International medical students/graduates and graduates of Fifth Pathway programs who plan to participate in the National Resident Matching Program® (NRMP®) 2014 Main Residency MatchSM (in March 2014) are reminded that they must take Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) by December 31, 2013 to ensure that their results will be available in time to participate in the 2014 Match.
Results for examinees who take Step 2 CS by December 31, 2013 will be available in time for participation in the 2014 Match. Although results for some examinees who take Step 2 CS in January 2014 also may be available in time for Match participation, this is not guaranteed. Detailed information on the result reporting schedule for Step 2 CS is available on the USMLE and ECFMG websites.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This deadline applies only to participation in the 2014 Main Residency Match. For information on deadlines to participate in the Supplemental Offer and Acceptance ProgramSM (SOAPSM), monitor the NRMP website.
If you need to pass Step 2 CS to participate in the 2014 Match, you are strongly encouraged to apply for Step 2 CS now. If you do not register early and schedule a test date as soon as possible, you may not be able to obtain a test date in 2013.
At the time of this writing, the earliest available test date at any test center is in November 2013. Traditionally, there has been high demand for testing dates during the second half of the year. 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 test date in 2013, apply for Step 2 CS now, provided you meet the eligibility requirements. Once registered, schedule your testing appointment as soon as possible. Early registration and scheduling may offer a number of benefits. If you plan to apply for Step 2 CS, you should consider the following:
- Step 2 CS sessions are opened 8 to 10 months in advance.
- 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 increase the likelihood they will be able to obtain a testing appointment for a preferred date/test center.
- 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.
Updated information on Step 2 CS scheduling will be posted to the USMLE and ECFMG websites as it becomes available.
Additional Important Reminders for Step 2 CS Examinees
Individuals planning to take Step 2 CS should monitor the ECFMG and USMLE websites for other important updates. As a reminder, the following are some of the USMLE Program’s recent updates on Step 2 CS.
Test-taking Reminders for Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) Examinees
https://www.ecfmg.org/news/?p=684
Change in the Performance Standard of the Step 2 CS Examination that Will Affect Examinees Testing on or after January 1, 2013
https://www.ecfmg.org/news/?p=745
Clarification on Completing the Step 2 Clinical Skills (CS) Patient Note
https://www.ecfmg.org/news/?p=756
