When to take USMLE step 2 CS?

[Goose...Fraba]

This is probably a stupid question but I m gonna ask anyway..
Do you need to take step 2 CS at the same time as step 2 CK? Is the clinical skills portion factored into your overall step 2 score, or is just a pass no pass?
Im planning on taking step 2 CK in early august so that my scores will be in before I send in my ERAS application, but if I could, I would like to take the CS part later on in the year. Is that possible?Tanks!!

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[ptolemy]

you can and should take them at different times. CS is just pass/fail, CK is scored like step 1.

 

[klubguts]

I think you have a good plan...took CK in october and CS in february myself. They are two separate exams (and two very large chunks of change, $$$$), so you don't need to take them at the same time. Good luck.

 

[Blade28]

I took Step 2 CS and CK as early as possible, just to get them out of the way. I took CK in July, CS in August.

 

[Furrball]

I took BS in December and CK in February.

 

[spacetygrss]

I took CK in December and CS in February ( recieved CK results in January and CS results in March-pretty decent turn around time).

 

[b&ierstiefel]

Take step 2 CS as soon as possible to get it out of the way.

step 2 CK...if you did well on step 1, put it off as long as possible so that all you have to do is pass it. no need for unnecessary pressure.

 

[vyness]

Take step 2 CS as soon as possible to get it out of the way.

step 2 CK...if you did well on step 1, put it off as long as possible so that all you have to do is pass it. no need for unnecessary pressure.

I suggest either taking CS very early or much later (like in Feb). That way, if you don't pass the exam, you have time to re-take it before schools rank you if you took it early...or your scores won't be back in time affect your match if you took it later.

I know of one person who took CS around Nov/Dec, got their scores back in January and weren't ranked for a particular program because they failed the CS exam (with not enough time to re-take it).

Just something to think about.