USMLE Step 2 CS
WHO takes Step 2 CS?
Medical students who have completed all third year clerkships.
WHAT is Step 2 CS (Clinical Skills)?
- One-day Exam
- Uses standardized patients to test medical students on their ability to gather information from patients, perform physical examiniations, and communicate their findings to patients and colleagues
- Students will see 11 to 12 standardized patients, and cases will be mixed in terms of age, gender, ethnicity, organ system, and discipline
- Each patient encounter will include preliminary information consisting of patient characteristics (name, age, sex) and chief complaint & vitals (temperature, respiratory rate, pulse, blood pressure) available on the door of each room
Students will have 15 minutes to complete the clinical encounter, and 10 minutes to write the note - For more detailed information, download the USMLE Step 2 CS Content Description and General Information Booklet
WHEN do students take Step 2 CS?
- Students must register and schedule for Step 2 CS no later than January 31st of their 3rd year
- Students should take Step 2 CS before November 1st (highly recommended). You are less likely to have a conflict with Residency interviews or flight cancellations due to weather
- Students MUST take Step 2 CS by December 31st of the fourth year
WHERE do students take Step 2 CS?
- Step 2 CS is offered in only 5 locations: Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Philadelphia
HOW to Register for Step 2 CS
- Go to NBME Wesbite
- Eligibility Period is 1 YEAR
- Cost of exam is $1,075
- Cost of travel and accommodations are NOT included in exam cost. Students must pay this on their own
- Don’t want to pay extra for a hotel? Visit the BUSM Alumni Association’s Host-A-Student Program. Students can be put in touch with BUSM alumni in the area willing to host students!!
