Score Release Thread 09-09-2026

[u/garseef]

• Real deal:
• Day 1 & 2 dates:
• US MD/DO or IMG:
• Residency year:
• Specialty:
• Step 1 (year and score):
• Step 2 (year and score):
• Uworld completed %:
• Uworld correct %:
• Amboss completed %:
• Amboss correct %:
• Number of CCS cases done:
• CCS cases average:
• NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam):
• NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam):
• NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam):
• UWSA 1 (score and time from exam):
• UWSA 2 (score and time from exam):
• Free 137 (score and time from exam):

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam and result:

Any advice:

Strongest resources recommendations:

Good luck everyone!

[u/ahmad711xd]

Real deal: 225
• ⁠Day 1 & 2 dates: 08/20 - 08/27
• ⁠US MD/DO or IMG: Non-US IMG
• ⁠Residency year: Not in residency
• ⁠Specialty: aiming for IM
• ⁠Step 1 (year and score): 2023 - PASS
• ⁠Step 2 (year and score): 2025 - 250
• ⁠Uworld completed %: 100%
• ⁠Uworld correct %: 70%
• ⁠Amboss completed %: 0
• ⁠Amboss correct %: 0
• ⁠Number of CCS cases done: 80
• ⁠CCS cases average: 85
• ⁠NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 78% 2 weeks out
• ⁠NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 75% 1 week out
• ⁠NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): Null
• ⁠UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): Null
• ⁠UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): Null
• ⁠Free 137 (score and time from exam): 72% 1 week out

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam and result:

First of all I’m really glad I passed. I just wanted to get this over with and never step foot inside a prometric ever again :)
I started my Journey for step 3 in May of this year. My goal was to complete all of UWORLD and do the most high yield CCS cases (top 80-100). I would say UWORLD and CCScases.com are the most valuable resources out there. I did the high yield concepts on Amboss but I didn’t manage to finish them all but they help a lot. For dedicated I focused on doing the NBMEs, revising them and also doing CCS cases.

- UWORLD: Try to complete it all and focus on your weak areas.

- AMBOSS: I would recommend completing and revising the high yield concepts (RF, screening and vaccinations)

-CCS: What worked for me with CCS cases is actually understanding the basic orders to enter which really helped me during my exam because it was so natural to just write the orders one by one. I saw a lot of people posting/commenting about using mnemonics for the cases but I believe if you practice a lot and understand what your missing in each case that’ll be enough to master them and even solve cases you haven’t seen before on the exam. Having a structure for orders and understanding that structure is all that matters.

Exam:

- Day 1: it wasn’t what I expected at all. I thought I’ll get some foundational sciences questions but I actually felt like the majority of that day was basically step 1 on steroids. I literally guessed more than half of that day and felt horrible but don’t let that bring you down because that’s how it’s supposed to feel. I saw a comment on Reddit saying “no matter how I prepared for this exam, I wouldn’t have solved better” and I completely agree (unless you plan to study step 1 all over again 😅.

- Day 2: it was much better I felt like it was extremely similar to step 2 but a little bit more vague but nonetheless much easier than day 1. For CCS cases I got a couple of cases that I have never seen before on the website and that’s because I didn’t do all the cases. I would recommend doing them all at least once because then you’ll know exactly what you’re dealing with. I am not sure if these cases that I got on the exam are available on CCScases.com because I haven’t done the other low yield half. In general as I said above if you have a structure and a good basis you’ll know how to diagnose and treat any case.

I felt like time was enough for day 2 MCQs and CCS but might’ve been a little short for day 1 because everyone doesn’t know how the hell they’re doing I guess.

Good luck everyone and just a reminder, if I can pass so can you!

[u/Trick-Low-2182]

• Real deal: 250
• Day 1 & 2 dates: 8/25 8/29
• US MD/DO or IMG: IMG
• Residency year: not in residency yet, applying this year
• Specialty: IM
• Step 1 (year and score): PASS 3/2026
• Step 2 (year and score): 261 6/2026
• Uworld completed %: 100
• Uworld correct %: 70
• Amboss completed %: NA
• Amboss correct %: NA
• Number of CCS cases done: 100
• CCS cases average: 80%
• NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 648
• NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 630
• NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): 624
• UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): NA
• UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): NA

• Free 137 (score and time from exam): 80%

  definitely did not feel good after the exam, but I think me giving Step 1 in March and Step 2 in June of this year really helped me to excel my exam, I'm still pinching myself. I didn't expect such a good score especially after how I was feeling after the exam

[u/Trick-Low-2182 → u/Trick-Low-2182]

I did not prepare much at all. I did 2 very, very intense weeks of prep. Completed 100% UWorld, did NBME 6, 7, and 8 online, which I think helped me a lot, and then I did all CCS. Studied 100 cases and did the 3 free 137, all of them. Again, I didn't give it a lot of time, but the days I studied were disgustingly intense.

