r/comlex

What are the highest yield topics, to review before COMLEX LEVEL 1? Brachial plexus, Nerves etc.

Stuff that everyone should review and know before the exam! Thanks!

I am an OMS 4 student. It’s that time of year when administration begins what students refer to as the Great Cover-Up, meaning they manipulate data to make the Level 1 board scores seem better than they are. Word is this year it will be below 80%

Anyone else have a major score difference?

Level 2: 495
Step 2: 252

The exams were taken 4 days apart so it’s not as of I had more time to study for one vs the other. I did primarily use UWORLD and NBMEs for my resources but I took 2 COMSAEs 2 weeks out then a week out and scored 590 and 595.

I feel really upset. I had my FM comat yesterday and I genuinely did so bad. I remember at least 37 questions I got wrong for sure. My school requires an 84 to pass. I do not think I met that. I can retake it but I'm only allowed one retake in the academic year, but I should've had that for like surgery or IM. Am I doomed? I feel so pathetic. I barely studied for this because my dad was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer and it has taken over my life. Can I still pass with over 40+ wrong?

Anyone else test today or have any advice? I'm definitely pretty worried, it feels like I got most questions wrong that I can remember

Burnt out studying for COMSAE and honestly just need to vent

I’m not really sure what I’m looking for by posting this—maybe advice, encouragement, or just people who understand what this process feels like.

I’m still studying for my school’s required COMSAE, and I need a 450 to move forward. I took my most recent school COMSAE on August 10th and scored a 445. Being 5 points away should probably make me feel hopeful, but instead it completely broke me. I ended up going to the ER because I was so overwhelmed knowing that I have one final attempt in September to get the score I need or I could be dismissed.

I’ve talked to my counselor, friends, and family, and everyone tells me some version of the same thing: “You’re so close. You only need a few more points. Don’t give up now.”

And I know they mean well. Logically, I understand what they’re saying. A 445 means I’m close.

But mentally, I’m exhausted.

Lately, it has been so hard to stay engaged while doing practice questions. Sometimes I catch myself reading a question just to read it. I’ll get through a paragraph and realize I didn’t actually process anything. Studying used to feel like I was working toward something, and now some days it feels like I’m just forcing myself to keep going because I don’t have another option.

The mental toll of this whole process has also made me question myself in ways I didn’t expect. I find myself wondering, If this is affecting me this much, am I actually capable of becoming a doctor? I know one exam isn’t supposed to define me, but when your ability to stay in medical school is tied to one score, it’s really hard for it not to feel that way.

And honestly, one of the hardest parts has been how isolating this feels. Everyone around me wants to encourage me, but unless you’ve been in the position of repeatedly studying for these exams while knowing your future in medical school depends on the next score, I don’t know if it’s possible to fully understand how exhausting it becomes.

That’s really why I’m making this post. I know I need to keep going, and I’m trying. I’m just tired.

If anyone has been in a similar situation—especially having to keep studying for a COMSAE after months of board prep—how did you get yourself mentally engaged again when you felt completely burnt out?

Figured I’d make this post since I haven’t seen one.
I know there’s nothing we can do to change any outcome, but this waiting is killing me.

NRMP DO Data link for your review: https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/DO-Senior\_Charting-Outcomes\_FINAL.pdf

Hey everyone,

I'm a fourth year DO student that just took level 2. I'm looking to build a resource specifically for COMLEX now that I have some more time. We have a lot for Step and we tend to use that to study for COMLEX also, but I think it would great to have a separate resource for us DO students. Since the prep for COMLEX is so lacking, I was hoping to gain insight into what kind of things people would like to see in this resource. With it mention whether its for COMLEX 1, 2, or 3 so that will help me categorize your suggestions. Thanks! Feel free to DM me also if you'd rather do that!

I'm on a LOA to pass my test. Redoing all the COMSAEs. Got a 340 on my latest attempt of COMSAE 107. My school requires a 450 to clear us for Level 1, so I need to score 110 or more in my next attempt. I have a few weeks and really don't want to start TrueLearn or COMQUEST from scratch again. I'm currently 80% done with TL and I've done that 80% over the past 3 months.

