USMLE Step 2 CK scores now matter more than ever for residency. Since Step 1 became pass/fail, program directors rely heavily on your Step 2 score percentile to compare applicants.
As of July 1, 2025, the USMLE Step 2 CK passing score increased to 218, raising the minimum competency threshold. However, simply passing is not enough; most matched applicants score between 244 and 257, depending on speciality.
This guide gives you the complete USMLE Step 2 CK percentiles table sourced directly from USMLE.org, speciality-specific score targets, IMG-adjusted benchmarks, and a clear strategy for what to do if your score is not where it needs to be.
Quick Summary: USMLE Step 2 CK Score Percentiles in 2026
- Current passing score – 218 as of July 1, 2025 (raised from 214)
- National mean score – 250 for first-time US MD takers
- 50th percentile – approximately 250 to 252
- 75th percentile – approximately 260 to 262
- 25th percentile – approximately 235 to 237
- Score range for most matched applicants – 244 to 257, depending on specialty
- Step 2 CK is now the primary numeric residency metric- since Step 1 went pass/fail in 2022
- IMGs should target 5 to 15 points above the listed specialty averages for equal competitiveness
According to the 2024 NRMP Program Director Survey, 83% of program directors consider Step 2 CK scores when evaluating applicant competitiveness, and approximately 30% of programs use target scores for interview screening – making your Step 2 CK score percentile the fourth most important factor in residency interviews.
What Is the Passing Score for USMLE STEP 2 CK in 2026
As of July 1, 2025, the minimum passing score for USMLE Step 2 CK is 218 on the three-digit scale – an increase from the previous passing score of 214. The passing standard is regularly reviewed and adjusted every few years to align with current expectations of clinical competency.
This is the new passing score for USMLE Step 2 CK PDF that applies to all students taking the exam from July 1, 2025, onward. If you tested before that date, the old threshold of 214 applied to your exam.
The strategic takeaway: Never aim for the minimum passing score for Step 2 CK. The floor keeps rising, and the national mean sits 30 points above it. You can also read this guide on the USMLE STEP 2 study plan to ace your exam.
What Does the Passing Score Actually Represent as a Percentile
Based on the official USMLE norm table from USMLE.org covering July 2022 through June 2025, a Step 2 CK score of 218 corresponds to approximately the 2nd percentile – meaning 98% of test-takers from LCME-accredited US and Canadian medical schools score higher than the minimum passing score.
What Is the Complete USMLE Step 2 Score Percentile
The official USMLE norm table is based on LCME-accredited US and Canadian medical school first-time test-takers between July 1, 2022, and June 30, 2025, with a sample size of 67,934 examinees – making it the most statistically reliable Step 2 CK percentile reference available.
| Step 2 CK Score | Percentile | Classification |
| 270 | 94th | Elite – top competitive specialties |
| 265 | 85th | Excellent – highly competitive |
| 260 | 74th | Very strong – strong for any speciality |
| 255 | 60th | Above average – good for most specialities |
| 250 | 47th | Near mean – solid baseline |
| 245 | 34th | Below mean – review speciality targets |
| 240 | 24th | Lower quarter – limited competitive options |
| 235 | 16th | Low – strategic speciality planning needed |
| 230 | 10th | Very low – broad application required |
| 225 | 6th | Near minimum competitive floor |
| 220 | 4th | Just above passing – high match risk |
| 218 | 2nd | Minimum passing score (as of July 1, 2025) |
Source: USMLE.org Score Interpretation Guidelines, updated April 2025. Based on LCME-accredited US/Canadian medical school first-time takers.
What Step 2 CK Score Do You Need for Your Speciality
The average Step 2 CK score for matched applicants varies by speciality, but most fall between 244 and 257 based on recent NRMP data – with primary care specialities typically at 240 to 247 and highly competitive specialities at 255 to 257 for matched US MD seniors.
| Specialty | Matched Mean Score | Your Target | Percentile Zone |
| Dermatology | 256 to 260 | 260 or above | 74th to 94th |
| Orthopedic Surgery | 255 to 258 | 258 or above | 60th to 74th |
| Plastic Surgery | 255 to 258 | 258 or above | 60th to 74th |
| Neurological Surgery | 254 to 257 | 257 or above | 60th to 70th |
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | 253 to 257 | 255 or above | 60th to 70th |
| Diagnostic Radiology | 251 to 255 | 253 or above | 47th to 63rd |
| Anesthesiology | 248 to 253 | 250 or above | 34th to 60th |
| Emergency Medicine | 248 to 252 | 250 or above | 34th to 47th |
| General Surgery | 247 to 252 | 250 or above | 34th to 47th |
| Internal Medicine | 246 to 251 | 248 or above | 34th to 47th |
| Obstetrics and Gynaecology | 246 to 250 | 248 or above | 34th to 47th |
| Psychiatry | 244 to 249 | 246 or above | 24th to 34th |
| Pediatrics | 243 to 248 | 245 or above | 24th to 34th |
| Family Medicine | 240 to 246 | 242 or above | 16th to 24th |
Sources: NRMP Charting Outcomes 2024 and NRMP Program Director Survey 2024.