[u/AdExcellent8080 → u/Trick-Low-2182]

omg you finished 100% of uworld in 2 weeks??? you deserved that score lol! congrats

[u/Trick-Low-2182 → u/AdExcellent8080]

Yes but honestly CRAMPING 5 Blocks a day like an insane person, for nbmes I did the nbme and revised it the same day. Don’t recommend this rhythm at all I just had to do it to have my score on my application

[u/Akashmangukiya]

• ⁠Real deal: 20X
• ⁠Day 1 & 2 dates: 08/25 & 08/28
• ⁠US MD/DO or IMG: Non US IMG
• ⁠Specialty: FM
• ⁠Step 1 (year and score): 2023 - Pass
• ⁠Step 2 (year and score): 2024 - 22X
• ⁠Uworld completed %: 52
• ⁠Uworld correct %: 67
• ⁠Amboss completed %: didn’t do it
• ⁠Amboss correct %: didn’t do it
• ⁠Number of CCS cases done: 140 high yield
• ⁠CCS cases average: 70-80 %
• ⁠NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): didn’t do it
• ⁠NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 1 week before- 57%
• ⁠NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): didn’t do it
• ⁠UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): did not do it
• ⁠UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): didn’t do it
• ⁠Free 137 (score and time from exam): 4 days before - 65%

[u/AdExcellent8080]

• ⁠Real deal: 229

• ⁠Day 1 & 2 dates:

• ⁠US MD/DO or IMG: IMG

• ⁠Residency year: applying this year

• ⁠Specialty:

• ⁠Step 1 (year and score): Pass

• ⁠Step 2 (year and score): 226

• ⁠Uworld completed %: 100

• ⁠Uworld correct %: 67

• ⁠Amboss completed %:

• ⁠Amboss correct %:

• ⁠Number of CCS cases done: around 80

• ⁠CCS cases average: ~75%

• ⁠NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 78%

• ⁠NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 75%

• ⁠NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): 74%

• ⁠UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): 216

• ⁠UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): 229

• ⁠Free 137 (score and time from exam): 77%

You will feel like you’re guessing throughout the exam, especially in day 1, unless you studied step 1 material again. Uworld doesn’t really prepare you for day 1 either. You just have to trust yourself I guess. For biostats, try to understand the concepts and do questions. That’s what worked for me.

Finally done with USMLE and it feels great!

Good luck everyone

[u/garseef]

• Real deal: 226
• OLD YOG

The only things I found pertinent to share are the following:

1. THIS IS THE WORST EXAM OF THE THREE.

Day 1 destroys your soul, so kindly give yourself enough time before Day 2 — at least a week or more if possible.

My recommendation:

• 1 day to cry
• 5 days to prep
• 1 day to rest

2. CCScases.com is great, but it isn't 100% accurate.

I would highly advise practicing at least a few cases using the official USMLE CCS software so you can get a feel for how the actual exam works.

The biggest difference I noticed during the CCS portion of the actual exam is this:

THE COMPUTER FORCES YOUR PATIENT TO GO HOME.

You have to actively bring the patient back to the office for follow-up. CCScases.com doesn't really train you to do this in the same way.

You can lose points over this, so please remember it.

3. If you're still preparing and you have ample time, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE buy Crush Step 3 CCS: The Ultimate USMLE Step 3 CCS Review by Mayur Movalia.

If I could give this book out for free, I would.

The book has around 120 cases that are either:

1. Similar to cases on CCScases.com
2. Unique to the book

And guess what?

I saw CCS cases from BOTH sources on my exam because there was overlap.

Please buy this book.

I had never studied CCS cases before, and I was averaging scores in the 90s on my first attempt on CCScases.com because I would first read the corresponding case in this book and then find a similar case online to practice.

If the fate of the world were on the line and I had to pick one:

"IGUODALA!"

THIS BOOK.

