Concern over Step 2 CS before CK

[shouldBstudying]

So... thank you for reading this. Looking for some honest advice.

I currently have Step 2 CS scheduled within the next few days
Rationale for taking it so soon (just finished up third year): coming off of Family Medicine rotation (in the habit of doing H&Ps on patients over and over all day) & frankly wanting to get the darn thing over with.

I have FA for CS in my possession and am working through the cases. I will really only have a few days of dedicated studying with my current plan. However I am told by many this is "more than enough"

My concern is this - with the new format to CS (emphasis on clinical reasoning with the ddx), am I shooting myself in the foot by taking CS before CK?? I feel comfortable with my PE skills & rapport with patients, so my main concern is the emphasis on clinical knowledge now more emphasized within CS.

Background about me: middle of the road medical student, even mix of HP and H in third year clerkships (with upper 70s to mid 80s on shelf exams), upper 230s on Step I.

Appreciate any advice people may have to offer (especially anyone who has taken the new format??) is greatly appreciated. TIA.

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[Merrily]

I took CS before CK. And I passed.

Of course, the days after CS, I was bawling and quite depressed thinking that I did not make it. Soooo my CK studying went down the drain. But I picked myself up.

I think that it is a good idea to take CS right after finishing core electives because everything is still fresh in your mind. I took CS right after I was done with Psych, so I was a little rusty on some stuff.

I think you'll be fine!

 

[shouldBstudying]

Thanks for responding. I think I just needed some good old "patient reassurance"

I decided to still take it this weekend - hoping for the best!