USMLE Step 2

USMLE Step 2

Offered by NBME / Federation of State Medical Boards (USMLE)

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) assesses the ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for...

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USMLE Step 2 exam at a glance

Format

Up to 318 single-best-answer multiple-choice questions in 16 blocks of up to 20 questions (30 minutes per block, from the 2026 software update)

Duration

One-day, 9-hour testing session (includes a 55-minute break allotment)

Delivery

Prometric test center

Passing score

Minimum passing score 218 (three-digit scale)

Exam cost

$695 USD (2026–2027); additional regional surcharge if testing outside the U.S. and Canada

Validity

A passing result remains valid for completing the USMLE sequence subject to attempt and time-limit rules.

Prerequisites

Passing Step 1 is typical but confirm current USMLE eligibility rules for your pathway

About the USMLE Step 2 certification

USMLE Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) assesses the ability to apply medical knowledge, skills, and understanding of clinical science essential for supervised patient care — with emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention.

It is a one-day, numerically scored exam and, with Step 1 now pass/fail, is the main USMLE number residency programs see. The 2026 software update (May 7, 2026) moved the day to shorter 30-minute blocks without changing question count or length.

Who it’s for: Medical students (typically after core clerkships) and graduates seeking U.S. licensure and residency.

Official exam page· Details verified 2026-08

What the USMLE Step 2 exam covers
  • Internal medicine and its subspecialties
  • Surgery
  • Pediatrics
  • Obstetrics and gynecology
  • Psychiatry
  • Preventive medicine, ethics, and systems-based practice
How to study for the USMLE Step 2
  1. 1Finish core clerkships (or equivalent clinical exposure) before a dedicated study period.
  2. 2Use a clinical question bank organized by clerkship and by system.
  3. 3Review CCS-adjacent clinical reasoning even though Step 2 CK is multiple-choice only.
  4. 4Take NBME self-assessments and aim well above 218 — competitive residencies look at the three-digit score.
  5. 5Practice 30-minute block pacing under the 2026 software.
USMLE Step 2 — frequently asked questions

What is the Step 2 CK passing score?

218 on the three-digit scale. Programs still use the numerical score in residency selection.

Is Step 2 CS still required?

No. Step 2 Clinical Skills was discontinued. Only Step 2 CK remains in the Step 2 series.