Passing the USMLE: A Scoring Guide

You will receive a detailed USMLE Score Report two to four weeks after taking each Step. When your report is ready, you will get an email from the organization that registered you for the exam. The USMLE Step 1 has recently transitioned to pass/fail, but you will still receive a numerical score for USMLE Step 2 CK and Step 3. See an example of a USMLE Score Report so you know what to expect after completing each exam.

USMLE Pass Rates

The total percentage of examinees that passed each USMLE Step in 2024 (the most recent year the data is available) are as follows:

Source: USMLE Performance Data

USMLE Passing Scores

The USMLE Management Committee establishes the passing scores and will recommend a pass or fail outcome on all USMLE exams. The recommended passing score for each USMLE Step is reviewed and adjusted periodically. The percentage of correctly answered items needed to pass varies from each test, which is why the passing scores vary.

The current passing scores for the USMLE are listed below:

• USMLE Step 1 Passing Score: Reported as pass/fail only
• USMLE Step 2 CK Passing Score: 218
• USMLE Step 3 Passing Score: 200

USMLE Step 1 Passing Score

Passing the USMLE Step 1 is no small task. The first USMLE is known to be rigorous as it tests your mastery of foundational medical science principles to ensure you can practice medicine safely and competently. Unlike the other USMLE exams, Step 1 is reported as pass/fail only, so you will not receive a numerical score. According to the USMLE program, examinees must correctly answer approximately 60 percent of items to pass each USMLE Step.

The USMLE Step 1 tests everything you’ve learned in your first two years of preclinical medical education. If you are just finishing up your preclinical medical courses, then you should spend 6-9 weeks of intensive study to prepare to take your USMLE Step 1 exam. If you finished your preclinical medical coursework six months or more prior to this, you should expect to spend 6-9 months preparing. Before you begin to parse through exactly how and what to study for the USMLE Step 1—like strategies for different question types or how to pick the best answers—start by developing a study plan that works for you.

[  KEEP STUDYING: How to Pass USMLE Step 1: Top 5 Tips ]

USMLE Step 2 CK Passing Score

On July 1, 2025, the USMLE Management Committee changed the passing score for the USMLE Step 2 CK from 214 to 218. This increase in the passing score for Step 2 CK is a regular adjustment by the USMLE Management Committee to ensure the exam remains a relevant and accurate measure of the minimum competency required for medical licensure and aligns with the evolving landscape of medical knowledge and practice.

Because the USMLE Step 1 is reported as pass/fail, residency committees look more closely at your Step 2 CK score percentiles. Ultimately, your goal should not only be to pass the USMLE Step 2 CK, but to earn a good score so you can be a competitive candidate for residency programs.

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 260. The highest possible score for the USMLE Step 2 CK is 300, but no one has ever achieved a “perfect” score. A score around 280 would be considered a top Step 2 CK score.

Learn what your USMLE score means by reviewing the score percentiles for Step 2 CK for U.S./Canadian medical schools testing between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2024.

Source: USMLE Score Interpretation Guidelines

Each question on the Clinical Knowledge (CK) portion of the USMLE is composed entirely of clinical scenarios describing patients. You’ll be required to answer questions about diagnoses, prognoses, indications of underlying mechanisms of disease, and next steps in medical care (including preventative measures). We recommend using a USMLE Step 2 CK Qbank to familiarize yourself with the test and question format. Get more information on how to earn a good USMLE Step 2 CK score in our guide to the USMLE Step 2 CK.

USMLE Step 3 Passing Score

The current passing score for USMLE Step 3 is 200. As the last test in the series, it’s easy to underestimate the USMLE Step 3, especially when you have less time to study. That being said, passing this final examination in the USMLE sequence leads to what you’ve been working toward for years: a license to practice medicine without supervision. Passing the USMLE Step 3 is an incredible achievement, demonstrating your medical knowledge and proficiency.

What is a good USMLE Step 3 score?

A good USMLE Step 3 score is any score above 230. While your score on Step 3 is less important than whether you pass or fail, a high score can compensate for a mediocre Step 2 CK performance and bolster your application for a fellowship.

See how your score stacks up against the competition by reviewing USMLE Step 3 score percentiles for U.S./Canadian medical schools testing between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024.

Source: USMLE Score Interpretation Guidelines

USMLE Step 3 is a two-day exam consisting of multiple-choice questions and computer-based case simulations. It is the final assessment of physicians assuming independent responsibility for delivering medical care. You’ll be tested on patient management, lab and diagnostic skills, diagnosis, prognosis, and pathophysiology. Prepare for the exam by working through as many USMLE Step 3 Qbanks as possible, and set yourself up for success by taking an on-demand or live online USMLE Step 3 prep course.

What are good USMLE Scores for International Medical Graduates?

What constitutes a “good” USMLE score for international medical graduates (IMGs) depends on which residency program is your top choice because some are more competitive than others. Residency programs rely on USMLE scores to help evaluate applicants. Since Step 1 transitioned to pass/fail, Step 2 CK scores have factored more heavily into residency program admissions.

In 2024, the average USMLE Step 2 CK score for US and non-US IMGs who matched into their preferred residency specialties was as follows:

• Step 2 CK Scores for US IMGs: 236
• Step 2 CK Scores for Non-US IMGs: 245

Some of the top medical specialties for which US and non-US IMGs matched had the following Step 2 CK USMLE mean scores based on data from NRMP®.

IMGs are able to take the Step 3 exam prior to applying for residency and could improve their application. U.S. med students are not permitted to take Step 3 until they have graduated from medical school.