Can you retake step 2 if you fail?

Yes, you can retake the USMLE Step 2 CK if you fail, with a total of four attempts allowed per Step, but there are strict time limits, including needing to wait a certain period between attempts (e.g., 60 days after a first failure) and a maximum of three attempts within 12 months. Failing Step 2 CK significantly impacts residency applications, as most programs require a passing score before ranking you, so passing on a retake is crucial, but a low score can still be a red flag.

What happens if I fail USMLE step 2?

USMLE limits how often you can retake the same exam. You may retake Step 2 CK no sooner than 60 days after a first failure, and no more than three times within a 12-month period.

Can you retake step 2 even if you passed?

USMLE policy generally does not allow applicants to retake a Step if they have already passed that Step. However, there are exceptions for the purpose of complying with a time limit imposed by a U.S. medical licensing authority or another authority recognized by the USMLE program.

How many people fail Step 2?

With Step 1 being pass/fail, Step 2 CK has become the primary USMLE score that residency programs use to evaluate applicants. In 2023-2024, approximately 2,835 students failed Step 2 CK on their first attempt—2% of US MD students, 4% of DO students, and 11% of IMGs.

How many times are you allowed to take step 2?

You can retake the USMLE® Step 2 CK up to four times. However, if you've failed or failed to complete the exam four times, you will be ineligible to apply for any subsequent steps in the USMLE® exam sequence.

I Failed Step 2 CK - What Should I Do?

What score is 75% correct on step 2?

Getting 75% correct on Step 2, especially on practice tests like NBMEs or UWorld, usually translates to a strong score in the mid-to-high 240s or even into the mid-250s, placing you well above average and competitive for many specialties, though top-tier competitive fields might require even higher scores (around 255-270+). A 75th percentile score means you scored better than 75% of test-takers, indicating solid performance and often helping balance a weaker Step 1 or improving residency options. 

What happens if you fail step 2 four times?

The total number of attempts allowed per Step is four (4). Examinees who have attempted any USMLE Step (including Step 2 CS) four or more times and have not passed are ineligible to apply for USMLE Steps.

What is the lowest passing score on Step 2?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Management Committee recently raised the minimum Step 2 Curriculum Knowledge (CK) score required to pass from 214 to 218.

What is the 7 year rule for USMLE?

The USMLE 7-year rule, primarily for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking ECFMG Certification, mandates completing all required USMLE Steps (1, 2 CK/CS, and eventually 3) within seven years of passing the first exam; failure to do so invalidates earlier scores, requiring retakes, though waivers or extensions may be granted for documented issues like PhD programs, severe illness, or certain military service. Most U.S. medical licensing boards also enforce this timeframe for state licensure, starting from the first successful Step pass. 

How many people regret medical school?

Medical students' career regret

The vast majority (76.3%) of participants regret their decision to study medicine.

Which is harder, USMLE Step 1 or step 2?

However, in clinical years, patient management reinforces concepts learned from textbooks and UWorld. For those reasons, many students believe that Step 1 is harder, accompanied by the fact that it is the first long licensing exam students are taking.

Do you need to pass step 2 to graduate?

All students are required to take and pass USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK to meet graduation requirements.

When to take Step 3?

When should you take the Step 3 exam? Most residency programs require a passing score on Step 3 during one's intern year to matriculate to PGY-2. As far as when to take it, that is typically up to the resident. “I recommend taking it on an elective block,” Dr.

Is it bad to retake step 2?

Yes, you can retake the Step 2 exam. USMLE specifies that you have up to four attempts to take any of their medical exams. This provides students with a Step 2 failure some time to study and retake the exam to have a passing score they can use to apply for residency programs.

Does step 2 matter for residency?

In a 2024 survey of residency program directors conducted by the National Resident Matching Program, a medical student's Step 2 score—which has taken on increased importance since the Step 1 exam went pass-fail in 2022—was the fourth most frequently considered factor in determining which applicants to interview.

When did Step 2 become pass-fail?

Change to Step 2 CK Passing Standard Begins July 1, 2025. At its June 2025 meeting, the USMLE Management Committee conducted a review of the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) passing standard.

What is the shortest residency to become a doctor?

The shortest MD residencies in the U.S. are typically 3 years, offered in primary care fields like Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Preventive Medicine, with some Emergency Medicine programs also being 3 years. These generalist specialties provide broad medical foundations, allowing physicians to enter practice quickly, though many pursue further fellowship training for subspecialization.
 

How many years is step 2 valid?

The seven-year rule, established by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), requires applicants to complete USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) exams, along with other clinical criteria, within 7 years of completing their first exam.

Has anyone gotten a 300 on USMLE?

The highest possible score for the USMLE Step 2 CK is 300, but no one has ever achieved a “perfect” score. A score around 280 would be considered a top Step 2 CK score.

What score is 60% correct on step 2?

A 60% correct on USMLE Step 2 CK, which equals a score of around 218 (the new passing score as of July 2025), means you've met the minimum competency requirement, but to be competitive for residency, you generally need a much higher score, with averages often in the mid-240s to 250s, depending on the specialty, with higher scores like 245 (around 37th percentile) or 255 (around 60th percentile) being good targets for competitiveness, as residency programs look for scores well above the passing threshold.
 

What score is 50% on step 2?

A 50% score on USMLE Step 2 (CK) usually translates to a score around 250, placing you at the 50th percentile, which is considered an average-to-good score but may be limiting for highly competitive specialties, though it's a passing score and often sufficient for many programs with strong applications. The actual percentile can vary slightly as more people take the test, but a score in the mid-240s to low-250s generally puts you around the 50th percentile. 

Is it hard to fail step 2?

The Step 2 pass rate has been well over 90% for test-takers from MD and DO schools in recent years, according to the USMLE. But if you fail, USMLE policy allows up to four total attempts to pass any of the Step exams. As far as the impact of that failure on your residency prospects, a Step 2 fail is not a deal-breaker.

What to do after failing step 2?

If you failed Step 2 CK after submitting residency applications, consider:

1. Updating programs on your retake plan and commitment to improvement. ...
2. Applying broadly and strategically to programs that are more forgiving of a Step 2 failure. ...
3. Getting strong letters of recommendation to reinforce your clinical strengths.

Can you graduate medical school without passing step 2?

(1a) All DGSOM students must successfully pass the USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 exams in order to graduate and receive their diploma.

What happens if your med school loses accreditation?

Key Takeaways. Schools lose accreditation when they fail to meet academic standards such as graduation rates, licensure pass rates, or postgraduation outcomes. Once a school loses accreditation, it becomes ineligible for federal financial aid, and degrees earned may not be recognized by employers or graduate programs.