Your Guide to the 2026 COMLEX Level 1 Score Release

The wait for your COMLEX Level 1 score can feel like a marathon of anxiety after the sprint of the exam itself. You’ve put in the work, you’ve taken the test, and now… you wait. It’s a feeling every medical student knows well.

But the process is less of a mystery and more of a predictable, structured schedule. Understanding this timeline can significantly reduce your stress by setting clear expectations.

Decoding the COMLEX Score Release Timeline

Think of the time between your exam day and the COMLEX Level 1 score release as a critical quality control phase. The National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) doesn’t just spit out scores. Instead, they perform a thorough psychometric analysis, collecting data from all candidates within a specific testing window to ensure the exam is fair, valid, and reliable for everyone.

This journey from exam day to score release has a few key stages.

As you can see, your exam is just the first step. It’s followed by an essential verification period before your score is finalized and released, typically 3 to 4 weeks after your testing window closes.

Key Milestones in the Waiting Period

The NBOME standardizes score availability, usually releasing them 2 to 6 weeks after the end of a testing window. This systematic approach allows osteopathic schools to compile performance data. For instance, preliminary 2024-2025 pass rates for some schools like LECOM Bradenton (97.78%) and Erie (95.46%) are already tracking above the national average of 90.25%.

A major shift happened on May 10, 2022, when the exam became pass/fail. Before this, students received a numeric score, but now a simple "Pass" is the primary goal. This change is reflected in residency application data. Data from the 2024 NRMP match shows that only 2.0% of applicants reported a numeric COMLEX Level 1 score, highlighting the new emphasis on the pass/fail outcome and the formative performance profiles that now guide future study.

When to Expect Your Results

The most common question we hear is, "What time do COMLEX scores come out?" The official answer from the NBOME is that results are posted by 5:00 PM Central Time on the scheduled release date.

However, it’s a well-known secret among med students that scores often appear in the NBOME portal earlier in the day. You’ll receive an email notification when your Pass/Fail result is ready.

Here’s a quick summary of what to expect on score release day, helping you plan ahead and reduce uncertainty.

COMLEX Level 1 Score Release at a Glance

This waiting period, while stressful, is a familiar feeling for anyone who has gone through major academic milestones. If you've ever waited for MCAT results, you'll recognize the nervous anticipation. For a refresher, you can check out our guide on the MCAT score release process.

Our advice? Find your specific release date on the NBOME schedule, set a calendar reminder, and try to avoid compulsively refreshing the portal all day.

How to Access Your COMLEX Score Report

The wait is finally over. After weeks of post-exam limbo, the COMLEX Level 1 score release email has landed in your inbox, and your heart is probably pounding. Let's cut through the anxiety and walk through exactly how to get your score report from the NBOME portal, step-by-step.

First things first, find your NBOME login credentials—your username and password. The last thing you need right now is a frantic password reset. Have them ready to go.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to the NBOME Portal

Getting your score is designed to be a pretty direct process once the results are live. You're just a few clicks away.

1. Head to the NBOME Website: Open your browser and navigate to the official NBOME website.
2. Find the Login Button: Look for the "Login" or "Candidate Portal" link. It’s almost always in the top-right corner of the homepage.
3. Enter Your Credentials: This is it. Carefully type in the username and password for your NBOME account.
4. Go to Your Score Report: Once you’re in, you’ll land on your personal dashboard. Find the tab or section labeled “My Scores,” “View Scores,” or “Score Reports” and click it.
5. View Your Result: Your most recent COMLEX Level 1 result should be right there. Click the link to open your full score report, which details your Pass/Fail status and includes your Formative Performance Profile.

The portal's path from login to results is pretty intuitive. The screen below is what you'll typically see as the gateway to your dashboard.

Having your login info on hand makes this whole process smooth and gets you to your report without any added stress.

Troubleshooting Common Access Issues

Of course, technology doesn't always play nice, especially during high-traffic moments. If you hit a snag trying to log in, don't panic. Most access issues are small and have simple fixes.

The most frequent problems students run into are simple login errors or browser-related glitches. Staying calm and methodically trying these quick fixes will almost always get you to your score report.

Here are the usual suspects and how to handle them:

• Incorrect Password: This is easily the most common hiccup. Double-check that you’re typing the password correctly and that Caps Lock isn't on. If you’re stuck, just use the "Forgot Password?" link to get a reset email.
• Browser Glitches: Every so often, your browser's saved data can interfere with the portal. Try clearing your cache and cookies. Even better, open the NBOME website in an incognito or private window, which usually bypasses these issues.
• High Website Traffic: On score release days, the NBOME site can get slammed, causing it to slow down or become unresponsive. If the page won't load, take a breath, wait a few minutes, and then try again. Constantly refreshing the page can actually make it worse.

