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What Are the Chances of Getting a Fellowship After Failing the USMLE Step 2 CK?

16 min

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Medical student studying intently at a desk in a well-lit library, surrounded by notebooks and study materials, preparing for the Step 2 CK exam.

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💡 Failed Step 2 CK? Here's What It Means for Fellowship Chances Failing a major exam like the USMLE Step 2 CK can feel like a huge setback, especially if you're eyeing a competitive residency or worried about fellowship chances. However, it’s important to remember that one exam does not...

Making the Most of UWorld’s 30 Day Subscription

Medical school student studying for the USMLE in a library in front of a laptop, making the most of her UWorld subscription.

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Is it worth it to get UWorld’s most basic 30 day subscription? While we certainly don’t advise waiting until a month before your test date to start going through UWorld, it is actually possible to get through one full pass in only 30 days.

How Long Should You Study for Step 2?

21 min

4328 Views

Medical student studying intently at a desk in a well-lit library, surrounded by notebooks and study materials, preparing for the Step 2 CK exam.

4328 Views

Preparing for Step 2 raises many questions, but one of the most pressing ones is: how long should I study for Step 2? The answer, unfortunately, is not one-size-fits-all. It depends on various factors, including your baseline knowledge, the time you've spent preparing throughout medical school, and your personal study...

Maximize Your 4-Week Step 2 Study Plan: Free Intensive Step 2 CK Prep

The-Ultimate-USMLE-Step-2-CK-Study-Plan

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With Step 1 transitioning to a pass/fail format, the importance of the Step 2 CK exam in medical school has become even more pronounced. It now stands as the primary scored exam that program directors scrutinize when determining which applicants to invite for an interview.   Your Step 2 CK...

Step 2 CK vs. Shelf Exams: What’s the Real Difference (and Which Is Harder)?

12 min

1579 Views

Medical student preparing for the USMLE Step 2 exam, taking notes at a desk with a laptop and study materials, representing focused study and exam preparation.

1579 Views

If you’re a medical student deep in clinical rotations, you’ve probably heard the constant chatter about shelf exams and USMLE Step 2 CK. Maybe you’ve even asked yourself: Are shelf exams harder than Step 2 CK? Does Step 2 feel like a bunch of shelf exams stitched together? Can I...

What to Do If You Fail Step 2 CK: A Comprehensive Recovery Plan

11 min

440 Views

Stressed medical student sitting at a desk, holding glasses and looking at a laptop screen, processing Step 2 CK failure.

440 Views

So You Failed Step 2 CK—Now What?   Alright, take a deep breath. Failing Step 2 CK is not the end of your medical career. It’s a setback, sure, but setbacks happen. We all have them. The important thing is how you bounce back. Let’s go step by step to...

USMLE Step 2 CK 2025 Exam Dates and Costs

8 min

18292 Views

A focused medical school student taking her USMLE Step 2 CK exam in a computer room.

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What is the USMLE Step 2 CK Exam?   USMLE Step 2 CK (Clinical Knowledge) is an examination conducted by the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) and the Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) in the United States. It is one of the steps required for medical licensure in...

A Detailed Review of the AMBOSS Step 2 CK Self-Assessment

10 min

2506 Views

Medical student preparing for the USMLE Step 2 exam, taking notes at a desk with a laptop and study materials, representing focused study and exam preparation.

2506 Views

As you prepare for the high-stakes USMLE Step 2 exam, practice exams are a crucial tool to gauge your progress and identify areas for improvement. While many students rely on NBME and UWorld self-assessments, the AMBOSS Step 2 CK self-assessment offers another valuable tool for gauging readiness and reviewing key...

2025 Guide to Interpreting NBME Practice Exams for Step 1 and Step 2

A medical school student taking an NBME practice test for USMLE prep in a living room in front of a desktop computer.

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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...

Proven Strategies to Ace USMLE Step 2 CK with a 90th Percentile Score

18 min

1901 Views

A medical student studies intently in a library, reviewing notes and resources, symbolizing the dedication and focused preparation needed to achieve a high score on the USMLE Step 2 CK.

1901 Views

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...

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