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Scoring
What Step 2 CK Score Do You Need? Scores by Specialty
Approximate Step 2 CK scores of matched applicants by specialty, how to read them, and how to set a realistic target for your own preparation.
By MedPrep Institute Editorial Team · Published · 5 min read
"What Step 2 CK score do I need?" has no single answer, because the answer depends on the specialty. Programs in different fields weigh scores differently and the applicants who match into them differ widely. This guide gives approximate ranges by specialty, explains why they should be read carefully, and shows how to turn them into a target for your own preparation.
What Step 2 CK score do you need for your specialty?
For most specialties, matched US MD applicants average somewhere between the low 240s and the high 250s. Primary-care fields sit toward the lower end, and the most competitive procedural and surgical fields sit toward the upper end. A score above the typical range helps, and a score below it can often be offset by other parts of your application.
Approximate Step 2 CK scores by specialty
Approximate mean Step 2 CK score of matched US MD seniors (rough ranges)
| Group | Example specialties | Approximate range |
|---|---|---|
| Most competitive | Dermatology, plastic surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology | about 255 to 265 |
| Competitive | Radiology, anesthesiology, ophthalmology, urology, general surgery | low to mid 250s |
| Moderate | Internal medicine, pediatrics, emergency medicine, neurology, OB/GYN | about 245 to 252 |
| Less score-driven | Family medicine, psychiatry, pathology, PM&R | about 240 to 248 |
How to read these numbers
- These are means, not cutoffs. Half of matched applicants score below the mean. Programs rarely use a hard cutoff, though some screen on a minimum.
- They describe US MD seniors who matched. DO students and international graduates face different distributions, and often need to be higher in competitive fields.
- Applicants who did not match are not in the average. The score that guarantees an interview is higher than the score that sits at the mean.
- The numbers move. Since Step 1 became pass/fail, Step 2 CK has carried more weight, and the competitive-field averages have trended upward.
A practical way to think about tiers
Rather than memorizing a number per specialty, work in three bands:
- Safe for most fields: comfortably above the national average.
- Competitive for demanding fields: roughly the high 250s and above.
- Below average: still a pass, and workable in many specialties when the rest of the application is strong, but plan for a wider application list.
For where specific scores sit in the national distribution, see our Step 2 CK score and percentile guide.
What if your score is below the typical range?
A score below your target is not the end of the road. The levers that remain are strong clerkship grades, a letter from someone who knows you, away rotations in your field, research, and applying broadly, including to programs that weigh scores less. Advisors at your school will know how your specific field is currently trending.
How to set your own target
- Look up your specialty in the latest NRMP Charting Outcomes.
- Set a target at or just above the mean for matched applicants of your type (MD, DO or IMG).
- Take a practice assessment early to measure the gap.
- Work backwards from your exam date and plan question practice around the gap.
Frequently asked questions
What Step 2 CK score do I need for dermatology?
Dermatology is among the most competitive fields, and matched applicants average in the mid to high 250s or above. Check the latest NRMP Charting Outcomes for the exact figure.
What Step 2 CK score do I need for internal medicine?
Matched applicants cluster around the national average, with a wide range across programs.
What Step 2 CK score do I need for family medicine?
Family medicine is generally less score-driven, and matched applicants average a few points below the national mean.
Is there a Step 2 CK cutoff for residency?
Most programs do not publish one, though some screen on a minimum. A few points usually matter less than the rest of your application.
Do DO students and IMGs need higher scores?
In competitive specialties, often yes. Their matched-applicant distributions differ, so use the figures for your group.
Where can I find exact numbers?
The NRMP Charting Outcomes in the Match report, published for each specialty and applicant type.
Sources and disclaimers
The ranges in this guide are rounded, approximate groupings based on publicly reported NRMP match data and are not official figures. They change from year to year, so confirm current data in the NRMP Charting Outcomes in the Match report and with your school's advisors. MedPrep Institute is not affiliated with or endorsed by NRMP, NBME, FSMB, USMLE, ECFMG or any other company named here. All trademarks belong to their owners.