CS before CK

[BabyPsychDoc]

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Hi guys,

I am an FMG with a decent Step 1 score (238/99). I have to take Step 2 CK and CS this year. Now, I am working in a gruelling 80 hr/week job right now, but things should get better in August. So, I am hoping to start revising for Step 2 Ck in August, and take it by the end of the year (yeah, i know it is too much time, but I have a full-time residency and kids to deal with, too). I would be able to take Step 2 CS at the end of Aug - beginning of Sept, though, as I am planning a trip to the US to visit my in-laws there. Is there any disadvantage to taking CS before CK, bearing in mind I have been practicing medicine in the UK for the last three years. I could probably take CK now and pass (got 85% on the free qs), but I do not want to take any risk of mucking it up.

Any response would be much appreciated.

 

[Rogue_Leader]

The CK really doesn't help you as far as preparing for the CK. For the most part, most people know all the medicine that they need to for it after their 3rd year of med school, but where people end up failing is either their English isn't good enough, or they aren't able to manage their 15 minute time limits, or they don't prepare for the exam enough in terms of making sure they read up on which stupid little checkboxes that the standardized patients are going to be looking for (introducing yourself, asking permission to start the physical exam, using transitional statements, wrapping up the interview at the end, etc). There aren't any zebras on the exam so if you've been in practice for several years, it shouldn't be a problem (though if you've been in psychiatry, I don't know how much you'll have to brush up on). First Aid for the CS is a great book which covers all of the details of the exam and some of the "tough" questions that the patients will throw at you (IE, what's the appropriate response when a patient demands antibiotics for a viral infection, etc) and can easily be read within 3 hours or so.

 

[BabyPsychDoc]

Thank you, Rogue Leader! Your advice is much appreciated. I am actually in general practice residency at present (hoping to switch into psych when we relocate to the US), so it sounds like I would not have to brush up that much for the CS.

Thanks again!