What is the average USMLE Step 2 score for IMG?

For matched International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in the 2024 Match, average USMLE Step 2 CK scores were around 236 for U.S. citizen IMGs and 245 for non-U.S. citizen IMGs, though scores vary significantly by specialty, with higher scores needed for more competitive fields like surgery and lower for others like psychiatry. Step 2 CK is crucial as Step 1 is now Pass/Fail, with higher scores generally correlating to better Match outcomes, especially in competitive specialties.

What is a good step 2 score for ortho?

To save you the trouble, those with around a 240 have about a 75-80% chance of matching overall in orthopedic surgery. The mean Step 2 score, as seen on page 180, is a 251. If you would score in the range you suggested, I'm sure that would bolster your application.

What is the average USMLE step 2 score?

What Is the Average USMLE Step 2 Score Range? According to the NBME's performance data, most students fall between 240–250 on Step 2 CK.

How important is Step 2 for IMGs?

IMGs can and do match with strong Step 2 scores.

A standout Step 2 CK score can be particularly important for international graduates, as it helps demonstrate readiness for U.S. clinical practice.

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 I Scored 279 on Step 2 CK: Karim's Top Tips for Success!

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 is the highest USMLE step 2 score ever?

If you want to match to your first-choice program, you should aim for a score at or above 260. The highest possible score for the USMLE Step 2 CK is 300, but no one has ever achieved a “perfect” score. A score around 280 would be considered a top Step 2 CK score.

Is 240 a bad step 2 score?

To pass the Step 2 CK exam, you have to score 218 out of 300. What qualifies as a “good” score depends on many factors: what specialty you're applying for, what program you're applying to, if you're applying to a community or an academic institution, etc. Generally, a “good” Step 2 CK score is between 240 and 260.

What specialty has the lowest Step 2 score?

First up with the lowest average Step 2 score is family medicine at 244. Family medicine is a specialty that continuously has the lowest Step 2 score of all specialties. That said, note that the current 244, based on 2024 data, is an increase from 241 in 2022 and 238 in 2020.

How hard is it to match into ortho?

The total number of US orthopaedic applicants in 2018 were 839, which represents 85% of all orthopaedic applicants; 149 of these applicants did not match, leading to an unmatched rate of 18%, which is the lowest match rate among all surgical specialties2.

What is a good step 2 score in 2025?

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.

How long to study for step 2 as an img?

However, most US medical graduates recommend dedicating 4-6 weeks of focused preparation for focused Step 2 CK preparation. IMGs may need an additional 2-4 weeks, making it 6-8 weeks to address any gaps in their basic medical and clinical knowledge.

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 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.

What is the 7 year rule for USMLE?

The USMLE 7-year rule, primarily for International Medical Graduates (IMGs) seeking ECFMG Certification, mandates completing all required USMLE Steps (1, 2 CK/CS, and eventually 3) within seven years of passing the first exam; failure to do so invalidates earlier scores, requiring retakes, though waivers or extensions may be granted for documented issues like PhD programs, severe illness, or certain military service. Most U.S. medical licensing boards also enforce this timeframe for state licensure, starting from the first successful Step pass. 

How many people fail USMLE Step 2?

With Step 1 being pass/fail, Step 2 CK has become the primary USMLE score that residency programs use to evaluate applicants. In 2023-2024, approximately 2,835 students failed Step 2 CK on their first attempt—2% of US MD students, 4% of DO students, and 11% of IMGs.

What score is 75% 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 a 70% average on UWorld good?

Based on historical data, a student with an average points score of 70% and earned a “High” or “Very High” result on a Self-Assessment Test would have a 99% likelihood of passing the NCLEX-RN.

Does step 2 score matter for residency?

In a 2024 survey of residency program directors conducted by the National Resident Matching Program, a medical student's Step 2 score—which has taken on increased importance since the Step 1 exam went pass-fail in 2022—was the fourth most frequently considered factor in determining which applicants to interview.

Which state is most IMG friendly?

Top IMG friendly by number

• New York (1735 IMGs)
• Florida (1006 IMGs)
• Pennsylvania (623 IMGs)
• Texas (582 IMGs)
• Michigan (578 IMGs)
• California (555 IMGs)
• New Jersey (553 IMGs)
• Ohio (426 IMGs)

Does Harvard accept IMGs?

Do you accept international medical graduates (IMGs)? Yes, we do. It is highly recommended that international medical graduates have clinical experience in the United States.

What is the hardest residency to get into?

The hardest medical residencies to get into consistently include Dermatology, Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology (ENT), Radiation Oncology, Interventional Radiology, and Cardiothoracic Surgery, due to high demand, limited spots, intense competition, high USMLE scores required, and prestigious work-life balance/income potential, with Neurosurgery often cited as the most demanding due to complex, high-stakes training.