Medical School Board Examinations: steps 1, 2 cs and ck, and 3

All major board exam are daunting, however for exams with a huge impact on whether or not you will have access to multiple residency spots they are especially more so. An example of the latter for medical students are the United States Medical Licensing Examination Board Step exams (Step 1, Step 2 Cs, step 2 Ck and step 3) For medical students these exams are vital and even more so for Caribbean students as it tests everyone (whether you attended a foreign or US medical school) for a standardized level of aptitude and knowledge.

　
The step 1 exam tests your knowledge of basic sciences. Step 2 exams test application of clinical and medical knowledge in supervised patient care. It is split into a practical portion, the step 2cs, as well as a multiple choice portion, the step 2ck. The Step 3 exam is basically like the step 2 exam but it tests the knowledge needed for unsupervised medical care.

　
Doing well on these exams can open or close doors. Some residency programs use Step scores cut offs to filter applicants. The type of score that is acceptable depends on the specialty you are interested in. In 2011 students aiming for family medicine that matched had an average of 213 and those who did not match had an average of 201. For dermatology the average score for applicants that matched was 244 and for those would did not match it was 227. Now 227 is not a bad score its actually pretty good. However, it becomes more difficult to get into specialties like dermatology. However a score of 240 will have a lot of programs at least consider your application. Thats why it is important to work as hard as possible to get as good a score as you can.

　
For AUC students we take the step 1 exam before commencing clinical rotations because that is a requirement. The Step 2 exams are usually taken in at the end of third year but this is not an iron clad rule; there are exceptions of course. For example in AUC if you are want to take the Step 2 ck exam before completing your core rotations you have to take and pass a comprehensive exam before you can take it you can take it. If you're not taking the exam early you dont have to worry about the comprehensive exam.

　
Another thing to consider when scheduling your step exam is the time it takes for your score to be reported. It takes about 2 months to get the results for the Step 2cs exam so some students take this at least 2 months prior to Residency application program opens so that they have the results by the time they send out their applications. Others take it after the the application program oppens and thats fine too. However, I feel that it is best to have everything ie your scores, resume, recommendations etc in early. (Does not mean its the only timing you can follow.)

I took my Step 1 exam following the aforementioned schedule. I studied to exhaustion and got a result I am satisfied with. Next up on my plate is the Step 2cs which I will be taking in October. After that in December I will take my 2ck exam. I am aiming for the match in 2015 so I have a bit of time. Wish me luck!!

　
In the near future, I might write about how I studied for the step 1 exam and how I am studying for these exams.