Reporting of USMLE step II scores

[gotrumpet]

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Hi all,

Are USMLE Step II scores mandatory to be reported automatically? Say, if I want to apply to programs, do I need to tell them USMLE II scores?

Thanks

 

[Gfunk6]

No, you do not need to remit them to all residency programs automatically. When you log onto ERAS there are two boxes you can check,

1. Release all current USMLE scores (yes/no)

2. Automatically release USMLE scores when they are available (yes/no)

Though transmitting to all programs is easy and efficient, you can instead opt to hold onto your scores and maually transmit them to individual programs.

 

[gotrumpet]

No, you do not need to remit them to all residency programs automatically. When you log onto ERAS there are two boxes you can check,

1. Release all current USMLE scores (yes/no)

2. Automatically release USMLE scores when they are available (yes/no)

Though transmitting to all programs is easy and efficient, you can instead opt to hold onto your scores and maually transmit them to individual programs.

Thanks.
Will it cost more to do the latter option?

 

[Gfunk6]

No it won't cost more, it's just a little time-consuming to manually click on all the programs.

 

[4424]

No it won't cost more, it's just a little time-consuming to manually click on all the programs.

how about for sf match? is it the same?

 

[Gfunk6]

how about for sf match? is it the same?

I would assume so but sorry I have no idea. I was NRMP match only.

 

[omores]

SF Match is a bit more primitive, since the whole application is on paper (not online). You fill in your scores, and the dates you plan to take futute tests, on the initial application. You send that to SFMatch in a big envelope along with all your rec letters, med school transcript, etc. You also include photocopies of your USMLE score reports. All this stuff is then scanned by the SF Match people and sent to various programs.

If you get back new sets of scores after your initial application has been distributed, as far as I know you have to send copies of the score reports to each the programs yourself (if they care).

 

[gotrumpet]

SF Match is a bit more primitive, since the whole application is on paper (not online). You fill in your scores, and the dates you plan to take futute tests, on the initial application. You send that to SFMatch in a big envelope along with all your rec letters, med school transcript, etc. You also include photocopies of your USMLE score reports. All this stuff is then scanned by the SF Match people and sent to various programs.

If you get back new sets of scores after your initial application has been distributed, as far as I know you have to send copies of the score reports to each the programs yourself (if they care).

so does it cost a new fee each time you send your score to 1 school?

 

[Pox in a box]

No, you do not need to remit them to all residency programs automatically. When you log onto ERAS there are two boxes you can check,

1. Release all current USMLE scores (yes/no)

2. Automatically release USMLE scores when they are available (yes/no)

Though transmitting to all programs is easy and efficient, you can instead opt to hold onto your scores and maually transmit them to individual programs.

What's the difference?

 

[neutropenic]

What's the difference?

Let's say for whatever reason you do MUCH worse on step 2 (sick, tired, didn't study hard enough, PTSD, etc.), let's say for whatever reason you even fail step 2, by not automatically releasing your score you preseve your chance of matching.

If you did well on step 1 you can only potentially hurt yourself by putting the auto release on. And if you did well you can retransmit with only a minor delay.

 

[gotrumpet]

hey wait, my plan is to write USMLE Step 2 then step 1 cuz I will be applying as a PGY-1. I wasn't planning on acing the Step 2. But I wanted to ace Step 1 since it's needed by most schools.

Do I have the option of holding Step 2 BUT releasing step 1?

Thanks

 

[gotrumpet]

hey wait, my plan is to write USMLE Step 2 then step 1 cuz I will be applying as a PGY-1. I wasn't planning on acing the Step 2. But I wanted to ace Step 1 since it's needed by most schools. And I'm thinking of writing step 2 before step 1.

Do I have the option of holding Step 2 BUT releasing step 1?

