USMLE Official 2018 Step 2 CK Experiences and Scores Thread

[Qester]

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As 2018 approaches and people are starting to rev up for their CK studying I figured I would start the 2018 Step 2 CK Experiences and Scores Thread.

As always please follow all of the forum / NBME / USMLE etc.. rules and regulations when posting.


My dedicated starts tomorrow, have about 6 weeks to study over the holidays. Hoping for a 250 +, scored a 26x on step 1.

Good luck to everyone taking the exam in 2018!

 

[Questionarius]

Oh, then you should get your score back this Wed. I think it means you passed unless your permit has expired.

I’m really hoping so. That seems to be the most widely-held view, but there also seems to be a sizeable minority that think that permit disappearing simple means score will be released on the upcoming Wednesday.

 

[FFH]

I’m really hoping so. That seems to be the most widely-held view, but there also seems to be a sizeable minority that think that permit disappearing simple means score will be released on the upcoming Wednesday.

My thinking is, for those who didn't pass they'll need that permit to schedule another exam....

 

[Questionarius]

My thinking is, for those who didn't pass they'll need that permit to schedule another exam....

Except I just found out that people who fail need to reapply for a new permit* (they can’t reuse their original permit), so I’m not really sure what to think now. This wait really is torture.

*Can’t post the link for some reason but search for “Peoria” + “Step 2 retake procedure”

 

[WAMC2019]

Why does it take so long to get scores back!

 

[FFH]

Except I just found out that people who fail need to reapply for a new permit* (they can’t reuse their original permit), so I’m not really sure what to think now. This wait really is torture.

*Can’t post the link for some reason but search for “Peoria” + “Step 2 retake procedure”

That sounds awful. Good luck and hope you passed then!

 

[Nate brown]

I

Yes it has, took it the week of October 22nd.

I took it same time too. My permit is supposed to be good until mid January but it’s gone when I checked right now. So let’s hope for the good news this week.

 

[Nate brown]

I hear if CK is your last exam and you’re able to register for step 3, it means you’ve passed and you’ll get your result this week? How legitimate is this?

 

[Propofol_Plug]

Pass or fail your permit will disappear...just indicates your getting your result this Wed

Registering for step 3 isn’t that reliable. But people say it should be your last step exam and you should try a day before your scores are released. I know people who passed buy couldn’t register...anyway you can wait an extra day if you’ve waited for a couple of weeks already...GL everyone

 

[Nate brown]

CK is my last exam. I was able to register for step 3. So hoping for best outcome. I have no choice but to wait for the next 2 days but rationalization would help as well

 

[Nate brown]

 

[Nate brown]

This is from a post in June

 

[pmartinezmd]

CK is my last exam. I was able to register for step 3. So hoping for best outcome. I have no choice but to wait for the next 2 days but rationalization would help as well

about that... when we say registering.. does that mean that we can put our whole info and you get the amount of money that you need to pay in the right side of the corner???? I think its allowing me to do the registry, but im not so sure... help!

 

[pmartinezmd]

View attachment 241707

i got the first screen today... does that mean i pass... i dont have the scheduling permit cause my eligibility period expired last month

 

[Nate brown]

Yes I believe you passed. If you didn’t you wouldn’t be able to get to the few page. You would have gotten the second page. Because they have the score of all your 3 exam result and passing (step 1, 2 and ck) they will let you register. And pay. Once you’re done they will work with ecfmg to check your certification or graduation (overall status) to issue eligibility period and permit. Source: people who have been through last year

 

[srlbrown17]

i got the first screen today... does that mean i pass... i dont have the scheduling permit cause my eligibility period expired last month

Okay regarding the Step 3 trick, I'm the perfect example of whether it works or not. I unfortunately failed Step 2 CK back in August and I tried the Step 3 trick the night before results were back and I was unable to sign up for it. I retook the exam during the week of October 22nd and I just attempted the Step 3 trick, and I got the first screen this time, so I'm encouraged that I passed now considering it didn't work the first time. Anyone else have the same experience?

 

[Nate brown]

Okay regarding the Step 3 trick, I'm the perfect example of whether it works or not. I unfortunately failed Step 2 CK back in August and I tried the Step 3 trick the night before results were back and I was unable to sign up for it. I retook the exam during the week of October 22nd and I just attempted the Step 3 trick, and I got the first screen this time, so I'm encouraged that I passed now considering it didn't work the first time. Anyone else have the same experience?

