Step 2 scores worse than Step 1 - How much does it hurt me?

[SFX]

I did pretty well on step 1. My scores on Step 2 are roughly one standard deviation worse. How much will that hurt me?

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[AngryTesticle]

I did pretty well on step 1. My scores on Step 2 are roughly one standard deviation worse. How much will that hurt me?

Depends on two things:
(1) How well did you do on Step 1?
(2) What are you applying for?

Point #1 - If you scored let's say 260 on Step 1 and a 245 on Step 2 (is the Standard Dev still ~15?), then it shouldn't hurt you regardless of what you are applying for. If you scored 225 on Step 1 and a 210 on Step 2, yeah this could hurt you IF...

Point #2 - IF you applying to a competitive specialty like rads or derm, a significantly lower step 2 score is just one more excuse a program has to ding an applicant where there are so many strong applicants to begin with. If you're applying for a less competitive specialty like FP or Path...don't stress out too much.

Addendum:

That all being said, I don't think a one STD differential is that much of a big deal. I know a guy who scored 50 points lower on Step 2 than on Step 1; luckily he took Step 2 after rank order lists were due but I could only imagine what things would've been like had he took Step 2 in time for programs to see.

 

[SFX]

232 to 210. Residency is in the mid range for competitivness. This will be on the table before the ranktime.

Yeah, I know it's not good. The question is HOW bad is it. What's the damage?

 

[BKN]

232 to 210. Residency is in the mid range for competitivness. This will be on the table before the ranktime.

Yeah, I know it's not good. The question is HOW bad is it. What's the damage?

Not terrible. If your grades are acceptable and your personality good. You'll be ok.

 

[Methyldopa]

I did pretty well on step 1. My scores on Step 2 are roughly one standard deviation worse. How much will that hurt me?

It all depends on the specialty you're going into....

 

[SFX]

Not terrible. If your grades are acceptable and your personality good. You'll be ok.

Thanks, BKN.

 

[SFX]

It all depends on the specialty you're going into....

General Surgery