MD Gap Year to make it to Step P/F

[ArteryStudyPainting]

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Hello,

The way it's looking, it looks like my school is going to want me to take step at the end of third year.

I should be taking step this June, but in the case that doesn't happen, would it be worth it to take a gap year to make it to step when step turns to pass or fail?

I don't know if this could help or hurt me in the long run. I think it could be helpful in terms of not being only a number for a certain institutions and I'd like to think that I'm a good applicant before considering a step score. I'm just not sure if at this point, a step score would help me. I think it would be largely average if not a little above average.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using SDN mobile

 

[slowthai]

Depending on the field, if you wait until it's P/F, you will remain only a number pre-interview, except that number will be step 2.

Edit: Lemme just add that it could be to your advantage to take step before it changes (if you're able to take it in time), because you'll be two numbers, not just one. Hopefully they're both good. Even if your step 1 is average, it could potentially have better optics than a plain "Pass", because the bar for passing is a lot lower than achieving an average score.

 

[libertyyne]

Not sure what the point is of delaying a year just to get a p/f score.
1. If you are gunning for a competitive specialty, you are going to need a high Step 2 CK score when step 1 becomes pass fail. So you still need a score and you will still just be a number for screening purposes.
2. If you are not gunning for a competitive specialty your average step 1 score will be sufficient.
3.Delaying for the sake of getting a p/f will not make you more competitive for a field considering at least with step 1 and step 2 numerical scores you have the limited ability to make up for poor performance with a good step 2 score. But with p/f step 1 you will have to perform well on step 2 anyway to have a shot.
4. You will lose a physicians yearly income to delay.

 

[Butters Stotch]

The other side of this: How do we know for sure its going p/f in 2022? What happens if it comes out they aren’t making it p/f until 2024?

 

[aldol16]

IMO, the only scenario where that would be beneficial is if you know for almost sure that you're going to get a low Step score. The majority of people applying will be "average" or near average. That's just a statistical law. But when you're applying in a cycle where some people have Step scores and some don't, then "average" becomes a lot harder to define. If you're an average applicant overall, view Step 1 as an opportunity to distinguish yourself. Study your ass off for it and get a high score.