how to hold step 2 scores?

[mattie113]

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Hi all - I have a question about holding step 2 scores. My school has now made it mandatory for all of us M4s to take step 2 by december 1st of this year. (of course this was right after numerous advising sessions by our admin in career development who said that if we did well on step one to hold off as long as possible on step 2 - usually past interview season....) 😡
So this sudden shift in policy has me searching for a loophole... I have heard that you can choose not to release the scores but I am worried that programs can see this irregardless? I have also heard on the rumour mill that there is an "auto-update" feature on ERAS that plays into this. Any help?

 

[jennyboo]

Hi all - I have a question about holding step 2 scores. My school has now made it mandatory for all of us M4s to take step 2 by december 1st of this year. (of course this was right after numerous advising sessions by our admin in career development who said that if we did well on step one to hold off as long as possible on step 2 - usually past interview season....) 😡
So this sudden shift in policy has me searching for a loophole... I have heard that you can choose not to release the scores but I am worried that programs can see this irregardless? I have also heard on the rumour mill that there is an "auto-update" feature on ERAS that plays into this. Any help?

When you fill out your information on ERAS, there's a box you check if you WANT to automatically release your scores as soon as they come in. If I recall correctly, you simply don't check that box and the program will hear nothing about it.

If you like your Step 1 score, just submit your ERAS applications in September, don't check the box, and don't take the test until the last week of November. You will already have most of your interviews scheduled before you take Step 2 so it has no effect on whether you get offered interviews.

They WILL frequently ask you during interviews when you plan on taking Step 2. Just tell them, "I took it at the end of November...." If you interview in December your score won't be back yet and you can tell them that honestly (hehe). Of course, if it's January and you took it at the end of November and still haven't gone back to ERAS to check the box, they can then ask you what your score was during the interview, and wonder why you didn't release it (maybe because you did crappy).

You can re-login to ERAS and check that box to release your scores any time you want to.

 

[mattie113]

When you fill out your information on ERAS, there's a box you check if you WANT to automatically release your scores as soon as they come in. If I recall correctly, you simply don't check that box and the program will hear nothing about it.

If you like your Step 1 score, just submit your ERAS applications in September, don't check the box, and don't take the test until the last week of November. You will already have most of your interviews scheduled before you take Step 2 so it has no effect on whether you get offered interviews.

They WILL frequently ask you during interviews when you plan on taking Step 2. Just tell them, "I took it at the end of November...." If you interview in December your score won't be back yet and you can tell them that honestly (hehe). Of course, if it's January and you took it at the end of November and still haven't gone back to ERAS to check the box, they can then ask you what your score was during the interview, and wonder why you didn't release it (maybe because you did crappy).

You can re-login to ERAS and check that box to release your scores any time you want to.

sounds good. I think I will take them as late in november as possible and hope for the best... thank you!

 

[PukiUki]

Hi all - I have a question about holding step 2 scores. My school has now made it mandatory for all of us M4s to take step 2 by december 1st of this year. (of course this was right after numerous advising sessions by our admin in career development who said that if we did well on step one to hold off as long as possible on step 2 - usually past interview season....) 😡
So this sudden shift in policy has me searching for a loophole... I have heard that you can choose not to release the scores but I am worried that programs can see this irregardless? I have also heard on the rumour mill that there is an "auto-update" feature on ERAS that plays into this. Any help?

My school too has a set "mandatory" date for step 2, but plenty of people simple ignore it (yours truly as well) year after year. Seriously, what are they going to do to you? Not let you graduate? Not in their best interest... You could try to find out what are the reprocussions if you don't take it by that date.
I would recommend concentrating on residency applications/ interviews.

Good luck!

 

[neutropenic]

My school too has a set "mandatory" date for step 2, but plenty of people simple ignore it (yours truly as well) year after year. Seriously, what are they going to do to you? Not let you graduate? Not in their best interest... You could try to find out what are the reprocussions if you don't take it by that date.
I would recommend concentrating on residency applications/ interviews.

Good luck!

The big stick they hold over us is they won't let us enter the match (for being noncompliant) and they have used it (rarely as we're a compliant bunch I suppose). Be familiar with your institution's rules and practices before you start breaking the rules.