Is 238 a good Step 3 score?

Yes, a 238 is a very good USMLE Step 3 score, generally considered above average to excellent, placing you well above the mean (around 230) and into the higher percentiles, which helps residency applications, especially for competitive fields or if you're a Non-US IMG. It demonstrates strong competency, placing you in the 50th-80th percentile or higher depending on the year, and can even help offset lower scores from previous steps.

What's a good Step 3 score?

What's a Good Step 3 Score? Any score above 230 is considered good. Mean scores usually rest slightly below 230. Scores above 240 are considered excellent because a score of 240 puts you in the 79th percentile of all test takers.

Is 230 a good Step 3 score?

The step 3 passing score is 200. Any score above this is considered passing. Most first-time candidates score between 225 and 230, which represents the average range. Scores above 230 are considered above average and reflect strong performance.

What is a 239 step score?

230-239 (50th-80th percentile) – Above average; helps differentiate you if applying for competitive programs. 220-229 (30th-50th percentile) – A solid score, usually sufficient for most purposes like obtaining a job and matching into fellowship.

Is 250 a good Step 3 score?

Recent data shows that the mean score for Step 3 hovers around 230. Performance above 240 demonstrates strong competency (79th+ USMLE percentile), while a Step 3 score exceeding 250 indicates exceptional ability.

"Will having a Step 3 score increase my competitiveness?"

Is USMLE Step 3 the hardest?

No, USMLE Step 3 isn't usually the hardest exam overall, with high pass rates, but its difficulty lies in balancing it with residency, mastering the unique Clinical Case Simulations (CCS) software, and managing the sheer volume and intensity of two full days of testing. While Step 1 covers foundational sciences and Step 2 focuses on clinical knowledge, Step 3 tests the practical application and management of patient care, often feeling challenging due to time constraints and the need to refresh older material.
 

How hard is it to score 240 on Step 2?

According to the NBME's performance data, most students fall between 240–250 on Step 2 CK. While that's considered a strong performance, the average score depends on the year and the competitiveness of applicants.

Is 240 on Step 3 good?

Yes, a 240 is an excellent USMLE Step 3 score, placing you well above the average (around 230) and in the top percentiles, making it a very strong result for fellowship applications and general licensure purposes, though most programs focus more on passing and Step 2 scores.
 

Are Step 3 scores important?

So, does Step 3 matter? It depends on your situation. If you already matched into residency, your score doesn't matter, but it does matter that you pass the exam for both licensing and potentially fellowship applications.

Is 60% enough to pass Step 3?

However, examinees typically must answer approximately 60% of questions correctly to achieve a passing score. For Step 3, your performance on the case simulations will affect your Step 3 score and could affect whether you pass or fail.

What percent of people fail Step 3?

The USMLE Step 3 fail rate is low for first-time takers, around 2-3%, with pass rates over 97% for US/CA MD graduates, but significantly lower for repeat takers (around 73-76%), highlighting challenges in re-passing. Pass rates for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are lower, with about 91% passing initially compared to 97% for U.S. grads, and repeaters even lower (64% in 2022). The exam is generally seen as passable with good preparation, but scores can drop from Step 2, making test-taking skills crucial, and the passing score was recently raised to 200. 

What is the highest USMLE Step 3 score?

Reported scores for Step 2 CK and Step 3 range from 1 to 300.

Is 232 a good Step 3 score?

The priority is to pass. It's important to know that passing scores change periodically. In 2024, the passing score is 198-200, an increase from the previous passing score of 196. The average score is around 230 and fluctuates every year.

What is the passing score for Step 3 2025?

As of 2025, you'll need a minimum score of 200 to pass Step 3. Scores range from 1 to 300, and most candidates average around 227–230.

Is the USMLE Step 3 pass fail now?

Effective January 1, 2024, the passing standard for Step 3 will increase, raising the three-digit score requirement from 198 to 200. This change, determined by the USMLE Management Committee, represents an adaptation to the evolving standards in medical education and practice.

How many times can you take USMLE Step 3?

You must pass USMLE Step 3 within four attempts pursuant to Business and Professions Code (BPC) section 2177(c)(1). If you passed USMLE Step 3 in more than four attempts, you may be eligible for licensure if you meet the requirements of BPC section 2135 or BPC section 2135.5.

What percent of Step 3 score is ccs case?

About 25% of your Step 3 score depends on how you performed on the 12 CCS cases that are part of the exam, so it is important to study for it efficiently, we hope these tips will help! These cases will test you primarily on conditions and situations you should have encountered during your intern year.

Does Step 3 score matter for GI fellowship?

Importance for Fellowship Applications

Doing average or slightly above average on Step or Level 3 is unlikely to help your application, but failing or doing poorly can hurt you. Just like residency, some fellowships bear more weight on Step 3/Level 3 than others.

How difficult is Step 3 of the USMLE?

Studying for Step 3 is difficult in large part because you're required to study while maintaining your duties as a resident. Also, as a specialist in training, most of what you learn will be tested on your board exam but not the USMLE Step 3.

Does Step 3 score matter for IMG?

The only way or the only reason why a program director will want to see your step three score and will really care about your step three score as an IMG before actually matching so before applying to the match is when you have a low step to CK score or some other red flags on your application and you are using step ...

Which step is the hardest in USMLE?

Step 2 had the highest passing rates for both US/Canadian students (98%) and non-US/Canadian test takers (88%). This data suggests that Step 1 was the hardest exam to pass. No matter which step you are preparing for, the USMLE exams are challenging.

What is the average Step 3 score?

The USMLE Step 3 is scored on a 3-digit scale ranging from 1 to 300, with most residents scoring between 196-256.

Is 230 a bad step 2 score?

The average score hovers around 245, with the standard deviation around 15 points. That means most students fall between 230 and 260 — but what matters most is how that score translates into a percentile compared to other examinees.