What percent correct do you need to pass step 2?

To pass USMLE Step 2 CK, you need a minimum score of 218, which typically requires answering around 60% of questions correctly, though the exact percentage can vary as the passing threshold is set by committee and adjusted periodically, with the current standard effective July 1, 2025. For competitive residency programs, aiming for a much higher score, often in the mid-240s to 260+, is recommended, as a passing score is distinct from a competitive score.

How many percent is correct to pass step 2?

According to the USMLE program, examinees must correctly answer approximately 60 percent of items to pass each USMLE Step.

What is a 75% correct score 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 a 60% correct Step 2 score?

To pass the Step 2 CK exam, you must answer at least 60% of the questions correctly, giving you a minimum score of 214. If you want a good chance of securing your desired residency placement, you should aim for a score of at least 245.

What is 50% correct on step 2?

Understanding Step 2 Percentiles

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

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

What percent correct is a 240 on step 2 USMLE?

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?

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.

Do shelf scores correlate with step 2?

Results. The mean Step 2 CK score among the respondents (n = 213) was 254 ± 13. There was a strong positive correlation between Step 2 CK score and composite shelf scores (rho = 0.80, p < 0.01).

Are UWorld self assessments accurate step 2?

Your score on UWorld questions may feel like a marker of your progress. However, your percentile on UWorld is not an accurate predictor of how you should expect to perform on Step 2 CK. As a reminder, UWorld is a learning resource, not a testing resource.

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 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 it hard to fail step 2?

The Step 2 pass rate has been well over 90% for test-takers from MD and DO schools in recent years, according to the USMLE. But if you fail, USMLE policy allows up to four total attempts to pass any of the Step exams. As far as the impact of that failure on your residency prospects, a Step 2 fail is not a deal-breaker.

What is a 90% chance of passing Step 1?

A 90% chance of passing USMLE Step 1, often from an NBME practice test, means that for every 100 people with that score, 90 pass, but 10 still fail, so it's a strong indicator but not a guarantee, highlighting the need to focus on weak areas identified in the report, especially for Step 1's new pass/fail format where recent pass rates hover around 90-92%.
 

What is 60% on step 2?

How many questions do you need to get right to pass Step 2? As of July 2025, the USMLE Management Committee increased the passing threshold for Step 2 from 214 to 218. This means you need to answer about 60% of USMLE Step 2 questions correctly to pass.

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. 

Is the USMLE the hardest exam in the US?

1. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

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'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 230 a bad step 2 score?

Overall average Step 2 CK score is -249 with a passing threshold of 218. Scores for matched applicants were consistently higher than those who did not match-across MDS, DOS, and IMGs. While Step 2 CK scores vary by specialty, those who matched generally scored between 235 and 265.

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.

Is 225 a good step 2 score?

The mean Step 2 CK score across all applicants hovers around 249. The minimum passing score is 218. Applicants who match tend to score higher than those who don't, regardless of whether they are U.S. MD seniors, DO seniors, or international medical graduates (IMGs).

Is 242 a good step 2 score?

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.