Free 120 Step 2 Correlation (2024)

FAQs

Does free 120 give you a score? ›

As mentioned earlier, the Free 120 does not generate a three-digit score. It does give you a percentage correct, which some people have tried to correlate to a Step 1 score, but there isn't any real data about how predictive it is.

For all Step 2 CK test takers in general, the 66th percentile corresponds to around 250.

According to research, the predominant opinion is that the Step 1 score has a strong positive correlation with the Step 2 CK score [15, 16]. There was also a significant correlation (r = 0.684, p ≤ 0.0001) between scoring higher than 208 on Step 1 and passing Step 2 CK on the first attempt [15]. ... ...

Although the NBME provides an answer key to the 'Free 120' questions, there are no answer explanations. Fortunately, there are people who provide explanations for these questions that are freely accessible to all students. The most notable of these is Dr. Ben White, a practicing neuroradiologist.

A few days before your exam, plan to take the Free 120 practice test under test-day timing conditions. Practice exam functionality (highlight, strike-through) as this will be the same interface as on the actual exam.

If time allows, you should complete both UWSAs, but UWSA2 seems to be the best predictor of your Step 2 CK score. When comparing NBMEs and UWSA, UWSA 2 seems to correlate most closely with test-day performance.

To ensure you secure residency interviews, aim for a Step 2 CK score above 255. Similarly, for Step 3, target a score above 235. While Step 1 is now pass/fail, scoring in or above the 75th percentile on Step 2 CK and Step 3 can boost your chances of landing your preferred residency spot.

The 25th percentile is around 232, while the 75th percentile is near 256. These percentiles mean that if you score at or below 232, you're in the bottom 1/4 of test takers, while if you score at or above 256, you're in the top 1/4.

Understanding your USMLE Step 2 CK score. Scores for the USMLE Step 2 exam range from 1 to 300. However, a 300 has never been achieved.

What percent of people fail step 2? ›

The Step 2 pass rate has been well over 90% for test-takers from MD and DO schools in recent years, according to the USMLE. But if you fail, USMLE policy allows up to four total attempts to pass any of the Step exams.

As a result, multiple studies demonstrate that students who excel on their shelf exams tend to also excel on the USMLE Step 2 CK. In particular, there is evidence demonstrating that success on your shelf examinations is better correlated with USMLE Step 2 CK score rather than USMLE Step 1 score (2).

Low scores may limit some of your residency choices, such as which medical specialties you should consider, but if residency candidates with low scores work hard and improve the other components of their ERAS® Applications, it is still possible to Match.

∎ Higher MCAT scores are correlated with higher scores and pass rates on the Step 1 exam. ∎ Preliminary analysis shows that MCAT scores also strongly predict Step 2 CK scores.

A score of 120 marks is equivalent to approximately 95.6 percentile, as per the given table.

Note that the USMLE examination is not scored “on a curve”. Students are not scored against each other, but relative to a per-set annual standard. This standard is constant for the year. Both US medical students and IMGs are scored using the same standard.

For more information about scores, view Scores Common Questions. * USMLE Step 1 score reporting is reported as pass/fail only for exams taken on or after January 26, 2022. On the three-digit score scale, the passing standard is 196.

You can retake USMLE Step 1 up to six times if you've failed. You can take Step 1 a maximum of three times within a span of 12 months. Your fourth attempt and any beyond that must be at least 12 months after your first attempt. Also, they must be at least six months after your third attempt.