Stressed out and in need of help!

[KSA]

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Hi, I'm a fourth year medical student who will be taking Step 2 CK in another 4 weeks. I have not been studying throughout the year as I had been for Step 1 because I simply had no time.

I did really well (244/99) on my Step 1 exam, but am really stressed out because our school has a policy where we are required to to take Step 2CK by Oct 15th. I really want to get into a radiology program and I am going to submit my application in another day or two. Will residency programs ask me my score during interviews? I feel much less prepared for Step 2CK than Step1 and I didn't do as well in third year (straight B's) as in my second year (almost straight A's).

I'm really stressed out about this. 😱 Thank you so much for your help 🙂

 

[MNgrrl]

I was in a similar situation, except that I didn't start studying for step 2 until 2.5 weeks before the test. Even the studying I did during that time was much more relaxed (max 8 hrs/day, took a weekend off to go visit a friend in DC...). I had a similar score to yours on step 1, and I actually ended up doing better on step 2. The amount of preparation needed for step 2 isn't nearly as much as step 1. So I wouldn't stress, as long as you've done reasonably well on your rotations, you've picked up more than you think.

I don't know if the same as true for rads programs, but in EM, step 2 is optional for applying to most programs. I don't think it will be a big deal.

Good luck!

 

[golfpropsychguy]

I was in a similar situation, except that I didn't start studying for step 2 until 2.5 weeks before the test. Even the studying I did during that time was much more relaxed (max 8 hrs/day, took a weekend off to go visit a friend in DC...). I had a similar score to yours on step 1, and I actually ended up doing better on step 2. The amount of preparation needed for step 2 isn't nearly as much as step 1. So I wouldn't stress, as long as you've done reasonably well on your rotations, you've picked up more than you think.

I don't know if the same as true for rads programs, but in EM, step 2 is optional for applying to most programs. I don't think it will be a big deal.

Good luck!

Honestly, who are you people that only study 2.5 weeks and do well on step 2. I studied my butt off and thought it was way harder than step 1. This is not an easy exam. I've read so many threads on how this exam is easier and it is not! I dont mean to be rude by this post but I advise you to take this exam extremely serious and study hard. Many people fail it just search on this site because there are many even on sdn. I know it sounds crazy because on sdn everyone seems to get >240 on any of the steps.
so bottom line- study your tushy off!

 

[mrdowntoearth]

my two cents...I think everyone is different. Some people somehow are able to pull out excellent scores with only studying for 2 weeks. I'm not one of them and I really had to study very hard to do decent, not excellent. I studied 1.5 months for step 2 and not doing as well as step 1. I spent like 5 months studying for step 1. Did I regret it? Part of it yes but if I looked back there's no way I could focus on boards plus studying during my clerkships. It would be nice to have the score that I wanted but I already did the best I can and I'm okay with it. I'm now hoping for the best for the match.

 

[lord_jeebus]

Does your school have shelf exams? How did you do on them?

If you did, and you did well, you are closer than you think to acing this thing.

 

[bluecephas]

If you're really honest to yourself and really didn't have time to study more for Step 2 because of a hectic 3rd year schedule, then you know that you've done your best. That's all you should expect of yourself, your honest best.