Prepping for COMLEX - American Osteopathic Association

Ready, Test, Go!

Your guide to COMLEX Levels 1 and 2

The COMLEX-USA is a three-level exam series that prepares you to obtain your medical license. Here's what you need to know.

All osteopathic medical students are required to pass COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2 in order to graduate from osteopathic medical school. You’ll take the first level of the exam near the end of your second year of medical school. Typically, you’ll take Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE) and Level 2-Performance Evaluation (PE) during your third or fourth year. You can take the two parts of the Level 2 exam in any order, but you must complete both before you can take Level 3 during your residency.

COMLEX 1

COMLEX Level 1 is a multiple choice exam designed to test your medical knowledge and clinical problem solving skills. You will complete the exam toward the end of your second year of osteopathic medical school.

COMLEX 2

COMLEX Level 2 is a two-part exam focused on the medical principles of medical diagnosis, from patient history through physical examination. You typically take the exam during your third and fourth year of medical school.

From The DO

Your COMLEX questions answered

Learn about popular study aids and methods for mastering the three-part medical licensing exam.

Read the article