Board Preparation

Passage of the osteopathic medical licensing (board) exams, the COMLEX USA Level 1 and Level 2CE (Cognitive Evaluation), are required for graduation from Burrell College of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine. The College’s academic curriculum is designed to prepare students to enter the practice of osteopathic medicine, and to complete the requirements of entering medical residency training. In addition to curricular content and instruction, Burrell College of Health Sciences School of Osteopathic Medicine provides supplementary resources for students to use to enhance their ability to perform on the COMLEX exams. The resources provided by the College include:

  • the use of board style questions in instruction, discussion, formative assessments, and/or course examinations to familiarize and assist students in understanding how to approach the type of questions they will experience on their medical licensing (board) exams;

 

  • the Lecturio Medical Learning Platform, which includes 540+ hours of instructional/review videos, interactive learning activities, a bank of board-style questions, and practice board exams for use in study and preparing for their medical board. This resource is supportive of both the COMLEX USA Level 1, and the USMLE Step 1, exams taken by many osteopathic medical students, and is available for students in their first and second curricular years;

 

  • the UWorld Medical Learning Platform, which provides students osteopathic medicine-focused board preparation through the use of practice exams, a bank of study questions mapped to COMLEX exam topics, and supporting materials to aid in topical study and clarification of concepts. This resource is supportive of both the COMLEX USA Level 1 and Level 2 exams, and is available for students in their second and third curricular years;

 

  • a series of faculty-provided seminars on board study, board preparation, exam-taking skills, and case-based/question-based discussions on how physicians approach clinical problems. These seminars are designed to enhance students’ development of cognitive and reasoning skills essential in medical practice, and are recorded and posted for students’ access.

 

  •  The NBOME COMAT Foundational Biomedical Sciences (FBS) examinations are designed to assess students’ mastery of the biomedical science knowledge essential for success in osteopathic medical school and preparation for COMLEX-USA Level 1. The FBS-Targeted (FBS-T) exams evaluate knowledge within specific disciplines and organ systems throughout the preclinical curriculum, providing early identification of strengths and learning gaps, while the FBS-Comprehensive (FBS-C) exam offers an integrated assessment of foundational science knowledge across all major preclinical content areas and serves as an important indicator of COMLEX-USA Level 1 readiness.  

 

  • The NBOME Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Examination (COMSAE) series is designed to help osteopathic medical students evaluate their readiness for the COMLEX-USA licensing examinations. COMSAE Phase 1 aligns with the COMLEX-USA Level 1 blueprint and assesses foundational biomedical sciences knowledge, osteopathic principles and practice, and clinical reasoning skills typically developed during the preclinical years. COMSAE Phase 2 aligns with the COMLEX-USA Level 2 blueprint and evaluates the application of medical knowledge and clinical decision-making in patient care settings. Together, these assessments provide valuable feedback on students’ strengths and areas for improvement, helping guide study plans, monitor progress, and inform readiness for high-stakes licensing examinations.  

 

  • Our support resources help students interpret performance data, address knowledge gaps, develop effective study strategies, and build confidence through academic coaching, targeted remediation, progress monitoring, and board preparation support. 

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