Is 243 a good Step 1 score?

Yes, a 243 is generally considered a strong and good score on the USMLE Step 1, placing you in the upper half of test-takers and making you competitive for many specialties, though it might be lower for the most competitive fields like Dermatology or Orthopedics where scores above 250+ are often preferred. It's a score that opens many doors, especially when paired with strong clinical grades, Step 2 CK, and research.

What percentile is 243 on Step 1?

240-249 (25th-50th percentile) – Still a comfortably passing score but could limit options for competitive programs.

Is 240 a good Step 1 score?

But what about that magical 240? “240” is the number so many of us have somehow come to establish as the score that, if achieved, will prevent us from automatically being blacklisted by certain residency programs. Only the top ~30% of exam takers realize the goal of a 240+ on test day.

What is a good score on USMLE Step 1?

A score of 230 to 245 is a good score, and will now allow one to aim for more competitive specialities. If you are able to pair this raw score with strong clinical grades and Step 2 performances – and additionally with research undertaken – then you should see competitive programs as well within reach.

Is 243 a good step 2 score?

Data provided by the National Board of Medical Examiners, which administers the USMLE, indicate that the average score for Step 2 CK for U.S. medical graduates hovers just above 240. Generally, it's been 242 to 243 over the past few years. The 25th percentile is around 232, while the 75th percentile is near 256.

USMLE Step 2 CK Score Needed for Residency📊 (By Specialty)

What is a passing Step 1 score?

According to the USMLE, “On the three-digit score scale, the Step 1 passing score is 196.” Granted, this may be difficult to interpret—when completing Qbank blocks or an NBME/CBSE mock exam, you'll likely receive a number equal to the percentage of questions you answered correctly.

Is 235 a bad step 2 score?

A good USMLE Step 2 CK score is between 240-260, with 256 or higher being competitive for first-choice residency programs. A good USMLE Step 3 score is above 230, and a high score can help compensate for a lower Step 2 CK performance.

What is the lowest score on Step 1?

The minimum passing score for Step 1 is 196. However, your exact numerical score for this exam will not be included in your score report.

Do residencies see your Step 1 score?

Let's get straight to it. There's no longer a specific numeric USMLE Step 1 passing score that you or residency programs will ever see. Since January 26, 2022, the exam has been graded on a simple pass/fail basis. Your transcript will show one of those two outcomes, and that's it.

What is a 90% chance of passing Step 1?

A 90% chance of passing USMLE Step 1, often from an NBME practice exam, means you're very likely to pass but still have a 1 in 10 chance of failing, as it's a prediction not a guarantee, and validity depends on taking the real test soon after; it's calculated by the NBME, reflects statistical models, and isn't the same as mastering 90% of content, though strong practice scores usually indicate good readiness.
 

Is 60% enough to pass Step 1?

Yes, around 60% correct is generally considered the approximate pass mark for USMLE Step 1, though the exact percentage varies with each exam form, and the score is reported as Pass/Fail, not a number, so consistently scoring higher (like 65-70%) on practice exams (NBMEs) is recommended for a comfortable pass. The official passing score (around 196 before 2022, now just "Pass") isn't a fixed number of questions, as some are experimental, but aiming for about 60% on practice tests is a good benchmark, with 70%+ being a safer target for a strong pass. 

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.

What is the average USMLE score?

Over the past three years, according to USMLE data, the average score for first-time takers from accredited US/Canadian medical schools has gradually increased from 248 to 250, well above the passing standard.

What is a good UWorld percentage Step 1?

What is a good UWorld Step 1 QBank score or percentage? Historically, a 40% UWorld Step 1 QBank score has been correlated with a passing score on the USMLE Step 1. With the exam's recent transition to pass/fail scoring, we now consider a passing UWorld Step 1 QBank score to be 45% to 50%.

What is a 75% on Step 1?

A 75% on USMLE Step 1 usually refers to a high performance level, often meaning you scored better than 75% of other test-takers (75th percentile) or got around 75% of questions correct on practice exams, indicating a very high chance of passing, as a ~65% correct on NBMEs often predicts passing. While Step 1 is now pass/fail, historically, a score in the 75th percentile (around 240-250+ on the old scale) was considered strong for residency applications, and 70-75% on practice NBMEs suggests near-certain success on the actual exam.
 

What are red flags in residency applications?

Residency application red flags are issues that can signal potential challenges, primarily revolving around academic/exam performance (failed/low USMLE/COMLEX scores, retakes, course failures), gaps in education/training (unexplained time off, extended med school), professionalism issues (probation, disciplinary actions, poor evaluations, legal trouble), and application inconsistencies (weak LORs, generic statements, mismatched goals, no U.S. clinical experience for IMGs). The key is acknowledging these, explaining them with context (e.g., personal hardship), and demonstrating growth and remediation to show maturity. 

How much score is needed to pass USMLE Step 1?

* USMLE Step 1 score reporting is reported as pass/fail only for exams taken on or after January 26, 2022. On the three-digit score scale, the passing standard is 196.

What is the 7 year rule for USMLE?

The USMLE 7-Year Rule mandates that most applicants must pass USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and Step 3 within seven years of passing their first step, starting from the date of that initial pass, for ECFMG Certification and medical licensure. Failure to meet this deadline invalidates earlier scores, requiring retesting, though waivers or extensions may be possible for documented extenuating circumstances like MD/PhD programs or severe illness, requiring contact with the specific state medical board or ECFMG. 

Is Step 1 the hardest test?

Yes, USMLE Step 1 is widely considered the hardest USMLE exam due to its sheer volume of foundational science knowledge, extensive content, and high-stakes nature (historically), testing everything from first two years of med school, though its difficulty is subjective and Step 2/3 also present unique challenges, but Step 1's breadth makes it a significant hurdle.
 

What was a competitive Step 1 score?

The mean USMLE® Step 1 score for U.S. seniors matched into competitive residencies in 2020 was around 248. For less competitive residencies, the mean USMLE® Step 1 scores were between 221 and 237. The mean USMLE® Step 1 score for IMGs for the most competitive residencies in 2020 was between 239 and 246.

Is Step 1 only pass fail?

As of January 2022, the USMLE Step 1 Exam shifted from being scored to a simple pass/fail grading structure.

How many questions can you miss on Step 1?

In order to pass the USMLE Step 1, you must answer approximately 60% of questions correctly. In numerical terms, if there are 280 questions in total, you must answer at least 168 questions correctly.

Is 242 a good step 2 score?

In terms of Step 2 CK percentiles and average test scores, the average scores usually fall within the range of 245 to 247. For Step 3, students often receive mean scores between 227 and 228. These variations in mean scores also translate to differences in percentiles.