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About COMAT FBS Targeted

COMAT Foundational Biomedical Science Targeted (FBS-T) exams assess students’ knowledge related to a particular discipline or body system. Administered exclusively by schools and colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs), this targeted approach enables schools to dynamically customize their portfolio of exams to best meet evolving formative assessment needs.

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Format

COMAT FBS-T exams each have 62 items that must be completed within 1.5 hours. A 5-minute tutorial is provided before each exam begins. Every examination in the COMAT FBS-T series has multiple forms, and all are psychometrically equivalent in content covered, level of difficulty, and reliability, allowing COMs to administer a given COMAT FBS-T exam multiple times per year.

Why COMAT FBS?

Michael L. Smith, PhD, year 1 curriculum director and director of multidisciplinary programs at the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, discusses how COMAT FBS can help schools measure student progress toward COMLEX-USA Level 1.

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Topics

Topic %
Hematologic Systems 15–20%
Heart 20–25%
Vasculature 20–25%
Neurohumoral Reflex Control of Arterial Blood Pressure 15–20%
Integrated Thermoregulatory Control 3–5%
Pharmacologic Treatment of Cardiovascular and Hematologic Disorders and Dysfunctions 15–20%
Topic %
Adrenal Cortical And Medullary Hormones 10–15%
Hypothalamic-Pituitary Axis 10–15%
Parathyroid Gland 5–10%
Thyroid Gland 10–15%
Endocrine Pancreas 15–20%
Immunologic Responses And Autoimmune Disorders 5–10%
Bioenergetics And Metabolism 5–10%
Endocrine Function Of Adipose Tissue 5–10%
Pharmacologic Treatment Of Altered Endocrine Function 10–15%
Topic %
Microscopic and Gross Structure 10-15%
Embryology and Development 3-5%
Blood Supply of the Gut 3-5%
Immunological Responses and Autoimmune Disorders 5-10%
Infectious Diseases and Malignancies 15-20%
Cephalic Phase 5-10%
Neural and Hormonal Control Throughout the GI Tract 15-20%
Gastric and Intestinal Secretion, Digestion and Absorption 20-25%
Integrated Control of Satiety, Thirst, and Appetite 3-5%
Hepatobiliary Functions 3-5%
Nutritional Health 3-5%
Pharmacologic Treatment of GI System Disorders and Dysfunctions 15-20%
Topic %
Microscopic and Gross Structure of the Urinary System 4–8%
Embryology and Development 2–4%
Immunologic Responses and Autoimmune Disorders 8–12%
Infectious Diseases and Malignancies 4–8%
Bladder Function and Regulation 2–4%
Renal Function and Regulation 25–35%
Mechanisms of Acid-Base Regulation 30–35%
Pharmacologic Treatment of the Genitourinary and Renal System Disorders and Dysfunctions 10–15%
Topic %
Female Reproduction 25–35%
Male Reproduction 5–10%
Stages of Growth and Development 5–10%
Genetics 20–25%
Human Sexual Response 5–10%
Pharmacologic and Environmental Influences on Growth and Development 20–25%
Topic %
Microscopic and Gross Structure 10–15%
Embryology and Development 5–10%
Immunologic Responses and Autoimmune Disorders 10–15%
Infectious Diseases 40–50%
Physiological Functions of the Skin 10–15%
Pharmacologic Treatment of Integumentary System Disorders, Dysfunctions, and Infections 15–20%
Topic %
Microscopic and Gross Structure of Skeletal and Smooth Muscle 25–30%
Microscopic and Gross Structure of Bone 20–25%
Microscopic and Gross Structure of Joints 20–25%
Acute and Chronic Injuries, Disorders, and Diseases 10-20%
Pharmacology of the Musculoskeletal System and the Neuromuscular Junction 10–15%
Topic %
Microscopic and Gross Structure 6–12%
Embryology and Development 4–6%
Immunologic Responses and Autoimmune Disorders 6–12%
Infectious Diseases and Malignancies 11–16%
Physiologic Function of Ventilation and Its Control 36–41%
Determinants of Respiratory Patterns and Control 6–12%
Causes of Hypoxemia and Hypercapnia 6–12%
Integrated Control of Respiratory Function 6–12%
Pharmacologic Treatment of Respiratory System Disorders and Dysfunction 11–16%
Topic %
Biomolecules, Cell and Molecular Biology 20–25%
Metabolism and Nutritional Biochemistry 25–30%
Human Genetics 20–25%
Cell Signaling 10-15%
Hematology 15-20%
Topic %
Head and Neck Anatomy 25–30%
Back and Extremity Anatomy 20–25%
Body Cavities Anatomy (Viscera) 25–30%
Histology/Development 20–25%
Topic %
Microanatomy of CNS structures 5-8%
Meninges, Ventricles, CSF 5-8%
CNS Development 5-8%
Neuroplasticity 5-8%
Spinal Cord 10-15%
Brainstem 12-18%
Basal Ganglia 5-8%
Cerebellum 5-8%
Thalamus 5-8%
Hypothalamus 5-8%
Cerebrum 15-20%
Limbic Structures 5-8%
Topic %
Bacteriology 25-30%
Virology 20-25%
Mycology/Parasitology 20-25%
Immunology 25-30%
Topic %
Basic Principles of Pharmacology 12-20%
Chemotherapeutic Agents 10-15%
Foundational Pharmacology of the Nervous System 15-22%
Foundational Cardiovascular, Renal, Pulmonary, Hematologic Pharmacology 15-22%
Foundational Pharmacology of the Endocrine System 10-15%
Foundational Pharmacology of the Gastrointestinal System 5-8%
Foundational Pharmacology of the Immune System 10-12%
Topic %
Cellular Physiology in Health and Disease 5-10%
Systems Physiology in Health and Disease 60-75%
Acid-base Regulation 5-10%
Reflex Control Mechanisms in Health and Disease 15-20%

