Step 3 dilemma

[ExtubateMe]

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So I've been studying step 3 pretty passively over the past month but honestly feel pretty good to take it. I did very well on Step 1/2 and really don't care about the step 3 score as I mostly hear it doesn't matter. I was planning to take it early June before residency to get it out of the way, but then I found out my program reimburses for it as long as its taken after 7/1 obviously.

So should I take it in June (my own $$$) or July (residency's $$$). The only reason I'm initially leaning towards June is because I feel I might be so overwhelmed as a new intern in July and that might affect my performance. I'm also a little paranoid that taking two days off (even though its required) as a fresh new intern might somehow poorly reflect on me.

Chime in

 

[DrMeowMeow]

I would personally want it reimbursed because $800 is a lot of money to me. I have loans!! And I think most people take it during residency and they do fine.

 

[tiedyeddog]

are you sure you're program will pay for it? If they will then for sure have the program pay for it. Mine won't pay for it. 🙁


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[ProfMD]

Most people take it during residency partly because many states require some amount of post-graduate clinical training before you can sit for it (I needed 7 months, some states require 1 year). Make sure your state will allow you to sit for it without any time under your belt as a resident. That being said, if you are eligible to take it, take it now. The sooner you get it out of the way the better. Once you start the grind of residency, you won't want to take time off to study.

 

[ExtubateMe]

The process is a little different now (changed last year I believe). You don't sign up via individual states anymore, just online through FSMB. So you can take it anytime now I believe.

 

[gutonc]

The process is a little different now (changed last year I believe). You don't sign up via individual states anymore, just online through FSMB. So you can take it anytime now I believe.

What residency? Assuming you're not doing a Surgery year, you should have at least one elective/outpatient/light month where you can take it next year. If you can take it for free, it's totally worth waiting.

 

[ExtubateMe]

What residency? Assuming you're not doing a Surgery year, you should have at least one elective/outpatient/light month where you can take it next year. If you can take it for free, it's totally worth waiting.

Anesthesia, but my intern year schedule is pretty front loaded with tough rotations. I feel ready to take step 3 now and feel by the middle of intern year I will have forgotten most of that knowledge.

 

[gutonc]

If you'd already made up your mind, why did you ask the question?

 

[NERDY]

What is your July rotation, can you take it during the early part of July?

 

[ExtubateMe]

What is your July rotation, can you take it during the early part of July?

IM floors. Probably would have to take it end of July due to logistics of signing up and getting my scheduling permit. Plus wouldn't taking two days off my first week as an intern look kind of bad?

 

[ExtubateMe]

If you'd already made up your mind, why did you ask the question?

I guess the point I'm driving at in my situation is would it be a bad idea to take it during my first month of residency.

 

[mvenus929]

Anesthesia, but my intern year schedule is pretty front loaded with tough rotations. I feel ready to take step 3 now and feel by the middle of intern year I will have forgotten most of that knowledge.

Most of step 3 is IM and surgery. If you're doing adult medicine at all, you would probably benefit from taking it a couple months into intern year. It's the people doing Peds and haven't touched an adult in 1.5 years that struggle more with it.

I guess the point I'm driving at in my situation is would it be a bad idea to take it during my first month of residency.

One of my classmates did and passed, but she was also on an outpatient rotation.

 

[gutonc]

I guess the point I'm driving at in my situation is would it be a bad idea to take it during my first month of residency.

Wait until you have a light month and take it then. If you're doing a TY type of integrated PGY1 year, you're only going to get more experience with it as you go.

 

[Raryn]

Most people take it during residency partly because many states require some amount of post-graduate clinical training before you can sit for it (I needed 7 months, some states require 1 year). Make sure your state will allow you to sit for it without any time under your belt as a resident. That being said, if you are eligible to take it, take it now. The sooner you get it out of the way the better. Once you start the grind of residency, you won't want to take time off to study.

Btw, you could always sign up for it at any point after med school graduation. You'd just tell the FSMB you were registering through CA or IA or some other state that didn't require residency to take it. The location you took the test didnt ever have to have anything to do with the board you registered through.

 

[Wordead]

If you have already been studying for a month, did well on steps, and got through uworld youll be fine. I took it first month and have no regrets.

 

[NotAProgDirector]

Also, you should check what "they will pay for it" means. If they simply pay for it and it's free, that's a great deal. If they give you $1000 of money to spend per year, and you can spend it on Step 3, then you might want to take it now and then use that money for something else next year -- assuming there is something you want/need that would be eligible for reimbursement.

 

[24blue8]

Obviously this depends on where you are located but signing up for and scheduling the test is not as easy as they make it seem. You may want to take it in June or July (or even August) but the days may already be long gone (filled up/booked). Remember, you can only see the calendar once you get your permit and have selected your 3 month window.

The process can be annoying if you are in a heavy traffic Prometric area.

 

[b-real]

Step 3 is not a challenging exam. Study for 2 weeks, make sure u know how the simulation software works and you're set. If it's reimbursed, just wait and take it for free.


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