Preparing Future Physicians for Board Success
At OCOM, board preparedness is a longitudinal, integrated process that begins on the first day of the curriculum. Through a board-aligned educational experience, dedicated learning consolidation, and individualized academic support, students build the knowledge, clinical reasoning, and confidence needed to progress toward national board examinations.
How OCOM Students Build Board Readiness
Board preparation is integrated throughout the medical school experience. OCOM students engage in a progression of learning, practice, assessment, and targeted support designed to strengthen their readiness for COMLEX-USA Level 1.
Learn Through a Board-Aligned Curriculum
Students begin with an integrated curriculum designed to promote long-term retention, clinical reasoning, and mastery. Foundational knowledge is developed throughout the preclinical years, creating the academic foundation for board preparation.
Practice and Reinforce Through Learning Consolidation
The Learning Consolidation course incorporates approximately 3,000 TrueLearn questions, providing repeated exposure to board-style questions, opportunities for spaced retrieval, and a way to identify areas for further learning and reinforcement.
Strengthen Performance Through ACE
OCOM's Assessment and Competency Enhancement (ACE) program uses performance data to help identify learning gaps. Students receive targeted content review, test-taking strategy development, and individualized academic support.
Measure Progress Through Diagnostic Assessments
Diagnostic assessments, including COMSAE, provide opportunities to experience board-style testing conditions, evaluate progress, and identify areas that may benefit from additional focused preparation.
Consolidate Learning Before COMLEX-USA Level 1
Dedicated board preparation time at the end of the second year gives students an opportunity to reinforce their knowledge, address remaining learning needs, and prepare for the first national board examination.
Looking ahead: Preparation for COMLEX-USA Level 2 is supported through OCOM's clinical curriculum and required third-year clinical experiences.
Board Preparation Across the Preclinical Years
OCOM incorporates learning resources and diagnostic assessments throughout the preclinical curriculum. The following timeline illustrates when key components are introduced as students progress toward COMLEX-USA Level 1.
OMS-I
Students begin the integrated curriculum and Learning Consolidation course as part of their longitudinal board-preparedness experience.
OMS-II
ACE and the first COMBANK examination are incorporated into the board-preparation process.
OMS-II
Students complete the second COMBANK examination and COMSAE Phase 1 as part of their preparation and assessment.
OMS-II
COMSAE Phase 2 is included in the listed board-readiness assessment sequence.
Board Preparation Tools & Assessments
| Resource or Assessment | Student Level | Introduction / Timing |
|---|---|---|
| OCOM Integrated Curriculum | All OMS Years | Start of Matriculation |
| Learning Consolidation Course | All OMS Years | Start of Matriculation |
| ACE | OMS-II | Semester 3 |
| COMBANK Exam 1 | OMS-II | Semester 3 |
| COMBANK Exam 2 | OMS-II | Semester 4 |
| COMSAE Phase 1 | OMS-II | Semester 4 |
| COMSAE Phase 2 | OMS-II | Semester 6 |
Timing reflects the board preparation sequence presented in OCOM's current Board Preparation plan. Please consult the applicable academic schedule for current course and assessment dates.
Preparing for the First National Board Examination
OCOM's preclinical board-preparedness approach brings together curriculum, question-based learning, targeted academic support, and diagnostic assessment to help students prepare for COMLEX-USA Level 1.
COMLEX-USA vs. USMLE
Osteopathic medical students may encounter two national examination systems during their medical education. Understanding the purpose and progression of each can help students make informed decisions about their academic and professional goals.
COMLEX-USA
The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States is administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME). OCOM's board preparation program is designed around the COMLEX-USA examination pathway.
USMLE
The United States Medical Licensing Examination is administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). Osteopathic medical students may elect to take USMLE examinations in addition to their required COMLEX-USA examinations.
