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Average Step 2 CK Scores by Specialty: What Matched Applicants Score

by Hawar Palani in MedSchool Tips

At some point during third year, the question shifts from "will I pass Step 2 CK?" to "is my score good enough for the specialty I actually want?" And suddenly you're comparing yourself to people you've never met, using spreadsheets you found on a forum.

That pressure is real, and it's gotten heavier since Step 1 went pass/fail. Step 2 CK is now the main standardized score many programs use to compare applicants.

Here's what the data generally shows by specialty, how to read it without spiraling, and where to find the exact current figures.

What Are the Average Step 2 CK Scores by Specialty?

Overall, the national Step 2 CK average sits in roughly the high 240s to around 250, and the minimum passing score is 218 for exams on or after July 1, 2025. Matched applicants in most specialties average above that national mean. In recent NRMP data, the most competitive specialties cluster roughly in the mid-250s to low 260s, competitive specialties roughly in the high 240s to mid-250s, moderately competitive fields roughly in the mid-to-high 240s, and primary care and less score-driven specialties roughly in the low-to-mid 240s.

Those are approximate ranges to help you orient. The exact, current averages for matched and unmatched applicants are published by NRMP in its Charting Outcomes in the Match reports, with separate reports for US MD seniors, US DO seniors, and international medical graduates. Always check the most recent edition, because averages have been rising year over year.

Approximate Step 2 CK Score Tiers by Specialty

Rather than pretending to give you a precise number for every field, it's more honest (and more useful) to group specialties by where matched applicants generally fall. Use these tiers as a starting point, then pull the exact figures from Charting Outcomes.

Tier 1: Highly Competitive (Roughly Mid-250s to Low 260s)

Specialties like dermatology, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology (ENT), neurosurgery, and interventional radiology tend to sit at the top. Matched applicants in these fields usually score well above the national average. A strong score here doesn't guarantee anything on its own, but a score well below the typical range makes the rest of your application work much harder.

Tier 2: Competitive (Roughly High 240s to Mid-250s)

General surgery, diagnostic radiology, anesthesiology, and many internal medicine programs at highly academic institutions often fall here. Scores in this range keep you competitive, and program type matters a lot. A university program in a popular city may expect more than a community program in the same specialty.

Tier 3: Moderately Competitive (Roughly Mid-to-High 240s)

Internal medicine as a whole, emergency medicine, OB/GYN, and neurology commonly land in this band. These fields value clinical performance, letters, and demonstrated interest heavily, so a score near the national average is generally in range.

Tier 4: Less Score-Driven (Roughly Low-to-Mid 240s)

Family medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) typically see matched applicants a bit closer to the overall mean. That doesn't mean these specialties are easy to match. Psychiatry in particular has become more competitive, and strong programs in any field can be selective.

Two important notes. First, individual specialties can move between tiers from year to year as applicant numbers shift, so treat these groupings as a general map, not fixed rules. Second, ophthalmology and urology run their own matches (the SF Match and the AUA Urology Match), so you won't find them in NRMP's Charting Outcomes. Both are generally considered competitive, and their score data comes from those match programs instead.

How to Read Specialty Score Data the Right Way

Charting Outcomes is incredibly useful, but it's easy to misread. A few things to keep in mind:

Matched Averages Aren't Minimums

An average means plenty of matched applicants scored below it. If your target specialty's matched average is a few points above your score, you're not automatically out. Look at the full distribution in the report, not just the mean.

Look at Your Applicant Group

NRMP publishes separate data for US MD seniors, US DO seniors, and IMGs. The patterns can look different across these groups, so compare yourself to the report that matches your situation.

Scores Are One Factor Among Many

Program director surveys consistently show that programs weigh many factors: clerkship grades, letters of recommendation, research in some fields, interview performance, and perceived fit. Your score gets you looked at. The rest of your application gets you interviewed and ranked.

Remember the Upward Trend

Since Step 1 became pass/fail for exams on or after January 26, 2022, more students have treated Step 2 CK as their main chance to stand out. Averages have generally crept upward as a result, so last cycle's figures may already be slightly low for your cycle.

How to Set Your Own Target Score

Step 1: Find Your Specialty's Current Matched Average

Pull the most recent Charting Outcomes report for your applicant group and note the matched average for your specialty. That's your reference point.

Step 2: Aim a Little Above It

Setting your goal a few points above the matched average gives you a buffer for test-day variability and a rising trend. If you're curious what it takes to reach the 250 range, our guide on how to score 250 on Step 2 CK lays out the approach.

Step 3: Track Your Practice Scores Against That Target

NBME's Comprehensive Clinical Science Self-Assessment (CCSSA) has 7 forms starting at $62, each with an estimated probability of passing. Combined with question bank performance and other full-length self-assessments, they show whether you're trending toward your target or need more time. The free Step 2 CK Free 120 diagnostic on MedSchoolGuru is a free way to add one more timed data point, with a scaled score estimate you can compare against your target.

Step 4: Build a Backup Plan Early

If your practice scores are consistently below your target specialty's range, it's worth thinking early about how to strengthen the rest of your application, whether to apply more broadly, or whether a parallel plan makes sense. Planning ahead beats scrambling after scores come out.

What Most Students Get Wrong About Specialty Score Averages

The first mistake is treating average Step 2 CK scores by specialty as cutoffs. They're averages of matched applicants, not minimums, and plenty of people match below them.

The second mistake is using old numbers. Score averages have been rising, and a spreadsheet from a few cycles ago can understate what's competitive today.

The third mistake is choosing a specialty based on your score alone. A score can open or narrow doors, but it shouldn't pick your career. Figure out what you actually enjoy, then build a plan to be competitive for it.

The fourth mistake is ignoring program type. Within one specialty, expectations at a top academic program and a community program can differ quite a bit. Know which kinds of programs you're targeting.

Training for Your Specialty's Score Range

Once you know the range your specialty expects, the next step is a prep plan that actually moves you there. The Complete Step 2 Bundle from MedSchoolBro pairs the Step 2 CK Question Bank (2,000+ NBME-style questions and 7 self-assessment forms) with the Step 2 guide and flashcards, so you can learn the content, practice in exam style, and track your progress toward the score your specialty needs.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the official average Step 2 CK scores by specialty? NRMP publishes them in its Charting Outcomes in the Match reports, with separate editions for US MD seniors, US DO seniors, and IMGs. Check the most recent report, since averages shift from cycle to cycle.

Which specialty has the highest average Step 2 CK score? The highest averages usually come from specialties like dermatology, plastic surgery, orthopedic surgery, ENT, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology, where matched applicants roughly cluster in the mid-250s to low 260s. The exact order changes year to year, so confirm in the latest Charting Outcomes report.

Can I match into a competitive specialty with a below-average Step 2 CK score? It's possible but harder. Strong letters, honors in key clerkships, research, and away rotations can help offset a lower score, and applying broadly matters even more.

Is Step 2 CK more important now that Step 1 is pass/fail? For most programs, yes. With Step 1 reported as pass/fail, Step 2 CK is often the main standardized score programs use to compare applicants, which is one reason averages have been rising.

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