when to take step 2 ck

[strv04]

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So i met with my advisor recently for the first time who basically told me that i should take step 2 ck as soon as possible i.e. before sept 1 so the scores show up on my application next year.

my step 1 score is >260, i have honors everything thus far in 3rd year, there are no red flags in my history

this advice is contrary to just about everything i though i understood about the application process for someone in my position, is this some new trend where programs only interview those with step2 scores already?

Its not that im worried about screwing up step 2 its just taking later will decrease stress and any chance of harm is minimized.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Rzarecta]

So i met with my advisor recently for the first time who basically told me that i should take step 2 ck as soon as possible i.e. before sept 1 so the scores show up on my application next year.

my step 1 score is >260, i have honors everything thus far in 3rd year, there are no red flags in my history

this advice is contrary to just about everything i though i understood about the application process for someone in my position, is this some new trend where programs only interview those with step2 scores already?

Its not that im worried about screwing up step 2 its just taking later will decrease stress and any chance of harm is minimized.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Your advisor is wrong. Take it whenever you want. With a Step 1 like that and your awesome grades it isn't going to be a problem anywhere. The only place (that I know of) that requires a Step 2 score to rank you is UCSF.

 

[Shifty B]

Advisor is definitely wrong. The problem is that if you "screw it up" with a 245 it'll bring your step 1 score back to earth.

Take it as late as possible.

 

[UCLAstudent]

I was in a similar situation --- scored highly on Step 1 and wasn't sure when to take Step 2. The problem was that my school had a deadline of December 31 to take Step 2, and I didn't want to take it in the middle of interview season. I ended up taking it in October AFTER I had submitted my ERAS application. This allowed me to screen my Step 2 score before deciding whether or not to send it to programs. I ended up getting the same score on Step 2 and released it to programs. A few programs were impressed that I took such a "gamble" by taking Step 2 early --- they didn't realize that I had seen the score before they did.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

Yeah, its entirely up to you, but you honestly have very little to gain by taking it early.

 

[Labslave]

I was in a similar situation --- scored highly on Step 1 and wasn't sure when to take Step 2. The problem was that my school had a deadline of December 31 to take Step 2, and I didn't want to take it in the middle of interview season. I ended up taking it in October AFTER I had submitted my ERAS application. This allowed me to screen my Step 2 score before deciding whether or not to send it to programs. I ended up getting the same score on Step 2 and released it to programs. A few programs were impressed that I took such a "gamble" by taking Step 2 early --- they didn't realize that I had seen the score before they did.

I did the same thing and it worked out well. I'd do it over again if I had to.

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

That's exactly what I did, except I had a much lower Step 1, but got a monstrous increase on Step 2 and couldn't re-upload my transcript fast enough. Definitely helped.

 

[theprizefighter]

So I guess my question is, when is the best time to take Step 2 CS? Earlier (like Late October) or later (like early January)? Should I be concerned about possibly taking it during interview season?

tpf

 

[penguin24]

So I guess my question is, when is the best time to take Step 2 CS? Earlier (like Late October) or later (like early January)? Should I be concerned about possibly taking it during interview season?

tpf

With a 96% pass rate for Step 2 CS, I think it's reasonable to take a 'gamble' and get it out of the way as early as you can. Most ppl just study the cases from First Aid, so there's not much studying to do. I don't think taking it during interview season would jeopardize your chances of passing, it would just be a pain to do at that time.

 

[Labslave]

So I guess my question is, when is the best time to take Step 2 CS? Earlier (like Late October) or later (like early January)? Should I be concerned about possibly taking it during interview season?

tpf

Honestly, just get it out of the way as soon as you can. If you read FA for two days and don't drool everywhere and/or hit on your patients, you'll pass. Plus, you'll be tired of traveling during interview season (although I guess it would be doable as it's just one more trip).

I also think it would benefit you to get CK out of the way. Of all my friends, only one went down on Step 2 and it was by 4 points. If you even approach half the level of effort you put into Step 1, I just don't see how you could do worse (I studied for maybe 5 hrs/day for 2.5 weeks and went up by 10 points).

 

[Freudster]

(I studied for maybe 5 hrs/day for 2.5 weeks and went up by 10 points).

What resources did you use? I was thinking just FA + UWorld, and nothing more...

 

[Labslave]

What resources did you use? I was thinking just FA + UWorld, and nothing more...

FA is overkill and impossible to get through in its entirety in a reasonable amount of time. The peds, ob/gyn, and derm sections were pretty good though. In all honesty, if you do just UWorld and know all of it really well, I think you'll do extremely well. Add Crush or Secrets to get a few extra tidbits (they're both by the same author and offer the same information, so don't get both). Good luck!

 

[Pontifex Maximus]

I don't think FA is that unreasonable. I just did my UW sections first and used FA after to help solidify stuff i didnt feel great about.

 

[Labslave]

I don't think FA is that unreasonable. I just did my UW sections first and used FA after to help solidify stuff i didnt feel great about.

I think it's fine as a supplement (reading certain things here and there), but there's no way you could use it like everyone used FA for Step 1. The word that comes to mind is, 'painful.'

 

[Ratchet]

OP, you should definitely take Step 2 early.

With your current scores and grades, there is a very good chance that you will not match in radiology.

Come on, man.

 

[Amxcvbcv]

Step 2 CK: For your case, take it after you submit your transcript to ERAS. You've got nothing to gain by getting it out there early. Take it seriously, but my no means do you have to dedicate as much time to it as Step 1. I didn't exactly blow it off, but I should have given it more priority (my score actually went down a fair bit - I don't think it adversely affected me, though).

Step 2 CS: Take it as soon as possible just to get it out of the way. Some preliminary programs I applied to wanted to know you'd passed before rank lists were due.

Don't underestimate the value of getting them all finished early (at least by November/December), so you can focus on interview season and the rest of the year. Depending on where you match for internship (moving distance, cushiness, etc.) you'll never be so care free as the spring semester of 4th year. Don't spoil it by having to study/wait for Step 2 scores.