There you go. You confirmed it. If you couldn’t Register meant failing being able means passing. Simple! Basic requirements to register is passing all steps. The rest of verification with ecfmg is done later. For instance I haven’t gotten ecfmg certification yet which means I will not get eligibility period and permit until ecfmg verifications are done.

 

[pmartinezmd]

Okay regarding the Step 3 trick, I'm the perfect example of whether it works or not. I unfortunately failed Step 2 CK back in August and I tried the Step 3 trick the night before results were back and I was unable to sign up for it. I retook the exam during the week of October 22nd and I just attempted the Step 3 trick, and I got the first screen this time, so I'm encouraged that I passed now considering it didn't work the first time. Anyone else have the same experience?

May God help us!!! I’m confident that he is the one that has our back and the results are in a positive way for us!!!

 

[pmartinezmd]

Yes I believe you passed. If you didn’t you wouldn’t be able to get to the few page. You would have gotten the second page. Because they have the score of all your 3 exam result and passing (step 1, 2 and ck) they will let you register. And pay. Once you’re done they will work with ecfmg to check your certification or graduation (overall status) to issue eligibility period and permit. Source: people who have been through last year

May God help us!! Let’s see on Wednesday

 

[Haris kazman]

Hello guys..best of luck who are recieving their results tmrw..can those guys share their assessment scores?

 

[DBT342]

- Really a ton of OBGYN questions (i felt more than in nbme and uwsa) - majority ob complications - for example i had to quite similar cases of umbilical cord prolapse...

- GI was also pretty heavy (all sorts of abdominal pain and and bloody bowel movements

- surprisingly little cardio and psych

- quite a lot of biostats - i had 3 pharmacologic study abstracts which are damn time consuming

this was just my impression... maybe that is because i lost most of the time on these topics...

you will face the challenge of vague and ambivalent questions a lot, at this point it is important to force yourself to move on - i made it a rule for myself if i was after 1.5-2mins still not able to decide for an answer i moved on

i managed the timing as follows: 2 blocks, 10mins break, 2 blocks 20mins break, then every block 10mins - idk how it will be for you but i wouldn‘t expect to save too much time from being done early in a block (in step one i had 15mins left after most blocks)

hope that helps...

thx a lot for your postexam feedback!

 

[DBT342]

does anyone know how to adjust screen size (make them smaller) on the prometric monitors..somehow the screens feel too large to me.

 

[pmartinezmd]

Hello guys..best of luck who are recieving their results tmrw..can those guys share their assessment scores?

I only remember the nbme 6- 222 and UWSA 2 was 220 10 days before my test. I took UWSA 1 like 2 months before my test and just 1/2 way uworld so I found it easy but a lot of things I didn’t see in uworld and after I took that assessment I saw them. I think I got a 200 and that

 

[PsychApp777]

I expect my score tomorrow. When I try reapplying for CK it says: “An open Step 2 CK registration already exists. If you tested, you may not reapply for the Step until your score is reported. If you did not test, you may not reapply for the Step until 7 days after your eligibility period has expired.”
Is this sign good, bad or neutral?

 

[pmartinezmd]

I expect my score tomorrow. When I try reapplying for CK it says: “An open Step 2 CK registration already exists. If you tested, you may not reapply for the Step until your score is reported. If you did not test, you may not reapply for the Step until 7 days after your eligibility period has expired.”
Is this sign good, bad or neutral?

When did you take you test? Are you sure it’s coming tomorrow your score? Have you tried the step 3 trick. Try to “schedule “ step 3

 

[Questionarius]

Anyone get an email regarding score release yet?

 

[AzizM]

Anyone get an email regarding score release yet?

nothing yet

Sent from my SM-G965F using SDN mobile

 

[AzizM]

Just got my score

Step 1 246

UWSA 1 255
NBME 6 245
NBME 7 241
NBME 8 241
UWSA 2 265

Real deal 246

Definitely a bit bummed out especially with my UWSAs

Sent from my SM-G965F using SDN mobile

 

[Questionarius]

When did you take it?