Supplementary Resources

The NBOME uses many supplementary resources to inform the development of the FBS exams, some of which are listed below.

Title Author/Editor Edition Year
Atlas of Anatomy Gilroy, et al. 4th 2020
Atlas of Human Anatomy Netter 7th 2019
Snell’s Clinical Anatomy by Regions Wineski 10th 2019
Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation: Musculoskeletal Disorders, Pain, and Rehabilitation Frontera & Silver 4th 2020
Gray’s Anatomy for Students Drake, Vogl, & Mitchell 4th 2019
Gray’s Anatomy: the Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice Standring 42nd 2020
Histology: A Text and Atlas Pawlina & Ross 8th 2018
Junquiera’s Basic Histology Text and Atlas Mescher 16th 2022
Langman’s Medical Embryology Sadler 14th 2018
Clinically Oriented Anatomy Moore, Dalley, & Agur 9th 2022
Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases Blumenfeld 3rd 2021
Title Author/Editor Edition Year
Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry Rodwell, et al 32nd 2022
Lippincott Illustrated Reviews: Biochemistry Ferrier 8th 2021
Mark’s Basic Medical Biochemistry Lieberman & Marks 6th 2022
Medical Genetics Jorde, Carey, & Bamshad 6th 2019
Thompson & Thompson Genetics in Medicine Nussbaum 9th 2019

 

