When to take step3 for int med residents?

[IMGforNeuro]

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Congratulations to all who are starting residency in july.
For someone starting int med residency, when do you think is the best time to take step3?
Before starting (in states that allow) OR after 1 or 2 yrs of residency ?
Do you think it is easier after 1 yr of residency because you are well prepared in internal med residency?

 

[rajvosa]

If you are an IMG then you have no choice: after you complete your residency.

 

[IMGforNeuro]

Why do you think that is the case?

 

[rajvosa]

Because you need to spend some time in US health care system first...

 

[addicted2hope]

Not entirely true. Each year, 2000-3000 IMGs pass Step 3 before starting residency (since passing Step 3 is a requirement for the H-1 visa type). Most of them have no exposure to the US healthcare system. Some of them ace the exam.

IMGforNeuro, take the Step 3 when you feel most prepared. Significant residency experience in Internal Medicine might help but lack of time and motivation for review and preparation during residency compensates for it.

Good luck!

 

[rajvosa]

depends on your state. In NY you cannot take it. I think it is the same in california.

 

[addicted2hope]

You can register through one of the 15-16 states that do not require previous residency training to apply for the exam. Step 3 passed by applying to one state board is valid in all states. Check http://www.fsmb.org

I applied to the CT board (one of the states not requiring any residency training to apply for the exam), sat for the exam in a Prometric Center in NY and will be joining residency in PA.

NY and CA are among those states that do not require previous residency training to apply for the exam, but there are other complications. In NY, you also have to apply for the NY license along with the Step 3. CT is the state board with the least hassles and hence preferred by most IMGs who take Step 3 before residency. Check http://www.fsmb.org/stp3faq.htm

 

[Bobblehead]

For what it's worth unless there is some other over-riding concern to taking Step 3, the exam heavily favors internal medicine residents. The exam is composed of internal medicine questions to the extent that after your first year of residency you will likely need only a few days of review for a passing score.

Unless you need the exam for something else, finish intern year, review a little surgery, ob and peds and take the exam. It'll be pretty laughably simple.

 

[goldenboy]

yeah, most of imgs take step 3 before joining residency and clear it.. i gave mine before my residency, and cleared it easily....crush step 3 is all i read.

 

[Svetlana117]

You can take Step 3 whenever you want. But you will not be eligible to get licensed in your state untill you complete the minimum number of residency years in training required by the specific state licensing board.

If you are an IMG, it is best to wait 1 year and then take the exam. This will give you the needed experience with the US hospital system. you can get a high score. This will help with your fellowship application.

However, if you need somekind of visa, go ahead and take it now.
GoodLuck