What is the lowest score on Comlex?

The lowest passing score for COMLEX Level 2-CE and Level 1 (when it had numeric scores) is 400, while for Level 3 it's 350, but Level 1 now reports as Pass/Fail only, meaning any score above the minimum passing threshold (around the 20th percentile or 50-60% correct) is a "Pass," though higher scores are needed for competitive residencies.

What is the lowest Comlex score?

Most candidates score between 250 and 800. 400 is the minimum passing score for COMLEX-USA Levels 1 and 2; 350 for COMLEX-USA Level 3. It was announced on January 24, 2022, that the COMLEX-USA Level 1 examination will be moving from a 3-digit numeric score to solely pass/fail beginning on May 10, 2022.

Is 550 a good Comlex score?

For primary care specialties like family medicine, scores above 500-550 (37th-59th percentile) on Level 2 are generally considered adequate. For competitive specialties like dermatology or orthopedic surgery, you'll need COMLEX Level 2 scores above 650 (89th percentile or higher) to be seriously considered.

What is a passing score on Comlex?

Passing COMLEX-USA Level 1 is solely based on achieving an overall standard score of 400 or higher. The standard score of 400 reflects the minimum passing level recommended by the NBOME for COMLEX-USA Level 1.

What percentile is 400 on Comlex?

A passing score of 400 corresponds to the 5th percentile for Level 2-CE. The national mean for Level 2-CE is 554.71. How do COMLEX Level 2-CE average scores compare to Level 1? Average scores for Level 2-CE are generally 20-30 points higher than Level 1.

How I Scored 95th Percentile on COMLEX Level 1

Is Comlex harder than Usmle?

Neither COMLEX nor USMLE is universally "harder"; they test similar medicine but with different styles, making one harder depending on your strengths: USMLE is known for detailed, multi-step reasoning and breadth, while COMLEX includes OMM, features vaguer, sometimes trickier questions, and tests specific osteopathic concepts. COMLEX can be challenging due to its ambiguous wording and unique content, while USMLE demands deep, specific knowledge and complex application. 

What percent of people fail COMLEX 1?

Every year, 6-10% of DO students fail COMLEX Level 1 on their first attempt, with similar rates affecting COMLEX Level 2 and COMLEX Level 3.

How important is COMLEX for residency?

Given the strong association between Level 2-CE scores and first attempt passing probability on ABS QE, COMLEX alone can predict test performance in residency and beyond, and requiring USMLE as well does not add additional value.

Is 60% enough to pass step 1?

Yes, around 60% correct is generally considered the approximate pass mark for USMLE Step 1, though the exact percentage varies with each exam form, and the score is reported as Pass/Fail, not a number, so consistently scoring higher (like 65-70%) on practice exams (NBMEs) is recommended for a comfortable pass. The official passing score (around 196 before 2022, now just "Pass") isn't a fixed number of questions, as some are experimental, but aiming for about 60% on practice tests is a good benchmark, with 70%+ being a safer target for a strong pass. 

How hard is Comlex 1?

COMLEX Level 1 is an incredibly difficult exam, and perhaps more daunting than test day is the weeks and months leading up to it. I hope that what I've mentioned here helps in some way to calm your nerves, but also to convince you to take action now to start making a study plan.

What is the average Step 2 score for anesthesia?

The highest average Step 2 CK score reported among these was 248, in both general surgery and anesthesiology. The range of highest average step scores for matched applicants across the group of eight specialties was 231–248.

What is a good score on the internal medicine shelf?

The Internal Medicine shelf exam is scored on a scale of 1 to 99, with most students scoring between 70 and 80. Scores above 90 are considered outstanding.

What is the 99th percentile score?

The 99th percentile is the highest percentile you can get. It means you are among the top scorers since you scored higher than 99% of the group who took the test. Only 1 in 100 the group scores in this range, so it places you at the very top of the pool.

What is the average Step 1 score for internal medicine residency?

Average USMLE® Step 1 Score (IMGs Matched)

For less competitive residencies, the mean USMLE® Step 1 scores were between 221 and 237. The mean USMLE® Step 1 score for IMGs for the most competitive residencies in 2020 was between 239 and 246.

Can you retake Comlex level 2 if you pass?

Candidates who have passed an examination may not retake that examination to improve their score or for any purpose other than to pass a previously failed examination.

Why DO people fail Comlex?

In most cases, it's not about intelligence or effort; it's about strategy. We've worked with hundreds of students on retake plans, and the pattern is almost always the same: not enough time, the wrong study methods, and not fully memorizing the easy points like OMT.

Is Step 1 the hardest exam ever?

While USMLE Step 1 is widely considered one of the most challenging exams due to its immense breadth of basic science knowledge and high stakes in medical training, calling it the absolute hardest in the world is subjective, as exams like China's Gaokao or India's UPSC are often cited for extreme competition and difficulty. Step 1 tests foundational medical concepts and clinical reasoning over many hours, making it a uniquely stressful and pivotal hurdle for future physicians, but other exams globally might have greater overall difficulty or lower pass rates. 

What happens if you fail Comlex three times?

A student who fails the COMLEX-USA Level 1 three (3) times is subject to dismissal from CHSU-COM due to insufficient academic progress. A student with 4 cumulative failures of any combination of COMLEX Level 1, or Level 2 CE is subject to dismissal from CHSU-COM due to insufficient academic progress.

Is comsae or COMLEX harder?

That's why I always say, let your overall scores on all your practice exams dictate where you will land. I'd say the comlex was harder for me, but it also is just different to the comsae so for some it may be easier. It really depends on personal preference.

How many breaks do you get on COMLEX?

You will receive a pool of 60 minutes of break time for each examination day and have the option of using it over three scheduled breaks.