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USMLE Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 Score Percentiles

Several USMLE percentile score graphs over an outstretched hand.

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How to calculate your USMLE Step 1 or USMLE Step 2CK score percentile is a common question many medical students ask. Here are the 2020 USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK percentile charts to see how you compare to other students.

How to Approach ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on USMLE Exams

8 Steps for Mastering ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on the USMLE

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8 Steps for Mastering ‘Most Likely Diagnosis’ Questions on the USMLE   The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) is filled with clinical vignette-style questions designed to assess your ability to apply medical knowledge in real-world scenarios. One of the most common question types you’ll encounter is the "Most Likely...

2025 Top 5 Study Resources for USMLE Step 2 CK

11 min

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Student using study resources on a laptop for USMLE Step 2 CK

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To save other students from stressing over which Step 2 CK study resources to use as I did, here are my five most trusted resources for studying for Step 2 CK. These resources may not work for everyone, but these are the resources that helped me score in the 99th percentile on Step 2 CK!

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

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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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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

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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.

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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

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

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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

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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...

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