What's the highest you can get on step 2?

There's no officially recorded "highest" Step 2 CK score, as the USMLE score range goes up to 300, but perfect scores aren't public; however, scores in the high 270s and 280s (like 281, 288, 299) are reported as exceptional on forums, with 280+ considered a truly elite score, far above typical top scores for competitive residencies, which often fall in the mid-260s.

Has anyone gotten 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.

What is considered a high step 2 score?

Among U.S. citizen IMGs, eight specialties had at least 50 matched applicants. 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 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 271 a good step 2 score?

Here's a general breakdown of how programs might view your score: 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.

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

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.
 

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's a good step 2 score in 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.

What percentile is a 270 on step 2?

A USMLE Step 2 CK score of 270 is generally around the 95th to 99th percentile, placing you in the top tier of test-takers, considered exceptional and highly competitive for nearly all residency specialties, including the most demanding fields like Dermatology and Orthopedic Surgery, especially with Step 1 being pass/fail.
 

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 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.

How hard is it to score 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.

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. 

What is the fail rate for Step 2?

Their failure rate on the Step 2 CS examination was 2.5%. The overall failure rate for students with three or fewer low ratings was 2.35%. However, for those with four or more low ratings the failure rate rose dramatically to 30%.

Why is MCAT out of 528?

Each MCAT section is scored on a scale of 118–132 (highest). Your MCAT total score (whch is the sum of your section scores) ranges from 472–528. Because different versions of the test have varying levels of difficulty, the scale will be slightly different from one MCAT administration to the next.

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 score is 75% 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 step 2 graded on a curve?

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 a high step 2 score worth the effort?

Of course, Step 2 CK is not the only factor that matters — clinical evaluations, letters of recommendation, research, and personal statements all remain highly important. But a strong Step 2 score can open doors, while a weaker score may make interviews harder to secure, especially in the most competitive specialties.

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.

How hard is it to pass step 2?

USMLE Step 2 (CK) is challenging due to its length (9 hours, 320 questions) and focus on applying clinical knowledge, diagnosis, and management with noisy, vague questions, but many find it less difficult than Step 1 because it's more clinically relevant and relies on information fresh from rotations, though personal experiences vary greatly. Success hinges on mastering diagnostic guidelines, ethics, and differentiating between key information (signal) and distractors (noise) in long vignettes, with some students finding the breadth of knowledge harder and others finding the logic of Step 1 more challenging. 

Does step 2 score matter for residency?

Yes, your USMLE Step 2 percentile does matter. It can influence your chances of matching with your preferred residency program.

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 percent is correct to get a 250 on step 2?

Similarly, for Step 2 CK, a 250+ is above the 65%ile.