By following these steps and knowing what to do if a minor problem pops up, you can make the technical part of score release day foolproof. That way, you can focus on what really matters—the result you’ve worked so incredibly hard for.

Interpreting Your Score in a Pass/Fail World

The email hits your inbox, your heart pounds as you log into the NBOME portal, and then you see it: your result. In a world where the COMLEX Level 1 score release now just says "Pass," what does that actually mean? First, take a moment. Breathe. A "Pass" is a huge accomplishment and the official green light to move on to your clinical years.

Before May 10, 2022, students got a three-digit score, but the switch to pass/fail has completely changed the game. Previously, that number was a key part of residency applications. Now? Not so much. In the 2024 Main Residency Match, a tiny 2% of applicants even had a numeric COMLEX Level 1 score. The focus has shifted squarely to clearing the bar and moving forward.

But your Pass/Fail result isn't the only thing you'll get. You also receive a Formative Performance Profile. It's critical to understand what this document is—and what it isn't.

Decoding Your Formative Performance Profile

Think of your performance profile less like a report card and more like a personalized feedback report from a coach. Its entire purpose is to guide your growth and development.

The NBOME is very clear: this profile is for your eyes only, designed for your educational benefit. It should not be shared with residency programs. A common and costly mistake is uploading this document to your ERAS application. Don't do it.

This report gives you a breakdown of your performance across two key areas:

• Osteopathic Competency Domains: These are the foundational skills every physician needs, like Osteopathic Principles and Practice, Medical Knowledge, and Patient Care.
• Clinical Presentations: These are the specific patient scenarios and conditions tested on the exam, such as the Cardiovascular System or Musculoskeletal System.

For each category, a performance bar will show whether you landed in the "low," "medium," or "high" range compared to the national average of other first-time passers.

Using the Profile as a Strategic Tool

Your performance profile is a strategic roadmap for your future studies. It pinpoints exactly where you shined and where you have opportunities to improve as you prep for clinical rotations and COMLEX Level 2.

"Your Formative Performance Profile is a powerful, confidential tool. It’s your personal guide for turning a 'Pass' on Level 1 into a high score on Level 2-CE by showing you precisely where to focus your energy."

For instance, seeing a "high" performance in the Cardiovascular System section confirms your mastery, letting you shift focus to other areas. On the flip side, a "low" performance in the Gastrointestinal System section gives you a clear directive: carve out more time to review GI pathology and pharmacology before you tackle Level 2.

This data-driven feedback helps you study smarter, not just harder. It takes the guesswork out of your prep and turns it into a targeted, efficient process. It also helps you see beyond a simple score, a concept we dig into in our article on understanding COMLEX score percentiles.

From Profile to Action Plan

So, how do you turn these "low," "medium," and "high" bars into a concrete plan for success? The process is refreshingly straightforward and puts you in the driver's seat of your learning.

1. Identify the "Low" Areas: Start here. Make a list of every competency and clinical presentation where your performance was marked as low. These are your top-priority topics for review.
2. Analyze the "Medium" Areas: These are subjects where you have a solid foundation but could still see big improvements. A little focused effort can easily turn these into strengths.
3. Acknowledge the "High" Areas: Give yourself credit! This is where your hard work really paid off. You don't need to spend tons of time re-studying these topics, but a quick review now and then will keep the knowledge fresh.

By categorizing your performance this way, you’ve just created a personalized study guide. Your profile gives you the "what"—the specific subjects needing your attention. The next step is the "how"—building a study plan that effectively addresses these areas, especially as you look ahead to the numerically scored COMLEX Level 2 exam. This is where expert guidance can make all the difference in crafting a strategy that leads to a standout score.

Understanding National Pass Rates and What They Mean

So you got your “Pass” on the COMLEX Level 1 score release. First off, take a moment to breathe and celebrate. That’s a huge accomplishment. Now, it’s completely normal to wonder where your achievement fits into the bigger picture.

Looking at the national pass rates does more than just satisfy curiosity—it provides crucial context. It shows you that while COMLEX is a demanding exam, it’s a hurdle that the vast majority of prepared students successfully clear on their first try. Let this data give you confidence.

COMLEX Level 1 First-Time Pass Rate Trends (2019-2023)

The data shows a clear and encouraging pattern of success for osteopathic medical students. This table highlights the national first-time pass rates over the last five reported testing cycles, giving you a solid benchmark for what to expect.

As you can see, first-time pass rates consistently hover in the low-to-mid 90s. The slight dip to 90.6% in the 2020-2021 cycle reflects the unique challenges and disruptions of the pandemic, but the numbers have since rebounded strongly. Over a recent five-year period, the average first-time pass rate was an impressive 92.8%. The message here is simple: you are far more likely to pass than not.

