Test Overview
The COMLEX-USA program is designed to assess the osteopathic
medical knowledge considered essential for osteopathic generalist
physicians to practice medicine without supervision. It is
created by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners,
Inc. COMLEX Level 1 represents the basic science examination
component of the licensing process of osteopathic medicine.
COMLEX Levels 2 and 3 deal with the clinical aspects of diagnosis
and management, respectively.
COMLEX Level 1 examination items are designed to test the
application of basic science principles to clinical situations
covering the following disciplines: Anatomy, Biochemistry,
Microbiology, Osteopathic Principles, Pathology, Pharmacology,
Physiology, and Behavioral Science.
With the computer-based test, examinees have 8 hours to
complete 8 blocks of 50 questions each, for a total of 400
questions. Breaks will be offered at various times during the
day. The question format includes one-best-answer, matching type,
and case clusters. For more information on the new computer test
changes, visit the NBOME website at www.nbome.org.
Some osteopathic students take the USMLE Step 1 in addition to
the COMLEX Level 1. The following summarizes the similarities and
differences between these exams:
Similarities between COMLEX Level 1 and USMLE Step 1
- Both examinations lean toward clinical applications of
basic medical science concepts stressing the understanding of
underlying functions and mechanisms.
- Both exams use similarly styled clinical vignettes with
short answer questions.
- Both exams have no subject specific sections; the questions
are distributed randomly.
- Both exams are non-adaptive, computer-based tests.
Differences between COMLEX Level 1 and USMLE Step 1
- COMLEX Level 1 includes questions based on the
understanding of osteopathic principles and applications.
- On COMLEX Level 1, some of the traditional clinical
vignettes include osteopathic symptoms and answer choices.
- COMLEX Level 1 includes case clusters. These are
one-paragraph clinical scenarios followed by 2 to 3 independent
questions. The questions will usually cover underlying disease
mechanisms, diagnosis, and basic treatment.
