Almost all students preparing for the USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 will take at least one (hopefully more!) practice test leading up to test day. While various practice tests are available to assess your performance, many students will turn directly to the NBME practice tests to estimate their chances...

Having scored above the 90th percentile on Step 2, students often ask “How do I get a 90th percentile score on Step 2?”, “How long should I study for Step 2 CK?”, and “What’s the best study plan for Step 2 CK?”   Mastering this exam is a combination of...

The USMLE Step 2 CK percentiles provide a benchmark to evaluate your performance compared to other test-takers. With Step 1 now pass/fail, Step 2 CK scores play an increasingly important role in residency applications, making a high percentile score critical for competitive specialties. This guide breaks down the latest percentile...

USMLE Step 2 is often compared to running a marathon. While I would argue that one could run two marathons (and perhaps even start a third) in the time it takes to sit for Step 2, the analogy nonetheless starts to capture the endurance required to sit for such an...

If you are about to start your dedicated study period for the USMLE Step 2CK, you may be asking yourself, “what are the best study books I should use to prepare for this test?” Well, look no further! Here at EMP, we provide a comprehensive review of the best study books for Step 2CK!

This blog was originally posted on January 17, 2023, and updated in December 2024.   Growing up, my studying always seemed to follow a natural sequence: learn new content, review that content, and then quiz yourself on that content with practice questions. The idea of beginning with the end, i.e.,...

Your journey through medical school is characterized by rigorous academic challenges coupled with hands-on learning. Arguably, one of the most significant hurdles for medical students to overcome is the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK). The USMLE Step 2 assesses students' ability to apply clinical...

This blog was originally posted on November 22, 2022, and updated by Dr. Ria Patel in November 2024.   The USMLE Step 2 CK is a challenging exam that tests a wide range of clinical knowledge and skills across multiple subjects. Understanding the Step 2 CK breakdown by subject is...

The Step 2 CK exam score is one of the top factors residency programs use when selecting candidates to interview. Most students in the United States take the USMLE Step 2 CK after their third-year clinical rotations—typically between May and July—to align with residency application timelines. This schedule ensures you...

Scoring high on these exams will open doors for applicants. Scoring high on an exam means understanding what’s being tested and how you’ll be scored.