Failed Step 2CS --> Matched!

[Thyroid Storm]

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I just wanna give some good news to those of you who also failed Step 2 CS (or CK or Step 1). I failed the test in December, retook the exam in February and my scores are still pending! I still matched to my #2 program in RADIOLOGY! I was super nervous the whole time and I could not believe my eyes! Now I'm just hoping that they let me pass the CS this 2nd time around.

The bottom line:

1. A test is a test, we all have little bumps in life. Don't make too much of a big deal about it, just keep trying your best. There is a reason why applications have many different parts. Hopefully people look at outliers as such.

2. Talk to the PD's and perhaps have someone from your school (advisor/dean) call on your behalf.

3. Failing a test is still painful, even after immense rationalization. You are not alone! We know the mental anguish all too well.

Good luck everyone!


-TS

 

[HCE]

I just wanna give some good news to those of you who also failed Step 2 CS (or CK or Step 1). I failed the test in December, retook the exam in February and my scores are still pending! I still matched to my #2 program in RADIOLOGY! I was super nervous the whole time and I could not believe my eyes! Now I'm just hoping that they let me pass the CS this 2nd time around.

The bottom line:

1. A test is a test, we all have little bumps in life. Don't make too much of a big deal about it, just keep trying your best. There is a reason why applications have many different parts. Hopefully people look at outliers as such.

2. Talk to the PD's and perhaps have someone from your school (advisor/dean) call on your behalf.

3. Failing a test is still painful, even after immense rationalization. You are not alone! We know the mental anguish all too well.

Good luck everyone!


-TS

Congratulations Thyroid...gee, never thought I'd use those two words together...

 

[medblazer21]

I just wanna give some good news to those of you who also failed Step 2 CS (or CK or Step 1). I failed the test in December, retook the exam in February and my scores are still pending! I still matched to my #2 program in RADIOLOGY! I was super nervous the whole time and I could not believe my eyes! Now I'm just hoping that they let me pass the CS this 2nd time around.

The bottom line:

1. A test is a test, we all have little bumps in life. Don't make too much of a big deal about it, just keep trying your best. There is a reason why applications have many different parts. Hopefully people look at outliers as such.

2. Talk to the PD's and perhaps have someone from your school (advisor/dean) call on your behalf.

3. Failing a test is still painful, even after immense rationalization. You are not alone! We know the mental anguish all too well.

Good luck everyone!


-TS

If you dont mind me asking, can you describe what parts of the CS you failed and what you think you did wrong? I failed CS too and still trying to understand what I did incorrectly. You can PM me if you want.

BTW, I matched too even though I failed CS.

 

[jpro]

I took CS in early Feb and still have not received the results yet. I matched in radiology as well, and I'm nervous that I did not pass. How long does it take to grade this useless test?

 

[Thyroid Storm]

Communications and Interpersonal Skills. I am too still trying to figure out what the problem was. I could be a better doctor if they gave me some constructive feedback. I hope they let me pass the second time around. I really don't wanna retake this test once more.

-TS

 

[medblazer21]

Communications and Interpersonal Skills. I am too still trying to figure out what the problem was. I could be a better doctor if they gave me some constructive feedback. I hope they let me pass the second time around. I really don't wanna retake this test once more.

-TS

Can you describe your score bars on the report? Was the CIS bar all the way below the "borderline" range or was it straddling the gray area?

Also, I know you passed the ICE portion. Thats the part I failed. Did your data-gathering, patient note, or ICE score bars straddle any of the gray "borderline" region at all or was the bar well above that area?

thanks for the info

As for the CIS, did you counsel your patients about smoking, alcohol, drugs, etc? Did you give them a differential and explain what tests you were going to do? Did you ask for permission on all the physical exam stuff and show compassion if they were depressed, or having a hard time dealign with their illness? Its this kind of bogus stuff that makes up the CIS score.

 

[SamusLives]

If your not sure where you went wrong in the CIS, check out the USMLE website for step 2 CS, and look at the PDF booklet, it describes alot of what you need to do. I was also worried about that part of the test (till I found out i passed). I tried to show sympathy for pain before firing off questions. Eg. "I'm sorry to hear you're in pain, I'm going to ask you a few questions and do a quick physical to help figure out the cause, then the nurse will give you something for the pain right away. Is that okay?"

You can't ever know every single checkbox they have, but just watch out for patient comfort. If the patient coughs, offer water. If the patient has a tear on their cheek, offer a tissue. The basics: call pt by name, introduce self, shake hands, get history (show sympathy), summarize, wash hands, drape patient, ask permission for every part of physical (and to untie gown), use leg rest, close encounter, and ask about questions/concerns, shake hands, excuse yourself. Be sure to answer any "tough" questions appropriately (check FA). If they smoke, ask if they want to quit, if they do tell them how you'll help, if they don't tell them your always here to help if they change their mind (make sure they're aware of negative consequences of smoking).

BTW, I hate this exam with a passion. Who schedules a new pt for only 15 minutes? A follow up maybe, but a new patient needs at least 30 minutes, more if they have a long hx of chronic problems (like most of our real patients). And what if your going into something without a PE like Radiology or Path? The exam is pointless for those folks. I can think of better things to do with a thousand bucks.

Good luck with your retake.

 

[voodoo72]

ugh! i just retook cs the other day and feel terrible about it. stupid mistakes keep running through my mind like trying to shake hands with a patient with arm pain and forgetting to wash my hands on another. she looked at me like she was gonna puke and said "would you please wash your hands before touching me".

i also found the cases this time to be much more vague and i had a tougher time coming up with a differential dx. the worst part though was the anxiety, i was really self-conscious the second time around making it tough to concentrate.

now i wait for 2 months for the results to come back and try not to develop IBS in the meantime. good luck to everybody else.

 

[165808]

stupid mistakes keep running through my mind like trying to shake hands with a patient with arm pain

Well, I can at least assure you that you won't fail because of that -- personal experience!! Good luck!!

 

[SamusLives]

Try not to worry too much Voodoo. Everyone makes mistakes on this darned exam. Not washing hands is only one checkbox; Don't worry too much about the comment. A friend told me that she washed her hands and the SP told her that she hadn't in pretty harsh language(difficult patient scenario?); anyway she just washed her hands again.

I'm guilty of worrying about this exam too. I focused on the mistakes I made, and forgot about all the things I did right. I probably shaved years off my life with all the stressing I did. Just remember you probably did do alot of things right and you don't have to be perfect to pass.

Sucks about the vague cases. I guess they want you to have a good differential and workup, but thats antithetical to taking a "focused" history. I figure if you were in the ballpark with your differential, your probably okay.

The whole reporting schedule thing is BS. It can take soo long to get results back, its ridiculous. I really hope they get rid of this exam, its a waste of time and money.

Just remember the odds are still in your favor Voodoo. I hope you passed.