Academic vs Community Program Score Differences
Academic and university programs typically require Step 2 CK scores that are 5 to 10 points above speciality averages. In contrast, community programs often accept scores at or slightly below averages, and top-tier academic programs such as Mayo Clinic, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Johns Hopkins generally expect scores in the upper 250s to 260s regardless of speciality competitiveness.
Geographic adjustment: Programs in New York, California, and major metropolitan areas often have score requirements 10 to 15 points above published averages due to increased application volume.
What Score Do IMGs Need Specifically for the USMLE Step 2 Score Percentile
IMGs should target Step 2 CK scores that are 5 to 15 points above the listed recommendations. US citizen IMGs typically need scores in the 245 to 250 range for less competitive specialities, while non-US citizen IMGs require 250 or above for similar competitiveness.
| IMG Category | Minimum Competitive Score | Recommended Target |
| US citizen IMG – primary care | 240 to 245 | 248 or above |
| US citizen IMG – mid-competitive | 245 to 250 | 252 or above |
| Non-US citizen IMG – primary care | 245 to 250 | 252 or above |
| Non-US citizen IMG – mid-competitive | 250 to 255 | 255 or above |
The IMG gap in Step 2 CK score percentile competitiveness is real – it reflects the volume of qualified IMG applicants competing for fewer open spots. Targeting 5 to 15 points above the speciality mean is not overreach – it is the data-driven benchmark for equal footing.
How Is the USMLE Step 2 CK Score Calculated
Most students understand their raw percentage on practice exams, but misread what that translates to on the real USMLE Step 2 CK three-digit scale.
USMLE Step 2 CK scores are reported on a three-digit scale from 1 to 300, with small differences in difficulty across forms adjusted through statistical equating – meaning a score of 250 on one form reflects the same performance level as 250 on another, and the standard error of measurement is approximately 6 points for Step 2 CK.
What Different Raw Percentages Translate to in Scaled Scores
This is the question nobody answers directly about USMLE Step 2 score percentiles. Here is the honest approximation:
| Raw Per cent Correct | Approximate Scaled Score | Percentile |
| 90% or above | 265 to 275 | 85th to 94th |
| 85% | 258 to 265 | 70th to 85th |
| 80 to 85% | 250 to 258 | 47th to 70th |
| 75% | 240 to 248 | 24th to 34th |
| 70% | 232 to 240 | 10th to 24th |
| 65% | 225 to 232 | 6th to 10th |
| 60 to 65% | 218 to 225 | 2nd to 6th |
What does 75% correct mean on Step 2 CK:
A 75% correct score on Step 2 CK does not directly translate to a scaled score due to the USMLE’s complex scoring algorithm; roughly, 75% correct answers could correspond to a score around 230 to 240 on the scaled system, varying depending on the exam’s difficulty and the specific question set administered.
75% correct is approximately a 234 to 242 scaled score – the 16th to 24th percentile. It is a passing score. It is not a competitive score for most specialities above family medicine and psychiatry.
Why Step 2 CK Scores Run Higher Than Step 1 Scores
Step 2 CK tends to be the highest-scoring exam in the USMLE sequence because students are never more competent in clinical knowledge for a wide variety of specialities than they will be at the end of their third year of medical school, upon completing core clinical rotations, which is exactly when most students sit for this exam.
This is why the competitive benchmarks for Step 2 CK score percentiles are shifted higher than most students expect. The pool is not harder – the pool is performing better because it is fresher on the material.
What Is a Good Step 2 CK Score Percentile for Residency
A good Step 2 CK score is speciality-dependent; a 240 is strong for many fields and underwhelming for Dermatology or Plastic Surgery. Think in percentiles within your target speciality, not national averages alone – score bands predict risk, not destiny.
Variable 1 – Your target speciality: Use the speciality table above. A 248 is genuinely competitive for Family Medicine and Psychiatry. The same 248 is below the matched mean for every competitive surgical speciality.
