Step 2 CS...big bucks

[mward04]

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Assuming there are approximately 16,500 (=66,000/4) students taking the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam this year that costs $975, that means that the NBME will take another $16,087,500 out of the pockets of U.S. Medical Students. And for what? Ultimately, this is the responsibility of our med schools to ensure that its students are competent enough to interact with patients and to have decent clinical skills. On top of that, this $975 exam is pass/fail!

I don't know about all of you, but I am angry about this exam. Where are med students going to come up with an extra grand when their budgets are already stretched thin?

 

[Scooby Moo]

I think a common feeling down here is that the Step 2 CS is a nuisance...especially when told that "proper preparation" consists of completing the third year of medical school. I'm still waiting for a convincing argument as to how this makes the exam a useful thing.

I'd rather just have my tuition increased by $975, so we would at least be spared the added cost of travel, lodging, etc. That being said, it's probably not going to change so I guess I'll have to be frugal about how many programs I apply to. 😡

 

[SLUsagar]

ironically enough...

step 2 CS =

Cash Scheme

 

[prominence]

Assuming there are approximately 16,500 (=66,000/4) students taking the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) exam this year that costs $975, that means that the NBME will take another $16,087,500 out of the pockets of U.S. Medical Students.

they make more than that if you factor in the IMGs who have to pay $1200 to take the CS exam.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Well having taken the CS exam a few weeks ago, I share in the frustration surrounding the fact that we have to take it, let alone pay ~$1000 for it. This exam was nothing special. My school does a comprehensive clinical assessment that was much harder than this exam. We had to read EKGs, interpret radiographs, do EBM exercises on top of these ridiculously fabricated patient encounters. This CS exam was the biggest waste of my time and monney. I am enraged that I had to take this.

Some folks at my test center were commenting that we are an experimental group and they are trying to see if this test should be administered during future years. I understand that given the bank they're making by having AMGs and IMGs take this stupid test, this CS exam will continue to be administered in the future. However, if for some reason, somebody realizes that this whole scheme is SHENANIGANS and our year is the only year during which this test is administered, I'm gonna be really super pissed....I may have to flip out ninja style!