USMLE Step 1 scores and pass rates
How Step 1 is scored, when to expect results and what the official numbers say about candidates from non-US schools.
How Step 1 is scored
Pass or fail only
Step 1 has no three-digit score for exams taken on or after 26 January 2022.
Standard of 196
On the old three-digit scale the passing standard is 196, and future reviews will not be reported as a number.
Results in weeks
Results are typically available within four weeks. Allow at least eight weeks to be safe.
Source: usmle.org: examination results and scoring, checked October 2026.
Official pass rates
| Group | First attempt | All attempts |
|---|---|---|
| US and Canadian MD | 93% | 91% |
| Non-US schools | 75% | 72% |
Non-US repeat takers passed at 54% (3,594 exams). About 25,660 Step 1 exams from non-US schools were tested in 2025. Source: usmle.org performance data. From 2025 these figures group Canadian schools with non-US schools.
What the numbers mean for you
A strong first attempt matters
One in four first-time candidates from non-US schools did not pass in 2025, and repeat takers pass far less often. Take a baseline block early, spread your practice over weeks, and repair your weakest systems before test day.
Past papers and syllabus
USMLE does not release past papers or question-level results, so use the content outline as your syllabus and your own block history as your data.
Step 1 scoring questions
What score do I need to pass Step 1?
Why do IMGs have a lower pass rate?
When do I get my result?
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