USMLE Step 2 CK tests clinical knowledge. It has about 316 questions in 16 blocks of 30 minutes, given in one 9-hour day, and it reports a three-digit score with a minimum passing score of 218. Legal/Ethical Issues, Professionalism, Systems-based Practice and Patient Safety (10–15%) is the largest published share, and Cardiovascular gets the highest difficulty weighting in Study Scheduler.
Ranked by share of the exam weighted against Study Scheduler's difficulty rating, not share alone, since a smaller topic rated harder can be worth more study time than a bigger, easier one.
1Cardiovascular System6–12%
Medicine · Pediatrics · Surgery · Diagnosis
2Renal & Urinary and Reproductive Systems7–13%
Medicine · Pediatrics · Obstetrics & Gynecology · Surgery
3Legal/Ethical Issues, Professionalism, Systems-based Practice & Patient Safety10–15%
Medical ethics · Informed consent and capacity · Confidentiality and legal issues · Professionalism and physician well-being
Full Step 2 CK topic breakdown.
Every topic in the official USMLE content outline, with its share of the exam. Study Scheduler allocates your study hours in this same proportion automatically.
Legal/Ethical Issues, Professionalism, Systems-based Practice & Patient Safety10–15%
Medical ethics
Informed consent and capacity
Confidentiality and legal issues
Professionalism and physician well-being
Patient safety and quality improvement
Systems-based practice
Renal & Urinary and Reproductive Systems7–13%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Surgery
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Health Maintenance & Prevention
Cardiovascular System6–12%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Health Maintenance & Prevention
Musculoskeletal, Skin & Subcutaneous Tissue6–12%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Behavioral Health5–10%
Psychiatry
Medicine
Pediatrics
Diagnosis
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Health Maintenance & Prevention
Blood & Lymphoreticular/Immune Systems5–10%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Gastrointestinal System5–10%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Nutrition
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Nervous System & Special Senses5–10%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Respiratory System5–10%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Multisystem Processes & Disorders4–8%
Medicine
Surgery
Pediatrics
Diagnosis
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Health Maintenance & Prevention
Endocrine System3–7%
Medicine
Pediatrics
Surgery
Nutrition
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Pregnancy, Childbirth & the Puerperium3–7%
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Diagnosis
Laboratory/Diagnostic Studies
Management
Pharmacotherapy
Health Maintenance & Prevention
Biostatistics, Epidemiology/Population Health & Interpretation of the Medical Literature3–5%
Study design and bias
Interpreting medical literature
Screening and prevention
Statistical tests
Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values
Human Development2–4%
Pediatrics
Normal growth and development
Aging
Health Maintenance & Prevention
Frequently asked about Step 2 CK.
What is tested on USMLE Step 2 CK?
Clinical knowledge, organized by organ system and by physician task such as diagnosis, management and pharmacotherapy. The outline also gives separate shares to professionalism, ethics and patient safety, and to biostatistics and population health.
What is the passing score for Step 2 CK?
The minimum passing score is 218 on the three-digit scale. Study Scheduler does not predict your score. It tracks your practice results so you can see which systems need more time.
How big is the biggest Step 2 CK share?
Legal/Ethical Issues, Professionalism, Systems-based Practice and Patient Safety is 10–15% of the exam. Renal and Urinary and Reproductive Systems is 7–13%, then Cardiovascular and Musculoskeletal, Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue at 6–12% each. The ranges overlap because each question is classified more than one way.
For how many hours to budget, week-by-week study plans, and how Study Scheduler weights your plan — see the full USMLE study guide.
Example plan · USMLE
See the week. Take the next step.
Your schedule combines topic study, review, mock practice, and time away. Actual blocks depend on your exam, study budget, and days off.