Relation between variables of preadmission, medical school performance, and COMLEX-USA levels 1 and 2 performance

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between preadmission academic variables, osteopathic medical school performance in the first 2 years, and performance on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX-USA) Levels 1 and 2. The study group comprised 174 students in the class of 2001 of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of the New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury. Preadmission academic variables were the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) subscores and undergraduate grade point averages (UGPAs). Physical sciences (physical MCAT) and biological sciences MCAT (biological MCAT) subscores were significantly correlated with COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance, and verbal reasoning, physical, and biological MCAT subscores were correlated with Level 2 performance. COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance was correlated with the year 1 grade point average (GPA) (0.78) and the year 2 GPA (0.83). COMLEX-USA Level 2 performance was correlated with the year 1 GPA (0.64) and the year 2 GPA (0.68). Strong correlations existed between all year 1 and most year 2 course grades and COMLEX-USA Level 1 scores. School-specific regression models that were highly predictive of school performance and COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance were developed. COMLEX-USA Level 1 predictive models used preadmission variables combined with the year 1 and year 2 course grades. The year 2 courses' model had a higher predictive value for COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance (R2 = 0.81) than the year 1 courses' model (R2 = 0.77). Significant predictors of COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance in the combined year 1 and 2 courses' model were the pharmacology II, neuropathology, and pulmonary pathology grades, and the verbal and physical MCAT subscores (R2 = 0.820).