What High-Performing Schools Teach Us

While the national average is reassuring, we can learn a lot by looking at schools that consistently beat that benchmark. For example, Campbell University's School of Osteopathic Medicine posted a stellar 97.37% pass rate in the 2022-2023 cycle, contributing to their impressive five-year average of 94.82%. In that same cycle, Alabama College of Osteopathic Medicine hit 96.1%.

These schools don’t have a secret sauce. What they have is a culture that emphasizes structured, early, and consistent preparation.

The success of top-performing schools isn't about some innate genius; it's a direct result of a systematic and dedicated approach to preparation. This is proof that with the right strategy, any student can confidently join the majority who pass on their first attempt.

This isn’t about comparing yourself to other students. It’s about recognizing that your personal study habits are the single biggest factor in your own success. The data proves that a focused and disciplined approach works.

Your Personal Preparation Is Key

The national statistics should feel like a safety net, but ultimately, your result comes down to your effort. Those high pass rates are built on the backs of thousands of students who committed to a solid study plan, mastered high-yield concepts, and used their resources to hunt down and fix their weak spots.

Here’s how you can turn these numbers into your own success story:

• Build a Solid Foundation: Don't just cram for the test. Focus on truly understanding the material during your preclinical years. It pays off.
• Live in the Question Banks: Consistently doing practice questions is non-negotiable. It trains you for the exam format and quickly shows you where your knowledge gaps are.
• Attack Your Weaknesses: Use the feedback from your self-assessments to guide your study sessions. Don’t waste time on what you already know.

Your COMLEX Level 1 score release is a direct reflection of your dedication. Passing is a critical step, and you can learn more about how it fits into the bigger picture in our guide to COMLEX scores and the residency match.

If you want to build a study plan that mirrors the strategies used by students at top-performing schools, personalized tutoring from Ace Med Boards can give you the structure and expert guidance to get there.

Your Next Steps After the Score Release

The day COMLEX scores come out is a massive turning point. No matter what your screen says, the steps you take next are what truly shape your path forward. This isn't just about reacting to the result; it's about having a clear, actionable plan ready to go.

The emotional weight of this day is huge, but having a playbook can turn that nervous energy into confident action. Let’s walk through the two directions you might be headed, so you feel in control no matter what.

Path One: If You Passed

First off, if you see the word "Pass," take a breath and let it sink in. Seriously. This is a monumental achievement, the result of thousands of hours of grinding and sacrifice. You've officially conquered one of the biggest hurdles in medical school.

Once you’ve had a moment to celebrate, it’s time for a few simple but crucial administrative steps:

1. Celebrate Your Accomplishment: Don't you dare skip this. You've more than earned it. Go out with friends, unplug with your family, or just take a day to do something that has absolutely nothing to do with medicine.
2. Inform Your School: Your school will get the score directly from the NBOME, but it's always good practice to check your student handbook. Some schools have specific forms to fill out or advisors you need to notify personally.
3. Shift Your Focus Forward: Your pass is the key that unlocks the next stage: clinical rotations and preparing for COMLEX Level 2-CE. The knowledge base and study habits you built for Level 1 are the foundation you'll build on during your clinical years.

With a "Pass" on Level 1, your main academic goal now pivots to excelling on the numerically scored Level 2-CE exam. That score has become the single most important metric residency program directors look at when evaluating DO applicants.

Path Two: If You Received a Fail

Seeing a "Fail" result is devastating. There’s no way to sugarcoat that. Give yourself the space to feel the disappointment, the anger, and the frustration—those feelings are completely valid. But it's absolutely critical not to let this setback define your career. A failed attempt is a data point, not a final verdict.

Your next moves should be compassionate toward yourself but highly structured, all aimed at creating a bulletproof plan for a successful retake.

A failed COMLEX attempt feels like a dead end, but it's really a detour. It’s a chance to rebuild your strategy with more data, more focus, and a much clearer understanding of what you specifically need to work on. The goal is to turn this setback into the setup for a major comeback.

Your immediate priorities need to be communication and honest analysis.

• Contact Your School Immediately: Your first call should be to your academic advisor, dean of student affairs, or a dedicated academic support professional. They are your allies and have guided countless students through this exact situation. They'll help you navigate your school's specific policies on remediation and retakes.
• Analyze Your Performance Profile: That Formative Performance Profile is now your most valuable asset. Sit down with an advisor and dissect it. Pinpoint every single "low" and "medium" performance area—this becomes your new study blueprint.
• Build a Smart Retake Strategy: Just repeating what you did before isn't going to cut it. You need a new game plan. The NBOME requires a 60-day waiting period between your first and second attempts, and your goal is to use every single one of those days with purpose.

This is where having a dedicated partner can make all the difference. At Ace Med Boards, we specialize in helping students turn this exact scenario around. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all fixes. Instead, our expert tutors work with you to transform your performance profile into a personalized, high-yield study plan. We’ll help you attack your specific weaknesses, finally master those tough concepts, and build the test-taking strategy and confidence you need to pass.

