Edit: if you prefer watching videos > reading blogs, I have a YouTube video on this!
COMLEX Level 3 is the DO equivalent of USMLE Step 3. While I took both USMLE Step 1 and 2 alongside COMLEX Level 1 and 2, there was no reason for me as a DO to take USMLE Step 3. So I only took COMLEX for level 3.
I chose to take my test early in residency because I wanted to get it out of the way and be able to focus solely on work. Also, since I will be focusing completely on rehab medicine starting PGY2 year, I wanted to take it before then.
I only used one resource: Truelearn COMLEX Level 3 Qbank (click the link or use code NICOLETLIFE for $25 off!). I started studying roughly 2 months before my exam date. The first month was slower, and the second month I really picked things up. I finished the entire Qbank about 2 weeks before my test date and used those last 2 weeks to re-do some of my missed questions and study some OMM-specific topics (like drawing out Chapman’s points and viscerosomatics).
Overall, this was much more relaxed than studying for Step/Level 1 or 2. Honestly, it’s just a longer version of Step 2, except it’s 2 days long and has some cases added in. Many of my questions were done on my phone in between seeing patients or on my lunch breaks. Though I did wake up early before work and do about an hour of questions each day during that second month right before my exam.
Don’t stress too much about this exam. And don’t put it off too long. You’re going to do great with some basic preparation added on top of your foundation of medical knowledge!
I reviewed my questions much quicker than I ever would have been able to for Step/Level 1 or 2. Just read the explanation in full and if I understood it I moved on. If I didn’t understand it, I took a few min to remind myself of the specifics I couldn’t remember and then moved on.
I didn’t do anything special to study for the cases. Just went through the Truelearn (use code NICOLETLIFE for $25 off) cases a couple of times and called it a day. You will really just use your general medical knowledge and experience to get through these. You’ll feel like you did horrible on them bc they are kind of vague, but everyone feels that way.
As far as other resources go, I only used UpToDate or my old First Aid binder if I needed a refresher on something. I didn’t use Anki, UWorld, or any other text book. Luckily, I remembered Micro and Pharm really well from my previous studies using my Sketchy Anki decks.
Is level 3 question the same for everyone or is it specialty specific? If you are doing an IM residency, do you still get OB and Peds? Thank you
It is the same for everyone, regardless of specialty! So yes, whether you are doing an IM or radiology residency, you will have IM, EM, OBGYN, Peds, etc on your COMLEX Level 3 / USMLE Step 3.