USMLE Step 2 Average Scores By Specialty In 2026

Average USMLE Step 2 CK Scores by Specialty for MDs 

The table below reports the average United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 - Clinical Knowledge (USMLE Step 2 CK) scores for U.S. MD seniors who matched and did not match into their preferred specialty, based on the most recent National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Charting Outcomes for MDs.

Please note: Because USMLE Step 1 transitioned to pass/fail in January 2022, numeric Step 1 scores are no longer widely reported. As a result, residency competitiveness is now more closely associated with USMLE Step 2 CK, which remains numerically scored.

Average USMLE Step 2 CK Scores by Specialty for Non-U.S. International Medical Graduates (Non-U.S. IMGs)

The NRMP Charting Outcomes reports that Non-U.S. International Medical Graduates (Non-U.S. IMGs) who matched earned an overall mean USMLE Step 2 CK score of 246.0, compared to 239.0 for unmatched Non-U.S. IMGs across all specialties.

Non-U.S. IMGs earn medical degrees from schools outside the United States or Canada and do not hold U.S. citizenship at the time of graduation.

Below are the specialty-specific average Step 2 CK scores:

FAQs

1. What Score Do I Need to Match Into My Desired Specialty?

There is no universal cutoff to match into your desired specialty, but scoring at or above your desired program’s 75th percentile USMLE Step 2 score significantly improves competitiveness. Top programs in competitive specialties such as Dermatology, Orthopedic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, and Interventional Radiology often report  75th percentile scores in the high 250s. Primary care specialties such as Family Medicine and Pediatrics typically report 75th percentile scores in the high 240s. 

2. How Does Step 1 Becoming Pass/Fail Impact Residency Applications?

Because USMLE Step 1 is now pass/fail, residency programs rely more heavily on Step 2 CK as the primary numeric metric for comparing applicants. Step 2 CK now plays a larger role in screening, interview selection, and overall competitiveness.

3. Is Preparation for Step 2 CK Necessary?

Yes, you must prepare for Step 2 CK because it tests clinical reasoning, diagnostic decision-making, and application of medical knowledge across multiple specialties. It’s not an exam you can passively review for. You must practice timed question blocks, refine your test-taking strategy, and strengthen weak subject areas. 

To ensure you score high enough to match or exceed these specialty averages, consider getting professional help for USMLE prep. Expert support provides personalized study plans and targeted test-taking strategies to help you maximize your Step 2 CK performance.

4. When Are USMLE Step 2 Scores Released?

The USMLE typically releases Step 2 CK scores three to four weeks after the exam date, usually on Wednesdays. However, you can expect delays during peak testing periods.

5. What Is the Optimal Timing for Taking the USMLE Step 2?

The optimal time for most medical students to take USMLE Step 2 CK is at the end of their third year or early in their fourth year, after completing core clinical rotations. Students typically schedule the exam once they finish major clerkships such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Pediatrics, OB/GYN, and Psychiatry. 

Most students aim to complete Step 2 CK before submitting their application through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) so residency programs can review their score during screening.

6. What Is the Average Score for the USMLE Step 2 Exam?

The mean USMLE Step 2 CK score is 250, according to the USMLE Score Interpretation Guide. This average score represents all USMLE Step 2 CK examinees, regardless of specialty or match outcome.

7. Does the Step 2 Percentile Matter?

No, residency programs focus primarily on your numeric Step 2 CK score, not your percentile. However, percentiles provide context for how your performance compares to other test-takers.

8. What Is the Minimum Passing Score for Step 2 CK?

The minimum passing score for Step 2 CK is 214. Competitive specialties typically require scores well above this threshold.

9. What Is the Average Step 2 CK Score of Applicants Matching to Their Preferred Specialty?

The average Step 2 CK score for matched applicants varies by specialty, but most fall between 244 and 257 based on recent NRMP data.

• Primary care specialties (Family Medicine, Pediatrics): typically 240–247
• Mid-competitiveness specialties (Internal Medicine, Emergency Medicine, OB/GYN, Psychiatry): typically 246–252
• Highly competitive specialties (Dermatology, Orthopaedic Surgery, Neurological Surgery, Otolaryngology, Plastic Surgery): typically 255–257

Matched applicants consistently score higher than unmatched applicants. To stay competitive, aim to meet or exceed the matched average for your intended specialty.

10. What Step 2 CK Score Is Needed to Secure Residency Interviews?

There is no official Step 2 CK score cutoff for residency interviews. Many programs use internal screening thresholds, often near or slightly below the specialty’s matched mean. Scoring at or above your program’s 75th percentile USMLE Step 2 CK score significantly increases your likelihood of receiving interview invitations.