How to Score 260 on USMLE Step 1

Dec 19

7 min

3465 Views

3466 Views

Scoring 260 on USMLE Step 1

USMLE Step 1

The USMLE step 1 is an intimidating rite of passage for every American medical student. Preparing for the test can seem very daunting and anxiety provoking. My hope is that this blog post will answer common questions such as, how does step 1 affect my future career goals? What does it even mean to do well on step 1? And finally, how do I crush this test?

What is means to score well on Step 1

The passing score for USMLE step 1 is 194. However, the average step score for an allopathic medical student in 2018 who matched into their preferred specialty was 232.8. A good step score is anything greater than 240 which is the 66th percentile, placing you in the top third of medical students nationally. Between specialties, there was considerable variation in average step 1 scores. More competitive specialties such as dermatology, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery on average have higher Step 1 scores with an average around 250. (To find a complete guide of residency acceptance factors by specialty, you can check out our NRMP Match Series here.) Step scores also vary between programs, and a higher step score will increase your chance of getting into a higher ranked program. A good step score is only one aspect of your residency application, with the most important part being your performance on clinical rotations. However, some programs may use step scores as a way to screen applications when deciding who to interview, and a strong step score is an important part of having a competitive application.

How to do well on Step 1

As someone who scored a 260 (96th percentile), I truly believe that scoring well on step 1 is an achievable goal for any medical student. The secrets to doing well are preparation, organization, and dedication.

Preparation

Before your dedicated study time, prepare by gathering the key resources and question banks that you want to use. You should have no more than four total. I personally recommend First Aid, Pathoma, UWorld, and sketchy micro. Make sure that you have a place to study that is quiet and easy to focus in. Finally, I personally chose to study with a friend as we could hold each other accountable and go over practice tests together.

Organization

Next organize your study schedule by planning how many passes you want to make through the material. I personally did three. Make sure that you work in at least two full passes of UWorld. Use a calendar to create a schedule for your dedicated study time including some catch up days and at least one full day every other week for a practice test. Practice tests are a wonderful way to gauge your progress and allow you to adjust your study schedule. I would also recommend taking one full day off each week to recover. In addition to reviewing material, make sure that you have a strategy for how you are going to retain what you learn. I personally made an ANKI card for every UWorld of practice test question that I got wrong.

Dedication

One of the most challenging parts of studying can be sticking to your schedule and avoiding burnout. I suggest not getting too bogged down in any one subject and only taking the time you allowed yourself to review. There will always be more to learn, and you are never going to know everything. If you are short on time always prioritize doing questions over material review. Finally, each day make sure you do at least one thing you enjoy, I personally worked out and watched one episode of The Office every day.

In conclusion, doing well on the USMLE step 1 is an important part of creating a strong application for residency with the average student score a 232. With preparation, dedication, and organization it’s possible for all students to do well on Step 1. And, if you need help getting prepared, organized, or need someone to coach you through sticking to your schedule and avoiding burnout, you can always contact us here!

Need additional
help with your exam?

Enter your info to hear from a member of our team and discuss if 1-on-1 tutoring is right for you.

Your Name*
Email Address*
Phone Number*
Medical School
What do you need help with?*
How did you hear about us?*
Referral Code
TIME ZONE
How Can we help you?*
4+7 is equal to*
Please enter the correct answer to see the submit button.
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Madeleine Alder, MD

Graduating from Washington University in Saint Louis with a BA in American Studies in 2014, Madeline Adler was the president and training leader for two…

How to Score 260 on USMLE Step 1

Scoring 260 on USMLE Step 1

USMLE Step 1

What is means to score well on Step 1

How to do well on Step 1

Related Articles

How to Make Memory Palaces in Medical School

Things IMGs Can Do to Improve Their Chance of US Residency Matching

Preparation

Organization

Dedication

Need additional help with your exam?

Madeleine Alder, MD

Featured Articles

How to Make Memory Palaces in Medical School

How to Study for the Internal Medicine Shelf Exam

What are Memory Palaces?

5 More New NBME Practice Exams Are Coming

Everything About UWorld’s ABFM QBank

Dealing With Test Anxiety During Medical School

5 Biggest Mistakes Students Make While Studying for USMLE Step 1

How To Triage Reviewing for ABSITE and USMLE Step 3

Things IMGs Can Do to Improve Their Chance of US Residency Matching

Aim High or Just Pass USMLE Step 1 in 2021

A Complete Guide to Getting Through the UWorld QBank Twice

Elite Medical Prep Co-Founder Receives COVID-19 Vaccine

What to Do the Day Before Your USMLE Step 1 Exam

Why Basic Sciences Are Still Important During Preclinical Studies

COMLEX Level 1 to Become Pass/Fail!

Common ABSITE Question Types You’ll Encounter on the Exam

How I Used My UWorld Subscription for MS1 and MS2

Options for a Low ABSITE Score

How to Study for USMLE Step 2CS

2021 USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK Score Percentiles

How to Simultaneously Study for Step 2 CK and Your Shelf Exams

5 Things US IMGs Should Know When Applying to Residency

Questions You Should Ask Your Prospective Residency Programs

How to Create an ABSITE Study Schedule

A Quick User’s Guide to Pathoma for USMLE Step 1

How to Write a Personal Statement Hook

When is it Time to Get a USMLE Step 1 or Step 2 Tutor?

UWorld in 30 Days: Making the Most out of UWorld’s Most Basic Subscription

Here’s How Residency Programs Rank Applicants

The Ins and Outs of Virtual Residency Application Season

How to Use the AAMC Residency Explorer Tool

Residency Matching: How to Cancel an Interview the Right Way

Post Interview Communication: The Residency Thank You Letter

So You Want to Be a Neurologist

An Interview with NBME Free 120 Explanation Guru: Ben White

5 Effective Study Tips to Help You Prepare for COMLEX Level 1

What to Look For in a Residency Program

USMLE Step 1 Practice Question Types

When to Start Studying for USMLE Step 1

5 Most Productive Study Tips for USMLE Step 1

Why Spaced Repetition is SO Important for USMLE Studies?

Taking USMLE Step 1 with Step 2CK After Rotations

How to Study for COMLEX Level 2-CE

My Experience Taking the USMLE during COVID-19

Most Common Reasons for Failing USMLE Step 1

USMLE Step 2CS is Cancelled

How to Manage USMLE Step 1 Test Anxiety

When to Start UWorld for USMLE Step 1

How to Best Use First Aid USMLE Step 1 to Study

WEBINAR: Tutoring Program Best Practices for Institutions

NBME Updates: Free Assessments & Explanations

Without Active Learning, You Could Fail USMLE Step 1

Elite Medical Prep Founder Delivers Grand Rounds at University of Hawaii

WEBINAR: COVID-19 Imaging for Medical Students & Residents

How to Painlessly Prepare for USMLE Step 3 & COMLEX Level 3

Medical School Closed Due to Coronavirus? Remote Learning Tips

Everything Changed – COVID-19 From a 1st Year Resident’s View

Pushing Back your USMLE Test Date Without Losing Knowledge

What COVID-19 Means for Medical Students

All United States Prometric Testing Centers CLOSED

How to Study for the American Board of Internal Medicine Exam

How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect Medical School Curricula

How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect DO students

How USMLE Step 1 Going Pass/Fail Will Affect IMGs

USMLE Step 1 to Become Pass/Fail

COMLEX Level 1 to USMLE Step 1 Predictor

Need additional
help with your exam?