Is 259 a good step 2 score?

Yes, a 259 on USMLE Step 2 CK is an excellent score, placing you well above average (around the 75th percentile) and making you a very strong, competitive applicant for almost any residency, including highly competitive specialties, though you'll still need a strong overall application. While scores above 260 are exceptional for top fields like Dermatology or Orthopedics, a 259 shows strong clinical knowledge and helps you stand out, especially with Step 1 now pass/fail, say Elite Medical Prep and MedBoardTutors.

Is 259 step 2 good?

To boost your chances in the residency selection process, aim for a Step 2 CK score of at least 245. While a score of 245 generally places you at the 37th percentile, and is enough for some specialties, aiming for a score closer to the 75th percentile (around 260) is recommended.

Is 256 a good step 2 score?

Breaking down MD Step 2 scores

The five physician specialties that featured the top average Step 2 scores for matched applicants who trained at U.S. MD-granting medical schools were: Dermatology—257. Orthopaedic surgery—257. Diagnostic radiology—256.

Is 249 a good step 2 score on Reddit?

Nothing is "off limits." A score of 249 isn't going to get you in anywhere on its own, but isn't going to be a red flag and prevent you from matching at a good program if you otherwise have a great application.

What is an impressive 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.

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

Is 70% on UWorld bad?

No, 70% on UWorld is generally considered good to excellent, especially on a first pass, indicating you're well-prepared for exams like the NCLEX or Step exams, though it's crucial to learn from incorrect answers to improve. Most students start lower (50s-60s), so consistently in the 70s means you're in great shape, with scores in the 80s suggesting you'll do very well. Focus on mastering weak areas identified by UWorld rather than just chasing scores. 

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. 

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.

How good is a 270 step 2 score?

A score above 270 places a student in the top 6% of test takers nationwide (>94th percentile). That's impressive, but it's essential to recognize that a 270 is not required for residency success. For most specialties, a score in the 250s is already highly competitive.

Is step 2 graded on a curve?

Step 2 CK Scoring

Your raw score is converted into a scaled score, which reflects your performance compared to other test-takers. The score distribution follows a bell curve, meaning most students cluster around the average, while fewer students score at the extremes.

What is the average Step 2 score for surgery?

General Surgery: ~247. Emergency Medicine: ~246. OB/GYN: ~245. Internal Medicine: ~245.

What is the average USMLE 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.

Is 268 a good 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.

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 average step 2 score for anesthesia?

For example, the average STEP 1 score for 2019-20 first-year residents entering Anesthesiology was 231.9, and the average Step 2 CK score was 242.6. Data are for graduates of MD-granting and DO-granting U.S. and Canadian schools and of graduates of international medical schools.

How hard is it to match into surgery residency?

In 2022, the categorical general surgery match rate for US seniors (4th year medical students in the US applying to the match) was 72% (1059/1467), 53% for DO seniors (212/397), and 29% (348/1207) for other applicants (US IMGs, non-US IMGs, and MD grads (1).

Is 260 step 2 good?

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. 260+ → Exceptional; makes you stand out even in the toughest specialties.

Which NBME is hardest step 2?

NBME 9 and 12 are known to be the hardest, maybe not because of true difficulty but , especially for 9, there are some poorly written questions. People tend to score slightly lower on these forms.

What is an average step 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.

How many UWorld questions a day is reasonable?

However, during a dedicated study period, it's advisable to allocate a significant portion of your day to UWorld. Initially, many students ease in by tackling around 40 questions daily, equivalent to one full block. As you progress, aim to complete 80 to 120 questions each day, equating to 2-3 blocks.

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.