Effects of Organ System Courses of the First Two Years of Medical School on the Performance of the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation

Objectives: The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA) Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE) is a board examination that medical students usually take in the third or fourth year of medical school. A few researchers have investigated the prediction of COMLEX Level 2-CE scores based on the performance in third-year clerkships. However, given how close the clerkships are to the board exam, this type of prediction is too late for students to have adequate time to get assistance to prepare for COMLEX Level 2-CE. We aimed to investigate the predictive value of each organ system course during the first two years in predicting COMLEX Level 2-CE performance. Our findings will help students at risk focus on important basic and clinical sciences much earlier before preparing for COMLEX Level 2-CE. Methods: Academic data from students enrolled at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2011 to 2017 were retrieved. Data included the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, course grades in the first two years of medical school, COMLEX Level 1 scores, and COMLEX Level 2-CE scores. Pearson correlation coefficients, a multiple linear regression model, and a backward stepwise regression model were generated for analysis. Results: The highest correlation with COMLEX Level 2-CE scores was the COMLEX Level 1 score, followed by the performances in the third-semester Cardiovascular System II (CV II) and Renal System II (REN II) courses. Multiple linear regression and backward stepwise regression predictive models found that scores on third-semester CV II and Principles of Clinical Medicine III (PCM III) were the most significant predictors of performance on Level 2-CE. Both models explained 46% of the variance in COMLEX Level 2-CE scores. Conclusions: Performances in third-semester courses are the most important predictors of COMLEX Level 2-CE scores.