Who scored the highest in the USMLE?

There isn't one single definitive person known for the absolute highest USMLE score ever, as scores are often reported by individuals or schools, but Eddy Saad gained significant recognition for a reported 277 on Step 1 (around 2022), while other top scorers like Ben Walker (273 Step 1) and high scorers on Step 2 CK (like 281 reported by others) demonstrate elite achievement, with the maximum score generally being 300.

What is the highest score on the USMLE Step 1?

The highest score possible on the USMLE Step 1 exam is a 300. As you read above, even a score of 240 is excellent, putting you into the top 15th percentile. Yet when it comes to a test like the USMLE Step 1, you may be wondering what the average score is.

What is the highest score you can get on USMLE Step 2?

Reported scores for Step 2 CK and Step 3 range from 1 to 300. Small differences in difficulty across forms and years are adjusted for using statistical procedures; thus, scores for a given Step are comparable across years and across forms.

What is considered a high USMLE score?

A good USMLE Step 2 CK score is between 240 and 260. However, what qualifies as a “good” score ultimately depends on the residency program you are applying to. If you want to match to your first-choice program, you should aim for a score at or above 260.

What is the average Usmle 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.

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

Is the USMLE the hardest medical exam?

At a cursory review, it is like any other standardized examination, but mention that to a medical student and they will shudder. Unofficially, people have claimed USMLE Step 1 is the most difficult and important of the 3-part USMLE series.

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. 

How many times can you fail the USMLE?

Attempt Limit

What is the USMLE policy on attempt limits? The total number of attempts allowed per Step is four (4). Examinees who have attempted any USMLE Step (including Step 2 CS) four or more times and have not passed are ineligible to apply for USMLE Steps.

What specialty has the highest step score?

Specialties With the Highest & Lowest Step 1 Scores

The specialties with the highest Step 1 scores include plastic surgery, ENT, dermatology, neurosurgery, and orthopedic surgery. These fields demand high scores, with plastic surgery leading at 251, closely followed by ENT at 250, and the rest tied at 248.

Is 60% enough to pass Step 1?

Yes, around 60% correct is generally considered the approximate pass mark for USMLE Step 1, though the exact percentage varies with each exam form, and the score is reported as Pass/Fail, not a number, so consistently scoring higher (like 65-70%) on practice exams (NBMEs) is recommended for a comfortable pass. The official passing score (around 196 before 2022, now just "Pass") isn't a fixed number of questions, as some are experimental, but aiming for about 60% on practice tests is a good benchmark, with 70%+ being a safer target for a strong pass. 

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 many people fail USMLE 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.

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 a 90% chance of passing Step 1?

A 90% chance of passing USMLE Step 1, often from an NBME practice exam, means you're very likely to pass but still have a 1 in 10 chance of failing, as it's a prediction not a guarantee, and validity depends on taking the real test soon after; it's calculated by the NBME, reflects statistical models, and isn't the same as mastering 90% of content, though strong practice scores usually indicate good readiness.
 

What is a 75% on Step 1?

A 75% on USMLE Step 1 usually refers to a high performance level, often meaning you scored better than 75% of other test-takers (75th percentile) or got around 75% of questions correct on practice exams, indicating a very high chance of passing, as a ~65% correct on NBMEs often predicts passing. While Step 1 is now pass/fail, historically, a score in the 75th percentile (around 240-250+ on the old scale) was considered strong for residency applications, and 70-75% on practice NBMEs suggests near-certain success on the actual exam.
 

What is the lowest score on Step 1?

The minimum passing score for Step 1 is 196. However, your exact numerical score for this exam will not be included in your score report.

What is the hardest step 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.

Can residencies see your Step 1 score?

Now that Step 1 is pass/fail, residency programs can't compare students based on Step 1 scores anymore. Instead, they focus on other factors: Step 2 CK scores: This is now the most critical numerical exam result.

Do all doctors take step 3?

Step 3 is the final exam in the USMLE series of examinations. It is part of the licensing requirements for Doctors of Medicine (M.D.), including international medical graduates aiming to practice medicine in the United States. Generally, it is a pre-requisite of the majority of the state licensing boards.

Can you still be a doctor if you fail Step 1?

Know this: One failing score on a Step exam doesn't preclude you from being a physician. “Someone who failed Step 1 and went on to successfully pass it and do well—one of the things we look for in resident candidates is resilience and that's pretty good evidence of resilience,” Dr. Marzano said.

What countries accept USMLE?

Here's a quick list of countries outside of the U.S. that typically accept USMLE results:

• United Arab Emirates.
• Qatar.
• Singapore.
• Israel.
• Australia.
• New Zealand.
• Ireland.
• Canada.

Does your USMLE score expire?

This implies that after passing step 1, you have 7 years to complete step 2 of the CK and meet all ECFMG certification requirements. If you fail to do it, your previous scores will expire, and you will have to report on the expired exams.

What is the shortest residency to become a doctor?

The shortest MD residencies in the U.S. are typically 3 years, offered in primary care fields like Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Preventive Medicine, with some Emergency Medicine programs also being 3 years. These generalist specialties provide broad medical foundations, allowing physicians to enter practice quickly, though many pursue further fellowship training for subspecialization.
 

Is residency harder than med school?

Yes, residency is generally considered harder than medical school, but in a different way; medical school is academically intense with exams, while residency trades academic pressure for real-world responsibility, longer hours, physical exhaustion, critical patient-care decisions, and emotional stress, though it's where you truly become a doctor. Residency shifts focus from book learning to hands-on, high-stakes clinical practice, often involving 80+ hour weeks, overnight calls, and constant responsibility for patients' lives, making it more draining on stamina and time.