Can I take Step 2 without taking Neuro rotation?

[kiko83]

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I'm an M3, and I have to schedule my Neuro rotation and sub-I for the M4 year in a couple of days. Since my Step 1 score isn't high, I really want to take Step 2 early. I was wondering if it would be okay to take Step 2 without having done Neuro. Please tell me what you think. I would love to read your comments.

 

[153445]

It should be fine. A neuro rotation teaches you the tricks of doing a really good neuro exam, but treatment algorithms for stroke and epilepsy are things you can read up on in Step 2 review books. If you are really sweating balls about it, do the Pre-Test for neuro in addition to your Step 2 prep. However, USMLE World should have the neuro questions covered, and you can go back and read more in depth about neuro topics you've missed.

If you really want to do well on Step 2 CK, keep doing UW questions as well as 1 or 2 NBME exams to gauge your strengths and weaknesses.

 

[LadyGrey]

I was worried about this since we're not even required to do neuro, so I read Case Files Neuro as part of my exam prep. Didn't hurt, but I wouldn't claim it was necessary. Whatever review book and Qbank you use will cover the major stuff: strokes, differentiating among bleeds, meningitis, etc. I don't remember any obscure neuro topics on Step 2.

 

[Seph09]

I took Step 2 CK without a neuro rotation and did very well. No worries - preparation from your third year clerkships should be more than enough.

 

[taurus70]

I took Step 2 CK without a neuro rotation and did very well. No worries - preparation from your third year clerkships should be more than enough.

Don't worry. My neuro rotation is my last one before I graduate. Most of the neuro questions on Step 2 are at the Step 1 level.