USMLE Step 1 and Step 2CK Scores by Specialty | Are Your Scores High Enough?

USMLE Step exam scores are incredibly important in determining a medical student’s ability to match into their desired specialty. Here are the doctor specialties with the highest and lowest Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores.
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TIME STAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
00:46 Specialties with the Highest & Lowest Step 1 Scores
02:53 Specialties with the Highest & Lowest Step 2 CK Scores
04:30 Should Step 2 CK Become Pass/Fail?
LINKS FROM VIDEO:
How USMLE Step 1 Pass/Fail is Changing Medical School: • How USMLE Step 1 Pass/...
USMLE Step 1 is BECOMING PASS/FAIL!?: • USMLE Step 1 is BECOMI...
Top 5 Most Competitive Doctor Specialties (2022): • Top 5 Most Competitive...
Why Does America Have So Few Doctors?: • Why Does America Have ...
USMLE Step 2CK - How to Crush It (265+): • USMLE Step 2CK - How t...
#medicalschool #studystrategies #premed
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Disclaimer: Content of this video is my opinion and does not constitute medical advice. The content and associated links provide general information for general educational purposes only. Use of this information is strictly at your own risk. Kevin Jubbal, M.D. and Med School Insiders LLC will not assume any liability for direct or indirect losses or damages that may result from the use of information contained in this video including but not limited to economic loss, injury, illness or death. May include affiliate links to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through them (at no extra cost to you).

[@MedSchoolInsiders]

If you’re preparing to take the USMLE Step exams, our tutoring packages are selling out fast! medschoolinsiders.com/services/tutoring/usmle-step-1-2ck-3-tutoring/

[@Lokie-cd2hw]

"Selling out fast" such a sales ploy.

[@Iskdnfjdjs]

This guy never fails to mention that he matched plastic surgery

[@Anandroid]

Every other video it is implicitly stated that Plastic Surgery is the most competitive or the hardest to get into. Or it is thrown in somehow haha

[@jacobthiessen7027]

He mentions it because it is a genuinely impressive achievement. Are you a plastic surgeon? I'm not. I haven't matched yet, but I can almost guarantee I wouldn't have the guts to put it on my list. I don't have the accomplishments or confidence to even apply (also I don't want to be a surgeon, but there you go)

[@julioandrehernandez8696]

I respect it, as he also mentions how he dropped out from Plastics. Haters gonna hate. Don't be a hater

[@carlose0318]

I could tell that as soon as he started talking about “a victim mentality” lol

[@zoeaslam7111]

So? This is a big flex! Those who know know

[@googleaccount1658]

I matched into residency by rapping like Eminem during my interview so that’s always a third option to consider

[@drelezar7745]

I truly hope you’re being 100% serious

[@mariagloria4619]

Well, I've taken the exams for the 4th time now and still didn't succeed, i wonder how those who succeeded did it. 😭💔

[@stephenmc8271]

@@mariagloria4619 Just say "I haven't passed yet." Don't take it as a failure but see it as a learning opportunity. There is a lot of power in "Yet"; you are telling yourself that you will get there and that your eyes and heart are still fixed on your goal.

[@lorientheresa4844]

I failed 3 times, i lost money to reviews that never helped but the major thing is that l've not lost hope.

[@susandorothy9883]

The test is really frustrating, I can't believe I failed again after studying so much. 🤦‍♂️💔😭

[@healer_9677]

You should make a video about match for IMGs and how it differs from the process US Med students go through

[@danielgallardomd]

Yes please!

[@rsjunior05]

Up

[@NN-ko8fu]

​@@danielgallardomd he already did. Few yrs ago

[@lizkendra1349]

Great video as always. Could you make a video on residency application process and match for FMGs/IMGs? You could really save a life with it🙏🏽

[@BrianErwin]

a more likely result will be that both exams go pass/fail, and the aamc develops a new standardized test like the mcat for students to send scores to residencies

[@bluethunder9102]

Maybe an option could be cap the number of places you can apply to maybe to like 40-50 per applicant or make sure you’re able to retake step 2 even if you pass

[@elijahelliott2164]

Thanks Dr. J

[@aweisen1]

4:02 Uhm, this is not correct. 2023 is definitely the first year when programs will have to sort Step 1 pass/fail and numerically scored applicants. But, obviously we all get what he means. The "score = skill" mentality to filter applicants will certainly fall to step 2 ck. 4:30 onward, Kevin is spitting straight facts. Well done.

[@BrianErwin]

they didn't create step exams to help residency programs. residency programs decided to have students send scores, which should've never been allowed. both steps will logically go pass/fail, since the nbme is openly saying their scores weren't created to help residency programs. having students send these scores, along with personal statements, LORs, etc. just goes to show that med school students are just glorified premeds, hoping to get into real medical school, that is residency

[@DrDianna]

Hi everyone. Are there any residency programs without night shifts? 👩🏻‍⚕️😊

[@akandemicheal6876]

Thanks for the educative videos. Please, how competitive is Anesthesiology?