 

[AzizM]

When did you take it?

Oct 24

Sent from my SM-G965F using SDN mobile

 

[Questionarius]

Are you img?

 

[pmartinezmd]

just got my scores!!!
UWSA2-220
real deal 222
Im really proud of this grade, im a full time working mom of a toddler and i couldn be any prouder!

 

[AzizM]

Are you img?

yes

Sent from my SM-G965F using SDN mobile

 

[Nate brown]

Interestingly enough, NBME 7 was the most predictive one for me, followed by UWSA2. UWSA1 overshot by 15 points. Rule of thumb is you'll score average of all your assessment.
And step 3 trick always works!!!

 

[Nate brown]

just got my scores!!!
UWSA2-220
real deal 222
Im really proud of this grade, im a full time working mom of a toddler and i couldn be any prouder!

Respect! from someone who knows what it means to work full-time and take these exams. More respect the fact that I don't have a child and I found studying very hard with full-time work!

 

[graduatedoc230]

UWSA 1 243
UWSA 2 238
Step 2 224

Disappointed, however, glad it's over.. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[mhmd1ahmd]

I just received my score and I am extremely frustrated and broken . I don’t know what to do
My score is 234 and my last self assessment was UWSA2 252
I wasn’t satisfied after exam and I expected my score to be lower than self assessments but not that low, it is 20 points lower for God sake!

 

[rev0]

Failed step 2 ck 2 months ago in the 200s.

retook it and just got my score.

Nbme 6 at the start of re dedicated lol = 212
UWSA 1 = 255 two weeks before
UWSA 2 = 248 one week before
Nbme 7 = 224 one week before

Step 2 ck = 245, my step 1 score was in the 230's. Feel free to ask me any questions if you are going through something similar and need guidance.

 

[FFH]

Very likely just reporting bias but so far people have either less than or equal to expected score this week. What if the curve was different or even incorrectly applied this week...wonder if anyone have experience with asking the NBME to double check their score.

 

[DocSpy332]

Very likely just reporting bias but so far people have either less than or equal to expected score this week. What if the curve was different or even incorrectly applied this week...wonder if anyone have experience with asking the NBME to double check their score.

This is unfortunately a tendency that I also noted, not only this week but also during the last 2-3 weeks. I really dont know how to explain that, hope that's a bias as you say.

 

[DrDuck2]

Some background..

US IMG

Studied “dedicated” for about 1 month while in rotations.

NBME 6: 258 (1 month before)
UWSA 1: 266 (2 weeks before )
UWSA 2: 267 (1 week before )

Real deal: 262 (exam date Friday Oct 26th)

Felt this exam was brutal and feeling very thankful I scored what I did.

Biggest advice to any 3rd years reading this would be to study hard for shelfs,..don’t blow this off and it will make your life easier when reviewing for CK. My avgs were 88-92 on them and I thought that was biggest reason I scored well. Used UWorld throughout 3rd year and reset at end, did about another 1000 questions over 6 weeks before exam...and I used some Online Med Ed but I didn’t think this was helpful as review bc it’s intended for primary learning.

If you are squeezed for time, pick lowest 4 or 5 disciplines on UWorld (using percentile rank as the marker for lowest) and review those hard. In This case a focused use of OME may be useful. I was average at peds, neuro, and psych and I tried to focus on those before CK

 

[Safa10]

I just received my score and I am extremely frustrated and broken . I don’t know what to do
My score is 234 and my last self assessment was UWSA2 252
I wasn’t satisfied after exam and I expected my score to be lower than self assessments but not that low, it is 20 points lower for God sake!

Congratulations u passed. What do u think went wrong while taking exam which led to ur score drop

 

[Safa10]

When did you take you test? Are you sure it’s coming tomorrow your score? Have you tried the step 3 trick. Try to “schedule “ step 3

What step 3 trick means

 

[Zatorith]

Failed step 2 ck 2 months ago in the 200s.

retook it and just got my score.

