How important is improvement on Step 2?

[jbar]

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I promise, this isn't a "will I match with my scores thread."

It seems like a lot of people in EM talk about step 2 and go "oh, I did okay on step 1 but just rocked out on step 2, boosted my score by 30 points."

My question is how much programs care about the increase between the steps vrs just look at the two in isolation? I did well (compared to the EM average for matching) on step 1 but got basically the same score on step 2 (which is right around the mean for matching).

So I'm just wondering if I should be thinking of my step 2 score as a red flag, something that I should be working extra hard during next year to overcome. Or should I just say "it's about the mean for matching, and it doesn't matter that it's the same as my step 1."

Thanks

 

[uncwalley]

It certainly depends, but for the most part, I wouldn't worry about it too much. A significant drop is concerning. A huge increase can right some wrongs. Consistency won't hurt you, unless it is low.

 

[boo2]

Agree with above. My Step 2 was significantly better than Step 1 which helped me.

I think it can help you if you have less than perfect grades and/or Step 1 you are not happy with.

If you already rocked out on the above, chances are you will do just fine on Step 2 with just a little bit of preparation.

 

[lucky_deadman]

If you're around the National Average for Step 1 then you want about the same or slight improvement on Step 2.

If you're a "barely pass" on Step 1, it's important to make a great improvement on Step 2.

Most programs will look at both (if available) because it offers much more information particularly if you show significant improvement or decrease.

 

[roja]

staying the same or increases is typical. Most students perform better on step 2 than step one.

One thing that is worrisome is a decrease in score (>10 points) in step 2 from step 1.