Current 3rd year, when is best to take Step 2 CK?

[Shadowboricua]

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I'm sure this has been ask a zillion times, but I could not find a good post about it. When is the best time to take CK? is it mostly taken on 4th year? Thanks in advance.

 

[IM Substance P]

If you did reasonably well on your third year rotations, I would advocate taking CK immediately after your core rotations. The information is fresh in your head. You're not in a state of fourth year apathy. And you can enjoy fourth year without the exam hanging over your head.

 

[Rogue Synapse]

I second substance P. I took my Step 2CK at the end of November, and while that is totally doable, I think it probably involved a little bit of extra studying to catch up to the height of my competency just after finishing my last shelf of 3rd year. Step 2 is basically a massive shelf exam for all specialties, so you have been preparing for it unwittingly all year. Plus, the first half of fourth year is pretty busy with residency applications and traveling to interview; you want to be able to focus on that and not worry about studying for an exam.

While I think I did fine (score not back yet), I would take it 2 weeks after the end of third year if I could do it all over again.

 

[SouthernSurgeon]

I would say it really depends on you, the field you are going into, and the requirements of the specific programs you are applying to.

You: What was your step 1 score like? Are you in a position where you need a boost? --> Then take Step 2 early (but after studying your butt off) Did you rock Step 1? -->Then you may want to wait (i.e. nothing will be added to your app by taking step 2 and you could in fact hurt yourself)

Field/programs: Some fields seem to care more or less about the score. Some specific programs have actually started requiring it to rank applicants. So you need to look at the specific requirements of the schools you apply to, and talk to people within the field to see what the expectations are

Personally? I'm waiting as long as possible so my score won't come back before rank lists are due.

 

[hooperg]

My Advice: Take Step II of the COMLEX CK exam after core, strong internal medicine and OB-GYN rotations. Also, review Savarese from back-to-front-to-back until your eyes bleed as the new, unannounced recent testing changes have increased the difficulty of questions.

Also, consider utilizing a question bank other than USMLEWorld, which is otherwise great, such as combank or comquest, as they have the nebulous stuff that's more applicable for COMLEX II CK.

 

[fleetgoddess]

Keep in mind more programs are requiring Step II CK/CS be done by Dec 31. Our adviser said that even more are expecting to have this deadline next year.

So look into program deadlines before deciding.