Do residencies look at Step 2?

While your Step 2 score is not the only factor that programs use to evaluate you as a residency applicant, it is one of the most important. This is because it allows program directors to directly compare applicants using a standardized benchmark.

Is Step 2 important for residency?

Transitioning USMLE Step 1 to pass/fail will make the initial screening and selection process of applications challenging for residency programs. In the short term, USMLE Step 2 scores, LOR, and AOA status are important as screening assessments.

Can you apply to residency without a Step 2 score?

Do I need to have my USMLE Step 2 CK score to apply for a residency? A. No. Most programs do not require USMLE Step 2 CK at the time of application or interview.

Is Step 2 more important now?

Does Your USMLE Step 2 Percentile Actually Matter? Yes! Step 2 CK scores impact your probability of matching to your first-choice program. Now that Step 1 has transitioned to a pass/fail system, Step 2 will only matter more.

DO residency programs look at Usmle scores?

About the USMLE Transcript

The USMLE transcript is required by many ACGME-accredited residency programs as part of an application to be considered for their positions. You should research programs individually for requirements related to the USMLE transcript (e.g., minimum scores).

USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK Scores by Specialty | Are Your Scores High Enough?

Do residencies see if you failed Step 1?

You can recover, but it's important to keep in mind residency programs can see how many times you've taken the test. Residency admissions committees see their students as investments. If you fail Step 1, it makes you a much riskier investment compared to someone who passed the first time.

What is a good Step 2 score for residency?

In 2022, the top five specialties with the highest average Step 2 CK scores were plastic surgery, dermatology, and ENT all tied for first at 257, orthopedic surgery in fourth at 256, and diagnostic and interventional radiology tied for fifth at 253 just edging out neurosurgery with a score of 252.

What is a bad Step 2 score?

Scores in the range of 209-219 are considered low, and as a result, it may be more difficult to match. Match data suggests that scores below 219 on Step 2 CK will likely limit a student's match possibilities.

Is 260 a good Step 2 score?

What is a good USMLE Step 2 CK 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 256.

Is 243 a good Step 2 score?

Currently, the minimum score to pass USMLE Step 2 CK is 209. The theoretical maximum is 300. The national average is 243, with a standard deviation of 16. Highly competitive specialties, such as plastic surgery and dermatology, demand that students perform well on Step 2 CK to be considered realistic candidates.

Do first year grades matter for residency?

Of course they matter, but how much they matter comes with a big “it depends”. First of all, you have to pass all of the classes. So grades matter there. After that, grades matter a lot for the type of residency training you want to pursue.

What is the competitive Step 2 score 2023?

As of 2023, a passing score on Step 2 CK is 214. This is much higher than the passing score for Step 1. That being said, the percentiles for failing Step 1 and 2 CK are about the same. The mean score for Step 2 CK was 247 with a standard deviation of 15.

When should I take Step 2 for 2025 match?

Deciding when to take Step 2 CK to best prepare for the 2025 Residency Match will be a personal decision based on many factors, but for most students the best time will be sometime between May and July 2024.

Does Step 2 have a curve?

Step 2 CK score reflects your clinical knowledge application compared to peers taking similar exams. You cannot say, “I got a 265, therefore I got 90% of the questions correct.” Scores are graded on a normal distribution (though imperfectly), not linearly.

Which residency is hardest to get to?

Can I apply for residency with just Step 1?

You cannot apply to US medical residency programs with only a USMLE step 1 passing score.

Is it hard to get a 260 on Step 2?

Though many students tend to attain higher absolute scores on the USMLE Step 2CK (with a national average of 244 compared to 232 on the USMLE Step 1), it remains a difficult exam.

What is the fail rate for Step 2?

Results. Table 1 shows the means for key performance metrics available prior to the exam for 30 (2.9%) students who failed the Step 2 CS examination in comparison to 1,011 (97.1%) who passed. The Step 1 mean for students who failed was significantly lower (P<. 003).

How hard is Step 2 compared to Step 1?

The test essentially feels like a really long shelf exam, but the style of questions is very similar since the NBME writes all of these exams. The majority of people do much better on Step 2 than on Step 1 even with less studying. This test focuses more on the next step in a patient presentation.

What is a low score on Step 2 CK?

These scores can be compared to other test-takers and previous test-takers (within a three- to four-year period). To pass the Step 2 CK exam, you must answer 60% of the questions correctly to achieve a minimum score of 214. Generally, to get your desired residency placement, your target score should be at least 245.

What is 50th percentile on Step 2?

The 50th percentile corresponds to around 248, and all but those trying to compete for very competitive specialities or very competitive locations can feel generally happy with a score around the top of the bell curve. The 75th percentile corresponds to around 258 and at this point, anything above that is gravy.

Can you match if you fail Step 2?

#2 – What happens if I fail? Your chances of matching to a residency reduce by 20 to 25% if you fail the USMLE Step 2 exam.

How many doctors don t match into residency?

For those who don't match

Typically, less than 10% of U.S. medical school graduates experience the much greater disappointment of not matching at all. In 2022, the number was 6.7% for senior graduates of U.S. MD-granting schools, and 8.2% for graduates of DO-granting schools.

Can you retake Step 2 if you pass?

USMLE policy generally does not allow applicants to retake a Step if they have already passed that Step. However, there are exceptions for the purpose of complying with a time limit imposed by a U.S. physician licensing authority or another authority recognized by the USMLE program.