USMLE Step 2 CK Overview and Structure
The Step 2 CK Clinical Knowledge exam is multiple-choice and designed to determine whether examinees possess the medical understanding and knowledge of clinical science essential for the patient care under supervision.
The Step 2 CK exam is available for students to sit in London.
Exam Overview
- 9 hours (including a one hour break)
- 370 questions. 46 questions in 8 one hour “blocks”.
Step 2 CK questions will NOT be grouped by subject within blocks. So you won't find a section devoted to pediatrics for example. The ordering of items can therefore present you with the challenge of switching from thinking about one subject to another, without skipping a beat.
Question Formats
There are two multiple-choice formats used on Step 2 CK:
- Single best answer
- Single answer matching
Most questions describe a patient and want you to recognize the underlying mechanism of the disease, order diagnostic studies, propose a diagnosis, or initiate treatment.
Scoring
Scores are usually received 2 weeks after your test date. Your score report will include:
- Reported and scored on two and three-digit scales.
- A pass/fail designation
- A graphic depiction of your performance by discipline, physician task, and disease category.
The minimum passing score on the Step 2 Ck is 184.To achieve a passing score, you normally need to answer between 55% and 65% correct.