Ever since the USMLE® Step 1 exam became pass/fail in 2021, there's been even more emphasis on Step 2 scores. It’s easy to get fixated on them, but remember: Step 2 scores are just one of the factors that come into play in the match process. There are still a lot of other things you can (and should) do to boost your chances… but more on that later!
There’s a lot you can learn from checking the the average 2024 USMLE Step 2 match scores for each medical specialty. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the numbers.
We’ve broken down the data from the National Residency Matching Program’s (NRMP) Charting Outcomes in the Match, 2024 in one easy-to-read table. Data is available for US MD & DO students, as well as IMGs.
The average USMLE Step 2 match scores for each medical specialty
How can you boost your Step 2 score?
Finding enough time to study for Step 2 can be daunting! Clinical rotations, Shelf exams, and everything else in life keep a person very busy. AMBOSS has been helping its students outscore the national averages for a while now. Here are a few pointers how you can use it to do so yourself:
1. Squeeze in some studying on the go. You’re in the hospital 8-10 hours a day: so every free moment of study time counts! AMBOSS can help you make the most of downtime during breaks, commuting or other short amounts of free time. Checkout these tools if you haven’t already:
- Knowledge App: Quickly find info on any clinical or high-yield study topic.
- Qbank App: bring your Qbank with you, wherever you go!
- Anki add-on: our add-on is fully supported on the mobile (iOS and Android) Anki apps.
- Find a study plan designed for your needs. AMBOSS physicians have created a few dedicated Step 2 study plans that fit into your packed schedule, AND ensure you cover all the highest-yield topics.
Try one of these now:
- 200 concepts that appear on EVERY Step 2 exam
- High-yield risk factors study plan
- 30 Step 2 topics in 30 days
- High-yield ethics study plan
Are you ready to sit Step 2 and achieve your target score?
If you’re asking yourself whether you should keep your exam date or push it back, don’t sweat – you’re not alone. This is a super common concern. AMBOSS has a few tools to help you decide if you’re exam ready or not, and connect you with the resources you need to unlock your full Step 2 potential. You got this!
🔮 Score predictor: Input the results from any practice tests you’ve done, and you’ll get an instant score estimate (including your likelihood of passing and how your performance compares to the national mean). Data says the Score Predictions are very accurate — students who took Step 2 scored within 7 points of their AMBOSS score estimate, on average.
⭐ Step 2 Self assessment: Take AMBOSS’s Self-Assessment. It’s 160 USMLE-style questions, designed to simulate the test-taking environment. It’s not just a score estimate… You’ll also get a detailed breakdown of your strengths and weaknesses, and personalized links to high-yield resources you can use to fill your knowledge gaps and boost your score.
Step 2 scores are important – but what else can you do to increase your chances of matching?
While Step 2 is undoubtedly important, there are many other factors that contribute to your success.
- Get ahead of the game. Defining your goal and working towards it in advance will make the matching process easier. Dr. Frank Jing shares things you can do to prepare for residency while still in clerkships - everything from how to choose your speciality to how to prep your personal statement.
- Build strong connections, especially with your attendings. Dr. Sean Robert Huff outlines how you can impress attendings and ensure you get a good letter of recommendation.
- Know what residency interviewers are looking for. Dr. Tim Dang, a dermatology resident, shares his top tips to help you get ready for residency interviews.
- Optimize your time to give yourself the best shot at Clerkship and exam success. How can you do it all? Dr. Yousef Salem, a dermatology resident, explains how he used AMBOSS to crush his clerkships, Step 2 and Shelf exams - and even carve out a little free time for living, too!
Whether you're gearing up for your next exam or navigating your clinical rotations, AMBOSS is here to help you excel. With high-yield Study Plans, an integrated Qbank and library, a game-changing Anki add-on, in-your-pocket Clinical Tools and a whole host of other resources, AMBOSS is here to help you unlock new levels of success in your exams, and on the wards.
See for yourself!
Chart data: Data is from the Charting Outcomes in the Match: Senior Students of U.S. MD Medical Schools, Charting Outcomes in the Match: Senior Students of U.S. DO Medical Schools report, and Charting Outcomes in the Match: International Medical Graduates. The NRMP has no affiliation with AMBOSS.
Only those who gave consent to use their information in the NRMP research are included in the matched and unmatched data.
