I’ll keep this post anonymous but for reference, I scored >700 on both COMLEX I/II and have helped hundreds of students excel on the boards over the last few years. Looking back on my COMLEX journey, there are three key lessons that helped me consistently score well, and I hope sharing these can help you feel more confident walking into your own exam day.
Master OMM and Anatomy — They Matter More Than You Think
Unlike USMLE, the COMLEX exam consistently and heavily tests OMM and clinically relevant anatomy. It’s not enough to “kind of know” Chapman points, viscerosomatic reflexes, or cranial strains — you have to know them cold.
These topics are free points if you prepare correctly. A lot of students get overwhelmed trying to memorize everything, but the truth is: if you focus on the most commonly tested OMM techniques and anatomical relationships, you’ll see a massive return on your study time.
In fact, strengthening my OMM and anatomy knowledge is what I credit most for consistently pushing my scores into the highest percentiles.
One resource I wish I had was a video based review resource for OMM that was similar to my other favorite series (Pathoma, Boards and Beyond).
Thankfully, Matchpal just released their OMM Bootcamp – a game changer for anyone taking COMLEX I/II. Their currently offering 50% off as part of their presale, which ends 4/30/25 so get your 6 month access now for just $25 by clicking below!
Understand How COMLEX Questions Are Different from USMLE
If you’ve spent time with USMLE-style questions, you’ll notice a big difference: COMLEX questions are typically shorter, more direct, and much more recall-based.
While critical thinking is still important, COMLEX often rewards straight memorization and pattern recognition more than layered reasoning.
When studying, it’s essential to practice COMLEX-specific questions to get used to the rhythm and format.
Doing only UWorld (which is built for USMLE) without supplementing with COMLEX-specific resources will leave gaps in your preparation.
Build Time Management and Endurance — It’s a Marathon
One of the most underappreciated challenges of COMLEX is how long the exam is. Longer even than Step 1/2 — with fewer breaks — the COMLEX demands physical and mental endurance.
During my dedicated studying, I treated stamina like any other skill:
Half and Full-length practice exams under timed and exam-like conditions
Simulating exam day with minimal extended breaks, similar food choices, and sleep/wake times.
Training myself to stay sharp through the final blocks
A great deal of students lose points simply because they run out of steam in the last few sections — don’t let that happen to you.
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