Issue 123 - December 3, 2007
IMGs Participating in 2009 Match Should Take Step 2 CS by August 2008
International medical students/graduates, including participants/graduates of Fifth Pathway programs, who need to pass Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) to participate in the 2009 Match (in March 2009) are strongly encouraged to take Step 2 CS by August 2008.
Traditionally, there has been high demand for testing appointments in the period from September through December. For 2008, demand for testing appointments in the period from September through December is expected to be even higher than in past years.
At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any test center was in May 2008. Additionally, test sessions at all test centers may be subject to scheduling restrictions that may limit the number of test dates available to you.
To maximize your chances of obtaining a 2008 test date,
- Apply for Step 2 CS now, provided you meet the eligibility requirements.
- Once registered, schedule your testing appointment as soon as possible for a date before September 2008. Scheduling conditions are expected to be most favorable from May through July.
If you do not register early and schedule as soon as possible for a test date before September 2008, it is possible that you will not be able to obtain a test date in 2008. As published in the 2008 Step 2 Clinical Skills Schedule for Reporting Results, if you do not take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2008, your result will not be available in time to participate in the 2009 Match.
Early registration and scheduling may offer a number of benefits. If you plan to apply for Step 2 CS, you should consider the following:
- Applicants registered for Step 2 CS can schedule and take the exam during the 12-month eligibility period that follows their registration. By registering early, applicants can schedule immediately if a preferred testing appointment becomes available.
- Applicants registered for Step 2 CS can use the E-mail Notification feature of on-line Step 2 CS Calendar and Scheduling. The E-mail Notification feature allows registered applicants to indicate their preferred test dates/centers and receive e-mail notification when testing appointments that match their preferences become available.
- Applicants who schedule a testing appointment can change the testing appointment without cost, provided they give more than 14 days' notice. See Rescheduling in the ECFMG Information Booklet.
- Applicants who take Step 2 CS early in the year and receive a failing result are more likely to have the opportunity to retake the exam in 2008 and receive their result in time to participate in the 2009 Match.
Updated information on Step 2 CS scheduling will be posted to the ECFMG website as it becomes available. Individuals planning to take Step 2 CS should monitor the ECFMG and USMLE websites for the latest information.