A great place to begin is by structuring a new study plan. For a framework on how to organize your time effectively, check out our guide on creating an effective COMLEX Level 1 study schedule. Whether you passed or are gearing up for a retake, the path forward is all about smart planning and consistent effort.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Score Release

The wait for your COMLEX Level 1 score is nerve-wracking. Even after you’ve gone through the whole process, a ton of questions can pop up as the release date gets closer. It’s completely normal to feel anxious about the specifics.

This section is here to give you quick, no-nonsense answers to the most common questions we hear from students. Think of it as a final Q&A to put your mind at ease and make sure you know exactly what to do next.

What Should I Do If My COMLEX Score Release Is Delayed?

First, take a deep breath. It’s incredibly frustrating when your score doesn't show up on time, but a delay is rarely a sign that something is wrong with your specific exam.

The most common reason for a hold-up is a random quality control check by the NBOME. They pull a certain percentage of exams for an extra review to maintain the integrity of their testing and scoring process. This is just a standard part of their psychometrics, not a red flag about your performance.

If your score is a no-show on the scheduled release day, here's your game plan:

1. Check for Official Announcements: Before you do anything else, check the NBOME website and your email. If there's a widespread delay affecting your test window, they will have announced it.
2. Wait 24-48 Hours: Sometimes, a minor technical glitch can cause a short delay in the system. Give it a day or two to see if the score posts on its own.
3. Contact Your Medical School: Your school’s registrar or academic affairs office is often in direct contact with the NBOME and might have information that you don’t.
4. Contact NBOME Client Services: If you still see nothing after a couple of days and your school has no updates, it's time to reach out to the NBOME directly to ask for a status on your exam.

Can I Request a Score Recheck for COMLEX Level 1?

Yes, the NBOME offers a score recheck service, but it’s absolutely critical to understand what this process actually is. It is not a regrading of your answers.

A score recheck is simply an administrative verification. Someone confirms that your answers were recorded correctly and that the final scoring calculation was applied properly. The NBOME's quality control is so tight, with multiple checks built in, that a true scoring error is almost unheard of.

A score recheck almost never results in a change from fail to pass. We generally don't recommend it unless you have a very specific, compelling reason to believe a technical error happened while you were taking the exam.

There's also a fee for the service. Honestly, that money is almost always better put toward a retake strategy, given the tiny—practically zero—chance of a score change.

How Does a Pass/Fail Level 1 Affect My Residency Application?

The switch to pass/fail for COMLEX Level 1 has completely changed the game for residency applications. Without a three-digit score to easily sort through applicants, program directors are now digging deeper into other parts of your file.

This means your performance on COMLEX Level 2-CE, which is still numerically scored, has become a massive data point. A strong Level 2-CE score is now one of the single most powerful ways for a DO student to really shine.

Beyond board scores, programs are putting a much heavier emphasis on:

• Clinical Rotation Grades (MSPE): Your third-year performance is under a microscope. Excellent grades in your core rotations are more important than ever.
• Letters of Recommendation: Strong, detailed letters from attendings and faculty who can speak to your clinical skills and work ethic are invaluable.
• Research and Extracurriculars: Meaningful involvement in research or holding leadership roles helps paint a fuller picture of you as a candidate.
• Audition Rotations: How you perform on an away rotation gives a program a direct look at your clinical abilities and, just as importantly, your "fit" with their team.

The bottom line? The focus has moved away from one exam score and toward a more holistic view of your entire journey through medical school.

What Happens If I Fail the COMLEX Level 1?

Getting a "Fail" result is a punch to the gut. It's a major setback, and it's okay to feel disappointed. But it is absolutely something you can overcome. The key is to react with a calm, structured plan instead of panic.

Your very first move should be to contact your school's academic support team or your advisor. They are your best resource for understanding your school’s policies and mapping out the next steps. Do not try to handle this alone; they are there to help you.

Next, you have to dig into your performance report. This document is your roadmap to success on the retake. It shows you exactly which competency domains and clinical areas were your weakest points, so you can build a highly targeted study plan. The NBOME allows a total of four attempts to pass, so you have more chances to get this done.

This is a situation where getting expert help can be a game-changer. A structured approach is everything. If you need specialized support, you may want to learn more about finding a COMLEX tutor for osteopathic exams. A dedicated plan is the most crucial part of preparing for your retake.

Navigating the road to passing COMLEX Level 1, especially after a setback, requires a focused and personalized strategy. At Ace Med Boards, our expert tutors specialize in analyzing performance reports to create custom study plans that target your specific areas of weakness. We're here to help you rebuild your confidence and master the material for a successful retake. Book a free consultation today to learn how we can create a plan that works for you.