[Cusom27] Tips: Later Stages of COMLEX 1 Prep

[Hinkelman, Amy N.]

Class of 2027,

Many of you are just a few weeks away from your COMLEX Level 1 date-so here are some tips for these last couple of weeks (of course, filter everything through "Know thyself"-and make a plan that is best suited for YOU):

If you prefer to listen to me talk about these tips, click here: Tips for Final Weeks of Board Prep<https://campbelluniversity.hosted.panopto.com/Panopto/Pages/Viewer.aspx?id=0783b8b3-5232-4635-9862-b2de00e9106d>


  1.  GET SLEEP every day-you need sleep for all that hard work to actually have a place to go for long-term retention-make sure you are preparing your body to wake up early to take an all-day exam.
  2.  Have a plan fully worked out for your test day.  If you have not already, check out this website to familiarize yourself with "test day":  https://www.nbome.org/assessments/comlex-usa/what-to-expect-on-exam-day/
     *   Do you have to travel for your test?  Depending on how far, you might want to block off a full travel day (or more) followed by a "rest & recover" day-that's right two full days before you take the test.  By this time, do not count on a lot of studying/actual board prep-your main goal is to manage stress (meditation, exercise, etc.), make necessary preparations, and get well-rested.  Take care of your body and have a plan.
     *   Do you have an acceptable form of ID?  How long does it take to get from where you are staying to the testing site?-recommend practicing the route and getting acquainted on where to go before your test day.  Again, check out the website above.
  3.  Increase question set blocks AND use TIMED mode (no more tutor mode!)-you need to be increasing the number of questions you are doing-and completing them within timed mode.
     *   For COMLEX prep, you all have TrueLearn (prioritize working through these questions as this is COMLEX-focused).  If you are finding you are running out of unused questions, remember, you also have access to COMLEX Level Qbank within your Kaplan account (note: you can only do a max of 40 questions at a time within TrueLearn so create multiple 40-question sets and take in succession if you want to increase the number of questions you are doing at a time).
  4.  Do some practice exams-half-length and/or full-length.  (At least 1-2 COMSAEs)
     *   You should have access to purchase up to 4 COMSAE Phase 1 forms (each are 4-hr long so half the time of the COMLEX; log into your student NBOME account to purchase these self-assessment forms using "timed" mode).  Consider your schedule and level of prep to determine when you should take these, spacing them out appropriately.
     *   Want a full-length exam?  Order two COMSAEs and take them on the same day to simulate the 8-hr exam.  Remember, the more you simulate exam conditions (e.g., such as space, timing, breaks, etc.), the better preparation it is for the real thing.
     *   You can also build your own exam within TrueLearn if you have questions that are unused to provide a 180-question test (half-day).
  5.  Do NOT underestimate OMM!  Make sure you are actively reviewing OMM concepts and principles-and following this up with questions from your Qbanks.  If OMM is a weaker area, devote at least 20-30 minutes to daily review (resources for OMM-Savarese or log into your Level 1 Kaplan-and click through the videos on specific OMM topics).
  6.  Prioritize and be strategic-focus on high-yield areas that are weaknesses and build in a system of re-reviewing concepts that you need repetition to make it stick.
  7.  Switch to only reviewing missed questions & connect concepts.  Quickly analyze why you got the question wrong and review that detail or concept within the greater context-where does this fit into the greater picture?
  8.  Most people probably need a mix of board prep strategies: working through Qbanks (timed and longer question sets), doing active review of high-yield material still on your to-do list, integrating daily review of weaker areas (e.g., 30 min. of pharm), weekly re-review of older material that are high-yield & weaker areas.
     *   Be strategic-if you already know it, move on.  If there are still high-yield concepts you have not tackled, then focus on those first before diving deeper into the weeds on a concept).

As always, take care of yourselves and KNOW THYSELF!
If you need anything, feel free to reach out to the CABS Course Directors (Drs. Dogbey, Hinkelman, Mahalik, and Powers)

You've got this!

Amy Hinkelman, PhD | she/her/hers
[A button with "Hear my name" text for name playback in email signature]<https://www.name-coach.com/amy-hinkelman>
Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Director of CUSOM Academic Center of Excellence
School of Osteopathic Medicine | Campbell University
Post Office Box 4280 | Buies Creek, North Carolina 27506
Levine 160| 910-814-5209 | medicine.campbell.edu
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