Issue 141 - June 18, 2009
IMGs Participating in 2010 Match Should Register for Step 2 CS Now
International medical students/graduates and participants/graduates of Fifth Pathway programs who need to pass Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) to participate in the 2010 Match (in March 2010) are reminded that they must take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2009. As indicated in the 2009 Schedule for Reporting Step 2 CS Results, if you do not take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2009, your result will not be available in time to participate in the 2010 Match.
At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any test center was in September 2009. Demand for the Step 2 CS examination is already heavy for test dates in the latter part of 2009. Additionally, test sessions at all test centers may be subject to scheduling restrictions that limit the number of test dates available to you.
All test sessions for the remainder of 2009 have been opened and no new test sessions will be added through the end of the year. To maximize your chances of obtaining a 2009 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 2010 Match, please consider scheduling a Step 2 CS testing appointment that is after December 31, 2009. This will maximize the number of testing appointments available for those who must take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2009 to obtain their results in time to participate in the 2010 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.