USMLE: When Do You Take Step 2?

Prepping for your USMLE Step 2 exam? Try 200 free USMLE Step 2 CK practice questions from The Pass Machine to help get your USMLE prep on track.

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Medical students who plan to pursue residency in the United States must complete the USMLE board examinations, the aim of which is to certify a baseline level of knowledge and competence in patient care. The first component in certification is USMLE Step 1, which is most often completed at the conclusion of the second year of medical school in the United States or whenever a school’s pre-clinical curriculum has been completed. This is followed by USMLE Step 2, taken after a student has finished their core clinical rotations. Many schools require a passing score on USMLE Step 1 to become eligible to take clinical rotations. This makes many medical students wonder, “When should I take USMLE Step 2?”

When to Take USMLE Step 2 CK

The timing of USMLE Step 2 ck exam is very important when considering residency applications. Although the exam is available on a year-round basis, Step 2 should be taken at the beginning of the fourth year of medical school.

It is strongly recommended that medical students wait to complete USMLE Step 2 until after completing their core clinical rotations, which occur during the third year of medical school. Those rotations include internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology, and family medicine. All these medical specialty domains are covered test items on the exam, with internal medicine being the most heavily emphasized domain on the exam. During the transition between the third and fourth years, many students elect to take a “dedicated” time, usually 5-7 weeks, to study for Step 2 ck USMLE exam. Therefore, most students will take the exam during the months of May through August, that is, at the end of the 3rd year of medical school or the beginning of the 4th year. Some students may elect to take the examination earlier or later due to special circumstances, but that usually accounts for a small percentage of students.

The most important thing to consider when taking the USMLE Step 2 exam is the medical student’s own confidence in their ability to succeed on the exam. For most students, the peak of this confidence, as well as the peak of their retention of relevant clinical knowledge, occurs immediately following the conclusion of their core clinical rotations. Data suggests that a delay in time between the conclusion of the core rotations and the exam date is correlated with a lower USMLE Step 2 score.[1] However, it is still necessary and important to allot enough time in a “dedicated” period of study to supplement the knowledge gained in the core rotations. For many students, six weeks of a dedicated study schedule is a good starting point.

The USMLE Step 2 CK exam must be completed before residency applications are submitted. Now that the Step 1 exam has been changed to pass/fail scoring, the USMLE Step 2 CK exam score is one of the few objective measures that residency program coordinators can use to filter and rank applicants. Additionally, a passing score on the Step 2 CK exam is necessary prior to beginning a residency program. Residency applications submitted through ERAS are due by the last week of September of the last med school year. Since results take an average of 2-3 weeks to be returned to medical students, the USMLE Step 2 CK exam should be taken no later than the first week of September.

USMLE Step 2CK Exam Scheduling and Eligibility Requirements

The process of scheduling for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam is similar to Step 1. The first task is to apply for a scheduling permit, which can be obtained through the NBME or, for foreign medical graduates, ECFMG. During this process, medical students select a three-month window in which they plan to take their exam. This window can be extended another three months for an additional fee if a medical student decides to delay their examination, although this is not recommended as most students try to finish the USMLE Step 2 exam before residency selection.

After the scheduling permit has been obtained, the scheduling of the Step 2 exam can be completed on the Prometric Test Centers website. Once a date, time, and location have been selected by the student, the USMLE Step 2CK exam will be scheduled. Within the three-month testing window, the examination date, time, and/or location can be rescheduled if necessary. If rescheduled at 46 days or earlier prior to the exam, there will be no fee incurred for the medical student. However, if rescheduled within 45 days of the test date, there will be a graduated fee determined by the proximity of the rescheduling date to the original test date.

Eligibility for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam is straightforward. All examinees must be, at the time of the exam, either a current or graduated student that is accredited by the LCME for MD degrees, by the COCA for DO degrees, or by the ECFMG for foreign medical students.

How to Prepare for USMLE Step 2 CK Exam in Medical School

The number one way to prepare for the USMLE Step 2 CK examination is by practice! A solid study schedule using robust practice questions is the most effective method for improving student performance on test day.[2] The Pass Machine offers a particularly robust question bank, which provides students with access to over 4,200 Step 2 CK multiple-choice practice questions.

As alluded to, a crucial element of preparation for the exam is building a strong knowledge base during the core clinical rotations, particularly in internal medicine. The clinical experiences and knowledge gained from these rotations are invaluable to success on exam. Success on the NBME shelf examinations is also correlated with success on USMLE Step 2 CK.[3]

Additionally, many medical students create a study schedule and utilize practice test questions for their preparation for USMLE Step 2. This schedule should lay out actions to be taken both before and during dedicated, including content review and practice questions. Completing an entire question bank, over 4,200 If using The Pass Machine, is strongly recommended for increasing success on the exam.

Using the USMLE Exams to Increase Clinical Knowledge and Prepare for a Medical Career

The USMLE exams are essential components in the medical career of a physician. These exams are intended to ensure the strong quality of physicians practicing in the United States as residents and beyond. The USMLE exams also serve as mandated periods of knowledge consolidation, review, and application.

With the spacing of the USMLE exams, there is ample opportunity to improve and apply medical knowledge, as well as increase basic patient-centered skills. With the Step 1 exam, pre-clinical knowledge is consolidated and approached in a manner that is applicable to patient pathophysiology. With the exam, clinical knowledge and experiences are evaluated and serve to form a good foundation for elective rotations as a fourth-year medical student. Finally, the Step 3 exam serves as a final broad medical overview for resident physicians before becoming more specialized in their focus and training.

USMLE Step 2 Exam QBank

Many medical students discover that the most effective approach to prepare for USMLE exams during their medical education involves utilizing a comprehensive question bank. With over 4,200 multiple-choice questions tailored specifically for the USMLE Step 2 exam, students gain access to the largest question bank available through The Pass Machine. Our innovative QBank offers both flashcard mode and practice exam mode, enabling you to prepare in the most efficient manner possible.

USMLE Step 2 CK Frequently Asked Questions

What year is Step 2 CK USMLE exam taken?

It is taken after completing core clinical rotations, which is most often at the beginning of the fourth year of medical school.

Do you take Step 2 CK before residency?

Yes, USMLE Step 2 CK must be taken before residency (and before applications are submitted to residency programs).

What month should I take Step 2 CK exam?

There is no specific month that is best, but aiming for a month after the completion of core clinical rotations has proven to be a successful strategy. These months tend to be May, June, July, or August.

Is USMLE Step 2 CK or Step 1 exam harder?

A popular question! Many students find Step 2 CK exam to be easier because, at this point in their training, they have had real experiences treating patients like those presented on the exam. However, doing well in one’s core rotations is still no replacement for additional proper preparation for Step 2 CK.

What are shelf exams?

NBME shelf exams are 165-minute exams that are taken at the end of each clinical core rotation. Shelf exams include internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, neurology, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and psychiatry exams. Shelf exams follow a similar format as the Step 1, Step 2CK, and Step 3 USMLE exams. They are called “shelf exams” because the questions consist of “shelved” (or expired) USMLE exam questions.

How can I prep for the USMLE Step 2 CK exam?

Containing more than 4,200 multiple-choice questions designed exclusively for the USMLE Step 2 exam, students can access the most extensive question bank available via The Pass Machine. Our advanced QBank allows you to prepare in an efficient manner so you’re ready on exam day.

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