When Should I take Step 2?

[eyeballs]

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Hi,

I have often heard people say that if you have a competitive Step 1 board score that you should delay taking Step 2 as long as possible. However, my school highly recommends (pretty much forces) you to take the exam before the end of January. My first question is, when do most students interested in ophthalmology sit for the exam, and secondly when is the best time for me to take it given my school's recommendation?

Thanks.

 

[Pastrami King]

Assuming you do ok on step 1, the best time is after December 18 or so (and in your school's case, before the end of January). I say that because even though Step 2 isn't that big of a deal for most of us, who needs that added stress when you are galavanting across the country for interviews? You won't have to report your score to the ophtho programs, and if you don't select automatic release, your score won't be reported to internships (unless you want it to be sent).

Hi,

I have often heard people say that if you have a competitive Step 1 board score that you should delay taking Step 2 as long as possible. However, my school highly recommends (pretty much forces) you to take the exam before the end of January. My first question is, when do most students interested in ophthalmology sit for the exam, and secondly when is the best time for me to take it given my school's recommendation?

Thanks.

 

[TeddyKGB]

Hi,

I have often heard people say that if you have a competitive Step 1 board score that you should delay taking Step 2 as long as possible. However, my school highly recommends (pretty much forces) you to take the exam before the end of January. My first question is, when do most students interested in ophthalmology sit for the exam, and secondly when is the best time for me to take it given my school's recommendation?

Thanks.

Put it off as long as you can (or long enough such that the programs don't end up seeing the score until they make their decision). Schools are notorious for threatening their students to take it as early as possible and setting deadlines for it. The truth is that it makes no difference, they just don't want to deal with the last minute hassle of making sure the stragglers actually end up taking the exam. But in the end the fact is that if your step 1 scores are competitive enough, there is NO advantage to taking step 2 early. Don't do it.

 

[Butters415]

On the other hand, don't wait too long. I'm a 4th year and I still have to take Step II (CK and CS) in April and May. While my friends are partying, I'm stuck here studying. =(

Step II isn't even required for us to graduate.

 

[babyblue_39]

As long as you don't have the score back before you submit your application in August (which isn't likely unless you take Step 2 in June or something), then it really doesn't matter because you don't have to report it and the programs really don't care. I took mine in October and not a single person asked me about the score. I did it because I wanted to put all my hard stuff in the first semester and get it done before interview season started... just a different rationale.

 

[Spyder007]

I feel that with a good Step I score you don't need the results of your Step II to be competitive, and may actually end up shooting yourself in the foot. Most of my classmates and I didn't take II until after the match and we did just fine. But if you are basically forced to sit for it without exception by January, then you are going to need the months of Nov and Dec to interview and if you can squeeze it in before that or maybe during the Xmas holidays (when most programs are done interviewing) that could be helpful and less stressful.

 

[4424]

I feel that with a good Step I score you don't need the results of your Step II to be competitive, and may actually end up shooting yourself in the foot. Most of my classmates and I didn't take II until after the match and we did just fine. But if you are basically forced to sit for it without exception by January, then you are going to need the months of Nov and Dec to interview and if you can squeeze it in before that or maybe during the Xmas holidays (when most programs are done interviewing) that could be helpful and less stressful.

what i've been told is basically what everyone has been saying. you're fine if you don't take it until as late as possible. if you want to take it early just make sure you don't automatically submit your scores on the application and then make your decision of releasing them after you get back the score yourself.

 

[babyblue_39]

what i've been told is basically what everyone has been saying. you're fine if you don't take it until as late as possible. if you want to take it early just make sure you don't automatically submit your scores on the application and then make your decision of releasing them after you get back the score yourself.

The comment above only applies for the ERAS (automatic resubmission) and your prelim/TY spots. For SFMatch, the application is paper and you should be completing it in mid-Augustish.

 

[4424]

The comment above only applies for the ERAS (automatic resubmission) and your prelim/TY spots. For SFMatch, the application is paper and you should be completing it in mid-Augustish.

so you don't have the option of not releasing your scores for the CAS application?

 

[babyblue_39]

so you don't have the option of not releasing your scores for the CAS application?

On the CAS application, it asks: When have/will you take Step 2? What is your score? You fill it in. There's no automatic submission of scores. That's why they ask you to send a copy of your Step 1 score report. I guess you could lie about Step 2 if you already have the score, but I wouldn't recommend that.

Nevertheless, it takes a good 4-6 weeks for scores to be released and you'll be filling out the application in mid-August so its unlikely you'll have a score back at that time even if you take it in July. If your Step 1 score is good, they really won't care about Step 2 so I doubt they'll even ask. If you end up doing phenomenally better on Step 2, you could send the report to SFMatch as a second document or something and hope that catches their attention.

However, for the sake of ERAS and prelim applications, if you submit early Sept. (which you should be able to do), then taking Step 2 anytime from mid-August on you're safe from having to report the score if you're not happy w/ it (as long as you hit the "do not automatically resubmit" button when you fill out the application). Bascially, I'm recommending that if you're happy w/ Step 1, taking Step 2 any time after mid-August shouldn't impact your application if you don't want it to. But I would avoid doing it during the interview season: late Oct - mid Dec.

Good

 

[benit100]

On the other hand, don't wait too long. I'm a 4th year and I still have to take Step II (CK and CS) in April and May. While my friends are partying, I'm stuck here studying. =(

Step II isn't even required for us to graduate.

Studying for Step II? I wouldn't advise that... (okay, well, maybe a little for the CK, but I don't see how you could really study for the CS)

 

[4424]

On the CAS application, it asks: When have/will you take Step 2? What is your score? You fill it in. There's no automatic submission of scores. That's why they ask you to send a copy of your Step 1 score report. I guess you could lie about Step 2 if you already have the score, but I wouldn't recommend that.

Nevertheless, it takes a good 4-6 weeks for scores to be released and you'll be filling out the application in mid-August so its unlikely you'll have a score back at that time even if you take it in July. If your Step 1 score is good, they really won't care about Step 2 so I doubt they'll even ask. If you end up doing phenomenally better on Step 2, you could send the report to SFMatch as a second document or something and hope that catches their attention.

However, for the sake of ERAS and prelim applications, if you submit early Sept. (which you should be able to do), then taking Step 2 anytime from mid-August on you're safe from having to report the score if you're not happy w/ it (as long as you hit the "do not automatically resubmit" button when you fill out the application). Bascially, I'm recommending that if you're happy w/ Step 1, taking Step 2 any time after mid-August shouldn't impact your application if you don't want it to. But I would avoid doing it during the interview season: late Oct - mid Dec.

Good

thanks a lot, you were really helpful. i am taking my step 2 the first week of august so i'm hoping to improve on the score and send it in later if possible.