postponing CK

[persia]

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I am working REALLY hard on studying for step II but my scores keep going down. I mean, like I just got a 43%. I am averaging about 52-53% overall and I am about 50% done. I started off with good high scores but they just keep sliding down. I don't even have a passing score now according to the score calculator.

I start rotations soon (two weeks) and think I should postpone since I am not even at a passing score. Any thoughts? I don't know why people say they only study for like, two weeks for this thing. It is freaking hard! and my confidence is going out the window.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Is there a reason you wanted to take it now? How is your Step I?

Many people don't take it until late in 4th year, if their schools let them.

 

[persia]

My step I is just ok, I wanted to improve on it and I took some time off to do that. Bleh. That idea doesn't seem to be working out as well as I had hoped. If I can't bring up my scores then I will have to wait I guess. I also kind of wanted to get it out of the way, but mostly I was hoping to improve on my step I. 🙁

 

[icare4u]

Oh, I know what you mean about the 2-week thing -- that is absolutely riduculous! There is so much to learn here. That is what everyone (it seems, anyway) at my school was saying, the 2 weeks to study for it...I'm just wondering if you can really pay attention to anyone anymore. Lots of gunners.

By the way, can you even re-schedule the ck? On the site, it shows you where to go to re-schedule the sk, but not on there about the ck. I'm sure I'm overlooking it. If you can't tell, I'm having the same kinds of problems...ughhhh!!!!!

 

[cbdoctor]

yes, you can reschedule your CK exam on the test agency website (for me: Prometric). CS rescheduling is via the USMLE webpage.

I rescheduled mine.

 

[mimi1]

I feel like I'm in the same boat. I took these last 2 weeks of July off from school to study for my exam which is scheduled for July 27th. I have had no motivation to study at all and was really discouraged by my UW performance. I really felt I should have taken the month off to study. So I met with our academic dean and he said that it would be fine if I wait until September. I have a fairly easy rotation in September and feel like I could just gradually study each night until then. For me, the key is repetition and two weeks leaves little time to get through all the UW questions and to read Crush or B&W multiple times. So now I'm trying to decide...do I get it over with, or take the time to hopefully learn the material better?

 

[icare4u]

Thanks so much cbdoctor, for the info. Do you know how far in advance you have to let them know to reschedule? I'm afraid I'm going to have to. Do you think it worked out better for you? My problem is that my step 1 was pretty dismal, so I really needed to take it early to make sure my grade gets in there in time for programs to consider.
Does anyone know the latest date I could take it and expect it to still do me some good? (That's assuming I can do well) ughhhhhhhhhhh..........

 

[cbdoctor]

Prometric asks that the test-taker confirm the test date one week prior to the test. So, I took that to mean that if I were to re-schedule, I should do that at least one week in advance. I only postponed my test by a few days, but at this point, I'm REALLY glad I did. It made me feel at more ease.

I have no doubt that I want this test score on my residency applications, so I'm taking it now to get it out of the way. Additionally, I feel as if I will forget a lot of stuff from MS3 Year shelf exams (similar to Step 2 stuff) if I take the test later.

I'm not clear on the "latest date I can take Step 2" question. some want it on the application no matter what (me). Some want the choice to put it on their app AFTER they get their score. Some want the option of letting schools know before their interview. Some just want a score to report by interview date.

 

[QuinnB]

hey - the prometric site says you have to re-schedule a full 5 days in advance without having to pay a fee (i think it was 120 bucks). I've rescheduled twice -the whole lack of motivation thing is getting to me.

 

[icare4u]

I am in the same boat. I want to do surgery, and to be a successful candidate, I'm going to have to do a lot better than the 192 on my step 1, and I'm going to have to apply super earlyearlyearly. So I've got to have that Step 2.
BUT (and that's a big "but") I'm also going to have to do REALLY well my surgery sub-i, which is scheduled to start the Monday following my test on Saturday, so I can try and get a really good LOR.
Right now, it just seems all uphill.

 

[cbdoctor]

I would ask your school's admin/counselor to answer your question about the latest date you can take the test.

 

[icare4u]

by the way, y'all are surely helpful. Just knowing that there is someone out there that cares...that's really helpful.

 

[icare4u]

gosh, right now, the cost of rescheduling that test is about the last thing on my mind.

 

[persia]

Bleh. I am glad to know that I am not the only one freaking-bloody-out here. 🙁

I am trying to study my brains out and working every hour that I am awake practically. Trying not to kick myself for having taken a few hours a couple of weeks ago to spend some time with friends or whatever. How insane is that???!

I am going to give myself another day or so and see if my scores miraculously jump up into the acceptable range. Otherwise, I will have to reschedule as this is too much. Can you study and take the exam at that same time as you're taking a chill rotation like anesthesia or path?

I had a couple of other exams and stuff tog et out of the way during this time off so that worked out ok but this CK is really hard and boatload of information. I think 6 weeks HARD work would be ideal.