Lots of changes coming up to USMLE

[meddoc4u]

I got an email from Kaplan Medical:

"In June, the step 2 CS will become a very different exam:

The communications and interpersonal skills section will be redesigned to assess a larger range of competencies. This will make the exam more challenging for many test takers.

The patient note section of the test will also become more intense, requiring test takers to document the process that brought them to their diagnosis.

There will be exam blackout dates in April and May, which means applicants looking to get their scores in soon should select their test date and exam prep courses now."

I got similar emails regarding step 2 CK and step 3.

My school does not have decent rotation spots. Consequently preparing for steps, after the change, worries me. I have not yet started rotations. I can not expect training to be any better or to be provided with any new guidelines. Board scores are super important and I'm wondering what is the best way to handle this change in difficulty.

What are the implications for residency? I know that there is an increase in medical schools, increase in enrollment, residency spots are not increasing (proportionately) - so the competition will increase too. Essentially - LOTS of changes. What do these changes mean for students?

I'm currently a medical student at a caribbean school (not the top 4) preparing for my step 1.

Thanks to everybody participating in this discussion.

[StepTaker]

In my opinion the changes in the Step 2 CS exam are not dramatic. All you need is little practice of the new patient note and you will be fine.

Step 2 CK and Step 3 changes are also minimal. The books that you are reading now would cover the topics and high yield info.

I wouldn't think that such changes would affect matching performance of IMGs significantly.

As for the increasing number of AMGs filling up IMG spots, I recommend you read Sabio's article here
No More IMGs in the Future; Is It True?

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