The average passing scores for USMLE Step 1, Step 2 and Step 3 Exam keep updating from time to time. Just when medical students think they are prepared enough to nail their USMLE Exam, the passing scores change.
Before understanding the minimum passing score for the USMLE Step 2 CS exam, let’s learn about the USMLE scoring system.
USMLE scores
Well, the scoring system for all the steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination is designed in such a way that it provides an accurate result of the candidate’s knowledge and skills. When it comes to three multiple-choice components of the USMLE - Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3, they are taken on a computer and then the scores are sent to the National Board of Medical Examiners. This is the organization that scores each candidate’s test and they convert the correctly answered questions in two different scores, such as the 3-digit score scale and 2-digit score scale.
Make a note, the USMLE scores are completely based on correctly answered items, which means there is no negative marking.
Why are there two different scores?
The two different score scales, 3-digit score scale, and 2-digit score scale are used for score reporting. The 3-digit score is considered as the main score, whereas the 2-digit score fulfills the legal requirements of some state medical boards that have 75 as a minimum passing score. On the 3-digit score scale, most of the scores on Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3 exams fall between 140 and 260.
The following are the current minimum passing scores on Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3.
Step 1: 188
Step 2 CK: 189
Step 3: 190
Scores for the Step 2 CS exam
Since USMLE Step 2 CS is an observation exam, it should be scored differently than other steps. In the Step CS exam, no numerical score is assigned to the candidate. In fact, depending on the candidates’ performance, they will only be told whether they fail or pass the exam. For example, if due to some reasons the candidate fails to see the total number of patients, the grade will be given based on their performance in other exams.
The bottom line
The United States Medical Licensing Examination is one of the most difficult exams to the crackdown, it is even called a “board exam.” Please remember, if you want to clear your USMLE exam, having a strategy of what and when to study is crucial.