Title Author/Editor Edition Year
AccessMedicine Numerous titles
Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment Papadakis & McPhee 61st 2022
Cecil Textbook of Medicine Goldman & Schafer 26th 2019
DynaMed Plus Regularly updated
Textbook of Family Medicine Rakel 9th 2016
Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine Jameson, Fauci, Kasper, Hauser, Longo, & Loscalzo 21st 2022
Nelson’s Textbook of Pediatrics Kliegman & Geme 21st 2019
Essentials of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hacker 6th 2016
Tintinalli’s Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide Tintinalli et al. 9th 2019
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) APA 5th (DSM-5) 2013
Synopsis of Psychiatry Kaplan & Saddock 12th 2021
Title Author/Editor Edition Year
Jawetz, Melnick, and Adelberg’s Medical Microbiology Riedel, Morse, Mietzner, & Miller 28th 2019
Medical Microbiology Murray, Rosenthal, & Pfaller 9th 2020
Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases; Volume 1 & 2 Bennett, Dolin, & Blaser 9th 2019
Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases; Volume 2 Mandell, Bennett, & Dolin 9th 2019
The Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy Gilbert, Eliopoulos, & Chambers 48th 2018
Cellular and Molecular Immunology Abbas, Lichtman, and Pillai 10th 2021
Immunology Male, Peebles, & Male 9th 2020
Janeway’s Immunobiology Murphy & Weaver 10th 2022
Title Author/Editor Edition Year
Basic Clinical Neuroscience Young, Young, Tolbert 3rd 2015
The Central Nervous System Brodal 5th 2016
Snell’s Clinical Neuroanatomy Splittgerber 8th 2018
Essential Neuroscience Siegel & Sapru 4th 2018
Fundamental Neuroscience Haines & Mihailoff 5th 2017
Neuroanatomy Atlas in Clinical Context Haines 10th 2018
Neuroanatomy through Clinical Cases Blumenfeld 3rd 2021
Adams and Victor’s Principles of Neurology Ropper, Samuels, Klein, & Prasad 11th 2019
Bradley and Daroff’s Neurology in Clinical Practice; Volumes 1 & 2 Jankovic, Mazziotta, Pomeroy, & Daroff 8th 2021
Localization in Clinical Neurology Brazis, Masdeu, & Biller 7th 2016
Orthopaedic Neurology: A Diagnostic Guide to Neurologic Levels Hoppenfeld & Hoppenfeld 2nd 2017
Practical Neurology Biller 5th 2019
Title Author/Editor Edition Year
Basic and Clinical Pharmacology Katzung 15th 2020
Drug Facts and Comparisons Kastrup 70th 2016
Goodman & Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics Brunton, Chabner, & Knollman 14th 2022
Lippincott’s Illustrated Reviews: Pharmacology Whalen, Radhakrishnan, & Feild 8th 2022
Pharmacotherapy: A Pathophysiologic Approach Dipiro, Talbert, Yee, Matzke, Wells, & Posey 11th 2020
Stahl’s Essential Psychopharmacology Stahl 5th 2021
Title Author/Editor Edition Year
Berne & Levy Physiology Koeppen, Stanton 7th 2018
Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology Barrett, Barman, Yuan, & Brooks 26th 2019
Guyton and Hall Textbook of Medical Physiology Hall & Hall 14th 2020
Medical Physiology Boron & Boulpaep 3rd 2016
Physiology Costanzo 7th 2021

Additional References

Biochemistry

“DNA Replication Objectives.” Association of Biochemistry Educators. 2011.

Biochemistry

“Blood Objectives.” ABE. 2011.

Biochemistry

“Carbohydrate Metabolism Objectives.” ABE. 2011.

Biochemistry

“Lipid Metabolism Objectives.” ABE. 2011.

Biochemistry

“Signaling Hormones and Diabetes Objectives.” ABE. 2011.

Biochemistry

“Protein and Amino Acid Metabolism Objectives.” ABE. 2011.

Biochemistry

“Nucleotide Metabolism Objectives.” ABE. 2011.

Biochemistry

“Medical Biochemistry Competencies (with UME appendix).” ABE. 2011.

Genetics

“Medical School Core Curriculum in Genetics.” Association of Professors of Human and Medical Genetics. 2013.

Microbiology and Immunology

“General Principles of Foundational Science: Microbial biology. Immune System.” USMLE Content Outline (pp. 3-5). National Board of Medical Examiners. 2015.

Pharmacology

“Knowledge Objectives in Medical Pharmacology.” Association of Medical School Pharmacology Chairs. 2012.

Physiology

“Medical Physiology Learning Objectives.” The American Physiological Society and the Association of Chairs of Departments of Physiology. 2012.