Right now I'm planning to review my incorrects, finish TL, hit OMM and biostats in AMBOSS, and go through shorter notes for my weak systems. Not sure if I should stick with that or change something. Any advice is appreciated.

Taking my surg comat this week and I feel like crap. Finished all the COMQUEST and reviewed my incorrects now I’m reviewing CMS forms and I understand maybe 65-70% but just the way some are written trips me up. Now I’m spiraling. How bad does a COMAT fail look and what does that mean going forward??

I just got my results back recently and my Level 2 score (611) is stronger than my Step 2 (242). My dream program is IM/Psych.

I have heard of people reporting just COMLEX, would doing so be possible/appropriate? I'm also applying primarily though the military match, which I have been advised generally regards the two exams as more interchangeable than civilian programs.

if my score gets released 9/22 will my application be able to be submitted in time for eras submissions given the time it takes to get transmitted to eras?

Anyone that interviews with lower tier & rural D.O schools, of course with all other schools as well (but especially with schools like WCUCOM), ask them about them about the following 4 points.

See the manner of how they respond, rather than just the content of their responses.

Lower tier schools like WCUCOM have had made very strong efforts and unfortunately have done very well the past few years in covering up many of these stats. These schools struggle with attracting students to move to these areas, which is why they falsely advertise their outcomes data to lure students to matriculate here.

1. Level 1 and Level 2 first time pass rates
2. % Attrition, not just repeat %, for the past 4 years
3. Match rates before SOAP

WCUCOM needs to realize that this is a two way journey. Students can help and harm the school just as much as the school can help and harm a student's career.

Does anyone have any advice on how to prepare for the Psych COMAT?

Hi all,

Devastated out here. I went into medicine to become a psychiatrist and am so nervous now that psych has become more competitive. I have always had test anxiety but studied my butt off for level 2. I ended with a 40X....my COMSAE scores were in the low 500s pretty consistently towards my testing date so I wasn't expecting anything crazy but I feel like this score has ruined me. I truly can't imagine doing anything else in medicine, do I still have a chance?

Passed level 1 first attempt

Fourth quartile, one course remediation in first year, no gaps or anything since I remediated with an exam

Strong LoR from 4 psychiatrists (all attached to residency programs)

Will have 3 subI's (so far are going well, I get along with the residents and the PDs have liked me so far)

All positive MSPE notes - only 1 honors and 1 high pass (this is because of my low COMAT scores but my evals are all really great)

No true "home program"

Lots of EC in leadership and advocacy

Multiple volunteering experiences, 2 consistent throughout med school (one clinic and one animal shelter)

Non-trad with 3 presentations and 2 published articles and previous medical work experience, also masters (not in biomedical sciences - was actually debating going PhD route)

I am applying broadly and looking at DO friendly programs and community hospitals. It would break my heart to do anything other than psych since I came into this as a non-trad student with the plan of going psych. I really don't want to dual apply, is it possible to not have to?

What do the people think??? HELP

Please be kind—I’m feeling pretty scared about what lies ahead. I have three COMLEX Level 1 failures before ultimately passing, and I’m currently completing my clinical rotations. I’m going to work as hard as I can to perform well on Level 2, but I can’t help worrying that my previous attempts will prevent programs from giving me a chance.

Has anyone here successfully matched IM (or in general) after multiple board failures, or known someone who has? I would really appreciate any honest experiences or advice about how to move forward and strengthen the rest of my application.

After getting dozens of messages (sorry I can’t respond to all of them...I’m in residency training and studying for pathology boards), I’ve compiled all the study guides I have into this folder.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11n-z_0kI3T-3FCWJvpi9GSw08M6s3WAv?usp=sharing

To save yourself some headaches, I recommend downloading each document and keeping a copy on hand in case Google randomly decides to delete a document.

No, I don’t have the EM guide—I honestly don’t know where it is. If you have it, please share the link in the comments and help each other out, or make a new one!

I basically use the blueprint for each exam and make notes for each topic.

Happy Studying!

I take the COMAT in 4 days, and I am honestly so lost. I just took the COMAT-SE and scored 57% on it. I finished all of TrueLearn, and it was nothing like the COMAT-SE. I don't know what to, any help would be appreciated.

This is my cry for help