R Comlex (2024)

FAQs

What percentage is a 400 on COMLEX? ›

While 400 represents the 8th percentile, the average (50th percentile) score is generally between 500 and 550. For the 2021-2022 testing cycle, the national mean for Level 1 was 526.19. This means that if you scored at or slightly above the average, you scored better than 50% of all test takers that year.

Is COMLEX Harder Than USMLE? There are mixed opinions on which exam is harder. But, in general, the COMLEX is considered slightly harder because it's longer, usually has an additional exam (it's postponed indefinitely currently), tests more material, and is less predictable.

Preclinical GPA and MCAT scores continue to be important predictors of scoring at least 600 on COMLEX-USA Level 1. However, the findings underscore the importance of maintaining a high GPA during the first 2 years of medical school and initiating COMLEX-USA preparation early.

COMLEX Level 1 is Going Pass/Fail!

This change is similar to the switch to pass/fail scoring for the USMLE Step 1 that is planned by the NBME for 2021. This change will continue the parallel organization of both the COMLEX and the USMLE.

COMLEX Level 1 is an incredibly difficult exam, and perhaps more daunting than test day is the weeks and months leading up to it.

As of May 2022, both USMLE Step 1 and COMLEX Level 1 exams have shifted to a pass/fail scoring system. The thresholds for passing each exam are as follows: COMLEX Passing Score: 400. USMLE Passing Score: 194 (in general, this translates to approximately 60% of questions correct)

The Differences Between the COMLEX Level 1 and Level 2

According to the NBOME, the first-time pass rate for Level 1 for the 2022-2023 academic year was 90.6%, while Level 2's pass rate was 94.5%. Based on this data, it appears that, in general, most students still find Level 2 to be easier.

Glaros et al. have found that the highest correlation with scores on COMLEX 1 is second semester Renal section course among all the courses in the first 2 years, as shown in one particular study of traditional organ-system curriculum [9] .

How many times can you fail COMLEX? ›

Candidates who have failed an examination may retake the examination, with a maximum of four attempts in any 12-month period.

Trying to use your COMSAE score to predict your future COMLEX score is like comparing apples to oranges. The COMSAE exam scores are highly variable and not very predictive of your actual COMLEX score. However COMSAE exams are good to use for two things when preparing for COMLEX.

Misconception: The difficulty of COMLEX-USA Level 1 will change because of the transition to pass/fail score reporting. The score required to pass the Level 1 examination will not change with pass/fail score reporting. There have been no changes to the examination blueprint, timing, or score needed to pass.

So just how many questions should you complete? I suggest 4,000 questions as the minimum number of practice questions to have done before test day – 6,000 questions for those aiming for higher scores.

Ultimately, the goal is to perform well and to be a competitive candidate for residency. However, after discussions with classmates, professors, residents, and physicians, taking both the COMLEX and USMLE licensing exams is going to be the right move for most DO students.

Based on data from recent results of the COMLEX-USA examination, for level 1 and level 2, a score of 500-540 is considered the 50th percentile with scores falling slightly under and over this mark to be considered similarly.

400 is about a 6 percentile meaning as long you do better than 6 percent of test takers you pass.

Students who received a score of at least 450 on their COMSAE, on their first attempt proceeded to pass COMLEX level one on their first attempt.

For the COMLEX-USA computer-based cognitive examinations, the number of questions answered correctly (the raw score) is converted to a standard score for the purposes of reporting results and providing a pass/fail designation.