Is 265 a good step 2 score?

Yes, a 265 on USMLE Step 2 CK is an excellent score, placing you in the top tier (around the 90th percentile or higher) and making you a very strong candidate for nearly any residency program, including highly competitive specialties. While scores above 250 are generally strong, 265+ is considered exceptional, often securing interviews even in tough fields like Dermatology, Orthopedic Surgery, and Neurosurgery.

Is 265 on step 2 good?

265+ is one true standard deviation . Anyone scoring around that and higher should be genuinely proud of the accomplishment because they worked their ass off for it and they clearly know their shit for the exam.

Is 260 a good step 2 score?

260 is 80th percentile on Step 2. It is a good score for any speciality (as a US MD) but, it is not like unheard of to score 260+. A lot of us have a skewed perspective of what a good Step 2 is because for so long people talked in Step 1 scores , where a 260 is 95th percentile (1 in 5 vs 1 in 20 med students).

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.

What's an average step 2 score?

Step 2 CK Percentiles & Average Test Scores

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.

How I Scored 276 on USMLE Step 2 CK (99th percentile)

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 is an elite step 2 score?

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 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'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.

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. 

What are common Step 2 mistakes?

In this guide, I will discuss common mistakes students make while studying for Step 2 CK and how to avoid them.

• Using too many resources. ...
• Not approaching questions systematically. ...
• Not trusting your gut. ...
• Not preparing for test day conditions. ...
• Not taking care of yourself.

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 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!!!

Is 266 a good step 2 score?

USMLE Step 1 is reported as pass/fail, but you will receive numerical scores for Step 2 CK and Step 3. A good USMLE Step 2 CK score is between 240-260, with 256 or higher being competitive for first-choice residency programs.

Does step 2 score matter for residency?

Absolutely. While a higher score may strengthen your application, many residency programs take a holistic approach. Your clinical experience, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and overall fit matter just as much.

What is a 250 on step 2?

Step Score: 250

Next up, jumping by two significant points, is neurology, with an average Step 2 score of 250. Scoring a 250 puts you in the 50th percentile, meaning 50% of exam takers had a lower score than yours, placing you right in the middle of the pack.

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 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 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).

What is a 60% correct Step 2 score?

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.