Is Step 2 much harder than Step 1?

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. Questions such as which lab or test to order next. There will also be plenty of diagnosis questions as well.

How hard is Step 2 compared to Step 1?

Step 2 Difficulty. Each Step's difficulty will depend on your knowledge and abilities, so wondering how hard Step 1 or Step 2 is may not get you anywhere. Step 1 tests a broad range of basic science knowledge and Step 2 focuses on a smaller range of content that directly applies to practicing medicine.

How hard is passing Step 2?

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

Is Step 1 score predictive of Step 2?

According to research, the predominant opinion is that the Step 1 score has a strong positive correlation with the Step 2 CK score [15,16]. There was also a significant correlation (r = 0.684, p ≤ 0.0001) between scoring higher than 208 on Step 1 and passing Step 2 CK on the first attempt [15].

Is 253 good for Step 2?

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.

USMLE Myths: STEP 2 is easier than STEP 1

How hard is a 250 on Step 2?

Average Step 2 Score by Specialty

The most competitive specialties (such as plastic surgery and dermatology) had median scores above 250. The least competitive (including family medicine, pathology and psychiatry) had median scores near 230 (give or take a couple of points).

What is the fail rate for Step 2?

In 2020, for US and Canadian students, pass rate for Step 2 was a solid 98%. The current average Step 2 score is 246, with a standard deviation of 15. (Source: Performance Data | USMLE). This suggests that the pass rate should remain relatively high despite this five point change.

Is 260 on Step 2 good?

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.

What is an impressive Step 2 score?

A score of around 280 is considered the best. However, even if you score something between 240 to 260, you would be able to apply for the field of your choice.

Is Step 2 graded on a curve?

USMLE Step 2 CK is graded on a distribution, meaning that your score is relative to other test-takers. Questions carry more weight for those in the 99th percentile than the 50th.

Can you match if you failed 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 long should I study for Step 2?

Planning a Schedule

Overall, study time usually ranges from 1-4 weeks with most students taking 2-3 weeks. Students who take the exam during a vacation will often need less time since they have more time each day to study.

Does Step 2 matter for residency?

For those who are dissatisfied with the results of their Step 1 score, improvement on Step 2 CK can be very helpful to their residency application. These students need to take Step 2 CK early enough to allow their results to be available for programs.

Can I do Step 2 without Step 1?

In LCME-accredited medical schools, although Step 1 and Step 2 can be taken in any order, most students will take Step 1 at the end of their second year and Step 2 in their fourth year; Step 3 is usually taken during the first or second year of postgraduate training.

How many questions wrong on Step 2?

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.

Which step exam is the hardest?

Traditionally, Step 1 has been thought of as both the most difficult and most important USMLE Step exam. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, this exam is the first in the series, and students taking it will have had less experience with the types of questions that the USMLE asks.

What is average 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.

Is 240 a good score in Step 2 CK?

An examinee with a Step 2 CK score of 240 is at the 28th percentile. The 28th percentile means that 28% 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 do you get a 270 on Step 2?

Is Pathoma enough for Step 2?

While Pathoma offers a Step 1 review, they do not offer a formal Step 2 CK review. This resource covers high-yield pathology information for all organ systems in shorter videos. For those who prefer, reading the Pathoma textbook may be faster than reviewing the videos.

Is 245 a good Step 2 score?

Defining Your USMLE Step 2CK Score Goal

According to USMLE, the average USMLE Step 2CK score is approximately 245. The mean is 247 with a standard deviation of 15. This is great news. In 2022 98% of test takers passed Step 2CK.

How important is Step 2 score?

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.

How many people actually fail Step 1?

Additionally, the: Step 1 pass rate amongst MD students dropped from 95% in 2021 to 91% in 2022. The overall passing rate fell from 88% in 2021 to 82% in 2022.