Need a "straight" answer about Step 2 CK

[Brewmeister]

Seems like every person I talk to has a different opinion on this. I have a 250+ on Step 1 and am wondering at what point in the cycle I should take CK. Short of calling every program I am interested in and asking them directly (which I'll probably do anyway lol) I don't know what else to do since the info is almost never on the program websites. Specifically, which programs use CK as part of the screen for interviews, which use it for generating the ROL and which don't care. Thanks a lot!

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[cofcemt]

It really depends on you. If you did well 3rd yr and want to get CK out of the way, I would just take it early, so you don't even have to think about it. CK really isn't that bad. And the earlier you take it, the less you have to review from 3rd yr.

But, from a strategic standpoint, I was told...score high on step 1 and then take CK so your score isn't even available until after ROL are submitted.

From a personal experience, having been done with Step 2CK & CS by Sept was very nice.

 

[pinipig523]

Take it later, with that step 1... No one cares that you haven't taken the step 2ck yet.

 

[Pure Anergy]

I always thought that argument (to postpone taking Step 2 if you did well on Step 1) was stupid. If you're capable of getting a 250 on Step 1, you'll be able to do well on Step 2 also with a lot less preparation. So I say you should take it as early as possible before you get busy with apps, along with developing senioritis and forgetting everything you learned third year. Plus, some programs require Step 2 scores before ranking, so they're going to see your score anyway. Seriously, just get it over with so your brain can go on vacation for your last semester of med school.

 

[Dane07MD]

If you can get 250 on step 1, you can easily get it on step 2. You'll be annoyed in February when all your friends are out enjoying 4th year and you're sitting there reading about a 17 year old who burns ants with a magnifying glass and steals ink cartridges from Staples trying to decide if he has oppositional defiant disorder or if he is old enough to classify as antisocial personality disorder. You'd rather be drinking beers, with a 250 on CK and no worries about where your spot on the ROL falls because you DIDN'T take it.

 

[JacobMcCandles]

Take it and get it out of the way. Your motivation level will not be conducive to studying at this time in the year.

 

[Aesculapius]

It doesn't matter. You will do as well or better; it's an easier test. I would just take it and get it out of the way early.

 

[Indryd]

The way you put "straight" in quotes, I thought you were using it in the same way one might say Tom Cruise is "straight".

I couldn't for the life of me figure out what you meant by that.

 

[SDEM2012]

Do it after September 1 and before January, ideally after your EM sub-is because then you won't have to study as much since the test is basically all EM. If you take it after Sept 1, you can see your score before you submit it to programs, otw it just goes directly. If you take it before January, your score will definitely be back in time for ranking for those few programs who require it to rank. I did about the same as you on step 1, and no one ever asked about step 2.

 

[ToxicChic]

"http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/"

 

[pinipig523]

I always thought that argument (to postpone taking Step 2 if you did well on Step 1) was stupid. If you're capable of getting a 250 on Step 1, you'll be able to do well on Step 2 also with a lot less preparation. So I say you should take it as early as possible before you get busy with apps, along with developing senioritis and forgetting everything you learned third year. Plus, some programs require Step 2 scores before ranking, so they're going to see your score anyway. Seriously, just get it over with so your brain can go on vacation for your last semester of med school.

It's not stupid. If you have an off day and you don't do well, it could reflect on your ERAS as a downtrend and it's not good. Why mess with success? If you have a 250, you are golden already. Take it after Sept 1st. Guarantee yourself the spot at nearly whichever residency program you want (provided you interview decent).

You'll still get scores early enough for rank in case they want your Step 2CK scores.

 

[SepulvedaMD]

This is a weird thread

#1 Getting a 250 on step 1 puts you in rare air for EM. The score alone should garner much attention for interviews.Which leads me to...

#2 You will eventually have to take the exam and do comparatively well. This may not effect you for interviews, but could play a role when it comes time for programs to rank you. Unless someone with knowledge of how programs actually do their rank lists can offer insight.

#3 Again, since the step 1 score is so high. This thread cannot get straight talk, because many do not get such scores.The 'straight' talk is much more relevant for the EM applicant that gets a good, not great step 1 score (230-240) and has aspirations of more competitive markets.

Congrats on an outstanding step 1 score, step 2 is much easier and unless you farted your way through 3rd year you will likely improve your score.

 

[gman33]

Your step 1 score is good enough to help you get an interview anywhere.
That being said, it isn't the only factor.
A solid Step 2 score will make your app look even better.

No one can really answer your question in general, only about specific programs.
I didn't have a Step2 score in yet for a bunch of interviews.
A few places asked me to make sure I submitted a score, because they use it very highly in their rank list.

