What is the passing score for the general surgery qualifying exam?

For the American Board of Surgery (ABS) Qualifying Exam (QE), the passing score is consistently set at 400 on a scaled score from 100 to 900, making it a standardized benchmark for general surgery residents. For the American Osteopathic Board of Surgery (AOA), a scaled score of 500 or higher on their written exam is required to pass, with scores ranging from 200 to 800.

How many questions are on the general surgery qualifying exam?

About the General Surgery Qualifying Examination

The exam consists of about 300 multiple-choice questions, lasting approximately eight hours, designed to evaluate a surgeon's knowledge of general surgical principles and applied science.

What is the pass rate for the ABOG qualifying exam 2025?

In 2025, the total ABOG Qualifying Exam pass rate was 87%, and the pass rate for first-time test takers was 90%.

What is the passing score for the Board of surgery?

What is a passing score on the American Board of Surgery qualifying exam? As of January 2025, the passing score for the American Board of Surgery Qualifying Examination (QE) is 400. The new passing score is based on a percentile ranking, reported on a 100 to 900 scale.

Can you match general surgery if you fail step 1?

US medical students who fail USMLE step 1 might match in Family Medicine, possibly Pediatrics, but never in one of the medical or surgical specialities.

ABS General Surgery Qualifying Exam Overview & Strategy Session

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. 

What is a good step 2 score for general surgery?

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 hardest board exam to pass?

There's no single "hardest" exam, but the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst), USMLE (U.S. Medical Licensing Examination), and India's UPSC (Union Public Service Commission) exam are consistently ranked among the toughest due to extremely low pass rates, intense preparation demands, or high stakes for career progression. The CFA has notoriously low pass rates (often under 45%), the USMLE requires years of study for doctors, and the UPSC's success rate is often less than 0.3% for elite Indian government jobs. 

What is a 75% on step 1?

A 75% on USMLE Step 1 usually refers to a high performance level, often meaning you scored better than 75% of other test-takers (75th percentile) or got around 75% of questions correct on practice exams, indicating a very high chance of passing, as a ~65% correct on NBMEs often predicts passing. While Step 1 is now pass/fail, historically, a score in the 75th percentile (around 240-250+ on the old scale) was considered strong for residency applications, and 70-75% on practice NBMEs suggests near-certain success on the actual exam.
 

How many times can you take general surgery board?

Upon successful completion of the GSQE, applicants will be offered up to three opportunities within three years to pass the GSCE. The three GSCE opportunities begin immediately upon successful completion of the GSQE.

What is the pass rate for the general surgery certifying exam?

In 2024, The Pass Machine General Surgery Certifying Board Review clients achieved a 96.2% pass rate on the Certification exam!

Which exam is harder, ancc or AANP?

Neither the ANCC nor AANP exam is objectively harder; difficulty depends on the test-taker, but the ANCC often feels more theoretical/nursing-focused, while the AANP is generally perceived as more clinically direct, though recent trends show similar pass rates, making content focus the main differentiator. The ANCC exam is longer (175-200 questions/4 hrs) with complex question types, while the AANP is shorter (150 questions/3 hrs) and more straightforward clinically, but some find its test interface less user-friendly. 

How many times can you take the ABEM qualifying exam?

Candidates are limited to five attempts to pass the Qualifying Exam, or five years of board eligibility, whichever comes first. Each year, the Oral Certification Examination (OCE) seating schedule is created for the next set of exam administrations; it is made up of planned and waitlisted candidates.

What is the hardest insurance exam to pass?

There's no single "hardest" insurance exam, but the Property & Casualty (P&C) and Life, Accident & Health (L&H) exams are often cited as challenging due to complex liability concepts (P&C) or dense policy details (L&H), with Nevada's P&C exam noted for its higher 80% passing score. For those seeking advanced financial roles, FINRA exams like Series 7 are considered much harder, covering stocks, bonds, and complex regulations, though these are securities licenses, not pure insurance. 

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 a 70 on an exam good?

However, there are some schools that consider a C the lowest passing grade, so the general standard is that anything below a 60% or 70% is failing, depending on the grading scale. In post-secondary schools, such as college and universities, a D is considered to be an unsatisfactory passing grade.

What is a 90% chance of passing Step 1?

A 90% chance of passing USMLE Step 1, often from an NBME practice exam, means you're very likely to pass but still have a 1 in 10 chance of failing, as it's a prediction not a guarantee, and validity depends on taking the real test soon after; it's calculated by the NBME, reflects statistical models, and isn't the same as mastering 90% of content, though strong practice scores usually indicate good readiness.
 

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 is the 3 digit score to pass Step 1?

For more information about scores, view Scores Common Questions. * USMLE Step 1 score reporting is reported as pass/fail only for exams taken on or after January 26, 2022. On the three-digit score scale, the passing standard is 196.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the bar exam, but not on her first attempt; she failed the Illinois bar exam the first time she took it but passed on her second try after graduating from Harvard Law School, later working as a lawyer before becoming First Lady.
 

What is the hardest medical exam in the US?

Which USMLE Step Exam is the Hardest?

• The USMLE Step exams are one of the most important and anxiety-inducing aspects of medical training. ...
• Traditionally, Step 1 has been thought of as both the most difficult and most important USMLE Step exam.

Which doctor has the most board certifications?

A Korean physician recently set the world's record by obtaining the most medical board certifications, according to the World Record Academy. It goes to Dr. Shin Jyun-hoon, a specialist in preventive cardiology at Brigham and Women's Hospital in the U.S.

How hard is it to get into general surgery residency?

Statistics on the General Surgery Match

As of the most recent NRMP data, general surgery had a total of 2,400 applicants and 1,622 spots. This equates to 1.48 applicants per position. Of the 1206 U.S. MD seniors who applied, 222 did not match.

What score is 75% correct on step 2?

Getting 75% correct on Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) is generally considered a very strong performance, often placing you well above the average (around the 75th percentile or higher), translating to a strong 3-digit score (likely in the mid-250s or higher), making you a competitive applicant for most specialties, though top-tier programs in highly competitive fields might look for even higher scores.
 

How many interviews to match general surgery?

According to data from the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), the median number of interviews for matched applicants in the 2022–2023 cycle—the most recent data available—was 14. But getting those residency interview invitations can take time.