Step 3/Level 3

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futuremedex

New Member
5+ Year Member
Hello fellow pathology enthusiasts. I am finishing my 4th year and applying for path residencies. Pondering when the best time to take Level 3 (I am a DO) would be? Go ahead and get it out of the way before residency because there isn't "an intern year"? Would I have time and energy to multi-task and study for Level 3 during 1st year residency? Any advice or comments are appreciated!
 
You are probably best poised to take Step 3 now. I took it my 3rd year of residency and studied for it for a few weeks during a Chemistry rotation where I wasn't really doing anything else. It really didn't seem that much different than Step 2. I just basically ended up skipping any question with an EKG on it since it had been a few years since I had even looked at those. I don't think your score really matters that much. I'd just try to get it out of the way as soon as possible.
 
Take it as soon as possible. As a pathologist you are best prepared for it straight out of med school.
 
Yup, take it ASAP. I waited a year and still passed it, but took a 20 point drop and probably killed one of my case patients.