful
• Quizzes beyond “board difficulty”
Resources
NBOME Resources
• COMLEX-USA Level 1, 2 and 3 Practice
Items are available for purchase for about
$10.00 per booklet. Please send a written
request form along with your check for the
booklet.
On-line Resources*
• Portal, GI and Path, Year 1
• Kaplan Screen, Pharm Deck downloads
*Other than Kaplan Q-Bank and streaming
audio
Text Resources
• First-Aid (USMLE)
• Step Up (USMLE), more abstract
• The “little path book,” (Schneider, Board
Review Series)
• Golan for Pathology
or
• Buy the Robbins Path textbook
Personal Resources
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Study Aids
Summaries (combine them)
Concept maps
Examination study groups
Exam Administration
Time Schedule
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Sign-in
≤ 30 minutes
Seating
assigned
Book 1
4 hours*
Lunch
40 minutes+
Book 2
4 hours*
* 10 minute optional break, counts v. time
+ Lunch is optional, does not count v. time
What to bring
1. ID
2. Purses, lockers at some sites
What NOT To Bring
1. No Electronic Devices
2. No backpacks
3. No food, drink, or tobacco
What’s in Your Purse/Man Bag?
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Prepare for endurance
Water bottles
Energy bars (avoid refined sugars)
Protein
Caffeine is a fickle friend
Manage medications
Cheating
1. Do not speak to one another while the
examination is in progress.
2. Unethical conduct will be documented
and reported to the NBOME.
Score Reports
Scores
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Scores will be posted on the web 4 – 6
weeks after the exam (the day you leave
town).
Paper results with limited analysis will be
mailed shortly thereafter.
NO SCORES WILL BE REPORTED
BY E-mail, TELEPHONE OR FAX.
What If You Fail?
• This happens to OTHER people
• They try again
• They are condemned to a few months with
Tim Tucker
• Second attempt – a study plan
• Third attempt – a residential program
COMLEX Change of Address
• Candidates who wish to change their
address must notify the NBOME office in
writing before results are mailed.
• Any change of address may not be
recorded until two weeks after receipt.
Panel
• Zach Hovorka
2011
• Sandra Sandhu
2011
• Timothy Sheneman
2011
• Michelle Hill
2010