What score is 75% correct on step 2?

A 75% correct score on USMLE Step 2 CK is generally a strong performance, often translating to a three-digit score in the mid-to-high 250s (around 255-259) or even low 260s (260-264), placing you around the 75th percentile or higher, which is very competitive for most specialties, though highly competitive fields like Dermatology might expect higher. The exact score varies slightly depending on the specific exam form and difficulty adjustments, but it indicates you've outperformed a large majority of test-takers.

What score is a 75% 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.
 

What is 60% on step 2?

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 percentile is 255 on step 2?

The 75th percentile corresponds to around 255 and at this point, anything above that is gravy. The 25th percentile corresponds to around the score 235. Most students should aim to have this as their floor, if possible, especially international medical graduate students.

What percentage correct is a 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.

USMLE Step 2 CK Score Needed for Residency📊 (By Specialty)

What score is 50% on step 2?

A 50% Step 2 score (USMLE) typically means scoring around 250, placing you at the median (average) for matched U.S. MD seniors, which is solid but may require strong application components for highly competitive specialties; it's a passing score, but scores vary by specialty, with some (like Family Med/Psychiatry) having lower averages and others (Surgery/Derm) much higher.
 

What is a good Step 2 score 2025?

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.

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.

What percent should I get on free 120?

It seems the typical score to pass requires at least 60% of the questions answered correctly. Anecdotally, I can say that if a student gets a 70% or higher on the NBME Free 120 Step 1, they generally pass Step 1. That's from a small sample size of about 25-30 students/friends.

What percentage correct is a 265 on step 2?

Understanding Step 2 Percentiles

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

What percent correct is 245 on step 2?

That said, note that the current 244, based on 2024 data, is an increase from 241 in 2022 and 238 in 2020. For context, a Step 2 CK score of 245 is at the 37th percentile, meaning 37% of exam takers scored lower than 245.

What percentile is 243 on step 2?

The 25th percentile is around 232, while the 75th percentile is near 256. These percentiles mean that if you score at or below 232, you're in the bottom 1/4 of test takers, while if you score at or above 256, you're in the top 1/4. If you score 243, you're right in the middle of the pack.

What does it mean if you score in the 75th percentile?

A student's percentile rank represents the percentage of students with scores equal to or lower than their score. For example, if a student's score is in the 75th percentile, about 75% of a comparison group achieved scores at or below that student's score.

What is considered a really good step 2 score?

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.

What 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.
 

Is 3 months enough for Step 2 CK?

For most medical students, 4-6 weeks of dedicated study time is sufficient to prepare for USMLE Step 2 CK. In fact, taking more than 8 weeks to study for a USMLE exam is generally not recommended.

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.

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.
 

How to score 270 on Step 2 CK?

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 74% 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 being in the 50th percentile good?

Parents are often given their child's parameters in percentiles. This means that a child at the 50th percentile is right in the middle with 50% of kids smaller and 50% bigger. Not all children are going to be right on the 50th line, so don't worry.

What Step 2 score is needed for psychiatry?

Psychiatry is no longer "low barrier"—it requires competitive USMLE scores, research, and publications. For IMGs targeting Psychiatry: Aim for Step 1 ≥ 225, Step 2 CK ≥ 240. At least 3–5 research projects and.