Delay step 2

[babinski2020]

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I've gotten mixed responses when asking this question in person, and searching the threads gives some conflicting info as well - is it advisable to delay step 2 so that residencies don't see your score on your initial application, assuming you did well on step 1? I've been told/read that in the past this was a good move, but as residencies look for more ways to differentiate candidates that regardless of someone's step 1 score, they should take step 2 early enough for residencies to see.

Thoughts?

Thanks

 

[operaman]

Really depends on your chosen field. Some demand it, others prefer it, and others don't really care. That's probably why you see so many differing thoughts on the matter. Your best answers will come from people in your chosen field.

My personal impression is that the fields that care less about it are ones that have or used to have an early match where applicants didn't have step 2 scores available at all.

 

[Jabbed]

Scenario A: You tank Step II early. Programs that care about step 2 give you fewer interviews. Your rank list may or may not be shorter.

Scenario B: You tank Step II late. You get more interview invites, but programs that care about step 2 rank you lower. Your rank list might be longer and/or more prestigious, but you're less likely to match at places that care about step 2.

My view: Bottom line is don't mess up Step II. Might as well take it early when the M3 material is fresh, plus you have the added piece of mind of a "complete" application. If you do perform poorly, at least you'll have a good idea of how strong your application is going into interview season.

 

[TypeADissection]

My program did not extend interview invites for our surgery residency unless step 1 and 2 were in the books. Apparently the rule used to be that we would not rank anyone unless they had a reported step 2, and that eventually morphed into the rule we have now. In my opinion, the best time to take it is at the end of third year when everything is relatively fresh. That's why we've adopted a corollary to above rule and now require all of our interns to take step 3 within the first 6 months of being here, because that test only becomes harder the deeper you dive into surgery and away from general medicine.