The official USMLE Step 3 passing score in 2026 is 200. This threshold is substantially lower than the USMLE Step 2 CK passing score of 218, which surprises many test-takers preparing for Step 3.
The good news is that pass rates for Step 3 are high across all examinee groups. US MD graduates pass on the first attempt at 93%. US DO graduates at 89%. International medical graduates (IMGs) have a first-attempt pass rate of 75%.
The challenge is for those who do not pass immediately — repeat pass rates drop significantly. For US MD graduates, the repeat pass rate is 71%. For US DO graduates it is 79%. For IMGs, the repeat pass rate is 54%. This makes it important to prepare thoroughly and pass on the first attempt.
USMLE Step 3 Pass Rate Data
Passing score vs. pass rate: what is the difference?
The passing score is the minimum scaled score required to pass (200 in 2026). The pass rate is the percentage of examinees who actually achieve that score on a given attempt. These are related but distinct: a low passing threshold explains why overall pass rates are high, but the pass rate also reflects how well-prepared the pool of examinees is.
If you are looking for data on what percentage of test-takers pass Step 3 each year — broken down by examinee group and attempt number — see the USMLE score data tables published annually on usmle.org.
What should you do if you do not pass?
If you do not pass, start by auditing the resources you used. The most common reasons for failing are incomplete Qbank coverage and poor performance on the CCS section.
If you scored poorly on the multiple choice questions, repeat those questions to reinforce the correct content. If you are concerned about memorizing answers rather than learning the material, switching resources can help — for example, switching from UWorld to AMBOSS introduces fresh question stems on the same high-yield topics.
If you struggled with the CCS section on the exam, work through all of the cases on StudyCCS. Once you score above 70% consistently, use the SpeedOrders simulator to practice placing orders quickly — speed and sequencing are what the CCS scoring algorithm rewards most.