Thanks

 

[Anath]

hey wait, my plan is to write USMLE Step 2 then step 1 cuz I will be applying as a PGY-1. I wasn't planning on acing the Step 2. But I wanted to ace Step 1 since it's needed by most schools. And I'm thinking of writing step 2 before step 1.

Do I have the option of holding Step 2 BUT releasing step 1?

Thanks

What do you mean your plan is to "write USMLE Step 2 then step 1"?

If you have taken both the USMLE step 1 and step 2 by the time you submit, you have to submit EVERYTHING that is in your NBME/USMLE file. That includes any repeated tests, etc.

And I somewhat wanted to clarify about with-holding scores. Lets say you have already taken your step 1 and have not yet taken step 2 by the time you submit your ERAS. When you submit/apply to each program, you can check which ones will *electronically* receive your scores. Which is the easy way as the programs get everything in one fell bunch, and plus it doesnt meant any more work on your part.

You also, when you submit your application, have to choose whether to automatically re-transmit (electronically) any new scores you receive. As stated, depending on how much you're worried about your step 2 score, you can choose not to have automatic re-submission of any new/subsequent scores after the initial ERAS submission.

Then, lets say you get your step 2 score back after you have submitted/certified your ERAS. If you had chosen to automatically have everything sent in, then irregardless of your score, it will get sent to ALL the programs you had initially sent your ERAS/scores to when you submitted.

However, if you chose to not send in your subsequent scores automatically, you can choose to 1) electronically re-submit, or 2) mail your new score to the programs yourself. If you electronically/manually re-submit, then it gets sent to ALL the programs you had initially sent your original submission to. You cannot pick and choose who you electronically send your new scores to. To resubmit (aka retransmit) your scores, you have to go to ERAS webpage and click the "retransmit" option for your USMLE (must remember to go to the website and resubmit). Now, if you want to pick and choose an individual program to get your new scores, then you have to snail-mail. However, that would also potentially take longer.

Some people choose to not even take step 2 until after the match. At least, that used to be a popular trend. However, it seems that programs are now saying they want step 2 scores before they will rank you. At least that has been my experience.

 

[omores]

so does it cost a new fee each time you send your score to 1 school?

For ERAS: From what I remember, you pay a flat "USMLE Transcript Fee" that covers unlimited re-transmissions.

For SFMatch: Only the cost of photocopying your score report and mailing it yourself.

 

[Anath]

For ERAS: From what I remember, you pay a flat "USMLE Transcript Fee" that covers unlimited re-transmissions.

For SFMatch: Only the cost of photocopying your score report and mailing it yourself.

🙂 Yup! One fee, unlimited # of retransmissions. I chose not to release my scores automatically cuz I wanted to see what I got first, and I retransmitted with no charge. Then I had to retransmit 2 weeks ago when I got my CS score

 

[gotrumpet]

What do you mean your plan is to "write USMLE Step 2 then step 1"?

If you have taken both the USMLE step 1 and step 2 by the time you submit, you have to submit EVERYTHING that is in your NBME/USMLE file. That includes any repeated tests, etc.

And I somewhat wanted to clarify about with-holding scores. Lets say you have already taken your step 1 and have not yet taken step 2 by the time you submit your ERAS. When you submit/apply to each program, you can check which ones will *electronically* receive your scores. Which is the easy way as the programs get everything in one fell bunch, and plus it doesnt meant any more work on your part.

You also, when you submit your application, have to choose whether to automatically re-transmit (electronically) any new scores you receive. As stated, depending on how much you're worried about your step 2 score, you can choose not to have automatic re-submission of any new/subsequent scores after the initial ERAS submission.

Then, lets say you get your step 2 score back after you have submitted/certified your ERAS. If you had chosen to automatically have everything sent in, then irregardless of your score, it will get sent to ALL the programs you had initially sent your ERAS/scores to when you submitted.

