USMLE Pass Rates 2025: Step 1, Step 2 CK, and Step 3
First-time takers from U.S. MD schools passed Step 1 at 93%, Step 2 CK at 98%, and Step 3 at 96% in the latest reporting year. Here is every group USMLE publishes.
First-taker pass rates at a glance
Step 1 (2025)
Step 2 CK (2024–2025)
Step 3 (2025)
Source: USMLE Performance Data, checked September 29, 2026.
Step 1 pass rate
Step 1 first-takers from U.S. MD schools passed at 93% in 2025 (91% in 2024); first-takers from non-U.S. schools passed at 75%.
| Group | 2024 tested | 2024 pass | 2025 tested | 2025 pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD degree | 25,702 | 89% | 25,126 | 91% |
| 1st takers | 23,280 | 91% | 23,028 | 93% |
| Repeaters | 2,422 | 70% | 2,098 | 71% |
| DO degree | 4,988 | 86% | 4,744 | 89% |
| 1st takers | 4,873 | 86% | 4,623 | 89% |
| Repeaters | 115 | 86% | 121 | 79% |
| Total | 30,690 | 88% | 29,870 | 91% |
| Group | 2024 tested | 2024 pass | 2025 tested | 2025 pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st takers | 22,713 | 73% | 22,066 | 75% |
| Repeaters | 3,921 | 52% | 3,594 | 54% |
| Total | 26,634 | 70% | 25,660 | 72% |
Step 2 CK pass rate
Step 2 CK first-takers from U.S. MD schools passed at 98% in 2024–2025 (98% in 2023–2024); first-takers from non-U.S. schools passed at 90%.
| Group | 2023–2024 tested | 2023–2024 pass | 2024–2025 tested | 2024–2025 pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD degree | 22,890 | 98% | 22,689 | 98% |
| 1st takers | 22,439 | 98% | 22,249 | 98% |
| Repeaters | 451 | 74% | 440 | 70% |
| DO degree | 5,354 | 96% | 5,057 | 96% |
| 1st takers | 5,318 | 96% | 5,025 | 96% |
| Repeaters | 36 | 72% | 32 | 69% |
| Total | 28,244 | 97% | 27,746 | 97% |
| Group | 2023–2024 tested | 2023–2024 pass | 2024–2025 tested | 2024–2025 pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st takers | 15,064 | 89% | 16,186 | 90% |
| Repeaters | 1,573 | 61% | 1,762 | 64% |
| Total | 16,637 | 87% | 17,948 | 87% |
Step 3 pass rate
Step 3 first-takers from U.S. MD schools passed at 96% in 2025 (97% in 2024); first-takers from non-U.S. schools passed at 88%.
| Group | 2024 tested | 2024 pass | 2025 tested | 2025 pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MD degree | 21,988 | 96% | 22,499 | 96% |
| 1st takers | 21,213 | 97% | 21,589 | 96% |
| Repeaters | 775 | 73% | 910 | 77% |
| DO degree | 115 | 91% | 131 | 97% |
| 1st takers | 110 | 93% | 129 | 97% |
| Repeaters | 5 | 60% | † | N/A |
| Total | 22,103 | 96% | 22,630 | 96% |
| Group | 2024 tested | 2024 pass | 2025 tested | 2025 pass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st takers | 12,134 | 89% | 12,480 | 88% |
| Repeaters | 1,835 | 64% | 1,824 | 63% |
| Total | 13,969 | 85% | 14,304 | 85% |
How to read these numbers
- The groups changed in 2025. Canadian schools were counted with U.S. schools through 2024 (2023–2024 for Step 2 CK) and with non-U.S. schools afterward, so year-over-year changes are not a perfectly like-for-like comparison.
- A pass rate is not your probability. It describes a whole group. Your own readiness depends on your recent practice results — for Step 1, see the NBME Step 1 readiness check.
- Passing scores: Step 2 CK 218 and Step 3 200; Step 1 is reported pass/fail. To see where a numeric score ranks, use the Step 2 CK percentile calculator or the Step 3 percentile page. To estimate when a result will arrive, use the USMLE score release date calculator.
- Small groups: USMLE does not report categories with fewer than five examinees (shown as † and N/A), such as Step 3 DO repeaters in 2025.
USMLE pass rate FAQs
What is the Step 1 pass rate?+
In 2025, 93% of first-time takers from U.S. MD schools passed Step 1, up from 91% in 2024. DO first-takers passed at 89% and first-takers from non-U.S. schools at 75%.
What is the Step 3 pass rate?+
In 2025, 96% of U.S. MD first-takers and 88% of first-takers from non-U.S. schools passed Step 3. The minimum passing score is 200.
What is the Step 2 CK pass rate?+
For the 2024–2025 reporting year, 98% of U.S. MD first-takers and 90% of first-takers from non-U.S. schools passed. The minimum passing score is 218.
What is the pass rate for IMGs?+
USMLE reports examinees from non-U.S. schools as one group. First-taker pass rates were 75% on Step 1 (2025), 90% on Step 2 CK (2024–2025), and 88% on Step 3 (2025). Since 2025, Canadian schools are counted in this group.
Why do repeaters pass less often?+
Repeat takers pass at noticeably lower rates on every Step — for example 71% for U.S. MD Step 1 repeaters in 2025. The data do not explain why, but they are a reason to confirm readiness with more than one recent practice assessment before retesting.