Step 1 vs. Step 2

[amm1986]

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Is it true that Step 1 is looked at more highly than step 2???

 

[Mortal_Lessons]

I think the common teaching is that Step 1 is valued more than Step 2 since not all applicants have taken Step 2 at the time of interviewing/ranking; therefore, it would be harder to compare individuals when Step 2 scores are not available for all of them.

I think the safer play is if you have a reasonably high Step 1, hold off on Step 2 until you submit ERAS in Sept/Oct, then take Step 2 any time afterwards (depending on school deadlines). Then if you score well on Step 2, release that as well. It shows consistency of high board scores and is only a plus. However, if you score poorly on Step 2, do not release the score. I played this move and recently received my Step 2 score which matches my high Step 1. Therefore, I will release soon in time for rank list deliberations. During interviews (for surgical subspecialty), Step 2 was never brought up whereas comments were made about Step 1. I think some of the primary care specialties (family medicine, internal medicine) tend to value Step 2 a little more than surgical fields.

 

[Phenytoin]

From my experience of taking Step 2 late (after most interviews), it is not of any importance if you did well on step 1. For better or worse, I see step 2 as a means for a student to get a second chance after a poor performance on step 1 but it is relatively useless beyond that. I think it would make more sense to look at step 2 since it is far more relevant to the practice of medicine but that is not how it is used by most.

 

[Valadi]

I agree with the above with a big caveat that some programs (in prs anyway) now are starting to require step 2 for their applications. Be aware of where you'd like to apply before planning your strategy around this.

 

[SlaveOfTCMC]

There was an official survey of residency directors (done by the NBME i believe) that outlined what residency directors valued.

I believe if you search for one of my threads made a few weeks ago, you will find another kind poster provided the link.


Essentially the only field that seemed to have Step 2 > Step 1 was Internal Medicine (on the scale of relative importance.. by a mere 0.1 on a scale of 5)

 

[golfman]

For what it's worth, I just matched at a top 10 Ophthalmology program (and had interviews at most of the top 10 programs), and I haven't even taken Step 2 yet. And not 1 person on the interview trail asked me about Step 2, or when I was going to take it.

I can't speak for other fields, but if you rock Step 1 (>250) for Ophthalmology, Step 2 doesn't matter. At least, it didn't for me. Then again, Ophtho is an early match, so that may play a part in that.

 

[Maxprime]

+1, I did well on step 1 and no one has asked me about step 2.

 

[CWUDoc]

Did well on Step 1( 250+) and going into radiology. Had a huge jump in my Step 2 score and it has been mentioned at practically all of my interviews.

While I still believe Step 1 > Step 2, Step 2 can be a huge boost to your application even with a good Step 1 score.

 

[MedSchoolPhenom]

Did well on Step 1( 250+) and going into radiology. Had a huge jump in my Step 2 score and it has been mentioned at practically all of my interviews.

While I still believe Step 1 > Step 2, Step 2 can be a huge boost to your application even with a good Step 1 score.

this. I wanna do ER and have a 250ish score, and everyone tells me that im set for a top program.

 

[golfman]

Did well on Step 1( 250+) and going into radiology. Had a huge jump in my Step 2 score and it has been mentioned at practically all of my interviews.

While I still believe Step 1 > Step 2, Step 2 can be a huge boost to your application even with a good Step 1 score.

Well done. I didn't have the guts to take Step 2 when there was such a high risk, little reward for me. Getting a 235 would have really hurt me, while getting a 260 may have helped just a bit. I wasn't confident enough to risk it. Worked out perfectly for me, sounds like it did for you as well.

 

[CWUDoc]

this. I wanna do ER and have a 250ish score, and everyone tells me that im set for a top program.

You probably are, but competition is always fierce at the top and it always helps to have something that sets you apart. In my mind Step 2 is a low risk high reward way to do this. Take it after the second week in August and if you do poorly don't release your score, but if you do improve it can only help your chances.

 

[CWUDoc]

Well done. I didn't have the guts to take Step 2 when there was such a high risk, little reward for me. Getting a 235 would have really hurt me, while getting a 260 may have helped just a bit. I wasn't confident enough to risk it. Worked out perfectly for me, sounds like it did for you as well.

Ya, optho is definitely an exception with such an early match.

 

[golfman]

You probably are, but competition is always fierce at the top and it always helps to have something that sets you apart. In my mind Step 2 is a low risk high reward way to do this. Take it after the first week in August and if you do poorly don't release your score, but if you do improve it can only help your chances.

If you are going to do step 2, this is the way to do it. Don't release your scores unless you do well.

 

[MedSchoolPhenom]

You probably are, but competition is always fierce at the top and it always helps to have something that sets you apart. In my mind Step 2 is a low risk high reward way to do this. Take it after the second week in August and if you do poorly don't release your score, but if you do improve it can only help your chances.

im a DO student and im taking it in late June.

 

[b-real]

this. I wanna do ER and have a 250ish score, and everyone tells me that im set for a top program.

Not calling it ER would help too.

 

[MedSchoolPhenom]

Not calling it ER would help too.

oh hardy har har.

you are so funny

 

[Torlah]

Hi,is it advisible to take step 2 before Step 1. Im in 5th year in medical school and i think i can get prepared for step 2 better now since im doing clinicals.

 

[MedSchoolPhenom]

Hi,is it advisible to take step 2 before Step 1. Im in 5th year in medical school and i think i can get prepared for step 2 better now since im doing clinicals.

in a word, No.

 

[Transposony]

Hi,is it advisible to take step 2 before Step 1. Im in 5th year in medical school and i think i can get prepared for step 2 better now since im doing clinicals.

I think that's a good idea since you are already doing clinicals & your preparations for Step 2 will help you prepare better for Step 1 since more and more questions on Step 1 are clinically oriented. BUT you must remember that Step 1 is an entirely different ball game tham Step 2.

 

[Valadi]

Hi,is it advisible to take step 2 before Step 1. Im in 5th year in medical school and i think i can get prepared for step 2 better now since im doing clinicals.

I have heard of attendings coming from canada or overseas that do this.