What resources help improve Step 2 scores?

To improve Step 2 scores, focus on core resources like UWorld (Qbank & Self-Assessments), supplemented by AMBOSS, OnlineMedEd, Anki (especially AnKing deck), and NBME Practice Exams for realistic testing, with high-yield content from sources like First Aid for Step 2 CK or TMG Notes for targeted review; consistency with UWorld and spaced repetition via Anki are crucial for building clinical reasoning and retention.

What resources help with step 2?

1. UWorld USMLE Step 2 CK: The undisputed gold standard. UWorld remains absolutely essential, used by over 90% of medical students and universally considered the single most important Step 2 CK resource, if not for the whole USMLE prep.

What resources are best for step 2?

There are four main Step 2 video resources, PHYSEO, Boards & Beyond, Sketchy Clinical, and OnlineMedEd. I recommend PHYSEO, Boards, or Sketchy because they are up to date and accurate to new recommendations and were created within the last 2 years.

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 to get 270+ on step 2?

To get a 270+ on USMLE Step 2 CK, you need a strong foundation from clerkships, master question banks like UWorld and Amboss through active learning and detailed review, use high-yield resources like Divine Intervention podcasts, take frequent NBME practice exams and CMS forms, focus on clinical reasoning over rote memorization, and develop a consistent, burnout-free study schedule, often around 4-6 weeks of dedicated study after rotations. 

My Intense USMLE Step 2CK Dedicated Routine That Helped me Score a 270

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. 

Has anyone ever gotten a 300 on Step 2?

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.

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.

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.

Is UWorld or Amboss better?

Neither AMBOSS nor UWorld is definitively "better"; they have different strengths, with UWorld often seen as the gold standard for high-yield review and simulation, while AMBOSS excels in early concept building with its integrated library and flexible topic-based questions, making the best choice a combination or individual preference. Use AMBOSS for initial learning and content gaps (with its library & tips) and UWorld for deep, high-yield content review and realistic test simulation, often recommended to use both or switch if one isn't working. 

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 is the best step 2 resource?

We suggest you use resources like UWorld, OnlineMedEd, Anki, and Amboss. We encourage you to do questions throughout the year, and then take at 2-4 practice exams during your Step 2CK dedicated period.

Is free 120 enough to pass an exam?

Unlike the NBME Self-Assessments (NBME CSAs), the Free 120 does not provide a scaled score or likelihood to pass, so it shouldn't be used as the sole indicator of readiness for the USMLE.

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 NBME harder than in house?

NBME board exams are pretty difficult but they reflect step kind of. They're usually not quite as involved. Sometimes the questions are a little bit more straight forward but in house exams in-house exams are the academia wild wild west. There's a wonderful resource called first aid.

How to get a 270 on step 2?

To get a 270+ on USMLE Step 2 CK, you need a strong foundation from clerkships, master question banks like UWorld and Amboss through active learning and detailed review, use high-yield resources like Divine Intervention podcasts, take frequent NBME practice exams and CMS forms, focus on clinical reasoning over rote memorization, and develop a consistent, burnout-free study schedule, often around 4-6 weeks of dedicated study after rotations. 

Is 70% on UWorld bad?

No, 70% on UWorld is generally not bad; it's considered a solid, above-average score, especially on a first pass, indicating you're in good shape for exams like the NCLEX, where averages around this mark often predict high pass rates, though the key is learning from mistakes, not just the score itself.
 

Can I do 100 UWorld questions a day?

If you're making/doing excellent Anki cards, you might top out at doing 80-120 questions/day. However, while you will find people who (productively) do more than 120 UWorld questions in a day, they are often not doing Anki.

What is a good baseline 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).

What is a 60% correct Step 2 score?

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 of the USMLE is hardest?

Traditionally, Step 1 has been thought of as both the most difficult and most important USMLE Step exam.