USMLE or COMLEX: A Detailed Comparative Analysis

Jump To Key Section

Understanding the Concept: USMLE Vs COMLEX
USMLE Vs COMLEX: Comparison Table for Simplified Analysis
Conclusion

USMLE and COMLEX are two exams that should be on the list of priorities for every medical candidate who has visions of a career in the healthcare sector. These two exams are paramount for the aspirants dreaming of embarking on a career as a medical professional in the United States.

Therefore, both exams are for medicos, but USMLE is mainly preferred for allopathic students and COMLEX is raised for osteopathic students to get eligible for licensure. Due to the different types of medical training and test preparation requirements, choosing the one that better aligns with your intended goals is crucial.

To assist you in making informed decisions, we bring you a prominent comparison between USMLE and COMLEX.

Understanding the Concept: USMLE Vs COMLEX

There is no hard and fast rule to decide which exam works best for everyone. As per your previous education and career-focused choices, you can choose one that better aligns with your requirements.

So for a better review, we have simplified the exam concept, key prominence, content focus and more.

Everything You Need to Know About COMLEX

The COMLEX (Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam) is a three-level exam administered by the NBOME (National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners) for medical aspirations to advance in the medical practice arena.

Dividing down the levels:

The COMLEX Level 1 exam is taken after the completion of the second medical school.
Level 2 is formerly taken in between the third and fourth year.
Level 3 is generally taken during residency.

To undergo a deep evaluation of your medical knowledge, experience, and clinical abilities, the content focus of all three exams is detailed and refined.

Check out the topics that you will surround yourself with:

COMLEX Level 1	COMLEX Level 2-CE (Cognitive Evaluation)	COMLEX Level 2-PE (Performance Evaluation)	COMLEX Level 3
Medical knowledgePatient carePrinciples and practiceCommunication skillsProfessionalismEthics	Emergency medicineFamily medicineInternal medicine,Obstetrics/GynaecologyOsteopathic principles and practicePaediatrics,Psychiatry, and surgery.	Physician patient communication Interpersonal skills professionalism Biomedical skills	Emergency medicineFamily medicineInternal medicine,Obstetrics/GynaecologyOsteopathic principles and practicePaediatrics,Psychiatry, and surgery

Everything You Need to Know About USMLE

USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Exams) is a 3-step examination process that is administered to check the medical knowledge and clinical abilities of MD students.

As mentioned above, the exam is conducted in 3 steps:

The Step 1 test is taken after the completion of your second year. The exam consists of a total of 280 multiple-choice-based questions.

USMLE Step 2 is taken during the third and fourth year of your medical schooling session and contains a total of 316 questions.

Last Step 3 is conducted during the internship year and has a maximum of 412 questions in the exam paper.

As syllabus disciplines are distinct for every step of the exam, take a detailed analysis of the content outline.

USMLE Step-1	USMLE Step-2	USMLE Step-3
Gross AnatomyBehavioral SciencesBiochemistry & Nutrition Biostatics & epidemiologyGenetic Histology and cell biologyMicrobiologyPathology Pharmacology Physiology Immunology	MedicineSurgery PediatricsObstetrics & Gynaecology Psychiatry	Principles of Foundation SciencesImmune SystemBehavioural HealthNervous and Cardiovascular SystemHuman Development Renal and Urinary System Male and Female ReproductiveSocial Sciences and more.

Read Also: The Role of Online Education in Cultivating Tomorrow’s Entrepreneurs

USMLE Vs COMLEX: Comparison Table for Simplified Analysis

By consolidating key information and features under one table, take a detailed analysis of both crucial exams to make streamlined decisions.

Features	COMLEX	USMLE
Suitable for	Osteopathic Students (DO).	Recommended for MD allopathic students.
Levels/Structure	3 Levels	3 Steps
Focuses on	Osteopathic medicine, foundation of medical sciences, clinical skills, patient management	Anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, patient care, and physical examinations.
Question Format	Multiple choice questions; audio/video-based components	Computer-based multiple choice questions (MCQs)
Questions	352/352/420	280/316/460
Licensure for	Practice for osteopathic medicine in the US.	Practice medicine in the US.

Apart from this table, we suggest you conduct your independent research until you are satisfied.

Conclusion

Regardless of what exam you choose to take, both of them require considerable hard work and dedication to prepare for every challenge and obstacle on the exam day. While making the choices, assess your career paths, future demands, strengths, and weaknesses clearly to make a significant decision for your upcoming medical journey.

Pick the right path, strengthen your study resources and routine, and feel success with shining colours.

Ans: The pattern of the USMLE exam contains 3 Steps exams, in which,

Step 1: Conducted for 1 day, required 8 hours shift.
Step 2: 1 day exam, requires 9 hours duration.
Step 3: 2 days exam, 7 hours for 1st day and 9 hours shift for another.

Ans: There are mixed reactions and feedback regarding which exam is harder than the other. But as per the aspirants who attempted both, COMLEX is harder and the question bank comes out to be unpredictable.

Ans: The benefits of the USMLE exam are numerous. One of the keys is, that it makes you eligible for the licence to perform your medical practice in the US.

Ans:The USMLE is required for MD students and the COMLEX is required for DO students.