when to take step II

[dell2004]

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I'm trying to look for a DEFINITIVE answer to the below.

I did awesome on step I and would rather wait until programs have ranked me to submit my step 2 score. I haven't taken it yet.

Do I
1. Take it in the fall and withold the score?
2. Take it late Feb?

Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

[undecided05]

February, March, or April. Nobody will ask about Step II if you rocked Step I. but do remember to not compeltely blow it off, some fellowships will ask for your stepI, II, and III scores.

 

[dell2004]

thanks....and 2 f/u Q

As I haven't taken step2cs, is it advisable to take it around the same time as step 2 CK? I know that it (cs) is P/F, but have no idea of the difficulty.

More importantly, how the heck should I register with ERAS? To block or not to block step 2 when I register for release of the score report? I assume release if I plan to take it in Feb?

 

[Mage]

I'm currently a 3rd year and have heard from the 4th years that it's better to take step 2 sometime after fall/winter...what if one felt confident about the test and was fairly certain it would help their application? Would it be reasonable to take it sometime in the fall so residency programs get the score?

 

[Blade28]

Well, I did decently on Step I, but wanted to do better on Step II since I'm applying to General Surgery. So I took Step II early, back in July, so that the score would be available now, when I'm applying to residency programs.

If you rocked Step I, or think you may do worse on Step II, then postpone it until after initially applying.

 

[undecided05]

you can put release on it if you're planning on taking the boards in February. It won't matter since you'll have already finished with rank lists, etc. by the time you get your scores back.

 

[b&ierstiefel]

I'm in the same situation dell. I know I'm gonna do worse on step 2 (like by 20 points or more) considering that I've gotten average on every single shelf exam this year. I'm gonna end up taking step 2 in mid-december (both CS and CK). On the ERAS application, which I just sent out today, I checked the option to send out any already existing scores but to NOT automatically send out future USMLE exam scores (which include step 2 🙂 )

 

[silverboy]

Hey gentlemen. I strongly recommend you to delay step 2 if you have a strong Step 1. I have a step 1 of 230. 2 months ago I passed step 2 CS, and I unfortunately "got desperate" and jumped into Step 2 CK with insufficient study for the sake of "getting over with it" and scored 194......so please, don't get overconfident or impatient.

I am interesting in going into radiology....any tips for this bad move I just made?

 

[dell2004]

Is their any disadvantage to not witholding any FUTURE scores? Will the residency programs ever know?

 

[Harrie]

If you did well on Step I, wait until Feb, March to take Step II. Let's look at three possible scenarios...

1. You do well on Step II. If you also did well on Step I, this probably won't help you too much, just confirm that you are good.

2. You do about the same on Step II. Will not add or detract from your application.

3. You do worse on Step II. This will be bad. You did well on a test two years ago, but now you take another test that evaluates your "clinical knowledge" and you suck. Bad move.

This is why it is best to wait if possible. Don't screw yourself. Now if you didn't do great on Step I, thats a different story.

 

[dell2004]

Thank you Harrie, point well taken....

However, let's say:

Did well on Step 1. Don't plan to take step 2 until feb/march. Applying now. Do I state release the scores or withold? I plan to state withhold to be on the safe side.

 

[Harrie]

Thank you Harrie, point well taken....

However, let's say:

Did well on Step 1. Don't plan to take step 2 until feb/march. Applying now. Do I state release the scores or withold? I plan to state withhold to be on the safe side.

Programs finalize their rank lists mid-Feb, so it is doubtful that they will get your scores in time anyways.

 

[dell2004]

Programs finalize their rank lists mid-Feb, so it is doubtful that they will get your scores in time anyways.

AGreed...which brings this back to original point....

Why not take the exam even earlier (ie - oct/nov) and just withold until after the match is over, then release the step 2 scores?