Step 1, Step 2 Average Scores by Specialty in 2022 (US Seniors, IMGs)

by Alec Palmerton, MD in IMG, Residency

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Do you have what it takes to get into your dream residency? How much does your Step 1 score matter? Or Step 2 CK score? How much research do you need?

In this article, we will address the numbers you need to know. Specifically, we’ll look at the average Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores for matched and unmatched applicants by specialty. Also, we’ll look at the average research successful applicants had. Finally, we’ll compare numbers for both US Seniors and IMGs (International Medical Graduates)

Note: this has been updated in September 2022 to reflect the 2022 Charting Outcomes in the Match data.

Table of Contents

Why Are Step 1 and Step 2 CK Scores Important?

Residency program directors are busy. As such, they rely heavily on Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores to sort through applicants. In fact, in a 2021 survey of program directors, Step 1 was the highest-cited factor for giving interviews. (NOTE: in future years, given that Step 1 is now pass-fail, Step 2 scores will likely factor much more heavily for interviews). For competitive specialties, research is a common factor that helps students stand out.

Program Directors rely on what they can measure. Who is most likely to be screened out?

US Seniors: Average Step 1, Step 2 CK Scores by Specialty (2022 Match)

Step 1 and Step 2 CK are some of the most important factors for getting an interview. Below are the average Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores by specialty from the NRMP 2022 Match.

Want to know which specialties have the highest and lowest USMLE scores? Click on the column headers to sort by column.

US Seniors: Average Abstracts, Presentations, and Publications by Specialty (2022 Match)

Research is important for competitive specialties, or particularly competitive residency programs. Here are the average numbers of abstracts, presentations, and publications by specialty.

IMGs: Average Step 1 Scores by Specialty (2022 Match)

IMGs face an uphill battle to enter US residencies. Here are the average Step 1 scores by specialty for US and Non-US IMGs.

To read The IMG’s Guide to Obtaining Residency in the United States, click here.

IMGs: Average Step 2 CK Scores by Specialty (2022 Match)

Step 2 CK doesn’t rank as highly as Step 1 for residency program directors. However, for IMGs, Step 2 CK is another opportunity to stand out. Here are the average Step 2 CK scores by specialty for US and Non-US IMGs.

IMGs: Average Abstracts, Presentations, and Publications by Specialty (2022 Match)

Research is particularly important for IMGs. As we’ll discuss below, research is the area where successful IMGs seem to need much more than US Seniors.

Here are the average abstracts, presentations, and publications by specialty.

IMGs vs. US Seniors: Average Step 1, Step 2 CK Scores (2022 Match)

See anything surprising when comparing the USMLE scores of US Seniors and IMGs? They’re not all that different! When I compiled the data, there didn’t seem to be huge discrimination against IMGs based on USMLE scores. (There are other ways in which IMGs may have discrimination, which I’ve detailed here).

Here are the average Step 1 scores for matched applicants for IMGs vs. US Seniors.

Here are the average Step 2 CK scores for matched applicants for IMGs vs. US Seniors.

IMGs vs. US Seniors: Average Abstracts, Presentations, and Publications by Specialty (2022 Match)

The USMLE scores aren’t as different between US Seniors and IMGs. However, there is a much larger difference in abstracts, presentations, and publications.

Here are the average abstracts, presentations, and publications for US Seniors and IMGs.

Concluding Thoughts

There’s no question that USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK play huge roles in residency applications. In addition, research is another way applicants can stand out, particularly for competitive specialties or IMGs. Knowing the numbers is powerful and can help guide important decisions, like whether you should delay an exam or what scores you should aim for.

Sources: National Resident Matching Program, Charting Outcomes in the Match: International Medical Graduates, 2022. National Resident Matching Program, Washington, DC 2022.

National Resident Matching Program, Charting Outcomes in the Match: U.S. Allopathic Seniors, 2022. National Resident Matching Program, Washington, DC 2022.

National Resident Matching Program, Data Release and Research Committee: Results of the 2021 NRMP Program Director Survey. National Resident Matching Program, Washington, DC. 2021.

Photo by patricia serna