Variable 2 – Your program type preference: Academic programs require 5 to 10 points above speciality means. Community programs are accepted at or slightly below speciality means. Geography adds another 10 to 15 points in high-competition markets. Know which programs you are actually targeting before deciding whether your score is sufficient.
Variable 3 – Your other application components: Since Step 1 became pass/fail, Step 2 CK ranked as the number 2 factor in residency selection in the 2024 NRMP survey – right behind letters of recommendation – meaning your Step 2 CK score percentile could determine whether your application receives serious consideration in competitive specialities.
A 260 with weak clinical evaluations will generate fewer interviews than a 252 with exceptional letters and strong rotation performance. The score opens doors. What is behind the door still has to be there.
Score Bands and What They Signal to Program Directors
| Score Band | Percentile Zone | What Programs See |
| 265 or above | 85th or above | Exceptional – interview at virtually any program |
| 255 to 264 | 60th to 85th | Very strong – competitive for any speciality, including surgical |
| 245 to 254 | 34th to 60th | Solid – competitive for most specialities, marginal for top competitive |
| 235 to 244 | 16th to 34th | Borderline – viable for primary care, needs support for competitive |
| 225 to 234 | 6th to 16th | Below competitive floor – strategic speciality and program selection required |
| 218 to 224 | 2nd to 6th | Passing only – very limited competitive options |
What Should You Do If Your Step 2 CK Score Is Below Your Target
Most guides tell you what to aim for. Almost nobody tells you what to do when you miss it.
If your score is 10 to 15 points below your speciality target:
Your Step 2 CK score percentile gap at this range is addressable. The most common drivers are weak clinical reasoning in management questions and a poor timing strategy. A focused 4 to 6 week targeted preparation with one-on-one tutoring addressing your specific NBME error patterns can close this gap before residency application deadlines.
If your score is 15 to 25 points below your speciality target:
If you are within a 5 to 10-point margin of where most successful applicants sit for your speciality, you are in the grey zone where non-numerical strengths and strategic planning really matter, but if all your practice tests cluster at 230 and you want Orthopaedics, the data is telling you that something has to change, either your preparation strategy or your speciality plans.
At this gap, retaking after targeted preparation is often the right decision. The cost of a weak score on a residency application is higher than the cost of delaying by 8 to 10 weeks.
If your score is more than 25 points below your speciality target:
Speciality reconsideration alongside aggressive preparation is the honest recommendation. Apply broadly. Pursue strong clinical evaluations and exceptional letters to compensate. Consider whether your speciality choice aligns with your score trajectory – not just your preference.
You can explore Dedicated Prep’s one-on-one Step 2 CK tutoring – built around your specific NBME score trajectory, your target speciality, and a concrete plan to close the gap before your application deadline.
Final Verdict: USMLE Step 2 CK Score Percentile Overview
The USMLE Step 2 CK passing score of 218 is the floor. It is not the goal. Your goal is the competitive range for your target speciality, and that range starts at 240 for primary care and climbs to 260 or above for surgical and competitive specialities.
The national mean of 250 is a reasonable baseline for most students. Scoring above it puts you in the top half of all test-takers. Scoring at the 75th Step 2 CK percentile of 260 or above makes you competitive for virtually any speciality you choose to pursue.
If you want a concrete plan to improve your Step 2 CK score percentile before your application deadline, book a strategy session with Dedicated Prep and walk away with a targeted preparation plan built around your NBME trajectory and speciality goals.
FAQ – USMLE Step 2 CK Score Percentile
1. What’s a good Step 2 CK percentile?
A score above 250 puts you near or above the national mean at approximately the 47th Step 2 CK percentile, considered good for most specialities.
2. What score is 75% correct on Step 2?
Approximately 75% correct on passing the USMLE STEP 2 CK score translates to a scaled score of roughly 230 to 240, placing you in the 10th to 24th Step 2 CK score percentile.
3. Is a 257 a good Step 2 score?
A 257 score to pass USMLE STEP 2 CK places you at approximately the 70th percentile a strong score that is competitive for most specialities, including Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, and many surgical fields.
4. What percentile is 250 on Step 2?
A USMLE STEP 2 CK first-pass score of 250 corresponds to approximately the 47th percentile according to the official USMLE norm table – meaning just under half of all first-time US and Canadian medical school test-takers score above 250.
5. How much is 20 marks in percentiles on Step 2 CK?
A 20-point range on USMLE Step 2 percentiles covers a significant percentile spread – moving from 240 to 260 takes you from the 24th to the 74th percentile, a jump of 50 percentile points. Moving from 250 to 270 takes you from the 47th to the 94th percentile.
