Question for partner

Question for partner

My partner is a 4th year med student Just got his step 2 (229) & comlex 2 (560)score back;

He underperformed in his step 2 & with all honesty we were caught by surprise for this score. He is in the top 10% of his class, first time pass for step 1/comlex 1, honored all of his 3rd year rotations. Great LORs so far.

He is in between surgery & emergency medicine debate. He is saying that surgery is a near impossible match for now. He is thinking of not submitting his steps scores & just call it a day with comlex and give a shot for DO-friendly surgery residencies & apply broadly for EM. He is also thinking of why not submitting his step scores; given that he has no other red flags and everything is on his side except the step score. He is getting scared of being screened out.

Honestly I am trying to be supportive and tell him that he will be fine matching; his fears of emergency medicine is the job outlook and stuff which are valid and making him very confused.

As a partner who is not in medicine, what’s the best sound advice i can give him? His school advisors are not really giving him any helpful advice except you will be fine.

So redditors of medicine please advice!