COMLEX-USA Examination Sequence
| Examination | Typical Timing | Purpose / Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| COMLEX-USA Level 1 | Typically after two years of osteopathic medical school | Must be passed to graduate from medical school. |
| COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE | Typically after three years of osteopathic medical school | Must be passed to graduate from medical school. |
| COMLEX-USA Level 3 | Typically before or during residency | Must be passed to obtain a medical license and practice independently. |
USMLE Examination Sequence
| Examination | Typical Timing | Purpose / Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| USMLE Step 1 | Typically after two years of medical school | May be taken by osteopathic medical students; not required for DO students. |
| USMLE Step 2 | Typically after three years of medical school | May be taken by osteopathic medical students; not required for DO students. |
| USMLE Step 3 | Typically after graduation, before or during residency | May be taken by osteopathic physicians; not required for DO students. |
Which Examination Pathway Should DO Students Follow?
OCOM's board preparation curriculum focuses on COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE. Students considering USMLE should consult with appropriate academic advisors to understand the potential benefits, additional preparation requirements, and considerations related to their individual residency goals.
Examination timing and requirements are presented as general educational guidance. Students should consult the applicable examination organizations and current OCOM academic policies for authoritative requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding national board examinations is an important part of the medical education journey. Explore answers to common questions about COMLEX-USA, USMLE, and OCOM's approach to board preparedness.
What are “the boards”?
National board examinations are standardized examinations used to assess medical knowledge and competency as part of the pathway toward physician licensure.
Osteopathic and allopathic medical education have different examination systems:
- COMLEX-USA: Administered by the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and used in the osteopathic physician licensure pathway.
- USMLE: Administered by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and used in the physician licensure pathway for graduates of MD programs.
Each examination pathway includes multiple levels or steps taken at different stages of medical education and training.
Why are national board examinations important?
Board examinations are an important part of the transition from medical school into graduate medical education and physician licensure. Students must meet applicable examination and graduation requirements before progressing through the next stages of their professional training.
Requirements vary by examination, licensing authority, and stage of training. Students should consult OCOM academic leadership and the appropriate examination organizations for current requirements.
How does OCOM prepare students for board examinations?
OCOM takes a longitudinal approach to board preparedness that begins at the start of the curriculum. Students participate in several integrated learning and assessment experiences, including:
- A board-aligned integrated curriculum.
- Learning Consolidation and repeated question-based practice.
- Assessment and Competency Enhancement (ACE).
- Diagnostic assessments, including COMSAE.
- Dedicated board preparation time near the end of the second year.
Together, these experiences support the development of knowledge, clinical reasoning, and examination readiness.
Are osteopathic medical students required to take USMLE?
USMLE is not required for osteopathic medical students as part of the COMLEX-USA examination pathway. OCOM's board preparation curriculum focuses on COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE.
Some osteopathic students may elect to take USMLE in addition to COMLEX-USA. Students considering this option should speak with academic advisors about their individual residency goals, preparation needs, and the potential benefits and considerations of taking an additional examination.
What factors support successful board preparation?
Consistent engagement with the curriculum, active retrieval practice, and opportunities to assess and address knowledge gaps are important components of effective board preparation.
OCOM incorporates board-style questions, diagnostic assessments, and individualized academic support to help students monitor their progress and identify areas for continued improvement.
How should students approach studying for board examinations?
Students should build a consistent study approach throughout the curriculum rather than relying solely on intensive preparation immediately before an examination.
- Stay engaged with course material and foundational concepts.
- Use board-style questions to practice applying knowledge.
- Revisit concepts through active recall and spaced practice.
- Use assessment results to identify areas for improvement.
- Seek faculty guidance and academic support when needed.
Are practice examinations available to students?
Practice and diagnostic examinations can help students become familiar with the format and style of board-style questions while identifying areas that may require additional preparation.
Examples include COMSAE assessments offered through NBOME and practice examinations available through NBME. Availability, access, and any associated costs should be confirmed through the respective organizations and OCOM academic guidance.
Need additional guidance? Students should consult OCOM's academic leadership and faculty for individualized guidance regarding examination preparation, assessment results, and academic support.
Advancing the OCOM Learning Experience
How does OCOM continue to strengthen the educational experience for future physicians? Explore a conversation about curriculum enhancements and the evolving strategies that support student learning and board preparedness.
This discussion explores weekly cumulative assessments, enhancements to the Learning Consolidation course, data-informed educational strategies, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in medical education.