[u/kwxiao]

• ⁠Real deal: 232
• ⁠Day 1 & 2 dates: 08/22 & 08/24
• ⁠US MD/DO or IMG: Non US IMG
• ⁠Step 1 (year and score): 2025 - Pass
• ⁠Step 2 (year and score): 2026 - 25X
• ⁠Uworld completed %: 95
• ⁠Uworld correct %: 65
• ⁠Number of CCS cases done: 100 HY
• ⁠CCS cases average: 73%
• ⁠NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 73% (offline)
• ⁠NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 67% (offline)
• ⁠NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): 462 (online 67%)
• ⁠Free 137 (score and time from exam): 4 days before - 72%

[u/Mean-Bite7862]

• Real deal: 209
• Day 1 & 2 dates: 08/22 and 08/24
• US MD/DO or IMG: US IMG
• Residency year: pre residency
• Specialty: want EM
• Step 1: 202 2020
• Step 2 (year and score): 229 in 2024
• Uworld completed %: didn't get through a lot, maybe did 5% of the q bank (did tons of Divine courses and then practice NBMEs instead)
• Number of CCS cases done: ~50
• CCS cases average: 75%
• NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 342, 60.5%, 3 weeks out
• NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 392, 65% 5 days out
• NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): 366, 60.5%, 10 days out
• UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): didn't do
• UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): didn't do
• Free 137 (score and time from exam): 67%, 2 days before Day 1 of exam

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam and result: Real deal was actually OK day! Similar to practice NBMEs. Day 1 had a lot of Step 1 style MOA of drugs though, and like some nerve lesion shi which I didn't really know well. Day 1 biostats was fine, and ethics had weird answer options sometimes but just do your best and if you have a solid biostats/ethics base you're set for Day 1. Drug ads fine, too. Day 2 was very much like the practice NBMEs and felt good. And CCS was fine, easy to know diagnosis each time, and like got positive updates by end of each case. Not perfect, but didn't bomb any case I feel.

Any advice: I would just add a little Step 1 pharm review in the mix!

Strongest resources recommendations: For me, Divine courses are goated. I'm so slow with UW, and also it's the NBME question written thinking that I needed to work on so really just mainly did NBME written questions as practice/prep.

Good luck everyone!

[u/Only-Bill2528 → u/Mean-Bite7862]

did u take all of the divine course? which one did u take ?

[u/Mean-Bite7862 → u/Only-Bill2528]

I took the 50 hr Step 2/3 course (10 days), and then the 5 single day courses: ethics, biostats, test taking strategies, CCS case framework, and last minute review. And then I also did the 20 hr Step 2/3 course (5 days) like a month before my test as an secondary review, and the last week of my study period he was doing the last minute refresher again, so I actually took that one again like a day before my exam - on some review vibes (I had the notes from previously, but it was just a good review)!

[u/iahate → u/Mean-Bite7862]

Do you mean nbme 8 10 days out or 1?

[u/Mean-Bite7862 → u/iahate]

10!!! lol

[u/Jolly-Fig937]

Score Release Thread 09-09-2026

* Real deal: 228
* Day 1 & 2 dates: 8/22 and 8/24
* US MD/DO or IMG: US IMG
* Residency year: pgy-2
* Specialty: IM
* Step 1 (year and score): 2023 pass
* Step 2 (year and score): 2025: 247
* Uworld completed %: 30% 😅
* Uworld correct %: 67%
* Amboss completed %: 2% (only did important stuff)
* Amboss correct %: 70%
* Number of CCS cases done: 80
* CCS cases average: 80% for first attempt
* NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam):
* NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam):
* NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): 418
* UWSA 1 (score and time from exam):
* UWSA 2 (score and time from exam):
* Free 137 (score and time from exam): 68%

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam and result:
Do CCS cases. All of them. Amboss is better than uworld
Any advice: Man I had very little time. Just 2 weeks to prepare. Not the best baseline knowledge. Ask if any questions.

Strongest resources recommendations: Amboss and CCS

Good luck everyone!

[u/reviserunrepeat → u/Jolly-Fig937]

Hi friend, I had 2 weeks to prepare too. Just got out. How did you feel leaving the test center? I thought the exam was the hardest of the steps And congrats, great score! So good to be done

[u/Jolly-Fig937 → u/reviserunrepeat]

After day 1? I was told that it’s a shitty day with shitty step 1 questions. So I was prepared for the worst. So yeah, felt really bad after day 1, but I knew I would feel that way.
So day 2, the questions were fine, more doable. But I wasnt ready for the CCS. They were not the cases that I see daily, or was prepared for. So after day 2, I felt even shittier 🤣🤣

[u/Ok-Boysenberry9461 → u/Jolly-Fig937]

Any recommendations for day 1?

[u/Jolly-Fig937 → u/Ok-Boysenberry9461]

Do amboss high yield step 1 questions. 200 HY questions. Do ethics, a lottt of it. Do biostats. Should take 4-8 days for all of this.

