COMAT
Distinctive subject examinations designed to assess core osteopathic medical knowledge
About COMAT
A series of nationally standardized subject exams, the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Achievement Test (COMAT) sequence series is designed to assess osteopathic medical students’ knowledge in core osteopathic medical and foundational biomedical sciences principles.
Celebrating 15 Years!
The year 2026 marks the 15th anniversary of the COMAT program. The following summarizes key milestones and growth metrics, including launch dates, item development and authorship, testing volumes, and participating colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs).
COMAT Clinical launched in 2011 with core specialties such as Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and others. Emergency Medicine was added in 2015. It has continued to grow with the addition of the Foundational Biomedical Sciences (FBS) and COMAT Self Evaluation (COMAT-SE) programs.
COMAT Growth Over the Years
The cumulative number of test items has increased from 20,000 in 2015 to more than 31,400 in 2025.
The pool of item writers has grown from 100 in 2015 to 370 in 2025.
Item writing workshops and review meetings have expanded, reaching a total of 64 cumulative meetings by 2025.
Annual testing volume has increased from 6,717 administrations in 2011–12 to 62,352 in 2024–25, with more than 800% growth. The cumulative testing surpassed 500,000 by December 2023.
The number of COMs using COMAT Clinical has grown from 22 in 2011 to 38 by the 2025–2026 testing cycle.
The cumulative number of test items has increased from 20,000 in 2015 to more than 31,400 in 2025.
The pool of item writers has grown from 100 in 2015 to 370 in 2025.
Item writing workshops and review meetings have expanded, reaching a total of 64 cumulative meetings by 2025.
Annual testing volume has increased from 6,717 administrations in 2011–12 to 62,352 in 2024–25, with more than 800% growth. The cumulative testing surpassed 500,000 by December 2023.
The number of COMs using COMAT Clinical has grown from 22 in 2011 to 38 by the 2025–2026 testing cycle.
COMAT Assessments
COMAT Clinical Subject Exams
COMAT-SE
COMAT FBS Comprehensive
COMAT FBS Targeted
Why COMAT?
Launched in 2011, the COMAT series consists of standardized assessments designed to evaluate core osteopathic medical and foundational biomedical sciences knowledge. The exam series is commonly used as end-of-course or clinical rotation assessments and can be administered securely online using a computer or iPad.
Cost for COMAT
The NBOME establishes a COMAT Agreement annually with each COM for administration.
Cost ranges for 2025-2026 examination cycle
- Clinical Subjects: $47 to $54
- FBS Comprehensive: $53 to $60
- FBS Targeted: $31 to $39
Cost ranges for 2026-2027 examination cycle
- Clinical Subjects: $48 to $55
- FBS Comprehensive: $54 to $61
- FBS Targeted: $32 to $40
Support from the NBOME
The NBOME provides multiple resources and services to ensure your administration of COMAT runs as smoothly as possible.
Online resources
Proctor training
Examination day support
Sample questions
Technical support
Scheduling and registration
Score reporting
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve compiled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the NBOME, our products, and services. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please feel free to reach out to us.
COMAT Research
The NBOME research team continues to conduct research on the validity of COMAT and its relationship to COMLEX-USA performance.