Medical Board Score Calculator (USMLE/COMLEX)

USMLE Step exams use a three-digit scaled score ranging from 1 to 300, with most examinees scoring between 140 and 260. The passing score for Step 1 is now pass/fail only, while Step 2 CK requires a minimum scaled score of 209 to pass. Scores are derived from item response theory, meaning the difficulty of questions you answer correctly affects your final score, not just the raw number correct. See also our Letter Grade to Percentage Converter.

Research shows that NBME self-assessments and UWSA1/UWSA2 are among the strongest predictors of actual board scores, typically within ±10–15 points. UWSA2 in particular tends to correlate very closely with final Step 2 CK performance. No prediction is guaranteed, but using multiple data points (Qbank percent, NBME scores, Free 120) improves estimate reliability.

Matched resident Step 2 averages vary widely: highly competitive specialties like plastic surgery and dermatology average around 250+, while family medicine and psychiatry averages are in the 230–240 range. Using the national average of ~245 as a benchmark is a reasonable starting point for most specialties.

The most competitive specialties include dermatology, plastic surgery, orthopaedic surgery, neurological surgery, and interventional radiology. These programs typically expect Step 2 CK scores above 250 and have among the lowest match rates in the NRMP data. You might also find our Pass/Fail Grade Calculator useful.

Specialties with higher match rates and lower average board score requirements include family medicine, internal medicine (community programs), psychiatry, and pediatrics. These fields remain competitive in absolute terms, but Step 2 scores around 230–240 are generally competitive.

Most students dedicate 4–8 weeks of focused preparation for Step 2 CK after completing clinical rotations. High-performing students often complete at least one full pass of UWorld (2,500+ questions), review weak areas, and take two or more NBME practice exams in the final 2 weeks before their test date.

There is no official conversion formula, but research has established concordance tables between COMLEX-USA and USMLE scores. A COMLEX Level 2 score around 550 roughly corresponds to a USMLE Step 2 CK score near 215–220, though individual variation is significant. Many DO students sit for both exams to strengthen residency applications in competitive fields.

Yes. As of January 26, 2022, USMLE Step 1 results are reported as pass/fail only — no three-digit score is released. COMLEX Level 1 similarly moved to pass/fail. This places greater emphasis on Step 2 CK scores, clerkship grades, research, and other application components for residency differentiation.