However, if you chose to not send in your subsequent scores automatically, you can choose to 1) electronically re-submit, or 2) mail your new score to the programs yourself. If you electronically/manually re-submit, then it gets sent to ALL the programs you had initially sent your original submission to. You cannot pick and choose who you electronically send your new scores to. To resubmit (aka retransmit) your scores, you have to go to ERAS webpage and click the "retransmit" option for your USMLE (must remember to go to the website and resubmit). Now, if you want to pick and choose an individual program to get your new scores, then you have to snail-mail. However, that would also potentially take longer.

Some people choose to not even take step 2 until after the match. At least, that used to be a popular trend. However, it seems that programs are now saying they want step 2 scores before they will rank you. At least that has been my experience.

Hi Anath

Sorry I didn't clarify well. I'm writing my licensing exam to be a licensed MD in Canada to enter PGY-1 in July. I mean that I am wondering if I should write USMLE step 2 THEN step 1 later on, because I am writing a licensing exam which covers the USMLE step 2 material and writing that exam in May so i was thinking of writing step 2 around that time to save myself studying the same stuff again. So I don't foresee my step 2 score being strong since I'm preparing for my licensing exam rather than the step 2 per se, though they cover pretty much the same stuff but different format.

But I am thinking of writing step 1 to enter the US match (I think as a regular applicant in the med student stream even though I'm a PGY-1?) to rematch into the US in a specialty.

Could you advise as to how you would approach writing USMLE and releasing scores if you were me?

Thanks, and sorry I wasn't more clear at first.

 

[Anath]

Hi Anath

Sorry I didn't clarify well. I'm writing my licensing exam to be a licensed MD in Canada to enter PGY-1 in July. I mean that I am wondering if I should write USMLE step 2 THEN step 1 later on, because I am writing a licensing exam which covers the USMLE step 2 material and writing that exam in May so i was thinking of writing step 2 around that time to save myself studying the same stuff again. So I don't foresee my step 2 score being strong since I'm preparing for my licensing exam rather than the step 2 per se, though they cover pretty much the same stuff but different format.

But I am thinking of writing step 1 to enter the US match (I think as a regular applicant in the med student stream even though I'm a PGY-1?) to rematch into the US in a specialty.

Could you advise as to how you would approach writing USMLE and releasing scores if you were me?

Thanks, and sorry I wasn't more clear at first.

OH!!! 😀 Language barrier, so to speak. You guys say "write my exam" and we say we take our exam. Symantics. Sorry. I'm assuming you mean July 07?

If they consider you guys/Canadians as foreign medical grads (although you guys have some awesome schools), then actually, I would have both tests taken by the time you apply. From what I understand, the FMG's need to have both scores for a lot of the programs. But that's something I would seriously go to the forum the international med grads go to and see what they say. I totally have no experience with that.

If you were hypothetically not a foreign medical graduate, then I would definately take my step 1 first as that's pretty much a requirement for them to even look at your application. Step 2 can be hit and miss depending on your score, and your chosen specialty. A few people dont even taken step 2 until after they've done interviews, etc. What I said about the score reporting still applies. you release one, you release them all if they've already been taken by the time you submit and transmit your info.

Sorry I dont know much about international students.

I will say though, that if most of the material is for the most part, the same, then 1) take the NBME assessment exam for step 2 to see a general idea of what score you would receive (they are $45 each, and there are 3 you can choose from). These exams are relatively dead on for predicting how you do on the real thing. 2) As far as format is concerned, the NBME assessments also covers that nicely. But those assessments never tell you the answers, just a final score. So for more practice questions with answers (especially if you do okay but want a little extra boost), then USMLEWorld is awesome. Kaplan's QBank is good too (but I prefer USMLEworld). 3) also if your aim is to just get acquainted with the format, you can do the released questions that come with the USMLE orientation CD (also online).


Links:
NBME self assessments: http://www.nbme.org/programs/sas/sas.asp
USMLE orientation materials: http://www.usmle.org/Orientation/2006/2006menu.htm
USMLE World: http://www.usmleworld.com