If you've been looking for a good COMLEX course, Varsity Tutors offers a comprehensive private COMLEX class to help students build their study skills in preparation for the exam. The Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination of the United States (COMLEX-USA for short) is a series of three high-stakes exams that collectively serve as the most common method of earning osteopathic medical licensure in the country. The sheer volume of topics on the test can feel overwhelming, so investing in a COMLEX prep course could be a good idea.
One of the first topics discussed in any COMLEX course is the structure and content of the specific exam you are preparing for. The bulleted list below provides a rundown of the format of all three tests:
- Level 1
- COMLEX-USA Level 1 is typically taken after completion of the second year of medical school.
- The exam consists of 400 questions administered in one day and consists of two, four-hour exam sessions separated by a 40-minute break.
- Each of the four-hour sessions allows a ten-minute break which is no longer subtracted from the time allotted for the respective four-hour sessions since the 2017 NBOME policy change.
- Candidates are expected to know the basic mechanisms of health and disease process.
- he mean score for the COMLEX-USA Level 1 is approximately 500-540 (for first time test-takers), with a standard deviation of about 85 (although this may vary slightly from year to year).
- Level 2
- COMLEX-USA Level 2, taken during the third or fourth year of medical school, consists of two parts: Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE) and Level 2-Performance Evaluation (PE).
- Level 2-CE requires candidates to demonstrate knowledge of clinical concepts and medical decision-making.
- The mean score for the COMLEX-USA Level 2 CE is approximately 540 (for first time test-takers), with a standard deviation of about 100 (although this may vary slightly from year to year).
- Level 3
- he final examination, COMLEX-USA Level 3, is typically taken after starting a residency program and covers the clinical disciplines of medicine
One of the first things that jumps out of that data is how long the test is. Even Level 1 lasts eight hours with only a 40-minute break halfway through! If you're not sure you have the intellectual stamina for a test that long, a COMLEX prep class may try to mentally prepare you for the endeavor. Concentration techniques may prove beneficial, and you may also take practice exams during COMLEX class time to get a sense of what the time available to you feels like.
Once you understand the COMLEX format, it's time for your private instructor to start going over all of the topics that appear on the exam. Spoiler alert - there are a lot of them. The bulleted list below breaks down everything you might study during COMLEX prep courses:
- Level 1
- anatomy
- behavioral science
- biochemistry
- immunology
- microbiology
- neuroscience
- osteopathic principles
- pathology
- pharmacology
- physiology
- Level 2
- emergency medicine
- family medicine
- internal medicine
- obstetrics/gynecology
- osteopathic principles
- pediatrics
- psychiatry
- surgery
- Level 3
- emergency medicine
- family medicine
- internal medicine
- obstetrics/gynecology
- osteopathic principles
- pediatrics
- psychiatry
- surgery
That's a lot, but private COMLEX classes may help you break it down into more digestible chunks. For example, if you are studying for the Level 3 COMLEX and feel more confident about Pediatrics than Psychiatry, your COMLEX courses may concentrate on psychiatry to improve your study efficiency. There are no artificial time constraints associated with private tutoring, so you can spend as much time as you like on any subject.
Your private instructor may also design study sessions with your unique needs in mind. For example, a visual learner might work with flashcards to make all of the medical terminology easier to study, while a lecture format might be utilized to help an auditory learner grasp the same information. If you're an introvert concerned by the practical nature of the Level 2-PE, you could even practice social interactions with your tutor to help you prepare for it.
At Varsity Tutors, we also do everything in our power to make COMLEX test prep as convenient as possible. Our exclusive Live Learning Platform facilitates digital study sessions, so you don't have to worry about meeting with your instructor in person. We also try to connect you with an instructor who fits your scheduling needs for maximal convenience.
If you would like to learn more about our COMLEX prep classes, please contact Varsity Tutors with any questions you have. Trained Educational Directors are ready and willing to help you work toward your academic goals!

