What Is COMLEX?
The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination, or COMLEX, is the licensing exam all osteopathic medical students must pass to earn a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree. Administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME), COMLEX is a three-level exam that assesses the knowledge and skills necessary for students to perform as competent physicians.
Each level of the exam must be completed in order before moving on to the next level:
- Students typically take Level 1 after their second year of medical school.
- Level 2 is taken during the third or fourth year of medical school.
- Level 3 is taken during residency.
COMLEX scores play an important role in determining a student’s residency placement. As such, KansasCOM provides comprehensive support to students preparing for the exam so they may acquire their desired residency placements.
COMLEX and USMLE
The United States Medical Licensing Examination, or USMLE, is the licensing exam all medical students must pass to earn a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree. Osteopathic medical students are not required to take the USMLE to graduate with a DO degree.
While the USMLE is not required for DO programs, osteopathic medical students may still opt to take the exam to bolster their competitiveness for selection in residency programs. KansasCOM is happy to provide advice and guidance to students interested in the USMLE and how the exam may be advantageous for their career prospects.
COMLEX Prep for KansasCOM Students
KansasCOM helps students prepare for the COMLEX with three distinct means of support: free resources, accountability, and practice exams.
Free Resources
Free access to several resources helps our students prepare for their licensing exams:
- TrueLearn, a repository of useful information and other support resources directly from the makers of the COMLEX exam
- Online MedEd, a medical education database full of quality OMM training content
- Kaplan Test Prep, content modules and question banks from a leading exam preparation organization
Accountability
We provide monthly content modules and test questions to ensure students are maintaining the crucial knowledge needed to pass their exams. Goals attached to these modules and questions alert us when a student may be struggling or need additional assistance.
Practice Exams
Practice exams are a crucial aspect of our students’ exam preparation. Data points from these exams are used to design individualized study plans based on each student’s personal strengths and weaknesses.
Student Learning Experience
Kansas-native Nicole Ukoefreso is excited about contributing to KansasCOM’s goal of providing expanded access to quality care for underrepresented populations in Kansas and beyond.
For hands-on students like John Paul Macayan, KansasCOM’s emphasis on rigorous, first-rate clinical experiences with patients is a constant reminder of what it really means to be a curious, competent, and compassionate doctor.
Lisa Brambert’s favorite aspect of the KansasCOM experience has been the community of students and faculty who are passionate about forming a culture of care for those in need.
