Need some advice, failed step 2ck

[SarahAmz]

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Hi,

I am a USIMG, passed step 1 (233) and step 2Cs all first attempt. I found out last week I failed step 2ck (203) 😢 I dont really know what happened but it took me a week to accept this. I do know it will take me a few months to get a good score instead of just passing so I'm not sure when to reschedule.

Unfortunately I already applied for the match. My graduation is next June.

My question is should I withdraw from the match and reapply next year? and If I do so will I be considered a new applicant?
Or should I take my chances, try to schedule it for December and see if I get any interviews with my step 1. I see this happening for applicants but they are usually USMD.

Please any advice will help. Its been a hell week just trying to figure out what to do. Thanks

 

[eduh]

Don't retake it until your practice tests (if you haven't taken them all) aren't predicting that you are +10 of whatever score you're trying to get. Me in your situation with your step 1 of 233 and a ck fail, I'd personally try to score higher than my step 1 score, so a minimum of 243 just to show I know what I'm doing and it was just a "bad test day".

As for match I can't advise on that with any authority (in the match now myself). Again, me in your situation it would probably depend on the specialty and everything else in my application package, if the 2ck fail was my only red flag then I'd personally push forward.

good luck

 

[USMLE_Pro]

The short answer is that, if you get interviews, you should try to take Step 2 in time for programs to see that you successfully passed (ideally with a good score). However, there is no room for error here, so you should not rush to take the exam if you are not set up for success (i.e., doing much better than passing on practice tests, having things like test-taking anxiety in check). I've seen many students be able to have a significant jump in a step 2 reattempt score in a short period of time, but each student's circumstances are very different.

How did you prepare for CK for your first attempt?

 

[SarahAmz]

The short answer is that, if you get interviews, you should try to take Step 2 in time for programs to see that you successfully passed (ideally with a good score). However, there is no room for error here, so you should not rush to take the exam if you are not set up for success (i.e., doing much better than passing on practice tests, having things like test-taking anxiety in check). I've seen many students be able to have a significant jump in a step 2 reattempt score in a short period of time, but each student's circumstances are very different.

How did you prepare for CK for your first attempt?

Thank you for your response. Yes I have one interview offer so far so I scheduled it for end of January. Hoping to get more =/

The first time around I was very rushed because my school didn't give me much time. So I only stuck to doing UWorld. But I dont think I did it right and rushed doing questions. I am also not that great of a test taker. It took a lot of discipline to get the score I did for step 1.

So now I am now reading First Aid and will go SUTM after and maybe read them again if I get a chance. And I'm doing UWorld timed random, 80 questions per day and writing my wrong answers in a journal. Please let me know if this is a good plan.

Thank you