Is 253 a good step 2 score on Reddit?

Yes, a 253 is a very good to excellent USMLE Step 2 score, generally considered strong enough to be competitive for most specialties, even more competitive ones, though it's not an automatic guarantee and depends on your overall application (research, LORs) and specialty goals, say Reddit users and medical advisors and experts. A score of 251+ is often seen as excellent, opening doors to many programs, while 250+ typically gets you past initial screening, with higher scores needed for top-tier competitive fields like Dermatology or certain surgical specialties.

Is 253 on step 2 good?

248 is the mean step 2 score with a 13 point standard deviation, a 253 is good but it isn't a ticket into anything without research, letters, etc.

Is 250 a good step 2 score on Reddit?

250+ is a foot in the door score. It doesn't guarantee you anything, but it will probably get you past most screens. However, interviews are based on your app as a whole not just a score.

Is 250 a good Step 2 CK score?

A "good" Step 2 CK score percentile depends entirely on your specialty goals and career objectives. For most medical students, a score above the national median of 250 is considered good, while scores above 260 (75th USMLE percentile) are considered very good to excellent.

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. 

"How do I get a 285+ on Step 2CK?"

Is 230 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.

Is 239 a good step 2 score?

240+ (Top 20-25%) – Excellent score; can strengthen fellowship applications. 230-239 (50th-80th percentile) – Above average; helps differentiate you if applying for competitive programs.

What is a decent step 2 score?

The mean Step 2 CK score is around 249, with a minimum passing score of 218. Reaching the 75th percentile can greatly strengthen an application, especially now that Step 1 is pass/fail.

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.

What's a good step 2 score in 2025?

What Is the Average USMLE Step 2 Score Range?

• 230 and below → Passing but below average; limits competitiveness in more selective specialties.
• 240–250 → Solidly within the average range; competitive for many core specialties.
• 255+ → Above average; strong candidate for competitive programs.

How much percentile is 250?

Most students scoring 250 marks fall between 99.95 and 99.99 percentile.

What is the average Step 2 score for residency programs?

Across all physician specialties, the average Step 2 score for matched applicants from U.S. MD-granting medical schools was 250, according to a 2024 report on characteristics of matched applicants.

Is 255 a good step 2 score on Reddit?

That's a fantastic score! I got a 249 and I am an average student. I went through all the stages of grief with “oh I should have done better” or “wow everyone is posting about 255+ scores” but at the end of the day you are more than a number and it is a good score!!!

What step 2 score is 90th percentile?

Understanding Step 2 Percentiles

50th percentile: Around 245. 75th percentile: Around 255. 90th percentile: Around 265.

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.
 

Is Step 2 CK curved?

How Step 2 CK is Scored. Reported Step 2 CK scores range from 1–300. Examinees receive a three-digit score within this range on their score report, and their performance is equated rather than curved.

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 225 a good step 2 score?

The mean Step 2 CK score across all applicants hovers around 249. The minimum passing score is 218. Applicants who match tend to score higher than those who don't, regardless of whether they are U.S. MD seniors, DO seniors, or international medical graduates (IMGs).

What percent is correct to get a 250 on step 2?

Similarly, for Step 2 CK, a 250+ is above the 65%ile.

What Step 2 score is needed for psychiatry?

Psychiatry is no longer "low barrier"—it requires competitive USMLE scores, research, and publications. For IMGs targeting Psychiatry: Aim for Step 1 ≥ 225, Step 2 CK ≥ 240. At least 3–5 research projects and.

How hard is it to score 240 on Step 2?

An examinee with a Step 2 CK score of 240 is at the 24th percentile. The 24th percentile means that 24% of the Step 2 CK first-takers from LCME-accredited US/Canadian medical schools in the three-year cohort described previously scored lower than 240.

What is the Usmle Step 2 score 2025?

In July 2025, the Step 2 passing score increased from 214 to 218. Since the USMLE Step 1 score system is now pass/fail, Step 2 CK is among the most influential factors in residency admissions, and the bar just got set higher.