Step II and III, does it even matter?

[Lars Ulrich]

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I understand that Step I scores play an important role in getting the residency of one's choice. Do Step II and III scores play any role in residency placement, or is it sufficient to just pass those tests? Can they be used to evaluate residents for post residency fellowships?

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[rxfudd]

Step II might, if you take it in time for it to be included in your application (and depending on how well you do on it compared to step I). Not so sure about Step III, but since you're already in your residency I don't think it would matter much. Maybe for fellowships?

 

[doepug]

Nope... Steps II and III are just milestones that no one will use for or against you, unless you fail.

Students at some institutions argue that it's helpful to have Step II on residency applications, but by and large, this is not the case. I'm taking Step II next spring, after the match.

It doesn't matter when you take Step III, just as long as you pass it (does anyone fail?) sometime during or shortly after your internship.

 

[Jim Picotte]

A good Step II score will get you ranked ahead of someone who hasn't taken Step II if all other things are equal. It can also help get interviews if you get a higher Step II score than Step I. Most people do well with just Step I, but a high Step II score WILL give you a bit of an advantage so if you think you know your clinical info (did well on the Steps), just take it early, get it out of the way. Some PD really do like to see their applicants take Step II but it depends on the PD. For Step III, it can be moderately helpful for some fellowships but overall...just pass.

 

[Winged Scapula]

Originally posted by doepug

It doesn't matter when you take Step III, just as long as you pass it (does anyone fail?) sometime during or shortly after your internship.

People DO fail Step 3 - matter of fact, I know several who have. Of course, they're gen surg residents and the proportion of surgery questions to IM, Peds and Ob-Gyn is exceedingly small. Most also waited until 2nd (or even 3rd) year to take it because our programs don't pay for it and we can't find the time to study or take off for it.

I just took it last week and I must say while there were several easy questions there were a few 'I have NO IDEA' ones as well. Peds, ID, Cards and Derm were heavily covered on my exam - some things I haven't seen/dealt with in years (ie, Henoch-Schonlein, DUB, HUS, etc.)

I'm sure medicine residents would do much better than I but the old saw about "2 months for Step 1, 2 weeks for Step 2 and a number 2 pencil for Step 3" seems a bit overly simplified to me.

At any rate, I can't imagine anyone caring about your Step 3 score as long as you passed.

 

[Winged Scapula]

By the way, moving to Gen Residency Issues...