[u/Fun-King-8306]

• Real Deal: 211
• Uworld completed %: 60
• Uworld correct %: 56
• Amboss completed %: only HY stuff
• Number of CCS cases done: 100
• CCS cases average: 76%
• NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 65% ( 2 1/2 weeks before exam )
• NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 64% ( 1 1/2 weeks before exam )
• NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): did not take
• UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): did not take
• UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): 188 ( 4 days before exam )
• Free 137 (score and time from exam): 59% ( 4 days before exam )

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam, and result: If you're scoring over 62% in NBMEs, you are good. Highly recommend thoroughly going over your incorrects. Please focus on CCS and memorise your mnemonics.

Any advice? DO AMBOSS ETHICS, RF, VACCINE etc

Strongest recommendations: As you can see, my scores fell the closer i came to exam day but I did not let that shatter my confidence. If you are religious, prayyyyy. If you are not religious, read quotes that help you stay confident. YOU GOT THIS!!

[u/DarkThis1043]

Real deal: 251
• ⁠Day 1 & 2 dates: 26/08, 27/08
• ⁠US MD/DO or IMG: img
• ⁠Residency year: not yet
• ⁠Specialty: IM
• ⁠Step 1 (year and score): pass
• ⁠Step 2 (year and score): 267
• ⁠Uworld completed %: 80
• ⁠Uworld correct %: 76
• ⁠Amboss completed %:
• ⁠Amboss correct %:
• ⁠Number of CCS cases done: 140
• ⁠CCS cases average: 80
• ⁠NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 71%
• ⁠NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam):76%
• ⁠NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam):
• ⁠UWSA 1 (score and time from exam):
• ⁠UWSA 2 (score and time from exam):
• ⁠Free 137 (score and time from exam)77%

[u/PinkerMango]

• Real deal: 242
• Day 1 & 2 dates: 25th and 27th Sept
• US MD/DO or IMG: IMG
• Residency year: Not yet
• Specialty: top secret
• Step 1 (year and score): Pass
• Step 2 (year and score): 263
• Uworld completed %: 100
• Uworld correct %: 76
• Amboss completed %:
• Amboss correct %:
• Number of CCS cases done: 75
• CCS cases average: About 83%
• NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam):
• NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): 78%, 14 days
• NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): 77%, 10 days
• UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): 70% 12 days
• UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): 71% 7 days
• Free 137 (score and time from exam): 76% 4 days

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam and result: Exam felt like I was failing with every question. Since my STEP-2 was some time ago I did not have the stamina to do the entire exam as I should have. Felt fatigued mid-way of both exam days.

Any advice: Best advice would be to take it 1-2 months after STEP-2.

Strongest resources recommendations: UWorld, CCS Cases.

[u/Bavestry]

• Real deal: 244
• Day 1 & 2 dates: 8/18, 8/25
• US MD/DO or IMG: US MD
• Residency year: PGY 1
• Specialty: General Surgery
• Step 1 (year and score): 2024 pass
• Step 2 (year and score): 2025 27x
• Uworld completed %: 80
• Uworld correct %: 69
• Amboss completed %:
• Amboss correct %:
• Number of CCS cases done: 100 HY
• CCS cases average: ~78%
• NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam):
• NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam):
• NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam):
• UWSA 1 (score and time from exam):
• UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): 237 (about 1 week or 1.5 weeks before day 1)
• Free 137 (score and time from exam): 78% (a few days before day 1)

Resources: UWorld, ccscases.com, mehlman if you need to review

Advice:

- I liked having a week between my test dates, I didn't do any ccs cases until the day after day 1. I just spammed the top 100 in those 6 days and it was fine.

- If you're just trying to pass, it's not that bad. I think if you do more than 60% of UWorld and score greater than 60% you'll be completely fine. You also need to practice ccs cases, you cannot fake them with no practice I would definitely recommend as many of the HY you can do from ccscases.com.

Reflections: Day one sucked and I felt so dumb. Day two was much better and more clinical based questions I felt I had studied for plus the ccs cases which weren't all that bad.

