Scoring & Reporting

Passing COMLEX-USA Level 1 indicates that the candidate has demonstrated competence in foundational biomedical sciences and osteopathic principles and related physician competency domains for osteopathic medical care of patients. This knowledge is required to enter supervised patient care settings and to continue lifelong learning.

Essential objectives of the examination series include the graduation, advancement, and promotion of osteopathic medical students. The NBOME follows assessment standards and best practices when evaluating our passing standards, ensuring that COMLEX-USA meets and maintains high assessment quality.

Candidates now receive (1) a score result status of “pass” or “fail,” and (2) a formative performance profile that compares both total examination performance and performance in individual content areas to the performance of other first-time test-takers who passed the examination.

Sample Score Report & Formative Performance Profile

COMLEX-USA Level 1 Score Report

COMLEX USA Level 1 Formative Performance Profile

The NBOME provides this formative information strictly to the candidate and the school for the purposes of continuous quality improvement and lifelong learning. The relative strength and weakness information relates to the COMLEX-USA Master Blueprint. The NBOME strongly cautions against the use of this information for any other purpose, including use in any form as part of an application to a clinical rotation or residency program. It is not appropriate for clinical rotation sites or residency program directors to request this information from students or to use this information to compare candidates.