What is the highest recorded step 2 score?

While there's no officially published single highest score, the maximum possible score for USMLE Step 2 CK is 300, but achieving it is extremely rare, with scores in the high 280s (like 289) being considered exceptional, though anecdotal reports suggest scores approaching 299 may exist, making anything near 300 the highest theoretically possible.

What is the highest 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.

What is considered a high step 2 score?

Among U.S. citizen IMGs, eight specialties had at least 50 matched applicants. The highest average Step 2 CK score reported among these was 248, in both general surgery and anesthesiology. The range of highest average step scores for matched applicants across the group of eight specialties was 231–248.

Is 271 a good step 2 score?

Here's a general breakdown of how programs might view your score: 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 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 1 and Step 2CK Scores by Specialty | Are Your Scores High Enough?

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 256 on step 2 good?

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 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. 

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.

How many people fail Step 2 CK?

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.

Does step 2 score matter for residency?

Yes, your USMLE Step 2 percentile does matter. It can influence your chances of matching with your preferred residency program.

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.

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. 

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.

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.
 

Which step is the hardest in USMLE?

Step 2 had the highest passing rates for both US/Canadian students (98%) and non-US/Canadian test takers (88%). This data suggests that Step 1 was the hardest exam to pass. No matter which step you are preparing for, the USMLE exams are challenging.

Is a high step 2 score worth the effort?

Of course, Step 2 CK is not the only factor that matters — clinical evaluations, letters of recommendation, research, and personal statements all remain highly important. But a strong Step 2 score can open doors, while a weaker score may make interviews harder to secure, especially in the most competitive specialties.

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.

Is a 60% good on UWorld?

A 60% on UWorld is generally considered decent or borderline, but not bad, especially on the first pass, as UWorld is intentionally difficult and a learning tool, not just a test; the key is consistent improvement, focusing on weak areas, and aiming for higher scores (70%+) on the second pass or on official assessments (NBMEs) to gauge readiness, with scores in the 50s often seen as needing more work and 70s+ as strong. 

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 is the fail rate for Step 2?

Their failure rate on the Step 2 CS examination was 2.5%. The overall failure rate for students with three or fewer low ratings was 2.35%. However, for those with four or more low ratings the failure rate rose dramatically to 30%.

How is step 2 curved?

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 percentile is a 270 on step 2?

A USMLE Step 2 CK score of 270 is generally around the 95th to 99th percentile, placing you in the top tier of test-takers, considered exceptional and highly competitive for nearly all residency specialties, including the most demanding fields like Dermatology and Orthopedic Surgery, especially with Step 1 being pass/fail.