Nbme 6 at the start of re dedicated lol = 212
UWSA 1 = 255 two weeks before
UWSA 2 = 248 one week before
Nbme 7 = 224 one week before

Step 2 ck = 245, my step 1 score was in the 230's. Feel free to ask me any questions if you are going through something similar and need guidance.

what did you do different? I got 213 on step 1 so I really need to make up for it on ck, thanks

 

[rev0]

what did you do different? I got 213 on step 1 so I really need to make up for it on ck, thanks

I bought Uworld again and started doing blocks again but this time around I focused on the explanations than getting the question right. I made anki flashcards for what I didn't know. I realized I wasn't spending the time to understand and put the material into memory. I spent about 2 to 3 hours per block usually. Then what i think really helped is actually buying and taking the NBMEs. I think that was crucial to understand how they ask questions and what content seemed to pop up more often. That really helped during test day. Most importantly, you have to believe in yourself you are able to do this. Confidence is key. and If I can do it, anyone can.

TLDR: only used uworld and the nbmes. Tried to learn as much as possible which made it easier to rule out answer choices on test day.

 

[Freedom39]

Failed step 2 CK with 203 (6 months ago). Retook it and just got my score yesterday.

UWSA 2 = 213 (2 weeks before exam)
Free 120 = 99/120 (%82.5) (3 days before exam)

Step 2 CK = 222.

 

[Reperfused]

I bought Uworld again and started doing blocks again but this time around I focused on the explanations than getting the question right. I made anki flashcards for what I didn't know. I realized I wasn't spending the time to understand and put the material into memory. I spent about 2 to 3 hours per block usually. Then what i think really helped is actually buying and taking the NBMEs. I think that was crucial to understand how they ask questions and what content seemed to pop up more often. That really helped during test day. Most importantly, you have to believe in yourself you are able to do this. Confidence is key. and If I can do it, anyone can.

TLDR: only used uworld and the nbmes. Tried to learn as much as possible which made it easier to rule out answer choices on test day.

Thanks for sharing your experience.
So, you did not do any NBMEs or UWSAs the first time you took CK?

 

[rev0]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
So, you did not do any NBMEs or UWSAs the first time you took CK?

I did not do any NBMEs the first time around and regret it deeply. The first time doing Uworld I did not read explanations in detail and did not read the whole explanation. When you do a Uworld question, the explanations are more important than getting the question right, it just took me longer to realize that. After reading explanation after explanation I realized I was learning so much more and understanding the material to the point where I was confident that the answer I chose on step 2 questions were correct and why the others were wrong. I could not do that the first time around. Hope that helps?

 

[Reperfused]

I did not do any NBMEs the first time around and regret it deeply. The first time doing Uworld I did not read explanations in detail and did not read the whole explanation. When you do a Uworld question, the explanations are more important than getting the question right, it just took me longer to realize that. After reading explanation after explanation I realized I was learning so much more and understanding the material to the point where I was confident that the answer I chose on step 2 questions were correct and why the others were wrong. I could not do that the first time around. Hope that helps?

Yes, it does. Thanks! Good luck for your future endeavors!!

 

[sarahsurg]

Followed these a lot last year so figured I would pay it forward. Study hard and do as many questions as you can. I completed a second pass of UWorld in about 4 weeks (had about 300 questions left). For reference, step 1 was 226 and I'm going into surgery so needed to do well. First pass was around 65-70%, second pass around 80-85%. Doing back to back NBME was crucial to building stamina but it takes a lot out of you.

3 weeks out: NBME 6 - 218
1 week out: NBME 7 & 8 243, 247
4 days out: UWSA 1 244
2 days out: USWA 2 249
real deal: 253

Good luck!

 

[FFH]

Followed these a lot last year so figured I would pay it forward. Study hard and do as many questions as you can. I completed a second pass of UWorld in about 4 weeks (had about 300 questions left). For reference, step 1 was 226 and I'm going into surgery so needed to do well. First pass was around 65-70%, second pass around 80-85%. Doing back to back NBME was crucial to building stamina but it takes a lot out of you.

3 weeks out: NBME 6 - 218
1 week out: NBME 7 & 8 243, 247
4 days out: UWSA 1 244
2 days out: USWA 2 249
real deal: 253

Good luck!

Thanks for sharing your experience, glad to see that someone is getting above their UWSA. I'm totally with you on the benefit of multiple passes of UWORLD. I'd say that I boosted my step 1 score 20 points by going over 70% of the UWORLD content in an extremely intense 5 days before the actual exam.