When to Take step 3?

[2009medstudent]

I was wondering if anyone had explored the pros/cons to taking step three before residency even starts (like the last few months of 4th year). I'm afraid once I start internship in pediatrics I will get so bogged down and I will forget all the Medicine, surgery, psych stuff.

Also, if one does wait untill internship when is the best time during internship to take step 3?

Thanks for your help!

 

[TexasRose]

I was wondering if anyone had explored the pros/cons to taking step three before residency even starts (like the last few months of 4th year). I'm afraid once I start internship in pediatrics I will get so bogged down and I will forget all the Medicine, surgery, psych stuff.

Also, if one does wait untill internship when is the best time during internship to take step 3?

Thanks for your help!

I think you have to have the MD in hand before you can take the exam. I'm a PL-1 and haven't taken it yet. Several friends have taken it on lighter months this year and quite a few PL-2's I know are taking it this year. Just depends on how badly you want to take another exam I suppose.

I would avoid taking it between graduating and starting residency. That time should be spent on a beach.

 

[BigRedBeta]

I think there may be at least a couple states that place limitations on when you can take it. I can't remember which interview I was on when all the interns were talking about their scheduling difficulties - which I found surprising because I had several friends who are peds interns at my home program that had already taken it.

I think the biggest thing is to take it early but not too early - make it so not all the non-peds stuff is a distant memory, but also get in enough time as an intern that the treatment decisions are easier. There's a friend of a friend I know who waited until his 4th year of his ortho residency to take it...not the best idea.

 

[Stitch]

I took it 3rd year of residency, but don't recommend doing that. By that time I had little recolection of adult stuff. Your intern year will be busy, so my feeling is that early 2nd year when you get a lighter rotation. The only difficult part of it is the fake patient interactions where you set the time clock, but that's mainly difficult because the interface and expectations aren't clear. As far as the step exams go, as long as you put in some preparation, it's easier the other two.