How important is Step 2 CK now?

Step 2 CK has been playing an increasingly large role in residency applications, especially with USMLE Step 1 now being pass/fail. The mean Step 2 CK score for matched US MD seniors in 2022 was 248.

Is Step 2 score more important now?

With the recent change of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 transitioning to an entirely pass-fail examination, more emphasis will likely now be placed on the USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (Step 2 CK) score in the residency selection process.

Is Step 2 CK important?

Why is Step 2 CK important? Step 2 CK is an exam that assesses medical knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical science for the provision of patient care under supervision. USMLE Step Exams have traditionally been an important factor in candidate selection for residency.

How important is Step 2 CK for residency?

The USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK exams together have been two of the most important and influential factors for Residency Program Directors when assessing medical students' candidacy for all residency training programs in the United States [6,7,8,9].

What is the average Step 2 CK 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.

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

What is an impressive Step 2 score?

251 and above: Scores of better than 251 are considered excellent. Scores above 251 typically indicate that all specialties may be considered for potential matching; those with a 251 or higher are likely to have multiple choices of training programs.

What is the most predictive exam for Step 2 CK?

There are two UWorld self-assessments available for Step 2 CK, and it is recommended that UWSA 1 should be given 1 month before the exam, and UWSA 2 in the last week before the exam as it is also a very predictive assessment. These are also the assessment forms available on the NBME website.

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 245 a good Step 2 score?

USMLE Scores and Residency Programs

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.

Is Step 2 mostly internal medicine?

Topics. Step 2 CK includes test items in the following content areas: internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, preventive medicine, psychiatry, surgery, other areas relevant to provision of care under supervision.

How hard is it to pass Step 2?

Roughly 4% of first-time domestic test takers fail Step 2CK, with the failure rate for IMGs being even higher at up to 30%.

What happens if you get a bad Step 2 score?

Failing Step 2 does impact your residency applications. At the least, you will have to delay your applications until you get a passing score. A failing score can also determine your chances of programs accepting you. Your Step 2 scores have become more critical in recent years after Step 1 became a pass/fail score.

How much does Step 2 matter 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.

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.

Can you apply to residency without Step 2?

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.

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 the average Step 2 CK score for urology?

Recent NRMP data suggest that a Step I score for Urology candidates should be 240 or higher. Step II scores should be 245-250 or higher. Successful Urology-matched students typically rank in the top 25% of their class for those schools that provide rankings.

How accurate is the Step 2 predictor?

Those statistics are pretty remarkable, particularly for Step 2 CK. It implies that roughly 1 in 4 students will score at least 20 points higher on their actual test than predicted by the Step 2 CK NBME. (By comparison, many fewer Step 1 students will accomplish this feat).

How long should you study for Step 2 CK?

Dedicated Study

The dedicated phase is the intensive period leading up to your Step 2 CK exam. It should be around 4 weeks. This is when you'll dive deep into focused preparation. Your main objective is to fine-tune your knowledge and test-taking skills.

How can I improve my Step 2 CK score?

The highest yield resource for Step 2 CK is far and away the UWorld question bank. Getting through the entire QBank and really understanding each question should be your top study priority. Beyond the QBank itself, the official exams offered by the NBME are the best possible predictor of our score on the actual exam.

What percentage of questions do you need to pass Step 2?

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.