Career Planning > The Residency Application Process > USMLE Step 2 Examination - Clinical Knowledge

USMLE Step 2 Examination - Clinical Knowledge

When to take it: There are many factors to take into consideration in planning the timing of your Step 2 examination. Step 2 is a comprehensive clinical examination. Some general guidelines:

• Early 4 th year is close to third year and you may know the material best

• If you did not do well on Step 1, a higher score on Step 2 may improve your application for residency. Consider taking the exam by the end of August (for early match) or September (regular match)

• There is also some advantage to having a passing score to report to your potential residency director before they put in their match list in mid-February. If you want them to have access your score at that time, you do not want to take Step 2 any later than the end of December.

• The turn around time for releasing your scores will be three to four weeks from the time that you take the examination. You may designate that your scores be automatically transmitted to the residency programs through ERAS.

Military Match deadline: If you are participating in the Military Match, you are required to sit for Step 2 by October 1, 2005.

Deadline: The Committee on Student Promotions requires that you sit for the Step 2 examination no later than December 30, 2005. This date was chosen to maximize the chances that everyone will be able to graduate with their class. This timeframe will allow the Executive Council of the medical school and the Board of Trustees of the University to certify you for graduation, even if you need to take the examination a second time. This date will accommodate for the mandatory waiting period for those who need to take the examination again.

Request for extensions: If you feel that you have a really good reason why you need to take Step 2 after December 30, you can ask that an exception be made for you. You need to write a letter addressed to Dr. Karen Glaser, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education at 109 College (telephone 215-955-0704; email Karen.glaser@jefferson.edu) outlining your plans for the year and a subcommittee of the Committee on Student Promotions will consider your request.

You must pass Step 2 of the United States Medical Licensing examination in order to graduate.

For some great tips on preparing for this exam, please visit the AOA guide to USMLE Step 2 on Jeffline.