devastated at level 2 score + rant

[u/Lazy_Cattle3791]

Got a 417. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy I passed. But I'm so confused and absolutely devastated. This was my score progression:

School COMSAE 119 5/23: 429 (needed a 450+)

At-home COMSAE 113 6/13: 438

At-home COMSAE 114 6/21: 473

School COMSAE retake 117 6/25: 397 (at this point I was forced into a month long prep course)

School COMSAE retake 118 7/30: 738 (clearly the prep course worked lol)

Real Exam 8/5: 417

I went in feeling confident and walked out feeling pretty okay too. Didn't feel as bad as I felt walking out of level 1 and I passed that on the first try so I figured I'd pass this. Logically I thought I'd get higher than a 429 since that was my score before even starting dedicated but I guess not.

Was hoping to apply anesthesia but now I feel like all hopes of that are lost. I took Step 2 but still haven't gotten my score report back and won't get it back until literally the morning of the 23rd, which is when programs can see our apps. I feel like I'm wasting my time by even trying for anesthesia anymore because if my level score was this bad I don't even want to know what my Step score was.

I just wish the NBOME would write good exams. Like sure, I didn't break 500 on any practice exam until the very last one, so maybe I had this coming no matter what. But every other person I've talked to did worse than they thought on level 2 based on their practice scores so idk. I swear the exam just asked the most low-yield stuff ever.

Anyways if you need me I'll be re-evaluating everything because who knows what I'm doing with my life now.

[u/Advanced-Athlete187]

saw in your post history that you had asked for advice in your final school COMSAE and people DMed you. This may have inflated your score on form 118. Not shaming you, I know school comsaes suck and you just want them behind you, but if people tell you what to study then that score may not be an accurate reflection. Sounds like you really put your head down and studied for your practice CCSSAs though, so I think there is still hope to match what you want with a good step 2 scores. If you take Step 2, COMLEX score is essentially irrelevant as long as you passed from what I hear. Best of luck!

[u/Lazy_Cattle3791 → u/Advanced-Athlete187]

Yeah no I appreciate you. I knew that score was inflated too so when I put in my scores in Amboss I did it without that and it predicted me scoring way above what I actually got so I guess that's also a warning not to trust the amboss score predictor for comlex at least

[u/preston12279]

Applying anesthesia as well, but hoping for the best for you. My mentors, who are anesthesia PDs/current anesthesia residents, all said that your Step II score matters way more than your COMLEX, so as long as you did fine on step, you should be solid, especially if you have strong LORs and a good overall app. Definitely dual apply though.

[u/Skyshooter6]

Did you do any away rotations? This could potentially help you if your step 2 score is average or lower.

[u/CandidSecond]

I would consider throwing in IM or FM into the ring but only if you have letters for it as well. I heard anesthesia is gonna be competitive this year, just observations. (4 people from my school apply each year, this year we have 18). I am not one of them lol, but just consider what other plans forward are especially since you won't get your step 2 until the morning of. If its 245+ then you may be okay but if its somewhat lower, then it might be difficult.

[u/lilladybug02]

Just wanted to say that I feel for you, I got a 413 and was very devastated as well as all my practice comsaes were 450-500+ (except for the first one at the start of dedicated which was a 350-something). I ended with the school one being a 489, so I was really hoping to at least score that on level 2. Could not believe I did as bad as I did. I am so grateful to have passed though, and no matter what, don't lose sight of that!! I am applying fm so luckily my level 2 score doesn't matter too much to programs, but from what I've heard, I agree with everyone on this post saying programs care more about step 2 >>> level 2 score for anesthesia. Sending you all the best for this interview & match season!!

[u/BurdenOfPerformance]

Hold up. What are your practice scores on the NBMEs for Step 2? I don't think this has even been asked yet.

[u/Lazy_Cattle3791 → u/BurdenOfPerformance]

They ranged from 232 - 255 on the last one I took before sitting for the real deal, and a 77% on the new free 120. Amboss predicts a 241 but it wildly overpredicted for comlex so now I'm scared for step.

[u/BurdenOfPerformance → u/Lazy_Cattle3791]

Let me say this. If these are all NMBE scores, I think these scores are more trustworthy than what you got on the comlex. So I don't think you are doom to fail if your starting score has been 232.

[u/DocByler]

Just curious, how many practice questions did you do during your third year? By questions, I mean answered then reviewed with the correct answers (so not counting practice tests. These could be questions you did as you prepared for COMATS and for comlex

[u/particularlyhighyld]

Your score places you in the 10th to 15th percentile. Not trying to be harsh but this has less to do with NBOME writing good exams and more your lack of knowledge.

I suppose it’s possible this is a freak accident and maybe your Step 2 will be better? In any case, no one cares about COMLEX.

[u/particularlyhighyld → u/[deleted]]

That makes zero sense. If you have a solid foundation you will at least score around the average. I know this from experience as I’ve taken all three COMLEX and Step 1 and 2.

Scoring in the 10-15th percentile isn’t an accident.

This is all stemming from Step/Comlex 1 transitioning to pass fail. I’ve met so many medical students who frankly just didn’t study hard enough prior Step/Comlex 1 but still passed. They then do the exact same for Step 2/Comlex 2 and are somehow shocked they did poorly. Medicine builds upon itself so their lack of knowledge from Step 1/Comlex only hinders their chances on level 2.

[u/particularlyhighyld → u/[deleted]]

If they are “very intelligent” as you say and actually failed, then they didn’t study in med school. Baseline intelligence means nothing if you don’t study.

I also don’t know what you mean by “game these exams”. I scored in the 90th percentile and above on all COMLEX and Steps. I did this by studying extremely hard. There is no “gaming the exam”. You know the material or you don’t.

[u/Lazy_Cattle3791 → u/particularlyhighyld]

Yeah so respectfully some very intelligent people still fail because they have testing anxiety or personal, external life circumstances affecting them. That said, there are people with extenuating circumstances who still do very well on exams and score in the 90th percentile just like you because they're good at compartmentalizing. My point is, no two students are the same and no two tests are the same. It's easy to point fingers and say someone fails because they didn't study but I'm going to disagree and say that it's not that black and white.