comlex and usmle
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COMLEX and USMLE. Class of 2012. Agenda. Accreditation Registration Performance Statistics Preparation Resources Exam Administration Score Reports. Accreditation. AOA Accreditation Requirements. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
COMLEX and USMLE
Class of 2012
Agenda
• 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 payment2. Prometric for test administration
COMLEX Registration
• nbome.org– Bulletin of Information
• $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
• 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
• 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
• Review Notes Thanksgiving Break• Diagnostic January 9, 2010• Review lectures April 20 – 23, 2010• Mock Final Early May, 2009• Finals week May 17 – 21, 2010• Boards by 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
• Study Aids• Summaries (combine them)• Concept maps• Examination study groups
Exam Administration
Time Schedule
• 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. ID2. Purses, lockers at some sites
What NOT To Bring
1. No Electronic Devices2. No backpacks3. No food, drink, or tobacco
What’s in Your Purse/Man Bag?
1. Prepare for endurance2. Water bottles3. Energy bars (avoid refined sugars)4. Protein5. Caffeine is a fickle friend6. 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
• 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