Issue 129 - April 7, 2008
IMGs Participating in 2009 Match Should Register for Step 2 CS Now
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 register now for Step 2 CS.
At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any test center was in September 2008. As indicated 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.
Demand for the Step 2 CS examination is already heavy for test dates in the latter part of 2008. Additionally, test sessions at all test centers may be subject to scheduling restrictions that 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 immediately.
- If you cannot obtain a testing appointment at your preferred test center, check for availability at other test centers.
Registering and scheduling now offer a number of benefits:
- Applicants registered for Step 2 CS can schedule immediately if a preferred testing appointment is 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.
If you are planning to take Step 2 CS but are not planning to participate in the 2009 Match, please consider scheduling a Step 2 CS testing appointment that is after December 31, 2008. This will maximize the number of testing appointments available for those who must take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2008 in order to obtain their results 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.