Step III

[quiksilver3]

---

Members do not see this ad.

So... for those of you accepted into a neuro residency already... I have two questions. First off, when are you taking step III? And secondly, do these scores count toward anything? ie fellowship placement?

 

[typhoonegator]

Most of us took it either late in intern year, or during/after PGY-2 year. After that, your intern skill-set starts to atrophy a bit, and it becomes really hard to remember the OB-GYN and general surgery stuff. I don't recall anyone asking about this sort of thing during neuro fellowship interviews or anything. In fact, I think I would be suspicious of anyone who used such a meaningless metric to rank applicants.

Then again, I suppose if you fail it three times or something, that would be a red flag.

 

[melmc]

I took mine in March of PGY1 yr. I would really recommend taking it before the end of your intern year, and before too much of the peds/ob gyn/surgery stuff leaks out of your brain. You will be okay with most medicine stuff after a good intern year though.

 

[medsRus]

If I have a year between med school graduation and internship, should I just take it during my break?

 

[doxtyp]

medsRus, that is correct. General recommendation is to take it before the internship. Saves a lot of time and neurons 🙂

 

[medsRus]

medsRus, that is correct. General recommendation is to take it before the internship. Saves a lot of time and neurons 🙂

Wonderful, will do. What are some optimal study methods (especially for someone who will not have an internship experience)? Thanks!

 

[doxtyp]

I used Kaplan step3 notes. Wasn't impressed. Step2 notes should be helpful as well. USMLE World questions are pretty good. These materials were enough to comfortably pass the exam.

 

[typhoonegator]

I read the peds and OB-GYN chapters of this book called "Crush Step 3" while on-call, between the hours of 4 and 5 AM. Then I reviewed the CD that comes from the USMLE regarding how to use the interface for the cases on the second day.

That's it. The test is literally cake if you've done an even remotely respectable internship and were able to pass steps 1 and 2 without trouble.