Take Step II before applying?

[vicinihil]

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If you have a good step 1 score, is taking Step 2 before applying absolutely necessary? Has residencies changed to putting more weight on step 2 than before?

 

[Lamotrigine]

If you crushed step 1 compared to the average (above 75th percentile) for your designated field for example ortho avg is 238 the 75th%tile according to NRMP charting outcome 2009 is 249, so if you got 249> I would not take Step II early, because clearly your score is better the 3/4 of the people applying for your specialty.