Taking Step 2 without having done IM, OB/gyn or psyc??

[kimberli2002]

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Just looking for advice for taking the Step 2. I have 5 weeks of time I need to schedule and elective or take the Step 2. So far I haven't taken Internal medicine, ob/gyn or psyc. A 4th year said that the test can be taken without those core clerkships, but I'm wondering if it is actually possible. Should I just wait until I'm done with those clerkships or use the time now and get the exam out of the way. Thanks!

 

[IMGUSMLEStep1]

Not a good idea.

 

[yankees85]

Just looking for advice for taking the Step 2. I have 5 weeks of time I need to schedule and elective or take the Step 2. So far I haven't taken Internal medicine, ob/gyn or psyc. A 4th year said that the test can be taken without those core clerkships, but I'm wondering if it is actually possible. Should I just wait until I'm done with those clerkships or use the time now and get the exam out of the way. Thanks!

I'm shocked your school allows this (if it does). Do not do this. That's at least half the material on the exam. Would you take Step 1 before doing second year?

 

[kryptik]

Maybe not without IM but psych and ob i think you can take it without them.

 

[Depakote]

a good step II score can affect your residency applications... you also probably don't want to tank it.

I would be VERY reluctant to take the test having not had the clerkships that cover over half the material on the test.

 

[Golding]

Doable, but awfully risky. What's the potential benefit you're going after by doing it before your cores?

 

[Therecanbeonlyo]

i would recommend highly against this. I don't see any benefit and think it will only hurt you. Besides, the test is mostly internal medicine.

Does your school take the Shelf exams?

 

[kimberli2002]

thanks for the info! yeah, i was just hoping to study hard for the next 5 weeks to get it over with then just worry about finishing core and away rotations. my dean advised against it. i'll just do an elective with my time since i am unable to finish a core rotation at this time.

 

[GuzzyRon]

Don't do it!

 

[topscorer]

just to be devils advocate

people are just sometimes scared to go against the norm

there are some benefits to doing step 2 before ur rotations

if you have more study time now, then later after ur rotations, u could potentially score higher now than later

many students take step 2 after step 1, because over half the material is the same or related, maybe even higher percentage, so the material is quite fresh

step 2 is BY THE BOOK what is the next best step. many times, depending on ur rotations, the place ur at, they might not awlays follow the book. what if they are more of outpatient service, or more surgical oriented hospital, then what u learned or got used to will have to be relearned, which is harder

also, depending on the quality of rotations, how distracted you are with other things, and the quality of your attending, you could possibly not learn much from a rotation

step 2 is more simliar to step 2 than people would have you believe