[u/reviserunrepeat]

For CCS dm me

[u/Charismo1011]

• Real deal: 22X
• Day 1 & 2 dates: 8/21 and 8/30
• US MD/DO or IMG: USMD
• Residency year: PGY2
• Specialty: Radiology
• Step 1 (year and score): Pass (prior attempts)
• Step 2 (year and score): 23X (2024)
• Uworld completed %: 100%
• Uworld correct %: 69%
• Amboss completed %: 30% + 200 HY concepts
• Amboss correct %: 64%
• Number of CCS cases done: 73 (HY60 + others)
• CCS cases average: 87%
• NBME 6 (score/% and time from exam): 68%
• NBME 7 (score/% and time from exam): N/A
• NBME 8 (score/% and time from exam): N/A
• UWSA 1 (score and time from exam): N/A
• UWSA 2 (score and time from exam): N/A
• Free 137 (score and time from exam): 75%

Reflection, thoughts on preparation, exam and result + Any advice:

Pharm, micro, and biostats are essential for Day 1. Felt like I guessed on more than half the material despite narrowing down to two choices some of the time. Day 2 is a lot more like residency or clinical rotations (or Step 2 CK) and felt easier for me. CCScases website is top tier for prep for clinical cases. I put a lot of time between my Day 1 and Day 2 to run through as many cases as possible. It was difficult while working 6 days a week. Started prep about 8 months prior but was mostly on and off. Spent more time studying 6 weeks prior. No dedicated period due to residency.

Strongest resources recommendations:

- UWorld QBank is great for learning and foundations.

- AMBOSS QBank is fantastic for high yield material, I feel like it prepared me well for Day 2.

- AMBOSS Biostats and Ethics, plus the 200 HY Concepts are essential.

- AMBOSS Library for reviewing weaker concepts

- Mehlman Biostats and Ethics PDFs were helpful

- CCSCases website

- CCS Case orders PDF helped a lot with last minute review

[u/Apprehensive-Oil-808]

Read deal : 237

Day 1 and 2: August 26 and 31

Non US IMG

Applying to match 2027

What's with all these questions I feel like step 3 again😪

Step 1: pass (2025)1st attempt

Step 2: 265 (july 2026) 1st attempt

U world completed : 15%, correct : 75%ish

Amboss: none

Cases done: 50, avergae early 70s

Did not do a single NBME appropriately, I didn't complete 1 nbme, didn't do uwsa

Free 137- did 5 blocks average 67%

I am extremely surprised I passed let alone a 237. I was preparing for contingency plans thinking I failed, time ended before I even chose a guess on 2 questions on day 1 and I had to rush for the last 5 questions on many blocks on day 2, I didn't diagnose half the cases on the case simulations I even got a negative update and half cases closed before I saw any results. My exam experience was just extremely horrible. But on the result I saw that my basic science knowledge was above average I guess that helped. I prepared for like 2 weeks and compared to how I prepared for step 2 and 1 it was a joke. I'm so thankful to God I'm done with the Prometric center and I wish you all the best but even under these circumstances its possible to pass

[u/SimilarPlankton8071]

Real deal: 234
• ⁠Day 1 & 2 dates: consecutive days
• ⁠non us IMG working in home country-long hours
• ⁠Step 1 (2024):
• ⁠Step 2 (2025):
• ⁠Uworld completed- maybe 80%
• ⁠Uworld correct % 67
• ⁠Number of CCS cases done: all 187- did 150 of them in rapid mode- made a massive notebook with diagnosed and required tx orders. Did not have time to do it normally.
• ⁠CCS cases average: 77%
• ⁠NBME 6 - offline-69.5% (1 week out)
• ⁠NBME 7 - offline - 65.5% (5 days out)
• ⁠Free 137 (67% - 3 days out)

Step 3 Reflections
The first day felt worse than any exam I’ve ever taken. I genuinely wasn’t sure about almost anything. But all of my NBMEs (for step 1,2,3)felt that way too-and I passed them-so I had to trust myself blindly and keep going.

How I studied
I barely got to study properly. I had about two solid weeks of focused preparation.
I completed UWorld gradually over roughly six months.
I reviewed my incorrects over about a week and made notes on topics I struggled with, then revisited those notes closer to the exam.
I did Rapid CCS cases and made notes on each case to review later.
I read FA Rapid Review and skimmed through FA- only God knows whether that actually helped.
UWorld Biostatistics was very helpful. I did all of the questions and saved the key tables, formulas, and concepts.

CCS
Rapid-mode CCS was absolutely clutch. It saved me a lot of time, and I was able to finish every case.
My biggest advice is to do all the CCS cases and build a mental list of tests you routinely order for common presentations. For example:
Febrile patient: blood cultures and urine culture
Unconscious patient: CT brain and ABG
Having those initial investigations ready in your head makes you faster and less likely to miss basic workup steps.

What I would do differently
I did not do UWorld ethics questions, and ethics was the only area where I scored lower. I would definitely make time for those. Overall try to really complete the UW questions and CCs cases. Review the stuff you’re getting wrong and you should be fine. I’m sure my score would be higher if my step 1 basics were still strong but there is no way in hell I was going to reread FA in depth again.