when should i take step 2?

[barakutha]

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hey there guys,

i'm currently a MIII with a step 1 score ~240. I wanted to pursue a surgical field, maybe plastics or ortho. I was wondering is i should take step 2 early and have it on my application, or should I take it late and roll with my step 1 score for applications?

thanks in advance

 

[Winged Scapula]

Unless you have the time to study for and get a good Step 2 score, or programs require it (some do), I would recommend waiting to take it until after the match. Your Step 1 score is good, and you don't want to take the chance with a lower Step 2 score.

 

[NineSixteen]

Unless you have the time to study for and get a good Step 2 score, or programs require it (some do), I would recommend waiting to take it until after the match. Your Step 1 score is good, and you don't want to take the chance with a lower Step 2 score.

Cincinnati is one of those programs. My advice is to find out if any of the programs you're applying to require step 2 scores for their rank list BEFORE you hit the button on ERAS that will automatically release all your board scores to all the programs - once you hit that button, there's no going back, baby!

 

[redsurgeon]

Our school requires that Step 2 scores be posted by January, which means that the test has to be taken by November. This being the case, many of the residency programs around here (and I've met with the program directors at two of them) have decided that students should be able to present a Step 2 score in time for them to review it.

The reason, they state, is that they want to see the student prove that Step 1 wasn't just a "flash in the pan."

And to stand by this, I've already registered for the July-September block. The reason for doing this is that I have internal medicine in March/April, a surgery elective in May and then family in June; this way the im is still fresh in my mind and I should have enough time to tie it all together for CK and CS in July.

I hope it works. Good luck.

 

[barakutha]

thanks everyone for their input... after talking to some other students, i've decided to take step 2 by nov of my 4th year.... this way i'll be on the safer side when applying for residencies...

now i just have to make sure to study my ass off so my score doesnt go down

 

[ddmo]

I've had a Chair tell me that he looks very negatively on people who wait on their Step 2. He says it gives them the message that they aren't confident with their first score and are trying to, "sell him a used car without looking under the hood."

 

[lilkidsurg]

I took Step 2 in August and I am so glad to have it done with early. You can then completely dedicate your time to interviewing, working on research, or working really hard during your Sub-I's and not have to worry about studying at the same time. Most people that I know that were scheduled to take it in Oct/Nov did not feel comfortable because they have been studying during rotations and have moved their test date at least once.
The key to taking Step 2 early is do not release your scores on ERAS immediately and do not click on the automatic retransmission. This will let you know your scores before the programs you applied know your scores.

My suggestion--have confidence, take it early, then relax, and completely dedicate your time to interviews or sub-I's

 

[asdfaa]

I took Step 2 in August and I am so glad to have it done with early. You can then completely dedicate your time to interviewing, working on research, or working really hard during your Sub-I's and not have to worry about studying at the same time. Most people that I know that were scheduled to take it in Oct/Nov did not feel comfortable because they have been studying during rotations and have moved their test date at least once.
The key to taking Step 2 early is do not release your scores on ERAS immediately and do not click on the automatic retransmission. This will let you know your scores before the programs you applied know your scores.

My suggestion--have confidence, take it early, then relax, and completely dedicate your time to interviews or sub-I's

👍 I'll second that. Seriously, take it early and ENJOY the rest of the year. I sure am glad to be done with it. 🙂

 

[entropy2]

i tend to be lazy by nature and follow the path of least resistance....

take it as late as possible !!