USMLE Score Quick Summary
No, you cannot retake a passed USMLE Step to raise your score. The only exception is when a US medical licensing authority requires it, for example to meet a time limit. Residency programs cannot grant a retake. Your first passing score is the one that counts, so it pays to sit each Step only when you are fully prepared.
Can I retake a USMLE Step to raise my score?
No. Under the rules of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), once you pass a Step you are not allowed to take it again. This applies whether your score is just above the passing line or well above it. Since Step 1 is now reported only as Pass or Fail, the question matters most for Step 2 CK, where residency programs see your 3-digit score.
When can a passed Step be retaken?
What your USMLE score means
According to the USMLE Score Interpretation Guidelines, two Step 2 CK scores need to differ by about 8 points before the difference is meaningful. For more on averages and pass rates, see USMLE passing scores.
Can a score recheck raise my score?
You can request a score recheck, but it is very unlikely to change your result. USMLE scores every exam using independent, parallel scoring systems, and USMLE states that, to date, the recheck process has not resulted in a score change. A recheck is not a way to improve a score you are unhappy with.
How to get the score you want the first time
- Set a target for Step 2 CK based on the specialty and programs you plan to apply to, using the official average as a benchmark.
- Take timed, exam-style practice blocks regularly and track your scores over several weeks.
- Book your exam only when your practice performance is consistently where you want it.
- Reschedule rather than sit the exam unprepared. Changing your date at least 46 days before costs nothing.
- If you fail, follow the USMLE retake rules and plan your next attempt carefully.
Build enough preparation time into your USMLE timeline so you never need to rush an exam.
Frequently asked questions
> Can I retake USMLE Step 2 CK to improve my score?
No. Once you pass Step 2 CK, you cannot retake it to improve your score. A retake is allowed only to comply with a US medical licensing authority requirement, such as a time limit.
> Can a residency program ask me to retake a passed Step?
No. USMLE does not allow a passed Step to be retaken because a residency program wants a higher score. The exception applies only to requirements set by US medical licensing authorities.
> Is there a time limit on USMLE scores?
The main time limit comes from licensing authorities: most require all three Steps to be completed within seven years of passing your first Step. Check the rules of the state where you plan to be licensed.
> Will a score recheck change my USMLE score?
Almost certainly not. USMLE uses independent parallel scoring, and it reports that the recheck process has never resulted in a score change to date.
> Does Step 1 have a score I can improve?
No. Since January 26, 2022, Step 1 is reported only as Pass or Fail, so there is no 3-digit Step 1 score to improve.
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