How to Read the AMBOSS Step 2 CK Self-Assessment Score Report

The annual AMBOSS Step 2 CK Self-Assessment Week is finished for another year. Thousands of students that completed it are receiving a score report that includes a 3-digit score prediction, performance breakdown, and personalized study recommendations. To help you navigate your Step 2 CK Self-Assessment score report, we’ve put together this handy guide. It includes explanations of all of its sections, so you can analyze your performance and be as prepared as you can be when test day arrives.

Understanding Your 3-Digit Score

At the top of your score report, you’ll find your 3-digit score. This score is intended to give you an idea of where you currently stand in your USMLE® preparation. To get a 3-digit score, you must complete all four blocks (that’s 160 questions) of the AMBOSS Step 2 CK Self-Assessment by the stated end date. If you did not complete all four blocks of the self-assessment, you will not receive a 3-digit score. It’s important to keep in mind that AMBOSS can only provide an estimated Step 2 CK score. Your 3-digit score is not intended to predict your performance on the actual exam, but rather to identify your relative strengths and weaknesses.

How the Score is Calculated

To calculate the 3-digit score you receive after completing the AMBOSS Step 2 CK Self-Assessment, we calibrate the score prediction using self-assessment takers within two weeks of their actual exam date as a reference to calibrate the scores. We assume that the performance of this reference cohort, who are at or very close to the peak of their preparation level, is comparable to the performance of actual USMLE® Step 2 exam-takers. Our algorithm further considers the individual performance on easier and more difficult questions to fine-tune the prediction. We also use the performance data from previous years to iteratively improve our score prediction.

Relative Strengths and Weaknesses

Your score report includes your relative strengths and weaknesses based on your performance in the self-assessment. These are broken down by discipline and system. They include a percentage that represents how often each item appears on the exam and shows how you performed in each area. Your performance results represent the relative coverage of a given content area on the exam. These results are based on your overall performance in the self-assessment. The areas you performed best in will be reflected in the ‘Higher’ section while the areas you performed least well in will be in the ‘Lower’ section.

Personalized Study Recommendations

Based on your performance on the self-assessment, we’ve selected the topics you need to focus on the most before you take the actual Step 2 CK exam. You will find personalized Qbank sessions that are designed to address your weak points from the self-assessment. You can dive right in and target the areas you need to focus on or you can review your self-assessment answers and see what you got right and what you got wrong. You’ll also find a mixed-block Qbank session that contains 40 questions based on the topics that we have identified as being the highest yield for your exam prep.

Incomplete Assessments

If you did not complete the full self-assessment, you’ll still receive a personalized report. This report is based on the number of questions you answered and the results of those questions. We have plenty of other Step 2 tools that will help you confidently prepare for the exam, such as the 30-day Step 2 High-Yield Study Plan.

Key Score Data and Benchmarks