Tags: USMLE® Step 2 and COMLEX® Step 2
Consensus opinion provided by William Gossman, MD; Scott Dulebohn, MD; and James Hughes, MD
The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 and Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX) are one-day, computer-based multiple-choice exams most commonly completed during the 4th year of medical school.
The USMLE® Step 2 CK and COMLEX® Step 2 examinations assess the ability to apply clinical science to patient care in a supervised practice setting. The test is organized into physician tasks and disease categories.
USMLE® STEP 2 CK SUMMARY
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Examination length: eight 60-minute sessions administered with one 15-minute computer tutorial and one 45 minute self-scheduled break
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Number of questions: 318 with 40 questions per session
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Question type: multiple-choice, single best answer, sequential set of multiple-choice questions, a scientific abstract (a summary of an experiment or clinical investigation, accompanied by two or more questions), and items with audio or video findings
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Time: approximately 90 seconds per question
COMLEX® STEP 2 SUMMARY
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Examination length: eight 60-minute sessions administered with one 10-minute computer tutorial and one 40 minute self-scheduled break
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Number of questions: 352 with 44 questions per session
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Question type: multiple-choice, single best answer, sequential set of multiple-choice questions, a scientific abstract (a summary of an experiment or clinical investigation, accompanied by two or more questions), and items with audio or video findings
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Time: approximately 90 seconds per question
USMLE® STEP 2 CK AND COMLEX® STEP 2 DISCIPLINES
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Medicine (emergency medicine, family medicine, and internal medicine)
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Obstetrics and gynecology
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Pediatrics
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Psychiatry
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Surgery
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Osteopathic principles (osteopathic students)
USMLE®STEP 2 CK PHYSICIAN AND COMLEX® STEP 2 TASKS/COMPETENCIES
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Laboratory and diagnostic studies
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Diagnosis
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Prognosis/outcome
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Health maintenance/disease prevention
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Pharmacotherapy
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Clinical interventions
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Mixed management
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Learning and improvement
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Professionalism
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Systems and patient safety
USMLE®STEP 2 AND COMLEX® STEP 2 TEST QUESTION FORMATS AND STRATEGIES
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Read the question carefully
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Generate an answer, then look for the best response select that is most correct
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If unsure, eliminate as many wrong answers, then select your best option
Types of Questions
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Single-Item
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The most frequent multiple-choice format used on USMLE® Step 2 CK and COMLEX® Step 2.
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Typically starts with a clinical vignette followed by options in alphabetical order.
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Select the ONE BEST answer to each question.
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Sequential-Item
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Single patient-centered clinical vignette followed by 2 to 3 questions, each testing a different point.
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Select the ONE BEST answer to each question.
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Abstract format
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Summary of experiment or clinical investigation.
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Interpret the abstract with questions on patient care, biostatistics, epidemiology, pharmacology, therapeutics, and use of diagnostic studies.
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Select the ONE BEST answer to each question.
USMLE® STEP 2 and COMLEX® STEP 2 SUCCESS
As the USMLE® Step 1 is moving toward pass-fail in 2022. The importance of taking the USMLE® Step 2 and COMLEX® STEP 2 and achieving a high score is paramount for students interested in matching in highly competitive specialty areas. For most students, achieving the highest possible score on the USMLE® Step 2 CK and COMLEX® STEP 2 begins with setting aside more study time.
As the diversity of potential topics in USMLE® Step 2 and COMLEX® STEP 2 is tremendous, most students improve their performance by completing as many questions as possible and then reviewing the questions they miss. The more questions finished, the more likely the student will achieve a higher score. Question banks selected should most closely resemble USMLE® Step 2 and COMLEX® STEP 2 questions and detailed answers and links to review articles. The more questions reviewed, the more likely the student will do well.
With choosing the most comprehensive test prep and completing as many questions as possible comes the confidence that a high score on the USMLE® Step 2 CK or COMLEX® Step 2 will be achieved, and the student will have the benefit of selecting their first choice of a medical career path.