Question to MSIII's- When are you all taking Step 2?

[DominicanaMD]

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I was curious to know when you're all taking Step 2. I'm scheduled to take it at the end of the summer (beginning of MS IV) because I want to be done with all of my core rotations before taking the exam. I know a few people MS III's who are taking them now. What is the advantage to taking it earlier? I was advised by my school to take it at the end of the summer. I'd appreciate your input on this! Thanks!

 

[Keg]

CS June 19 (at the end of "summer vacation" - the three weeks we get; just want to get it out of the way and have it proximal to clinical experience) and CK December 22 (late enough to not release it if I don't want to)

 

[FutureInternist]

. What is the advantage to taking it earlier? I was advised by my school to take it at the end of the summer. I'd appreciate your input on this! Thanks!

Taking it early just rids you of all anxiety related to the exam so you can focus on the anxiety that the interviews will be causing you. 😀
However, if you take it before you submit ERAS, then you cannot "hide" your step 2 score from programs.
On the other hand, if you wait to take the exam after you submit ERAS (and release Step 1 only) you can wait to re-release your scores at a later time i.e. when rank lists are already submitted.

Ofcourse all this is based on the theory that you may not do well on Step 2. If you are confident about it then I think early is the way to go.

Good Luck.

 

[DominicanaMD]

Taking it early just rids you of all anxiety related to the exam so you can focus on the anxiety that the interviews will be causing you. 😀
However, if you take it before you submit ERAS, then you cannot "hide" your step 2 score from programs.
On the other hand, if you wait to take the exam after you submit ERAS (and release Step 1 only) you can wait to re-release your scores at a later time i.e. when rank lists are already submitted.

Ofcourse all this is based on the theory that you may not do well on Step 2. If you are confident about it then I think early is the way to go.

Good Luck.

Thank you! I'm not very worried about how I'll do but I do want to get it out the way before interviews. Thanks alot!

 

[DominicanaMD]

CS June 19 (at the end of "summer vacation" - the three weeks we get; just want to get it out of the way and have it proximal to clinical experience) and CK December 22 (late enough to not release it if I don't want to)

Thanks, sounds like a good plan. I may go ahead and schedule CS for the end of the summer as well prior to interviews right after I'm done with all of my core clerkships.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

CS in February, while I'm on my last Sub-I. CK at the end of August - I need to try to boost my Step 1 a bit.

 

[G-Man82]

My school offers a review course in internal medicine in our october block of electives. So I am taking CK right after that; basically a free month to study that also counts as an elective. Taking CS in Sept; my school's deadline to take it is mid November b/c in the off chance that someone fails they can re-take it in time to graduate.