[@mustang8206]

Usually not very competitive

[@aaronlim2321]

Can you make a video about fraternity as a premed?

[@mm_99_]

Whats the step 2 score for anasthesia for imgs? Pls reply if anyone has any idea

[@user-ho5vo6pg1j]

What exactly happens in residency , how is it different from PG and should you pay for doing residency??

[@antoniomiguel9305]

What's the ophtalmology position in this ranks?

[@parleymanderson7490]

I'm a Vietnamese first year med student trying to apply for residency the US( after graduating) . In that case, it is important for me to do volunteer works or researchs? Does my performance in Vietnamese med school affect my chance to match into a residency ? I know this question isn't related to the video but I don't know where to ask.

[@saintyami5325]

Your school grades don't matter at all, because it's not an american degree so there's no way for them to tell just how good you are according to their standards; so step scores are everything (on average IMGs are at a 10 point deficit from american nationals), so an IMG who scored 260 will be equivalent to an american national scoring 250 (although i think the discrepancy is even worse than those alleged 10 points). Typically IMGs have spent more years in medical school compared to americans so they're expected to know more and score higher, but they're not as welcomed as they never paid american taxes/tuition/etc so they're like: might as well give the spot to a national and a taxpayer who's less knowledgable as they're gonna learn a lot during residency in the future anyway. Realistically speaking, the specialties available to IMGs who score 255+ are those on the bottom of the list (pediatrics, family medicine, but internal medicine too). If you're into one of those 3 then the US is a realistic destination as a physician, for anything at the top of this list you're better off in Europe where everyone has a chance to get a spot in whatever specialty they wish for at the expense of lower pay as an attending but that's another story. Noteworthy: matching internal medicine in the US includes the possibility of getting a subspecialty later i.e. cardiology which is another difficult process as an IMG, lots just finish their IM residency and never land a spot in a competitive fellowship dt the same reasons previously mentioned above.). To maximise your reasonable chances, get a Step 2CK score of at least 255 mixed with some publications (if not possible in Vietnam, then focus solely on getting 260+ and hope for the best). 255+ score alone mostly ensures pediatrics/IM/FM spots without the need for research. Anything truly competitive expect to have below average chances when scoring 260+ with several solid publications and LORs from Santa and 2 of his top reindeers. Best of luck on your future endeavours.

[@parleymanderson7490]

@@saintyami5325 Do mind if I ask, which country is the best for IMGs who wish to live there permanently? Australia, Candana, England ,ect . What are the requirements to work ( and live) in the EU? I tried to research it before but I found nothing.

[@saintyami5325]

@@parleymanderson7490 I dont know about Australia so cant tell. Canada is not an option as only those with a canadian permanent residency can take the canadian board exams. The UK used to be the ideal european choice as it doesnt require learning another language (german/french/etc) and it was a part of the EU so it used to be that once you're licensed in the UK you could practice all-over the EU countries. Now it's hard to make the argument that the UK is a future-proof choice anymore. The problem with the UK arent the tests (PLAB 1 and 2 are easier the Steps), but it's starting your residency (you can find a spot in the specialty you want but it wouldn't count towards your residency, which is something i dont completely understand myself) The current go-to european country is Germany, their only true requirement is learning German (B2 level) and pass 2 oral exams (1 for medical terminology in german in the form of history taking, the other you get tested by 3 doctors "IM, General Surgery and a 3rd specialty"); both tests are pass/fail and after you're done with them you get your license (Approbation) to practice in the EU. Finding a spot in any specialty in Germany is just like applying for any other job, some are harder to find than others but you get an equal shot at any specialty same as any Germans does (provided your language proficiency is decent). Apply the same German criteria for France as well if you'd rather learn french than german. So my answer for someone who has a particular passion for a certain competitive specialty would be Germany.

[@parleymanderson7490]

@@saintyami5325 What do you mean by the UK" wouldn’t count towards your residency "?

[@saintyami5325]

@@parleymanderson7490 There are "non-training jobs" (where you do the same work a resident does but it doesn't count towards your residency years, you get paid the same as a resident but you're not making any progress towards being an attending) and then there are training jobs (that's the proper residency). You can easily find non-training jobs but people would spend years at those before they manage to land a training job and actually start making progress in their residency program.

[@EditorZach523]

Completed med school😁

[@thaznimarasheed9535]

Which is more tougher usmle step 1 or usmle step2

[@javguy1]

What happens if you fail, do you get kicked out of med school? Please respond I really want to know.

[@DrRijan]

Yes so do I

[@awesome_edits]

The Boys 😂🛐🔥

[@Kyle0621]

No, you will have to retake it and pass before advancing beyond your third year. Depends on school policy, but you only get so many chances to pass and a "fail" will definitely limit your residency options

[@ccampaaz2867]

Think positive, put in the work, find your confidence, and you will pass. Best of luck 🍻

[@learnteach2learn729]

Off topic but thanks for including all races and also women Dr's in your videos.

