BLOGS

With the recent announcement of the much awaited Pathway 6 Mini-CEX instructions, , IMGs (International medical students)/graduates who do not qualify for Pathway 1-5 or have failed Step 2 CS are yet again thrown into the dilemma of an unknown territory by ECFMG.

USMLE Step 2 CS was suspended on 13 March, 2020 due to Covid -19 outbreak as a precautionary step to protect the health of examinees and test center staff which was later extended to 18 months. Recently USMLE has uploaded a Step 2 CS Update 19 Nov 2020 on a podcast on their website - an interview with David Johnson, Chief assessment Officer, Federation of State Medical Boards, Dr. Chris Feddock, Executive Director for CS Evaluation Collaboration (CSEC) which administers the USMLE STEP 2 CS. The following is a salient gist of their conversation.

STEP 2 CS GOING ONLINE VIA TELEHEALTH MODEL

Obviously, COVID-19 has been a scary and rocky road for most of us health care professionals. When ECFMG announced the possibility of writing the USMLE STEP 2 CS exam via telehealth model many thought what else can make us less free(er) from the panic?

Step 2 CS Schedule 2020 When should I schedule my exam? Where should I write my exam? How am I going to get dates? These are question that pop into our heads when we plan to take step 2 CS. Well now this is the major questions we ask ourselves amidst of the corona virus pandemic affecting the whole world. This corona virus spread has affected our exams, travelling and day to day life, but mostly it affected our future plans.

Before you begin browsing the internet for CS courses these are 4 things you should know. 1. Know that Step 2 CS cannot be mastered in 3 or 4 or 5 days course. The course can download all the information but YOU got to get ready by a) knowing what is the right method i.e one that gets you a ICE, SEP & CIS PASS b) practicing with SPs c) get used to analyzing the DDs under time pressure d) finally to be able to pull it off by typing patient note ( that gets an ICE pass)

Most students fail Step 2 CS because they dont take the time to understand what this exam is about and how to ace it confidently. A step 2 CS fail can keep you from getting a residency interview. Knowing the truth can set you free!

Assessment for Step 2 CS is essential before you go for the pricy exam. It can help you from failing and re spending the exam fee again! We can help. Schedule your appointment now to assess if you are ready

- Dr. Mary June

1. This exam is VERY EASY to PASS but VERY EASY to FAIL as well. I have had exceptionally bright students with good medical knowledge and acumen fail it more than once! So know your cards before you play the game. It ruins your chances at interviews for residency if you have an attempt or two. Not to mention its expensive one too. 2. The CS exam is a unique exam where exam taking STRATEGIES UNDER TIME PRESSURE is more important than actually preparing on the content of the exam. You need to have an ORGANIZED MIND to execute flawlessly...

Have you ever had that terrible feeling when you attend an exam being unprepared? Or worse, what happens with your life if you FAIL it? Well, guess what, life goes on.

The Step 2 CS exam of the USMLE is a cause of heartbreak (and bankruptcy!) among thousands of aspiring physicians. "Where did I go wrong?", students ask themselves.