Consequences of failing Step 2 CS

[Captopril]

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I took this test with very crappy prep, thought I was a stud for being the first person in my class to take it. Fast fwd 3 months and...FAIL. So now I'm taking it again, hopefully not gonna eat **** this time around.

My question is, does having a failed attempt screw me over on residency apps? Do PDs even care? I got a 237/99 on my Step 1, so does that offset or overshadow the CS Fail in anyway?

I hate this test.

 

[Knicks]

Can you define "crappy prep"? And are you an AMG or IMG? And where did you take it?

(lol sorry for not addressing your questions, as I haven't taken it yet.)

 

[Captopril]

Can you define "crappy prep"? And are you an AMG or IMG? And where did you take it?

(lol sorry for not addressing your questions, as I haven't taken it yet.)

Crappy prep = didn't read the cases in the back of FA, only practiced my timing the night before the test. Didn't memorize any mnemonics for the Hx, had no real methodology for PE, looked at the computer input example page on the USMLE website only an hour before my test.

Also, I'm a US-IMG (so English wasn't the problem...failed my ICE, apparently my Hx + PE + patient note sucked. With the details I gave above, go figure)

 

[Argatroban]

Hey Captopril, I am taking CS soon. How long do you recommend one to study for this exam?

 

[mdc848]

Give it a good 7-10 days and you should be good to go. I stretched it out to 2 weeks but that's because I'm paranoid about not preparing enough for anything. 🙂

 

[Captopril]

Hey Captopril, I am taking CS soon. How long do you recommend one to study for this exam?

I got the Kaplan book (didn't like the FA format) and am memorizing the DDx/Labs right now. The book has 96 flashcards in the back, so I am doing about 20 a day right now. I'll probably do 50%-75% of the cases to practice my Hx/PE skills, and then write around 10 patient notes a few days before the test to make sure I don't freak out after each case. I think 7-8 days should be enough to do all that.

 

[Re3iRtH]

I got the Kaplan book (didn't like the FA format) and am memorizing the DDx/Labs right now. The book has 96 flashcards in the back, so I am doing about 20 a day right now. I'll probably do 50%-75% of the cases to practice my Hx/PE skills, and then write around 10 patient notes a few days before the test to make sure I don't freak out after each case. I think 7-8 days should be enough to do all that.

Hey, what is the name of that Kaplan book for CS that is mentioned sometimes on here? Thanks.

 

[MacchinaDaCaffe]

I took this test with very crappy prep, thought I was a stud for being the first person in my class to take it. Fast fwd 3 months and...FAIL. So now I'm taking it again, hopefully not gonna eat **** this time around.

My question is, does having a failed attempt screw me over on residency apps? Do PDs even care? I got a 237/99 on my Step 1, so does that offset or overshadow the CS Fail in anyway?

I hate this test.

Those are some tough questions to answer. Hopefully aProgdirector will pop up and give you some insight or maybe you can PM him specifically. If that fails, get in touch with your med school adviser for their input on how this might affect your competitiveness as an applicant, etc.

With ERAS you don't have to transmit your score reports to programs when you first send it, but considering that most programs use step 1 scores as part of the general scheme in selecting applicants for interview you wouldn't want to hide that awesome step 1 score.

My advice (which you seem to be already doing) is to pass this damn test before sending your ERAS out in the fall of next year. Pretty much programs only want to see if you passed it from my understanding. If you are asked about it on interviews just be honest about why you failed it and the steps you took to make sure you passed it on the second go around. Best of luck!

 

[Captopril]

Hey, what is the name of that Kaplan book for CS that is mentioned sometimes on here? Thanks.

http://www.amazon.com/Kaplan-Medica...=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1268876734&sr=8-1

Those are some tough questions to answer. Hopefully aProgdirector will pop up and give you some insight or maybe you can PM him specifically. If that fails, get in touch with your med school adviser for their input on how this might affect your competitiveness as an applicant, etc.

With ERAS you don't have to transmit your score reports to programs when you first send it, but considering that most programs use step 1 scores as part of the general scheme in selecting applicants for interview you wouldn't want to hide that awesome step 1 score.

My advice (which you seem to be already doing) is to pass this damn test before sending your ERAS out in the fall of next year. Pretty much programs only want to see if you passed it from my understanding. If you are asked about it on interviews just be honest about why you failed it and the steps you took to make sure you passed it on the second go around. Best of luck!

Thank you for the awesome reply. I will hopefully have a pass by the time I apply (this summer), and I hope you're right about PD's only caring if you pass eventually. I'll take your advice and ask aProgdirector though. Thanks again.

 

[hj0517]

This is in no way a slur on you Captopril (or anyone who has failed CS).

I'm just wondering what's so different about the cases in CS compared to a standard clerking done at med school or even an OSCE case?

I just need to know if I need to change my patient clerking routine drastically for this exam