Step 2 before or after.

[wolverinepwns]

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For those that are in the application process, I was wondering what your advice is on the timeline of taking Step 2 Ck. If your step 1 score was above the 250 mark, would you take your step 2 before September and submit it with the application or would you wait and take it after so you have the choice of submitting it yourself before interviews are given out. I do understand that some residencies tend to want step 2 before giving out interviews but is that a common requirement or would a high step 1 score be sufficient? thnx.👍

 

[WaylonS]

For those that are in the application process, I was wondering what your advice is on the timeline of taking Step 2 CS. If your step 1 score was above the 250 mark, would you take your step 2 before September and submit it with the application or would you wait and take it after so you have the choice of submitting it yourself before interviews are given out. I do understand that some residencies tend to want step 2 before giving out interviews but is that a common requirement or would a high step 1 score be sufficient? thnx.👍

It depends on your specialty; I'm also assuming you mean step 2 CK. If you're applying for IM or EM, they're going to want to see it. If you're applying for derm or radonc, they won't care.

In terms of CS, just take it when you can and get it over with.

The director's survey will give you a good idea whether a specialty tends to value step 2 CK or not. Additionally, ask mentors in your field/the program director at your school whether they value step 2. http://www.nrmp.org/data/programresultsbyspecialty2012.pdf

 

[wolverinepwns]

yes, that was a typo, and surgery will be the specialty. Its interesting that the more competitive ones don't seem to care.

 

[mvenus929]

Personally, I'd suggest taking it as soon as you can. The information from third year will be fresher in your head (even if you have to study the stuff you did a year or more ago), and most people do better on step 2 than one step 1 (the national average increasing by 10 points suggests this).

 

[JJMrK]

Take CK as soon as you reasonably can after finishing MS3 year. This test really is becoming more important. More and more programs in a variety of specialties are requiring a score before ranking, including some surgical sub-specialties that have historically not bothered with it.

I also agree that you'll remember more and be less frustrated if you take it early on. Who wants to study OB/gyn if they are going into anesthesia, or medicine if going into derm, etc, etc?

 

[swamprat]

Yeah man I scored greater than 250 and was very iffy whether to take it early or not but I knew the easiest time was to get it done before sub i and application process, plus info would be fresh in my head. Studied 10 days and beat my step 1 score. You will do better, good luck!

 

[wolverinepwns]

Yeah man I scored greater than 250 and was very iffy whether to take it early or not but I knew the easiest time was to get it done before sub i and application process, plus info would be fresh in my head. Studied 10 days and beat my step 1 score. You will do better, good luck!

sounds good! July or august test day it is then. thnx for the advice.

 

[thefritz]

For those that are in the application process, I was wondering what your advice is on the timeline of taking Step 2 Ck. If your step 1 score was above the 250 mark, would you take your step 2 before September and submit it with the application or would you wait and take it after so you have the choice of submitting it yourself before interviews are given out. I do understand that some residencies tend to want step 2 before giving out interviews but is that a common requirement or would a high step 1 score be sufficient? thnx.👍

Strongly depends on what field you are going into.
Ignore everything you read on forums and talk to the program director at your school for the specialty you want.

But in general, a 250 step 1 isn't going to worry any programs that you might fail step 2 and not graduate on time. A 210 step 1? You better show up with a passing score ck and cs.

 

[tco]

sounds good! July or august test day it is then. thnx for the advice.

As everyone has stated, it depends on your program. I'm going into radiology, and am taking both steps in November.