What is the highest step 2 score ever?

While there's no single officially confirmed "highest ever" score due to privacy, scores in the 280s and even a rumored 299 have been reported, with a Lebanese student named Eddy Saad achieving a notable 277 in 2022, and other high scorers mentioning 283 and 288 in online forums, showing scores approaching the maximum 300 are exceptionally rare but possible with immense dedication.

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.

What is the highest Step 2 score by specialty?

Step Score: 257

Tied for the highest average Step 2 score of all categorical specialties is orthopedic surgery and dermatology with 257. The current highest average score of 257 falls somewhere between the 63rd and 76th percentile, which requires a score of 260.

How hard is it to score 240 on Step 2?

According to the NBME's performance data, most students fall between 240–250 on Step 2 CK. While that's considered a strong performance, the average score depends on the year and the competitiveness of applicants.

How good is a 255 step 2 score?

Former minimum passing score: 214. New minimum passing score: 218 (bottom 3%) Good score: 245 (34th percentile) High score: 255 (60th percentile)

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

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.

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 is the 7 year rule for USMLE?

The USMLE 7-Year Rule mandates that most applicants must pass USMLE Steps 1, 2 CK, and Step 3 within seven years of passing their first step, starting from the date of that initial pass, for ECFMG Certification and medical licensure. Failure to meet this deadline invalidates earlier scores, requiring retesting, though waivers or extensions may be possible for documented extenuating circumstances like MD/PhD programs or severe illness, requiring contact with the specific state medical board or ECFMG. 

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.

Has anyone gotten a perfect step 2 score?

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 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. 

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.

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.

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The three toughest exams globally often cited for their extreme difficulty, low pass rates, and high stakes are China's Gaokao (National College Entrance Exam) for its sheer scale and competitiveness, India's UPSC Civil Services Exam for its life-altering potential and minuscule selection, and India's IIT-JEE Advanced (Joint Entrance Exam) for its rigorous engineering entrance criteria, alongside prestigious UK fellowships like the All Souls Prize Exam, with difficulty varying by individual and goals. 

Is USMLE harder than MCAT?

Yes, the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) is generally considered much harder than the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) because it tests deeper, more integrated medical knowledge required for physician licensure, whereas the MCAT focuses on foundational science principles for medical school admission, often requiring more critical reading and foundational science application. The USMLE (especially Step 1) demands extensive, in-depth knowledge and clinical reasoning, while the MCAT tests breadth of basic science and critical thinking for entry into med school.
 

Is step 2 or 3 harder?

It is a misconception that STEP 3 is harder (likely because it requires more content from A Level Further Mathematics) but the grade boundaries are set based on the cohort's performance, so a harder paper simply corresponds to lower grade boundaries.

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 a 90th percentile on Step 2?

Understanding Step 2 Percentiles

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

Is Step 3 similar to step 2?

While Step 2 CK focuses on clinical science principles and patient-centred skills in a supervised setting, Step 3 extends this assessment to applying knowledge in independent patient care situations. Multiple Choice Questions: Both exams include multiple-choice questions (MCQs) as part of their assessment.

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. 

Can you match general surgery if you fail Step 1?

When general surgery residency program directors. Only 1% of programs often consider applicants who have failed. As you can see, the road to match success is difficult for those who have failed the Step 1 exam.