Kayla: COMLEX course instructor
...and graduated from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. I am an Internal Medicine-Pediatrics resident at UICOMP. I have tutored extensively over the past 8 years in a variety of subjects and age ranges. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, I am most passionate about helping pre-med students prepare for medical school. I also have extensive experience with mock interviews, MCAT prep, personal statement writing, the application process, and mentoring. In my experience helping...
Education & Certification
- Indiana Wesleyan University - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- Professional Certifications
- Admissions
- ACT English
- +66 subjects
Education & Certification
- Seton Hall University - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Current Grad Student, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- Anatomy & Physiology
- Trigonometry
- SAT Math
- +28 subjects

John: COMLEX course instructor
...endeavors for a lifetime. I believe in utilizing strategies of learning from my backgrounds in Communication Studies, Women's Studies Gender Studies, and Social Work. I believe in the potential for any student to achieve an A in every course and in every assignment. More so than a grade, my goal is to help students fall in love with the process of learning. Feedback from successful students has allowed me to recognize how effective the approaches...
Education & Certification
- Loyola University-Chicago - Bachelor in Arts, Communication, General
- Loyola University-Chicago - Master of Social Work, Social Work
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- CIA - Certified Internal Auditor
- Biotechnology
- Epidemiology
- +455 subjects

Michelle: COMLEX course instructor
...it is a difficult time for us all. This test tests our strength, mental stability and our endurance for lengthy hours. My philosophy is and always will be do to do your best and strive for excellence. That is what I teach my students and with my help, they are able to obtain this. Outside of academics, I enjoy cooking, traveling, and reading while outside. I also have a puppy named Sketchy who I spend...
Education & Certification
- Wayne State University - Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Ross University School of Medicine - Current Grad Student, Homeopathic Medicine
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- CLEP College Algebra
- Algebra
- ACT Math
- +10 subjects

Vikas: COMLEX course instructor
...doing my rotations in Memphis, TN. I would love to tutor students along the way on whichever path they may be headed on. My focus in tutoring is based on making sure the student feels comfortable and understood as they are working hard towards understanding, memorizing, and applying concepts. I employ this workflow (understanding --> memorizing --> applying) in my daily life as well as I learn concepts for medical school and would love to...
Education & Certification
- Saint Louis University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Biochemistry
- New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine - Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- Pre-Calculus
- Languages
- Microbiology
- +28 subjects
Education & Certification
- Northern Arizona University - Bachelor of Science, Biology, General
- Caribbean Medical University - Current Grad Student, Endocrinology
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- Biology
- Nursing
- Science
- +128 subjects

Christen: COMLEX course instructor
...a doctorate of medicine and a master's of public health from Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine. She has been honored with more than 20 scholarships and awards. Christen has a special interest in education. Her 10 years of experience includes teaching homeschooled students, instructing college courses, college access advising, and tutoring a variety of subjects from elementary school to Division I college athletes. With 20+ local, regional, and national research presentations and 10+...
Education & Certification
- Wright State University-Main Campus - Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
- Wright State University-Main Campus - Doctor of Medicine, Public Health
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- ACT English
- MCAT
- Pre-Algebra
- +78 subjects

Jarett: COMLEX course instructor
...endured the pain as she worked each day. Over time, the wound grew wider and deeper as infection intensified in the tissues, with no proper cleaning or covering. Upon observing her condition, the doctor informed us that the wound was greatly infected, deep, and needed immediate attention. As the doctor informed her of his need to clean out her wound with tools, Elisa's face became blank with fear. Noting her anxiety, his assistant and I...
Education & Certification
- Brigham Young University-Provo - Bachelor of Science, Biophysics
- Midwestern University-Glendale - Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- USMLE Step 1
- Trigonometry
- Science
- +27 subjects

Sonia: COMLEX course instructor
...to the best of his/her ability. I have been a private tutor for several years now and I believe I have the experience in how to teach and better explain different types of subjects. I also have tutored students from various age groups which allows me to understand different approaches that are needed to accommodate the learning styles of different students. As a tutor, I make sure my students feel comfortable with the material and...
Education & Certification
- New York Institute of Technology - Bachelor of Science, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
- New York Institute of Technology - Doctor of Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine (DO)
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- Professional Certifications
- Elementary School
- SAT
- +52 subjects

Collin: COMLEX course instructor
...for Clinical Medicine and Osteopathic Manual Medicine, and I was a teaching assistant for the Biological Systems Engineering department for physics class (2.5 years) and Heat and Mass Transfer (1 semester). I am also an alumni of the Engineering Ambassadors Network, which is an organization that does STEM outreach with K-12 students to teach them about engineering and other science concepts, and how they relate to the world around them. In my free time, I...
Education & Certification
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln - Bachelor of Science, Biological/Biosystems Engineering
Subject Expertise
- COMLEX
- Technology and Coding
- Geometry
- Drum and Percussion
- +55 subjects