The average USMLE Step 3 score in 2026 is 227 with a standard deviation of 15. The scores tend to roughly follow a bell curve where 68% of all Step 3 test takers score between 212 and 242.
Step 3 Score Percentiles
For exact scoring percentiles, refer to this table from USMLE Step 3 for data from 2022 to the end of 2024. This table shows that students who scored a 250 on Step 3 are in the 93rd percentile of all test takers. Students who scored a 240 on Step 3 are in the 79th percentile. On the other hand, students who scored a 215 on Step 3 are in the 19th percentile.
How to Maximize Your Step 3 Score
To help maximize your score and percentile on Step 3, it is important to score well both on the high yield content on the multiple choice questions as well as the CCS section of the exam. The majority of students use StudyCCS for quick high yield content review and CCS simulation practice. We recommend using the SpeedOrders simulator to help maximize your CCS cases score.