What score is considered high in USMLE step 2?

A high USMLE Step 2 CK score is generally considered above 255, putting you in a strong position for most residencies, with scores above 260 being exceptional for highly competitive fields like Dermatology or Neurosurgery, while scores in the 240-250 range are solid for core specialties, and anything above 250+ significantly boosts your chances for competitive programs. The average score is around 243-250, so anything significantly above that is considered strong.

What is considered a good step 2 score?

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.

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. 

Is 235 a good step 2 score?

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 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.

How I Scored 279 on Step 2 CK: Karim's Top Tips for Success!

Is 240 a bad step 2 score?

USMLE Step 1 is reported as pass/fail, but you will receive numerical scores for Step 2 CK and Step 3. A good USMLE Step 2 CK score is between 240-260, with 256 or higher being competitive for first-choice residency programs.

What percentile is a 239 on step 2?

240+ (Top 20-25%) – Excellent score; can strengthen fellowship applications. 230-239 (50th-80th percentile) – Above average; helps differentiate you if applying for competitive programs.

What is the average Step 2 score for Yale?

While we don't use an absolute cutoff, the average Step 2 score of viable applicants is 260. I generally hold off on inviting candidates who haven't submitted scores yet (if you're a medical student reading this, please take Step 2 before applying to residency).

What is the average step 2 score for surgery?

The highest average Step 2 CK score among those specialties was 246, in both general surgery and anesthesiology. Across the five qualifying specialties, the range of average Step 2 scores for applicants who matched was 231–246.

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. 

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 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.

Does step 2 score matter for residency?

Absolutely. While a higher score may strengthen your application, many residency programs take a holistic approach. Your clinical experience, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and overall fit matter just as much.

How to score really high on step 2?

How to Score 270+ on USMLE Step 2

1. Step 1: Build a Strong Foundation with Core Rotations. ...
2. Step 2: Master UWorld and Review Misses Aggressively. ...
3. Step 3: Integrate AMBOSS and Anki for Reinforcement. ...
4. Step 4: Develop Illness Scripts. ...
5. Step 5: Dedicated Study and Practice Exams. ...
6. Step 6: Treat Test Day Like Game Day.

Is 223 a good 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.

Is a 3.7 a bad GPA for med school?

No, a 3.7 GPA is not bad for medical school; it's generally considered competitive, often falling within the average range for accepted students, but success depends heavily on a strong MCAT, robust extracurriculars (research, clinical experience, leadership), personal statement, and the specific school's competitiveness. While some top-tier programs might expect higher (closer to 3.8+), a 3.7 shows strong academics, and a stellar MCAT and compelling experiences can significantly boost your chances, making it a strong foundation for an application. 

What is the average Step 2 score for Stanford?

In the interest of full disclosure, for the most recently available data our matched applicant mean Step 1 score was 249 and mean Step 2 score was 256.

What specialty has the lowest Step 2 score?

First up with the lowest average Step 2 score is family medicine at 244. Family medicine is a specialty that continuously has the lowest Step 2 score of all specialties. That said, note that the current 244, based on 2024 data, is an increase from 241 in 2022 and 238 in 2020.

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 the average Usmle Step 2 score?

The Current Average Step 2 CK Score

Over the past three years, according to USMLE data, the average score for first-time takers from accredited US/Canadian medical schools has gradually increased from 248 to 250, well above the passing standard.

Is 230 a bad step 2 score?

The average score hovers around 245, with the standard deviation around 15 points. That means most students fall between 230 and 260 — but what matters most is how that score translates into a percentile compared to other examinees.

What is a strong step 2 score?

Step 2 CK Scoring

Step 2 CK is scored on a three-digit scale ranging from 1 to 300. While the passing score is set at 214, competitive residency applicants often aim for scores significantly higher than the mean, which typically hovers around 245. Keep in mind that the mean varies annually.

What is the average step 2 score for anesthesia?

For example, the average STEP 1 score for 2019-20 first-year residents entering Anesthesiology was 231.9, and the average Step 2 CK score was 242.6. Data are for graduates of MD-granting and DO-granting U.S. and Canadian schools and of graduates of international medical schools.