If you have some time to study for it at the end of third year, I'd just take it earlier and get it out of the way. I think my Step 2 score would have been better if I took it earlier.
A lot of the rotation specifc third year info had slipped out of my mind by the time I took it.

Just don't take it early if you are not ready and risk getting a low score.
Any by low, I mean below average, not below 250.

 

[rjt]

This is a weird thread

#3 Again, since the step 1 score is so high. This thread cannot get straight talk, because many do not get such scores.The 'straight' talk is much more relevant for the EM applicant that gets a good, not great step 1 score (230-240) and has aspirations of more competitive markets.

What do you think said "more competitive markets" expect to see in terms of step scores, grades, etc? This seems to be a lesser-discussed topic as competitiveness for EM tends to often be summarized as requiring a solid overall application, in general. What does that mean for a "competitive market" program? Thanks!

 

[EMmotherhen]

Take it now. Your step 1 score is definintely going to get you looked at more closely than some other applicants but if you show up on interview day without step 2 the first question you will be asked is "why"? With a score like that we will have expected you to turn right around and kick booty on step 2 so why are you waiting? Yes we will invite you to interview without the step 2 but we will NOT rank you without it. Just get it over with!

 

[Brewmeister]

Thanks for all your replies!

The answer to "why?" is that at my school our third year ends at the end of May so therefore I am taking an EM sub-I at home now followed by an away Sub-I next month. I figured it'd be better to get my EM work done early in time to have my SLORs for application time and have to worry about studying during that time. I am taking CK in September. Something had to give I guess...

 

[justaregularmed]

September is not too late. I doubt a program will rank you without a CK, many wont rank without CS anymore.

But in all honesty anyone who is by all other measures average and has a step 1 above 210 has a 90% chance of matching. <--Can we sticky this?

If you didn't take it by the time you did interview I would expect questions about why you have not.

I love that everyone takes pride in their specialty but EM is just not that competitive although it is getting more so this is not ortho or ent.

If you are average by medical student standards you will match in EM, just graduate you'll be ok.

 

[EMandM]

I put it off because it was more convenient and I had a reasonably impressive step 1 score. Not one person ever asked me why I didn't have a step 2 score when I interviewed. I had a score in before rank lists went final, and I'd be shocked if not having the score by my interview dates made any difference at all in terms of how programs ultimately ranked me.

 

[Aesculapius]

Just go ahead and take it. You will do as well or better, trust me. Someone told me that the rule is 10 points higher on Step 2 than Step 1, and that was exactly correct.

 

[Groove]

What everybody has predominately said... Just take it and get it over with at the end of 3rd year before you do your 4th year rotations/electives. That way, the card is dealt and you know what kind of hand you're playing with at the table. Otherwise, if you really wanted to "try" to keep from making your CK score part of the decision making process for residency programs, you'd have to essentially wait until close to February. What if the worst case scenario happens and you flunk it? Then you're really hosed...

I never understood the whole "give them 1 number so they have one less to compare it too" philosophy.. Seems risky. At the most, it might get you more interviews, but in the end, your chances of matching there are probably going to be based on your combined score. If you're 2nd was really low and you interviewed at a severely competitive residency that won't take you based on your 2nd low score, then you essentially just wasted your time interviewing there. My 2 cents.

 

[rjt]

What do you think said "more competitive markets" expect to see in terms of step scores, grades, etc? This seems to be a lesser-discussed topic as competitiveness for EM tends to often be summarized as requiring a solid overall application, in general. What does that mean for a "competitive market" program? Thanks!

does anyone have any thoughts on these particular aspects?

 

[RustedFox]

Just take it. Even if you drop a bit, your app is strong. I dropped from my 248 on STEP-1 a bit and still matched high on my list.

 

[ILEMres]

ALL EM programs value step II more than step I, you will need to have your scores back before rank day or you probably won't be ranked regardless of your step I score. Which is great btw - congrats.

 

[fahimaz7]

I'm in the same boat as the OP. 250+ step 1 and planning to take Step 2 in August. Just go ahead and do it. The more we wait the more we forget.

 

[TastyCurrantJelly]

ALL EM programs value step II more than step I, you will need to have your scores back before rank day or you probably won't be ranked regardless of your step I score. Which is great btw - congrats.

What is the latest you can take it and still get scores back before rank day? Is december of 4th year too late?

 

[TooMuchResearch]

What is the latest you can take it and still get scores back before rank day? Is december of 4th year too late?

It wasn't too late last year.