COMSAE · Phase 3
NOTE: COMSAE Phase 3 does not include Clinical Decision-Making (CDM) cases. Please refer to the CDM section on the COMLEX-USA Level 3 Practice Exam for sample structure and content.
Evaluation Components
The content of COMSAE Phase 3 is representative of the COMLEX-USA blueprint and is based on the same content outline, consisting of seven Dimension 1 – Competency Domain categories and ten Dimension 2 – Clinical Presentation categories. Each form is presented in a format and structure similar to the COMLEX-USA examination.
Dimension 1 of the COMLEX-USA blueprint consists of seven Competency Domains—related sets of foundational abilities representing the required elements and outcomes that define osteopathic knowledge, skills, experience, attitudes, values, behaviors, and established professional standards.
Dimension 2 consists of 10 Clinical Presentations, which represent the manner in which a particular patient, group of patients, or a community presents for osteopathic medical care.
Examination Disciplines
Not only are items in the COMSAE Phase 3 examinations classified by competency domain and clinical presentation, but they are also classified according to discipline, as shown below:
| Medical Discipline |
| Emergency Medicine |
| Family Medicine |
| Internal Medicine |
| Obstetrics & Gynecology |
| Osteopathic Principles and Practice |
| Pediatrics |
| Psychiatry |
| Surgery |
Scoring & Reporting
After completing an examination, candidates will receive a Score Report and Performance Profile, which provides a numerical standard score for the total test and a graphic presentation for performance in the three content areas of competency domain, clinical presentation, and discipline.
Score Report
The COMSAE report consists of a three-digit numerical score for the total test and a graphic representation of performance by content area. COMSAE does not involve a numerical minimum passing score. Instead, based on standard scores, it provides the following three suggested performance levels:
When using the performance profile to assess strengths and weaknesses, examinees should be aware that information provided in content areas consisting of relatively few questions may be less reliable than information provided in content areas with a larger number of questions. Therefore, it is possible that some subtest score patterns are not precisely aligned with a candidate’s numerical score for the total test. COMSAE should not be used to predict specific performance on the COMLEX-USA cognitive examinations.
Caution is advised when interpreting individual resident performance as well as when comparing scores to scores from previous exam administrations and when making inferences based on the comparative data provided on score reports.
