Taking Step 3 before residency?

[clarabelle]

I've learned that you can take Step 3 before residency, and I am "officially" graduating this month but in the current match process. I have been highly considering getting step 3 out of the way before starting residency in Peds. I'm typically a person that likes a lot of time to prepare for exams, and figure this will be beneficial since I have some time to do this, and then will not have to deal with it once residency starts, freeing up more time for board study when the time comes. I've also heard that for those of us entering Peds, we will not actually gain any experience during residency that will help out with the topics on Step 3, we only in fact get further from those topics as time goes on. My question is whether this is true or not, or whether I should wait and take this during residency? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

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[bel138]

I took my Step 3 in September during internship. It seemed like it was all 80yo women who were SOB. I hadn't seen one of those in at least a year by that point. Get it over with as soon as possible. We really don't gain anything from waiting. However, I'm a DO, so I was able to take it that early. As far as I understand, there are some restrictions on when MDs can take it. I believe it's state dependent.

 

[J-Rad]

If you can take it early, take it early. There isn't anything to be gained from waiting.

 

[Socrates25]

I've learned that you can take Step 3 before residency, and I am "officially" graduating this month but in the current match process. I have been highly considering getting step 3 out of the way before starting residency in Peds. I'm typically a person that likes a lot of time to prepare for exams, and figure this will be beneficial since I have some time to do this, and then will not have to deal with it once residency starts, freeing up more time for board study when the time comes. I've also heard that for those of us entering Peds, we will not actually gain any experience during residency that will help out with the topics on Step 3, we only in fact get further from those topics as time goes on. My question is whether this is true or not, or whether I should wait and take this during residency? Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Definitely take it ASAP. You dont want to be studying for that during intern year if you can avoid it.

that being said, its very difficult to get it scheduled before intern year starts. Before you can even register for the test, they want proof that you graduated from med school which wont come until after your graduation day in late May/early June. That gives you only a 1 month window to schedule the test before intern year starts, and thats not including any orientation stuff that starts before July 1 (my program has a 2 week orientation before July 1).

 

[twilightdoc]

I would take Step 3 as soon as you can. There isn't a lot of Peds content on Step 3, and the Peds that is on there is fairly routine. The further removed you are from adult medicine, adult meds and dosages, etc., the more problems you might encounter. The good news is that the first-time pass rate is high.

 

[blanche]

If you can take it early, take it early. There isn't anything to be gained from waiting.

Agree with other posters. Do is ASAP and don't waste too much time studying, what matters is that you pass. I don't think anyone looked at it in the fellowship match.

 

[jcu]

Agree with other posters. Do is ASAP and don't waste too much time studying, what matters is that you pass. I don't think anyone looked at it in the fellowship match.

The importance of one's Step 3 score has been brought up by a few fellows I've spoken to - if Step 3 isn't weight heavily, how is a resident applying for fellowship assessed objectively? (sorry for the tangent, same boat as OP and would like to take Step 3 sooner than later unless it impedes fellowship chances)

 

[michigangirl]

The importance of one's Step 3 score has been brought up by a few fellows I've spoken to - if Step 3 isn't weight heavily, how is a resident applying for fellowship assessed objectively? (sorry for the tangent, same boat as OP and would like to take Step 3 sooner than later unless it impedes fellowship chances)

For fellowship, you are assessed primarily on your performance as a resident, letters of recommendation, performance in medical school, and of course your interview-- your Step scores are important if you barely pass or don't pass-- but generally not as big a part. We put a lot of store in whether you will fit in the group/program you're applying to-- what your academic and future goals are, what vision you have, and any specific interests you show or talents you possess that might add to our program. So there's some objective, some subjective.

 

[jcu]

Awesome. Thanks for that info. Step 3 onward!