[@nasarjahan3970]

Insaallh I will be a neurosurgeon

[@kitanomotoso1854]

What is the required USMLE score for a general practitioner??

[@joshb2686]

Pass

[@kitanomotoso1854]

@@joshb2686 with what score💀

[@joshb2686]

@@kitanomotoso1854 literally any score. The only people who have trouble matching Family Med are low level IMGs

[@joshb2686]

Any score that is a pss*

[@kitanomotoso1854]

@@joshb2686 ok thanks

[@OutstandingBrain123]

Hey please what about Obgyn? Is it a competitive specialty?

[@ptcapc]

It’s mid

[@OutstandingBrain123]

@@ptcapc ?

[@ptcapc]

Considering you don’t know what that means I assume you’re an IMG? Which the match rate in general is less than 50% therefore competitive then

[@KhalidSaid-sk2rw]

So what's the point of these scores if IMGs/FMGs can spend years studies for these exams; have no loans and so can comfortably do rotations, research and everything else to land spots in very competitive residencies including plastic; vs US graduates who struggle hard for these scores in limited time frame, graduate with tons of loans and must finish what they get as fast as they can to start paying their outrageous loans. Ironically some of them do not even match! I literally feel that our education system in the US suffers massive MCA stroke

[@oreman011]

the US pays a way higher salary and generally has lower taxes than the countries of FMGs, so the high loans still ends up being a good return on investment. Then on top of that IMGs/FMGs have a much more difficult time matching than AMGs in anything other than community IM, FM, Peds, etc. Heck even US DOs have a harder time in competitive specialties than US MDs

[@throwback5788]

💫

[@Huh_whatever988]

...

[@meg6328]

this is unrelated, but i have a question for anyone who might know the answer. Literally my whole life i’ve wanted to be a doctor. Generally, i’m pretty good with gory stuff and as a young kid i started watching educational videos of live surgery lol. I’ve always been pretty well informed with the topic as my parents are both nurses so taught me relevant information. I also read their uni textbooks and they’d buy me anatomy books to read because it was i was interested in. The question is coming soon i promise… i suffer from multiple anxiety disorders however, which are really well managed and i can pass as someone without it, however i have a couple random (but moderate) phobias, which involve feet which is not relevant to the area of medicine im interested in(neurology). my question is would I be able to make it through med school, because i know that it is an area that is covered but there are parts of the feet that looking at make me gag lol. sorry for the long ass comment but context is important

[@boltunes2771]

I would recommend shadowing doctors, talking with medical professionals and so on if u can get access, to gain their perspective on your situation

[@belphegor6603]

You will 100% be involved with touching feet on a daily basis as a neurologist. Every neurology physical exam includes a sensory, reflexes, and strength test, therefore you must touch the foot on several places to test for strength by having them push against your hand with dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, test their senses by using a tool to touch the dorsal and ventral portions of the foot, grab their toes to test for propioception, use your tuning fork on the toes and ankles for vibration sensation, use a tool to test for babinski's reflex, and lastly using your reflex hammer to test for their achilles reflex. Look up on KZbin how to perform a full neurological exam and you will see what I mean. Many of your patients will have diabetes and therefore must have their feet tested at almost every visit.

[@healer_9677]

Make a so you want to be an hematologist oncologist

[@kristinecampos5202]

Yeah they are getting increasingly more needed, especially in the direction life's going. Looks like cancers will become even more predominant in the future. But who knows.....

[@healer_9677]

@@kristinecampos5202 exactly. Also there is a lot of research opportunities in the field of oncology and there is still much to be discovered and lots of improvements yet to be made in cancer management

[@joelcalafell9743]

Don’t matter anymore with step 1

[@CraneBad]

USMLE Step 1 changed to pass/fail because of the massive physician shortage that is expected in the next few years. American people are the fattest unhealthiest people on the planet with the most unrealistic expectations about medicine. There is a TSUNAMI of old people who are coming into the medical system soon. Doctor quality will likely drop to some degree which will only make problems worse. Massive amounts of litigation is also incoming from everyone who thought their 200 year old mother hooked up to every machine we can get her was going to recover. Rural medicine is basically going to switch to the easiest highest paying speciality. It’s also possible that universal healthcare is on the horizon which brings a huge host of other problems, don’t forget doctor burnout and fatigue. Medicine is going to be insane in the next few decades and I’m so excited to have started Med school 😊

[@truthteller2711]

Step 1 had no more scores so I don’t get this video

[@desertranger3199]

If you would have watched further step 1 is stated to be a pass/fail grade

[@gabifridliand608]

I like the thumbnail so so much!! It shows that the less white you are, the higher your 2CK score is xDDDD funny

[@ptcapc]

Does ophthalomogy just not exist to you?🤪