Taking Step 3 between MS4 and Internship

[Dr Optimistic]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all,

I am done with classes at the end of March and going into a Pediatric residency later this year. I plan on vacation, travel. etc... and generally enjoying myself from April to mid-June. I was wondering if you guys/gals recommend taking Step 3 to get it out of the way before internship starts. I feel like my peds training for a few months will not help anyways and having one less stress to worry about may be nicer during my intern year.

1. What do you guys/gals think?
2. Am I able to do this before intern year?
3. If somehow I failed Step 3 (not to concerned as I did slightly above average Step 1 and very well on Step 2) when would I qualify for a retake? The programs I am looking at would like me to have Step 3 completed by December.

Thanks in advance!

 

[TallScrubs]

Fellow M4 here: I also want to take it before intern year starts, so obviously I agree with you, although I'm not sure you can before you graduate...someone correct me?

 

[gutonc]

Wouldn't it be great if there was, you know, like, maybe a website out there for Step 3? That would be so awesome.

 

[Dr Optimistic]

"To be eligible for Step 3, prior to submitting your application, you must:

• obtain the MD degree (or its equivalent) or the DO degree from an LCME- or AOA- accredited US or Canadian medical school, or from a medical school outside the US and Canada that is listed in IMED,
• pass Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 2 CS, "

Just found this. So I cannot apply until after May when my school has graduation if I am not mistaken?

 

[Dr Optimistic]

Wouldn't it be great if there was, you know, like, maybe a website out there for Step 3? That would be so awesome.

Thanks but still did not give me advice on when to take hence my posting...

 

[Dr Optimistic]

Thanks but still did not give me advice on when to take hence my posting...

So it looks like I can sign up for it after the date of my diploma but should I take it before intern year? If I fail can I retake right away or do I get locked out for a month or two?

 

[gutonc]

I assume you got a 270 on the reading comprehension part of Step 1. Yes, only people with an actual medical degree can sit for Step 3.

And yes, it did answer your first two questions, both of which boil down to "can I take Step 3 before I start intern year", the answer to which is "no" because you won't be able to register until you get your degree and, unless you get that before March 1, you won't have the turnaround time to register and take it before intern year starts.

 

[Dr Optimistic]

I assume you got a 270 on the reading comprehension part of Step 1. Yes, only people with an actual medical degree can sit for Step 3.

And yes, it did answer your first two questions, both of which boil down to "can I take Step 3 before I start intern year", the answer to which is "no" because you won't be able to register until you get your degree and, unless you get that before March 1, you won't have the turnaround time to register and take it before intern year starts.

Not really sure why I angered you. I came here for advice like I always do and people seem to usually want to help.

I do not see how long the turn around time is after registering on the link you attached. I assume from your post that it must take a few months. If that is correct then I guess this is out of the question for me and I will move on and keep my questions to myself.

 

[gutonc]

If your diploma is going to come (like most) in late May, early June, you just don't have the turnaround time to register and schedule before intern year starts. Don't get so worked up about it. Step 3 is the easiest of the 3 and means the least. If pathology residents can pass it, so can you, even if you take it as an R3.

 

[2010houston]

You can't even apply until after your actual degree/graduation, but at least in my state (TX) application turnaround was within 2 weeks probably, and then you could register for taking it,... So conceivably maybe possible but pretty unlikely unless you graduate in early-mid may.

 

[link2swim06]

If your diploma is going to come (like most) in late May, early June, you just don't have the turnaround time to register and schedule before intern year starts. Don't get so worked up about it. Step 3 is the easiest of the 3 and means the least. If pathology residents can pass it, so can you, even if you take it as an R3.

Turnaround time isn't always that long. I just went through step 3.

I graduated the first week of May. Most schools graduate around this time. I was registered and could have scheduled for late June...making it conceivable to take step 3 right before intern year. I ended up doing it in August.

OP note that some residencies will pay for it if you are an employee at the time. If you take it before residency this may not apply and you might be out ~$800. This is one of the reasons I waited until July to complete the payment/scheduling part.

