Comparison of COMLEX-USA scores, medical school performance, and preadmission variables between women and men

Abstract

Context: Previous studies by the author showed differences in preadmission variables and Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEXUSA) scores between women and men at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYIT-COM). It is pertinent to reexamine the preadmission variables, medical school performance, and COMLEX-USA scores of women and men to determine whether these differences still exist. Objective: To examine the relationship between student sex and performance on COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE), performance during medical school, and preadmission academic variables at NYIT-COM. Methods: Scores on COMLEX-USA Level 1 and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE, grades in all courses taken during the first 2 years of medical school, the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners’ clinical science subject examination scores, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs) were compared between women and men in the classes graduating between 2009 and 2012. Results: Data from 748 students were analyzed. Men had statistically significantly higher scores than women on COMLEX-USA Level 1 in 2009 (540 vs 500; P