step 3? what's the deal

[Fungi121]

So I'm about to go into residency and I'm starting to hear the words "step 3" being thrown around.

What's the deal? My questions:

1) Is it specialty specific or is it an all-encompassing test like Step 1 and Step 2?
2) When do I even take it? I know it probably varies, but I was told Step 1 by third year/end of second year and Step 2 by end of third year/early fourth year. I'm going to a 4 year EMED residency, if that helps.
3) Structure? Format? Etc?

Thanks guys! This will really help to clear up some confusion!

-F

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[PrettyLadyDoc24]

So I'm about to go into residency and I'm starting to hear the words "step 3" being thrown around.

What's the deal? My questions:

1) Is it specialty specific or is it an all-encompassing test like Step 1 and Step 2?
2) When do I even take it? I know it probably varies, but I was told Step 1 by third year/end of second year and Step 2 by end of third year/early fourth year. I'm going to a 4 year EMED residency, if that helps.
3) Structure? Format? Etc?

Thanks guys! This will really help to clear up some confusion!

-F

1. The subject matter mostly mirrors Step 2 CK, sort of divided like the six core rotations of 3rd year (IM, Surgery, OB, Psych, and Peds).
2. First find out when your program wants you to have your score by. If it's open ended, you just need to do it before leaving residency. I'm in Pathology and I was encouraged to "get it out of the way" essentially.
3. It changes but they still do two days. First day is 8 blocks of 45ish questions, second day is a half day of multiple choice and half interactive case-based patient scenarios. Use UWorld to pin down how to use the software.

Other than that, I didn't think it was too bad. Like a slightly easier version of Step 2 CK. Didn't do as great as on my other USMLEs but I didn't fail either 🙂

 

[ProfMD]

Do it early. Get it out of the way.

 

[HelpPleaseMD]

probably better if you take it later. as EM you will get exposed to everything. test is a basically a mash of im/surg/ob/gyn/psych
only part u will forget is is the sim cases where you decide home vs office vs ed vs wards vs icu. esp with ED training.... I kid