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COMLEX and USMLE. Class of 2009. Agenda. Accreditation Registration Performance Statistics Preparation Resources Exam Administration Score Reports. Accreditation. AOA Accreditation Requirements.
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COMLEX and USMLE Class of 2009
Agenda • Accreditation • Registration • Performance Statistics • Preparation • Resources • Exam Administration • Score Reports
AOA Accreditation Requirements • Class of 2008 and ALL SUBSEQUENT Classes (2009, 2010,....)MUST TAKE AND PASS COMLEX-USA I & II licensing examinations to graduate.
2-Step Process • NBOME for authorization and payment • Prometric for test administration
COMLEX Registration • nbome.org • Bulletin of Information • $465 • Forms on line • Contact by March • For May or June test date
Quarter 8 Deadline • “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. (Phil Slocum)
Alternative Advice • Find all the licensing exams you can pass and take them. (Tim Tucker)
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 is 182. • Scaled Scores (2-digit). The minimal passing score for Part I is 75
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
Significant COMLEX Dates • Diagnostic December 5, 2006 • Review manuals December 12, 2006 • Review lectures January – April, 2007 • Mock Final May 2, 2007 • Finals week May 14 – 18, 2007 • Boards by June 14, 2007
USMLE Shelf Exam • March 27, 2007 • 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 (Buckler) • 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”
NBOME Resources • COMLEX-USA Level 1, 2 and 3 Practice Items are available for purchase for $8.00 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) • Buy the Robbins Path textbook
Personal Resources • Study Aids • Summaries (combine them) • Concept maps • Examination study groups
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 • ID • Purses, lockers at some sites
What NOT To Bring • No Electronic Devices • No backpacks • No food, drink, or tobacco
What’s in Your Purse? • Prepare for endurance • Water bottles • Energy bars (avoid refined sugars) • Protein • Caffeine is a fickle friend • Manage medications
Cheating • Do not speak to one another while the examination is in progress. • Unethical conduct will be documented and reported to the NBOME.
Scores • Scores will be posted electronically 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.
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.