Step 2 Significance

[Shishka]

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Hey guys, I was hoping someone in the know could shed some light about the significance of improvement in Step 2 over Step 1, specifically for anesthesia programs.

I have an average Step 1 score but an above average Step 2 score. Are programs likely to judge me by my Step 2 score, or is my Step 1 score going to remain a weakness in my application?

I just want to have a better idea of where I stand going into interviews, especially at the more competitive places.

 

[cfdavid]

Hey guys, I was hoping someone in the know could shed some light about the significance of improvement in Step 2 over Step 1, specifically for anesthesia programs.

I have an average Step 1 score but an above average Step 2 score. Are programs likely to judge me by my Step 2 score, or is my Step 1 score going to remain a weakness in my application?

I just want to have a better idea of where I stand going into interviews, especially at the more competitive places.

I just interveiwed at a program that was pretty dead-set on receiving Step II scores from applicants (whom presumably had good Step I scores).

The PD there said that Step II is more relevant to success in residency etc.
I was kind of suprised to hear that given the traditional emphasis on Step I.

I'd say you'll be fine, and I think you may be best served by reporting it, assuming you've recently gotten your score back.

cf

 

[G-Man82]

That's good to hear. I just released my Step 2 score this past Wednesday. 16 point increase. Been in a bit of an interview invite freeze since mid-October. Hopefully this will get me at least one or two more. And maybe a few more prelim invites, too. Honestly, I think prelim worries me more than anesthesiology right now, go figure.

 

[Arch Guillotti]

It helped me a lot, but this was a few years ago. Improving your score can only help.

Hey guys, I was hoping someone in the know could shed some light about the significance of improvement in Step 2 over Step 1, specifically for anesthesia programs.

I have an average Step 1 score but an above average Step 2 score. Are programs likely to judge me by my Step 2 score, or is my Step 1 score going to remain a weakness in my application?

I just want to have a better idea of where I stand going into interviews, especially at the more competitive places.

 

[okayplayer]

I can pretty safely say that having a much higher (>40 points) Step 2 has helped me. Several classmates have had identical Step 1 scores (220s) and applied to the same programs and are getting less than half of the interviews that I have.

 

[Shishka]

Thanks for the input. I did just get the score this past week and released it. It was a big relief. Is it safe to assume programs will update my app with the score, or should I also email them about it?

And yea, the prelim situation is really worrisome.

 

[Shishka]

I can pretty safely say that having a much higher (>40 points) Step 2 has helped me. Several classmates have had identical Step 1 scores (220s) and applied to the same programs and are getting less than half of the interviews that I have.

With an improvement >40 pts from 220s I can't say it surprises me that it makes a big difference. I'm wondering about more modest, but still solid, improvements.

 

[risnwb]

With an improvement >40 pts from 220s I can't say it surprises me that it makes a big difference. I'm wondering about more modest, but still solid, improvements.

I had a 30 pt. Increase and im pretty sure it's helped a lot... Nobody at Interviews has commented on my average step 1, but they have mentioned my step 2...

 

[kazuma]

I can pretty safely say that having a much higher (>40 points) Step 2 has helped me. Several classmates have had identical Step 1 scores (220s) and applied to the same programs and are getting less than half of the interviews that I have.

I'd definitely say so. From the interview thread it looks like you have ~35+ interview invites. Congrats, that's impressive.