 

[gutonc]

Good to hear the turnaround has gotten better. Back in the day when you had to be sponsored by a state in order to sit for Step 3 the turnaround was longer.

 

[bgoody]

Take it early! I registered the day of graduation and took it two weeks later. Less stress intern year. Ask the program to reimburse you after you start if they normally cover it for their interns. Mine was willing even though I took it before I started residency.

 

[Dr Optimistic]

Thanks everybody! Now I just have to figure out what to do.

 

[DOcusate]

Hi all,

I am done with classes at the end of March and going into a Pediatric residency later this year. I plan on vacation, travel. etc... and generally enjoying myself from April to mid-June. I was wondering if you guys/gals recommend taking Step 3 to get it out of the way before internship starts. I feel like my peds training for a few months will not help anyways and having one less stress to worry about may be nicer during my intern year.

1. What do you guys/gals think?
2. Am I able to do this before intern year?
3. If somehow I failed Step 3 (not to concerned as I did slightly above average Step 1 and very well on Step 2) when would I qualify for a retake? The programs I am looking at would like me to have Step 3 completed by December.

Thanks in advance!

Your program will pay for your Step 3 though.....more money for vacationing/loans/etc.

 

[Wolf02]

Keep in mind that Step 3 recently got an overhaul. I think I took it in August/September.... If I remember right they didn't offer any tests in October (2014) and any tests taken from November onward won't get their score reports until um, I can't remember exactly.... but I think April 2015? Maybe it's later but I can't remember. If it were me I'd probably not want to be one of the first people to take the new test since UWorld etc hasn't really had a chance to add the new material.

There's not very much upside for you to take it early and taking it during residency is such a non issue.

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Keep in mind that Step 3 recently got an overhaul. I think I took it in August/September.... If I remember right they didn't offer any tests in October (2014) and any tests taken from November onward won't get their score reports until um, I can't remember exactly.... but I think April 2015? Maybe it's later but I can't remember. If it were me I'd probably not want to be one of the first people to take the new test since UWorld etc hasn't really had a chance to add the new material.

There's not very much upside for you to take it early and taking it during residency is such a non issue.

Step 3 doesn't really need an intensive study process like UWorld/Qbanks, etc...

 

[Raryn]

Step 3 doesn't really need an intensive study process like UWorld/Qbanks, etc...

Most people I know went through at least part of uworld one time and practiced the uworld CCS cases. Part time studying for a couple weeks on an easy rotation, that sort of thing. I think I got through maybe 60% of uworld?

 

[ThoracicGuy]

Most people I know went through at least part of uworld one time and practiced the uworld CCS cases. Part time studying for a couple weeks on an easy rotation, that sort of thing. I think I got through maybe 60% of uworld?

I read through BRS Medicine, OB, and Peds along with Crush the Boards. I spent 2-3 days total on it. I took it 4 years after starting residency. If I had taken it my intern year or second year, I probably wouldn't have even needed that much.

 

[Raryn]

I read through BRS Medicine, OB, and Peds along with Crush the Boards. I spent 2-3 days total on it. I took it 4 years after starting residency. If I had taken it my intern year or second year, I probably wouldn't have even needed that much.

Regardless, I think it is a pretty poor decision to not (at the very least) get the UWorld CCS practice cases. Those have such a bizarre interface and nitpick enough stupid orders that going in blind for CCS would probably hurt you.

That said, it probably won't hurt you enough to make you fail, but why take the chance? 😛

 

[Instatewaiter]

Step 3 doesn't really need an intensive study process like UWorld/Qbanks, etc...

Wouldn't be a bad idea to get accoustomed to the CCS case format. It would be really easy to fail that if you didn't know how the software worked.

 

[tiedyeddog]

So, assuming I had no trouble with Step 2 I should be able to do UW and read MTB once then pass it, hopefully?

 

[blebb]

Wouldn't be a bad idea to get accoustomed to the CCS case format. It would be really easy to fail that if you didn't know how the software worked.

No need to pay for UWORLD though, the NBME website has a more than adequate tutorial for CCS.