How to Prepare for the COMLEX Level 2 CE Exam: Tips from Real Test-Takers

Preparing for the COMLEX Level 2 CE Exam is like an artist prepping their album rollout.

Every detail and study material must be thoroughly understood before the exam date because just like an artist’s album release sets the tone for their career trajectory, this exam significantly impacts a medical student’s path to becoming a licensed physician. So if we’re gonna do it, we have to be born ready.

And this article will point out working tips and strategies for success to guide you in your preparation.

Tips for Passing COMLEX Level 2 CE Exam

Find the Right Study Materials

There’s an abundance of study materials to choose from during your COMLEX Level 2 preparation. And that in itself is a blessing and a curse; while you know the answer to any possible question is contained in those materials, you don’t have enough time to study them all.

In my opinion, the top 3 study materials are:

• Truelearn: The similarity of its questions to the actual exam is astounding. Using this will help you become familiar with the exam format and style so you can confidently answer questions on exam day.
• Dr. High Yield: It’s clear, deep, comprehensive, and digestible, with essential tracks that will solidify your fundamental knowledge and help with retention.
• UWorld: Just like with PANCE, this resource is just as valuable with its detailed explanations and high quality practice questions. 

Take Multiple Practice Exams

Just like an artist preparing for an era by having choreography rehearsals and vocal coaching for their performances, you’ve gotta take l practice exams for your COMLEX level 2 CE. Multiple.

This strategy is important to prepare you for the kinds of questions, and conditions you’re likely to face. COMSAE, UWSA, NBMEs, and Truelearn practice exams can help you gauge your current ability and identify weak points or knowledge gaps in your learning. You can also complete both old and new Free 120s for additional practice. The more practice exams you take, the better you’ll understand the test format and timing.

Study Consistently Throughout the Year

That one month your school gives for preparing and writing the exam shouldn’t be the beginning of your preparation. You should be studying way before that to become familiar with the exam content and strengthen understanding and retention of concepts. 

Using UWorld throughout the year for your COMATs will help you build a strong foundation. Then, within a month of the exam, you should be reinforcing your knowledge with a review of your preferred question banks. It’s possible to pass on your first try with just one month of dedicated study, but only if you made consistent effort throughout the year.

Master OMM and Ethics

There’s a notable section in the exam that’s dedicated to OMM and Ethics. The questions are tricky in that you have to not just recognize ethical principles, but also understand how they apply to various clinical scenarios. 

Thankfully, there’s a handful of incredible resources for this section. OMM-specific videos, Dirty Medicine’s OMM playlist, Saverse OMT Review Book, and “Turn Up to OMT” Anki deck are game changers for this. 

For ethics, it’s a general consensus that AMBOSS articles and Dirty Medicine Ethics playlist are valuable resources. Try to understand the core principles deeply because the exam includes complex scenarios.

Don’t Neglect Biostats and MSK

Some students that failed on first attempt mentioned Biostats and MSK as one section they wished they’d studied. 

While it might not be heavily emphasized on every exam, you don’t want to lose points for something you could have glanced through. Resources like Board and Beyond (BNB) Step 1 Biostats videos, First Aid for Step 1, and Dirty Medicine Biostats videos will be useful. You can also check out UWorld and COMQUEST for MSK.

Manage Your Time and Resources

You’ve got little time between your normal school calendar and your exam date. Typically about a month. That’s not enough time to try to study every available resource known to man. You have to manage the resources at your disposal to make effective use of your time. Stick with a few high yield materials (like we’ve discussed in this article) and focus on them. Completing specific question banks is better than doing bits of every question bank.

Keep a Positive Mindset

It’s incredible how significantly your attitude can impact your performance. I talked to a couple students and some of them noted how improving their mindset helped them score a much better score on Level 2 compared to Level 1. 

Always remember to stay motivated, and that average students and test-takers can excel with just the right study approach and effort. You’d be surprised how many students admitted to being average but passing on their first try. If they can do it, you definitely can. 

By following these tips and using the right resources, you can confidently prepare for the COMLEX Level 2 CE Exam and achieve your goal. Good luck!

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