--- title: Average 2022 USMLE® Step 1 Match Scores by Medical Specialty description: Find out what the average USMLE Step 1 match scores by medical specialty were in 2022. The data is in handy charts so you can easily find your specialty. image: https://blog.amboss.com/hubfs/2022Step1matchscores%20_1200x628px-blog-header-grad.png --- [![ambossIcon](https://manus-media.amboss.com/2020/07/amboss-icon.svg "Amboss Icon")](https://www.amboss.com/us) [Register](https://www.amboss.com/us/account/register) [Log in](https://www.amboss.com/us/account/login) ## [AMBOSS Blog](https://blog.amboss.com/us) ### [Residency](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/residency) Categories - [USMLE](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/usmle) - [Clerkships](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/clerkships) - [Study Tips](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/study-tips) - [Student Life](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/student-life) - [Residency](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/residency) # Average 2022 USMLE® Step 1 Match Scores by Medical Specialty [Sophie Moran](https://blog.amboss.com/us/author/sophie-moran) - Nov 14, 2022 ![Tables illustrating the average USMLE Step 1 match scores by medical specialty in 2022. ](https://blog.amboss.com/hubfs/2022Step1matchscores%20_1200x628px-blog-header-grad.png) Share this Post: Note: [USMLE® Step 1 exam became pass/fail](https://blog.amboss.com/us/preparing-for-the-usmle-step-1-as-a-pass/fail-exam) in 2022. For that reason, 2022 is one of the last National Residency Match Program (NRMP) Match cycles where 3-digit Step 1 scores are a factor in the match process).  If you’re curious to know what scores students needed to match your desired medical specialty back in 2022, take a look at the tables below. Data is available for US MD & DO students as well as IMGs. The data comes from the NRMP’s Charting Outcomes in the Match report. ### The average USMLE Step 1 match scores by medical specialty ![Table illustrating the average USMLE Step 1 match scores by medical specialty in 2022](https://blog.amboss.com/hs-fs/hubfs/USMLE%20Step%201%20Average%20Score_1_2022.png?width=2970&height=3008&name=USMLE%20Step%201%20Average%20Score_1_2022.png) While getting a high USMLE Step 1 match score has historically helped students match into their desired residency, this is no longer the case. There are many other factors that will contribute to your success. These include, but are by no means limited to, [conducting clinical research](https://blog.amboss.com/us/advice-from-a-fourth-year-how-to-write-and-publish-clinical-research), getting good[letters of recommendation](https://blog.amboss.com/us/how-to-get-a-good-letter-of-recommendation-for-residency), having an impressive CV that highlights your medical and relevant extracurricular activities, and having a [successful residency interview](https://blog.amboss.com/us/how-to-prepare-for-residency-interview-questions). This is attested by the [NRMP’s own assessment of the data](https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Charting-Outcomes-MD-Seniors-2022_Final.pdf):  *“Despite the fairly strong relationship between USMLE Step scores and matching to a preferred specialty, the distributions of scores show that program directors consider other qualifications. A high score is not a guarantee of matching, and a low score is not a bar to matching.”* What's more, now that Step 1 is pass/fail, there is even more importance placed on the Step 2 exam, which still uses the 3-digit format. You can find the average Step 2 match scores by medical specialty [here](https://blog.amboss.com/us/average-usmle-step-2-match-scores-by-specialty).  The important thing to remember? These changes don't make studying for Step 1 any less important. In fact, the best thing med students can do is to prepare for the exam as if it is still score-based. Why? Because there is a huge crossover between Step 1 content and Step 2. So, if you don’t fully prepare for Step 1, it will make doing well on Step 2 a much greater challenge. To get insights and advice from a student who took Step 1 pass/fail, check out [this blog post](https://blog.amboss.com/us/advice-from-a-usmle-step-1-test-taker-in-the-era-of-pass/fail).  Finally, always remember that you’re so much more than your score. Whether you’re conducting clinical research, shining on the wards, or coming up with the next big thing to revolutionize medical education ([nudge nudge](https://www.amboss.com/us/about)), there are many paths that will lead you toward a great career in medicine.    Preparing for exams or practicing in the clinic? No matter what stage you’re at, we’ve got you covered. Start your free AMBOSS trial today.  [![Start free trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/4491426/b7a548ef-0a58-4830-81d7-d1be085e70c4.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/4491426/b7a548ef-0a58-4830-81d7-d1be085e70c4) *Chart data:* [*Data is from the Charting Outcomes in the Match: Senior Students of U.S. MD Medical Schools*](https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Charting-Outcomes-MD-Seniors-2022_Final.pdf)*,* [*Charting Outcomes in the Match: Senior Students of U.S. DO Medical Schools report*](https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Charting_Outcomes_DO_Seniors_2022_Final-Updated.pdf)*, and* [*Charting Outcomes in the Match: International Medical Graduates*](https://www.nrmp.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Charting-Outcomes-IMG-2022_Final.pdf)*. 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.*  ## Related posts you might like [Residency](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/residency) Nov 14, 2022 ### Average COMLEX® Match Scores by Medical Specialty Are you curious what the average COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE match scores are for your desired residency? ... [Read more](https://blog.amboss.com/us/average-comlex-match-scores-by-medical-specialty) [medical school](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/medical-school) Nov 14, 2022 ### Average 2022 USMLE® Step 2 Match Scores by Medical Specialty Back in 2022, the USMLE® Step 1 exam became pass/fail. Ever since then, more attention has turned ... [Read more](https://blog.amboss.com/us/average-usmle-step-2-match-scores-by-specialty) [Residency](https://blog.amboss.com/us/tag/residency) Jan 16, 2025 ### Average 2024 USMLE® Step 2 Match Scores by Medical Specialty Ever since the USMLE® Step 1 exam became pass/fail in 2021, there's been even more emphasis on Step ... [Read more](https://blog.amboss.com/us/average-2024-usmle-step-2-match-scores-by-medical-specialty) #### Join Our Mailing List And get updates on new posts and news about AMBOSS sent directly to your inbox. Instagram [Follow](https://www.instagram.com/amboss_med/) ## All-in-one resource for residents and medical students. Sign Up Now to Get **5 FREE Days** of AMBOSS [![](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/manus-assets-staging.amboss.com/2020/07/social-buttons-email-2020.svg)](https://www.amboss.com/us/account/register) - [© 2020 AMBOSS](https://www.amboss.com/us) - [Medical Knowledge](https://www.amboss.com/us/knowledge/index) - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.amboss.com/us/legal/terms) - [Privacy](https://www.amboss.com/us/privacy) - Privacy Settings - [Legal Notice](https://www.amboss.com/us/legal/imprint) - [Get Support & Contact Us](https://support.amboss.com/hc/en-us) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Sophie Moran", "url" : "https://blog.amboss.com/us/author/sophie-moran" }, "dateModified" : "2024-12-11T13:43:42.759Z", "datePublished" : "2022-11-14T17:44:00.000Z", "headline" : "Average 2022 USMLE® Step 1 Match Scores by Medical Specialty", "image" : [ "https://blog.amboss.com/hubfs/2022Step1matchscores%20_1200x628px-blog-header-grad.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.amboss.com/us/average-usmle-step-1-match-scores-by-medical-specialty", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.amboss.com/hubfs/US_Logo_RGB_horizontal.png" }, "name" : "AMBOSS SE" } } ```