question about usmle

[cattyjane]

for september incoming students, when is the best time to take step 2 and/or step3 (for h1b visa)?

If we start to apply for the match in sept of the 4th year. Then it seems that we have only about 1 year time (ie from the end of 2nd year to the end of 3rd year) to write step 2, or possibly step 3. Do you think we would have enough knowledge or experience for either or exams? Or do we purely relying on studying from books in order to pass the exams before match application?

[KingMo]

for september incoming students, when is the best time to take step 2 and/or step3 (for h1b visa)?

If we start to apply for the match in sept of the 4th year. Then it seems that we have only about 1 year time (ie from the end of 2nd year to the end of 3rd year) to write step 2, or possibly step 3. Do you think we would have enough knowledge or experience for either or exams? Or do we purely relying on studying from books in order to pass the exams before match application?

That's the official policy, but the school doesn't really enforce it. They accomodate and give you as much time as you need to study and pass the exam.

[darkmansaad]

You dont take Step 3 until AFTER graduation (you get your ECFMG number then to register for it) so a lot of people take it during PGY-1 year or if you have time before because you started late for example I started in the May class and i am rushing through clinicals so i will have about 6 months to play with so I will probably take it then. Step 2 you can take almost anytime...some US students I know take late in their 4th year if they dominated Step 1 so that if they did somehow drop in score it wouldnt be reported until after interviews and rank lists were in. Its a controversial subject but as an IMG you'd be better off having both your steps in with ideally both scores being really high to make you look as good as possible. My 2 cents.

[cattyjane]

You dont take Step 3 until AFTER graduation (you get your ECFMG number then to register for it) so a lot of people take it during PGY-1 year or if you have time before because you started late for example I started in the May class and i am rushing through clinicals so i will have about 6 months to play with so I will probably take it then. Step 2 you can take almost anytime...some US students I know take late in their 4th year if they dominated Step 1 so that if they did somehow drop in score it wouldnt be reported until after interviews and rank lists were in. Its a controversial subject but as an IMG you'd be better off having both your steps in with ideally both scores being really high to make you look as good as possible. My 2 cents.

Thanks. But I heard that in some states you can take step 3 before graduation, provided that you are well prepared. I feel that for people who need h1b visa to work in the states are better off to take step 3 during the 3rd for the beginning of the 4th year so that they can apply for the visa and start residency right after graduation instead of taking another year off just for writing step 3! On the other hand, this plan must be excruciating as one has to take 3 exams (CS CK +step3)!

Tough road ahead for IMGs

[jhafez87]

I will be a USIMG, do i still have to take step 3 before starting residency? can i take it after residency or in PGY-2

[cattyjane]

If you are an US citizen/GC holder, then you only need to wrtie step 1 and 2 before the match.