Examination Format
COMLEX-USA Computer-Based Examinations
The COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE examination contains 352 multiple-choice questions related to diverse clinical and patient presentations, with seven defined competency domains for osteopathic medical practice. The examination is divided into two 4-hour sessions.
Computer-based examinations have three (3) authorized breaks candidates may choose to take during the course of the exam day:
- One 40-minute lunch break
- Two additional 10-minute breaks (one each scheduled during the morning and afternoon sessions)
An authorized break is time-scheduled by the NBOME to allow candidates to exit the testing room. Authorized breaks provide the candidate with a planned break from the timed exam, enabling the candidate time for lunch or to attend to personal matters. Authorized break time does not count against total examination time, and candidates may choose to bypass these breaks. However, if the authorized break time is exceeded, the additional time will be deducted from the remaining examination time. Any individual leaving the testing area at any time other than during an authorized break will be reported.
Any additional break time, which may be provided to a candidate as an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, is not covered within this section as separate instructions for the utilization of those breaks are provided to those candidates on an individual basis.
Test questions are single-best-answer, multiple-choice format. Some test questions involve audio-visual components designed to assess an expanded physician competency subset.
The COMLEX-USA examinations are administered only in the English language in a standardized, time-measured environment to assess the candidate’s ability to interpret, process, and apply clinical knowledge and skills with fluency.
COMLEX-USA Computer-Based Examination Outline
| Section | Questions | |
|---|
| 1 | 44 | Time: 4 Hours
Questions can be answered, reviewed, and changed one section at a time. Individual sections are not timed. Once you move to the next section, the previous section is no longer accessible. |
| 2 | 44 |
| Authorized 10-minute break |
| 3 | 44 |
| 4 | 44 |
| Authorized 40-minute lunch break |
|---|
| 5 | 44 | Time: 4 Hours
Questions can be answered, reviewed, and changed one section at a time. Individual sections are not timed. Once you move to the next section, the previous section is no longer accessible. |
| 6 | 44 |
| Authorized 10-minute break |
| 7 | 44 |
| 8 | 44 |
Available Examination Features
Examination Review Screen
A review page is presented for each section. This provides candidates with information about the status of the items in the current section, which includes questions completed, questions marked for further review, and questions left incomplete (i.e., no answer is given).
Advancing through Examination Sections
Once a section is completed, the candidate cannot return to review or change any answers within that section.
Time Limitations
Although each session is 4 hours in length, the individual sections within a session are self-paced. A clock is provided to assist with time management. Warnings are given of the time remaining before the end of each 4-hour session.
Examination Visual References
Use of an “Exhibit” button may be required in order to see graphic materials related to a test question. These “exhibits” consist of images, videos, or audio. In some cases, multiple “exhibits” may be used in order to answer a question.
Additional Tools
Functional features are available, including a standard calculator and laboratory values with reference ranges (where applicable) embedded directly into exam questions.
Reference Materials
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Resources
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