Timing Step 2

[Señor Chang]

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I was reading through the old threads to see when I could time my Step 2 so that I could take it as early as possible (so I don't forget the information) but also late enough such that it won't be on my application. Some people say that as long as you take it after you submit your application (July15th) you are fine and schools wont see the grade. Some people say to take it in Nov Dec. Can someone help me understand how the system works?

 

[bubbles3030]

So I took mine mid October, and it came back like the second week of November. Not a single school asked about or knew my score. However, I think I waited too long to take it. I was trying to study while worrying about interviews or lack thereof and it really affected my focus. So think long and hard about that. But you could take it basically anytime after basically 9/20 when all of the schools will have downloaded your application and no one would be the wiser. Also another thought, I am positive not having my Step 2 score really screwed me for getting a lot of transitional year programs and prelim medicine programs. It didn't really affect my ophtho chances, but I still advise people to study hard and take it early and do as well as they can on it.

 

[EyeApply]

I asked this question last year and information I got was super conflicting. I didn’t want to take ck later because I knew I would do badly, but also didn’t want to take it early to risk scoring lower than step 1. I took ck earlier and I chose not to include this on my application. Basically, if you want to take it earlier you have the option of not uploading it with no harm or ability of the program to find out what your score was. So I think it is dumb for people to recommend taking it later. I was never asked about my ck score on the interview trail.

 

[ophtho202020]

I took my Step 2 in December and was never asked on an interview why I hadn't taken it yet.