Relations between academic performance by medical students and COMLEX-USA Level 2: a multisite analysis

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Licensing Examinations
• Osteopathic Medicine

Background:

• The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) is a high-stakes assessment for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) physicians.
• Limited research exists on the validity of the COMLEX-USA, particularly Level 2.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the validity of the COMLEX-USA Level 2 examination.
• To assess the relationship between COMLEX-USA Level 2 scores and academic achievement in osteopathic medical students.

Main Methods:

• Data from 1254 first-time test-takers across 12 osteopathic medical schools in March 2000 were analyzed.
• Examined correlations between COMLEX-USA Level 2 scores and COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores, basic science GPA, total GPA, and clinical GPA.
• Dean predictions of student pass/fail status were also considered.

Main Results:

• The overall pass rate for COMLEX-USA Level 2 was 91.98% with a mean score of 533.35.
• COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores showed the highest correlation (r=0.76) with Level 2 performance.
• Academic factors like basic science GPA (r=0.66) and total GPA (r=0.65) also demonstrated moderate to high correlations.

Conclusions:

• COMLEX-USA Level 2 scores are moderately to highly related to academic performance in osteopathic medical schools.
• The examination appears to be a valid measure of clinically relevant content for fourth-year DO students.
• Academic predictors can help identify students at risk for failing the COMLEX-USA Level 2.