u/Jazzlike-Platform508

Step 1 pass
Step 2 269
Might take step 3 before interviews
No research
1 USCE hands on, 1 LOR from a pediatric surgeon
No visa required
2022 graduate

I could have the possibility to apply 100-150 programs

Other option is to start doing rotations and/or research, which in and of itself take time to even get, let alone complete, for next cycle.

Appreciate in advance your actionable experience/evidence based advice

Step 1 pass
Step 2 269
Might take step 3 before interviews
No research
1 USCE hands on, 1 LOR from a pediatric surgeon
No visa required
2022 graduate

I could have the possibility to apply 100-150 programs

Other option is to start doing rotations and/or research, which in and of itself take time to even get, let alone complete, for next cycle.

Appreciate in advance your actionable experience/evidence based advice.

Fresh out of my exam, feeling grateful, decided to give back to reddit and answer any questions about step 2 preparation.

If getting a high score is something you want, need or are willing to work for, read this:

Train like an athlete. Make a commitment to do something everyday, you won't be motivated everyday, so you need to do a contract with yourself. At least X amount of questions in your worst of days, but keep the ball rolling

Find your ways and your resources and go consistently hard, always push for the last rep and I promise you'll get an even higher score than 269. This is war. Focus and concentrate. There's people doing it everyday.

That being said, this is what I did:

Uworld (40-120q/day - 3 months): 67%

25 CMS forms(1-3 forms a day - 2 weeks): 78-92%

NBMEs

*Between Nbmes 9 to 14, I would do Uworld incorrects/ marked 40 to 200q/day, but this upper limit wasn't really sustainable for me, 3 days in a row doing 200 and was burning out, so no. In bewteen Nbmes 15-16 I did amboss highyield plans*

NBME  9      71.5%    237.   19 Mar 2026

NBME  10    75%.      245.   22 Apr 2026

UWSA1:       69%       242    27 Apr 2026

NBME  11.    77%.      247.   29 Apr 2026

NBME  8      90%.     278    11 May 2026 (don't recommend if short of time-outdated)

NBME  12    79.5%    254.   20 May 2026

NBME  7      86%.      270    22 May 2026 (don't recommend if short of time-outdated)

Amboss SA:72.5%    247    23 May 2026

UWSA2:       76%      252    30 May 2026

NBME  13     80%      256      1 June 2026

NBME  14     78%      251     13 June 2026

NBME  15     83%      261     29 June 2026

F1202021.    82%                 29 June 2026

NBME  16    82%       263       9 July   2026

F120 2023   80%                  12 JULY 2026

Amboss predicted: 261

Step2ck:                     269     15 July 2026

Ask anything, I'll help with what I can, Dm me if you need more help

Total time: 6.5 months (4 fully dedicated)

Uworld in 3 months: 67%, then incorrects and marked.
25 CMS forms: 78-92%
NBMEs: 9-16: 235-263
Old free120 83%
New free120 80%
Amboss predicted: 261
Step2:269

Edit: You can dm me if you have questions with long answers.

When I would see people not content with good scores I would also think “that’s a good score, just be greatful”. Today I got my step 2 score and it was 1 point bellow my dreamed range. Still a great score, but now I understand this people. It’s not that you don’t appreciate what you’ve got, it’s more about knowing what you worked for and the goal you set for yourself at the beginning of your preparation. Yes, insatiable desire kills gratitude, and it happens in every aspect of life, however it’s just inevitable, and not necessary negative, to want to reach the next step and that it’s often what actually creates great scores. So it’s the blessing and the curse.

Still greatfull, to God be the glory