how does step 2 factor into residency matching list

[mochamuffins]

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advice needed!!!
I had taken the month of November off to study for Step 2 CK and with interviews starting to trickle in , I realize I wont have a solid week to study so I am considering changing it. However, December I am scheduled for a subinternship. I am considering canceling a rotation in January and try to block out 2 weeks for study. But dont some programs want to see your step 2 scores before you are considered for their match list????? any ideas? I tried to look on the website of places that interviewed me and have had no luck.

thanks in advance,

 

[Blade28]

How did you do on Step 1?

In general you only need a week to study for Step 2, not a month.

Most people only take Step 2 before applying if they want to compensate for an average Step 1 score.

 

[nykka3]

How did you do on Step 1?

In general you only need a week to study for Step 2, not a month.

Most people only take Step 2 before applying if they want to compensate for an average Step 1 score.

i think you need a 3-4 weeks minimum for step 2 CK and no more than a week for step 2 CS. i think a week for step 2 CK is not a good idea.

 

[bruwn2002]

yeah one week wont cut it, i would agree with the 3-4 weeks for CK

 

[Blade28]

Really? Right after your MS-III year you're as smart as you'll ever be in med school - don't think there's any need to devote a whole month of vacation to studying! 😱

But if you're not ready, you're not ready.

 

[efex101]

Wow 3-4 weeks for CK? we only get 2 weeks off to study for this..

 

[Blade28]

Wow 3-4 weeks for CK? we only get 2 weeks off to study for this..

Exactly.

And you'll all likely have a weekend or two to prepare for Step 3 later, so don't get too used to the "month off" approach! 🙂

 

[Shalom77]

I think the key here is how you did on Step I and whether you are taking Step II to improve your score. Also how in general you do on these types of exams (ie how did you do on the Shelf exams in general) might give you some guidance.

I studied a month for step II which I took relatively early (March of my third year.) It paid off though with a much higher score. 🙂 But that was my goal which is why I took the time off. There was no CS when I took it so I can't comment on that. I agree though - only a few days for step III.

If the score doesn't matter so much then I'm sure a couple weeks is fine. Actually even with interviewing you can probably get a good amount of studying in. What else are you supposed to do during those stopovers? Just bring some study material with you wherever you go.

As for your program question - if there's nothing on their website - it's likely that they don't, but to be safe you might want to contact the programs and ask directly, since I do think a few programs require or strongly recommend step II for consideration for residency.

 

[chaser08]

Wow 3-4 weeks for CK? we only get 2 weeks off to study for this..

So do we, but count me amongst those who were so burned out from 3rd year that they didn't so much study for Step II as sit on the couch watching TV.

Because I wanted to take Step II early, I ended up having to study for Step II during my 1st 4th yr rotation. 🙁 Depending on what you're taking and the time commitment involved, it's certainly doable, but not fun. I know I never had a full week of study time. Even on the week of the exam, I worked full shifts on Monday and Tuesday (I took the test on a Saturday) then took time off that I had to make up later. I ended up with an above average score and what I needed for the discipline I plan to pursue.

A lot of my friends took a rotation off to study for Step II and probably used 2-3 of those weeks to study. I don't know if it was hardcore studying or not, but I have to guess it wasn't as hardcore as Step I studying.

If I were going to take a rotation and study, I'd either pick a very laid back one (e.g. Radiology, Medical Spanish) or Emergency Medicine. It has the benefit of shift work and fewer days/no call as well as honing your quick diagnosis skills, antibiotic coverage, and toxicology.

I say take as long as you think you need to be comfortable. If it's 2 weeks or 2 months, you're the one who has to live with your grade at the end. That said, Step II just isn't as hard as Step I and not as much studying is required. However, if you're like me, it's not likely that I can convince you of that until you've actually taken the exam.

 

[NDESTRUKT]

3-4 weeks for Step II...are you serious? I spent 2.5 weeks for Step I! There's no way it's worse than Step I!

I'd say 2 weeks would be plenty for Step II.

2 weeks for step 1, 2 days for step 2, 2 number 2 pencils for step 3!

 

[165808]

I guess the bottom line here is that everyone has different opinions on how long to take to study for Step 2CK. Some are limited by their medical school's time-off policy, others by the senior schedule they made for themselves. Everyone has different opinions and everyone thinks that everyone else's sucks 😳

Only you know how you did on Step 1, and only you know how much you need to study for Step 2. Good luck!!

 

[Blade28]

Because I wanted to take Step II early, I ended up having to study for Step II during my 1st 4th yr rotation. 🙁

That's exactly when I studied for it - and my first MS-IV rotation happened to be Nephrology.

 

[m1234d]

How did you do on Step 1?

In general you only need a week to study for Step 2, not a month.

Most people only take Step 2 before applying if they want to compensate for an average Step 1 score.

i studied for 10 days (i was off), took it early sept of 4th year. i did really well, and all i wanted to do was not mess up my step 1 score (a program i applied to stated they need my CK score to rank me, so i figured i might as well get it over with)
i feel like if you did well on shelf exams for your cores, you should be fairly confident for CK: n=3 (but dont reverse that statement!)