Step 2 CK Passing Score: What Is a Good Score?

The USMLE Step 2 CK passing score is 218 for exams administered on or after July 1, 2025 (USMLE). A “good” score depends on your specialty and application: the latest USMLE reference mean is 251 for 2025–2026 LCME first-time takers, while NRMP’s 2026 matched U.S. MD median is 253 (USMLE norms; NRMP).

By Dr. Sahith Valluru. For The Boards Professor, founded by Dr. Sean Moazezi, DO. Updated October 28, 2026.

1. Start with the official numbers

USMLE's minimum passing score for Step 2 CK is 218 for exams given on or after July 1, 2025 (USMLE, results and scoring). On its 2026 sample score report, USMLE describes the comparison group as examinees from LCME-accredited schools taking Step 2 CK for the first time between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, with reported scores ranging from 1 to 300, a mean of 250 and a standard deviation of 15 (USMLE, sample Step 2 CK score report).

2. Read the mean and standard deviation correctly

A mean of 250 with a standard deviation of 15 means most scores in that group sit in a band around 250. A score one standard deviation above the mean (265) is well above typical; one below (235) is below typical but still comfortably above passing. These are descriptions of one comparison group, not a ranking of you against every test taker.

International graduates, DO students and repeat takers are compared with the same scale but may not be part of that comparison group, so treat the mean as a reference point rather than a verdict.

3. Remember the score has error built in

USMLE says the standard error of the estimate on Step 2 CK is 8 points: if you could re-test without learning or forgetting anything, your score would fall within 8 points of your current score about two-thirds of the time (USMLE). That is why two scores a few points apart are not meaningfully different, and why a target should be a band, not a single number.

4. Decide what "good" means for your goals

A good score is the one that keeps your options open for the specialties and programs you want. For some applicants that is any clear pass; for others it is well above the mean. Your advisor and the programs you are targeting are better guides here than any general rule, and we would rather help you build a realistic target with them than quote a universal cut-off.

• If your goal is to pass after a difficult Step 1: a clear margin above 218 matters more than a high number.
• If you are applying to a competitive specialty: ask your advisor what range is typical for successful applicants at your school.
• If you are an international graduate: check what the programs you are targeting say about scores, since many publish their own guidance.

5. Turn the target into practice-exam checkpoints

Set a target band and check it against practice exams taken under test conditions. NBME's Comprehensive Clinical Science Self-Assessment is NBME's self-assessment for Step 2 CK, and USMLE publishes free practice materials. A steady trend in your target band over several practice exams is a much better sign than one high score.

6. Leave a margin for test day

Test day adds stress, a new format and fatigue. From May 7, 2026, Step 2 CK is sixteen 30-minute blocks in one 9-hour session, so stamina matters. Aim for practice results above your target, not at it, so a harder form or a tired afternoon does not cost you the score you need.

7. Know the trade-off of waiting

USMLE does not let you retake Step 2 CK once you pass, except to meet a licensing time limit (USMLE, eligibility). The score you get is the one programs see. That makes the decision to test now or move the date important: moving it costs time, but a rushed attempt cannot be improved later.

We usually look at three things together: the trend in practice scores, the time left before application deadlines, and what the extra weeks would realistically add. If the extra time would move practice scores meaningfully, waiting is often worth it.

8. Use your score report after the exam

Whatever the result, the score report shows your performance by content area. If you are preparing for Step 3 or COMLEX later, or if you need to retake after a fail, those content areas tell you where to start.

How we help you hit your target

We tutor Step 2 CK one-on-one, online. We set your target band with you, track every practice exam against it, and adjust the plan week by week. See Step 2 CK tutoring or book a free intro consult.

“I recently had the pleasure of working with The Boards Professor tutoring services to study for my USMLE Step 2CK exam and I can confidently say that it was one of the best decisions.”

— Naiya P.

What the 2026 Match data says about "good"

NRMP's Charting Outcomes for U.S. MD seniors in the 2026 Main Residency Match gives the clearest official answer to "good for what?". The median Step 2 CK score was 253 among seniors who matched and 244 among those who did not. By preferred specialty, matched medians ran from 244 in family medicine to 261 in otolaryngology.

Percentile positions are read from the USMLE norm table updated August 17, 2026. A median is the middle matched applicant, not a cut-off. See scores by specialty for every specialty and the DO figures.

Worked example: setting a target band

Say you want internal medicine. The matched median is 254. Because USMLE gives Step 2 CK an 8-point standard error of the estimate, we would set a target band of roughly 250 to 260 and look for practice results that sit inside it consistently. If your recent practice exams average 238, the gap is about 15 points. Whether extra weeks can close that gap depends on the assessment trend, available study time and the causes of missed questions. Discuss those details before setting the date.

Is it ever worth delaying the exam?

This table is our advice from working with students, not a USMLE or NRMP rule.

Good, by percentile

The matched median is NRMP's figure for all U.S. MD seniors across specialties in 2026; your specialty's median may be higher or lower.

The short version

• Passing is 218.
• The mean for 2025-2026 LCME first-takers is 251.
• The 2026 median for matched U.S. MD seniors is 253.
• Specialty medians range from 244 to 261.
• Set a band, allowing for the 8-point error, and judge readiness on a practice trend.

218 versus 214: which Step 2 CK standard applies?

A score equal to 218 meets the current minimum. It does not establish a competitive residency target, and a practice assessment at the line does not promise the same outcome on test day. Separate the licensing question from the application question before setting your study target.

Step 2 CK result timing and the next decision

Results are typically available within four weeks, with at least eight weeks allowed for notification. Download the report when notified and keep a copy for your records. USMLE score availability. For broader score context, read the full Step 2 CK percentile table; for remediation, use the failed Step 2 CK guide.

Step 2 CK tutoring is $349 per 50-minute session. Sean and the team start from your baseline assessment, examine how you eliminate answer choices and build the next week around recurring mistakes. Sessions use live questions rather than a fixed lecture sequence. Book a consult to discuss a target and timeline.