Step 2Step 2

CK & CSCK & CS

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Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Step 1 AftermathStep 1 Aftermath

Residency Programs can look Residency Programs can look past a weak Step 1 scorepast a weak Step 1 score

Generally:Generally: Step 1 ≥ 80, 85 (few 78)Step 1 ≥ 80, 85 (few 78) If Step 1 ≤ 80, then Step 2 ≥85/90If Step 1 ≤ 80, then Step 2 ≥85/90 If you failed Step 1:If you failed Step 1:

22ndnd attempt: Step 1 ≥ 85 + high Step attempt: Step 1 ≥ 85 + high Step 22

Schedule the test…Schedule the test…

Same process as for Step 1Same process as for Step 1 Single application form for CK Single application form for CK

and CS (need to get Dean’s and CS (need to get Dean’s office stamp)office stamp)

Visit Visit www.ecfmg.orgwww.ecfmg.org for all the for all the latest infolatest info

CS – register ASAP !!!CS – register ASAP !!!

CK Study…CK Study…

Need solid block of time to Need solid block of time to reviewreview

NOT enough time to study for NOT enough time to study for Step 2 during elective rotations!Step 2 during elective rotations!

What to study…What to study…

Material you are familiar with - what Material you are familiar with - what you used to study for the Shelf you used to study for the Shelf exams – Blueprints, Secrets, etc.exams – Blueprints, Secrets, etc.

Similar to SHELF exams (content Similar to SHELF exams (content and style)and style)

First Aid for Step 2 First Aid for Step 2 Boards and Wards Boards and Wards Step Up for Step 2Step Up for Step 2 Step 2 SecretsStep 2 Secrets

Q banksQ banks

USMLE WORLD !!!USMLE WORLD !!! 50-60% = good score50-60% = good score Use as learning tool, not just testUse as learning tool, not just test Get it soonGet it soon www.usmleworld.comwww.usmleworld.com

Kaplan?Kaplan?

Good lectures and notes – can Good lectures and notes – can

be used as a primary study be used as a primary study sourcesource

Q bank also availableQ bank also available

Test yourself…Test yourself…

NBME Self-Assessment NBME Self-Assessment USMLE WorldUSMLE World

1.1. Time-managementTime-management

2.2. Content (review concepts) !!!Content (review concepts) !!!

3.3. Space them out (2) to monitor Space them out (2) to monitor progressprogress

4.4. Score correlation?Score correlation?

Take the test…Take the test…

VERY long (be prepared)VERY long (be prepared) Full-length self-assessment and Full-length self-assessment and

UW helps manage timeUW helps manage time Avoid burn-out by taking Avoid burn-out by taking

frequent breaksfrequent breaks

Objectively…Objectively…

More straight-forward than More straight-forward than

Step 1Step 1 Not too much overlap with Step Not too much overlap with Step

11 Usually people score higher on Usually people score higher on

Step 2 Step 2

Timing with respect to MatchTiming with respect to Match

Don’t delay!Don’t delay! Late Aug. to early Sept. optimalLate Aug. to early Sept. optimal DO NOT WAIT for score to DO NOT WAIT for score to

apply to ERAS (you can’t apply to ERAS (you can’t change anything)change anything)

Step 2 CS…Step 2 CS…

APPLY ASAP!APPLY ASAP! 5 Cities (Chicago, Philadelphia, 5 Cities (Chicago, Philadelphia,

Houston, LA, Atlanta) Houston, LA, Atlanta) Must take before Dec. 31 to be Must take before Dec. 31 to be

eligible for Matcheligible for Match Take ASAP because you may Take ASAP because you may

wait forever for score reportwait forever for score report

How to prepare?How to prepare?

Prepare during electives – this is Prepare during electives – this is the best way to “study” for itthe best way to “study” for it

Not necessary to take Not necessary to take Emergency Medicine elective to Emergency Medicine elective to pass!pass!

Try to have about 1 month’s Try to have about 1 month’s worth of electives experience worth of electives experience (outpt or consult service) before (outpt or consult service) before taking the examtaking the exam

How to prepare cont’dHow to prepare cont’d

First Aid for CSFirst Aid for CS Have a study partner! (friend, Have a study partner! (friend,

sibling, etc.)sibling, etc.) Work on timingWork on timing Practice performing a Practice performing a

neurological/orthopedic physical neurological/orthopedic physical examexam

During the ExamDuring the Exam

Don’t get nervous!Don’t get nervous! You will forget to do something, You will forget to do something,

you will make mistakes… it’s ok! you will make mistakes… it’s ok!

Online Forums Online Forums

www.prep4usmle.comwww.prep4usmle.com Step PrepStep Prep

- Daily emails with Q’s and - Daily emails with Q’s and pearls for all the Steps pearls for all the Steps

GOOD LUCK!!!GOOD LUCK!!!