Average Step 2 CK Score by Specialty (2026)
Because USMLE Step 1 is now Pass/Fail, Step 2 CK is the primary numeric metric programs use to screen applicants. These are approximate matched-applicant means from NRMP Charting Outcomesdata — individual program targets vary, so aim at or above your target programs’ 75th-percentile score.
| Competitiveness | Example specialties | Mean Step 2 CK |
|---|---|---|
| Less competitive | Family Medicine, Pediatrics, PM&R | 243–247 |
| Mid competitive | Internal Medicine, Psychiatry, EM, OB/GYN, Anesthesiology | 247–251 |
| Competitive | General Surgery, Radiology, Ophthalmology | 250–254 |
| Highly competitive | Dermatology, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, ENT, Plastic Surgery | 255–262 |
Step 2 CK Score Percentiles
The Step 2 CK score distribution centers on a mean of ~250 with a standard deviation of ~15. The norm group is first-time takers from LCME-accredited medical schools. Here is where each score lands:
| Score | Percentile | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 270 | 94th | Top of the distribution |
| 265 | 85th | Competitive-specialty range |
| 260 | 74th | Very competitive, incl. surgical subspecialties |
| 255 | 60th | Above the national mean |
| 250 | 47th | ≈ the national mean |
| 245 | 34th | Below median — workable for less competitive specialties |
| 240 | 24th | Below median |
| 230 | 10th | Well below median |
| 220 | 4th | Just above passing |
| 218 | — | Minimum passing score (July 2025) |
Read this before you quote a percentile
USMLE publishes percentiles in 5-point increments only. That means there is no published score for “the 75th percentile” — the table jumps from 260 (74th) straight to 265 (85th). Any site handing you an exact score for the 25th, 50th, 75th or 90th percentile has interpolated it. The honest brackets are:
- 25th percentile: between 240 and 245
- 50th percentile (median): between 250 and 255
- 75th percentile: between 260 and 265
- 90th percentile: between 265 and 270
One more thing that gets misrepresented constantly: USMLE publishes onenorm table, and it covers LCME-accredited first-time takers only. There is no official percentile table for examinees from non-US/Canadian medical schools — if you are an IMG and a site shows you “IMG percentiles,” those numbers did not come from USMLE.
The measurement error nobody talks about
Two numbers matter more than most students realise. The standard error of measurement is roughly 6 points: if you sat the same exam twice under identical conditions, your score would be expected to move by about that much. The standard error of difference — the figure to use when comparing two scores — is roughly 8 points.
Practically: a 252 and a 247 are not meaningfully different scores. A 265 and a 240 are. This is also why every prediction on this site is reported as a range rather than a single number — see our methodology.
Why Step 2 CK Matters More in 2026
When Step 1 reported a three-digit score, programs used it as the first numeric filter. Since Step 1 became Pass/Fail in January 2022, that weight shifted almost entirely to Step 2 CK. It is now the single most important score on most residency applications — used for interview screening, ranking, and for meeting program score thresholds.
That means a “good” Step 2 CK score is the one that clears the bar for your specialty and programs. A 248 is comfortably competitive for internal medicine but below the mean for dermatology. The most useful thing you can do during dedicated study is track where your practice scores are trending and how much margin you have.
Predict your real Step 2 CK score
Enter your NBME, UWSA 2, UWorld, or Free 120 scores into our free predictor — built on 5,039 verified student outcomes and accurate to within ±5–7 points (r = 0.92 with NBME Form 14). See exactly where you stand versus the ~250 mean and your target specialty.
Use the free Step 2 CK predictor → · See accuracy & methodology →Related reading
- USMLE Step 2 CK score prediction guide — how ensemble predictors work and how to read a prediction range.
- Which NBME form is most accurate? — every major practice exam ranked by correlation and bias, from 5,039 verified outcomes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average USMLE Step 2 CK score?
The mean Step 2 CK score for U.S. MD seniors who matched in 2026 is approximately 250, with a standard deviation of about 15 points. A score at or above 250 is therefore at or above the matched-applicant median.
What is a good Step 2 CK score for residency?
It depends on your target specialty. ~245 is competitive for family medicine and pediatrics, ~250 for internal medicine and emergency medicine, and 255–262 for highly competitive specialties like dermatology, orthopedics, and plastic surgery. Aim at or above your target programs’ 75th-percentile score.
What is the Step 2 CK passing score?
The minimum passing score for USMLE Step 2 CK is 218, effective for exams taken on or after July 1, 2025 (raised from 214). The USMLE periodically reviews the passing standard, so confirm the current threshold on usmle.org. Most matched applicants score far above the passing line.
Does Step 2 CK matter more now that Step 1 is Pass/Fail?
Yes. Since USMLE Step 1 became Pass/Fail in January 2022, residency programs rely much more heavily on Step 2 CK as the primary numeric screen for interviews and ranking. It is now the single most important score on most applications.
What Step 2 CK score do I need for a competitive specialty?
Highly competitive specialties (dermatology, orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, ENT, plastic surgery) have matched-applicant means in the high 250s to low 260s. To be competitive you generally want to be at or above 255–260, alongside strong research, clerkship grades, and letters.
How can I predict my Step 2 CK score before the exam?
Enter your NBME, UWSA, UWorld, or Free 120 practice scores into our free Step 2 CK predictor. It is built on 5,039 verified student outcomes and is accurate to within ±5–7 points (r = 0.92 with NBME Form 14).
Disclaimer
USMLEPredictor.com is an independent educational tool and is not affiliated with the NBME, FSMB, the USMLE program, or the NRMP. Specialty averages and percentiles are approximate and based on publicly published NRMP and USMLE data; they vary by year and program. Use them as guidance, not a guarantee, and confirm official figures on usmle.org and nrmp.org.