Step 2 CK

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.

Salsero

Member
10+ Year Member
5+ Year Member
15+ Year Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2005
Messages
100
Reaction score
0
So I (an AMG) haven't taken Step 2 CK yet and am wondering if this will affect my being ranked at any programs. I'm applying for IM and of all the programs' websites that I have visited, I have only encountered one that stated that the applicant submit a Step 2 CK score to be ranked. Most of the other one's stated the score submission to be optional for APPLYING, but they provided no info about what's needed to be ranked.

Is this an issue I should ask programs about or should I just assume it not be an issue if a program didn't ask me about my Step 2 score during the interview (and nowhere on their website is info posted about requiring this score to be ranked)? When do most programs assemble their ROL's? I have been told by the majority of people (students and faculty) that taking Step 2 CK isn't as important as a good Step 1 score for being ranked, however some say it does. I'm nervous I won't match if I don't take it sooner than later (I will be taking it mid Feb). Any advice would be great. Thank you 🙂
 
Last edited:
I've been wondering about this too. All along I've heard the whole "take CK late if you did awesome on step 1" advice....but it's been brought up a couple of times in interviews. At one interview the PD assured me I'd be ranked despite having no score....however that makes me think that some places may care or he wouldn't have brought it up. I have also gotten an email enquiring about whether or not I had taken the test for rank list purposes.

What I think it comes down to though is this (from charting outcomes)
For US Seniors, matched/not matched (%matched)

IM (overall) - 2784/61 (98%)
IM (step 2 unknown) - 846/22 (97%)
EM (overall) - 1092/89 (92%)
EM (step 2 unknown) - 314/18 (95%)
Derm (overall) - 249/158 (61%)
Derm (step 2 unknown) - 215/59 (78%)

Notice that in general folks with unknown scores tend to actually do a bit better- the implication of course being that people who don't release their scores probably did better than average on step 1.

That said PDs do want to know your step 2 regardless, and therefore try to kind of scare you into releasing the score...but common sense says they are not going to risk missing out on an otherwise solid applicant becuase no step 2 is reported.
 
I'm actually in the middle of a study break right now since I'm taking it on Wednesday. In general, the feeling I've gotten is it's fine if you haven't taken it yet.

Step 2 came up twice total in all my interviews. Once was when someone asked me my step 1 score. I told him, and then I said, "And I haven't taken step 2 yet." He said, "I don't care about that test."

Then a resident asked me what my step 2 score was, I said I hadn't taken it yet, and she asked why, and I explained. That was the crappiest resident interview ever for many reasons. Those are usually fun and laid back. That one was not.
 
Notice that in general folks with unknown scores tend to actually do a bit better- the implication of course being that people who don't release their scores probably did better than average on step 1.

yea but this is biased because the FMGs have to take step 2 to apply and they are less likely to match anyway. I'm assuming those numbers include FMGs since it says overall.

...nevermind just realized it says US seniors. I guess what you'd really want to know is if you have good step 1 and 2 if that helps at all vs just a good step 1. I think logic says it would, since it shows consistency.
 
Top