10 Step 2 Score Killers You’re Probably Overlooking

When I was preparing for Step 2 CK, I made the same mistakes most medical students make. I obsessed over NBME practice test scores, crammed facts with pre-made Anki decks, and hoped it would all come together on test day. In this video, I reveal the 10 most common Step 2 score killers I see over and over again with USMLE students. I also break down hidden NBME data that shows nearly 1 in 4 students scores 20 or more points higher or lower than predicted, and what you can do to make sure you are one of the top performers. If you're a med student getting ready for Step 2 CK, this video will help you avoid test-taking traps, fix scoring plateaus, and understand what really predicts USMLE success. I show you how to think through shelf exam questions, track the right performance metrics, and build systems that eliminate dumb mistakes. Whether you're aiming for a 240 or pushing for a 260 plus, this is the strategy I wish I had when I was studying. WATCH NEXT: https://youtu.be/MoV3Nf_ciy8 https://youtu.be/VirRpeyjTfg https://youtu.be/csbGeXws2Ro Who Am I? I’m Alec Palmerton, MD—Stanford Med grad, former Harvard-MGH resident, and advocate for physician financial empowerment. After scoring 270 (99.9th percentile) on Step 1 and matching at my top choice, I now help trainees navigate the business side of medicine—because no one taught us this in school. Take Action: 📅 Free Consultation: Build your residency financial strategy → yousmle.com/consultation 📊 Unionization Tracker: Compare program salaries/stipends → yousmle.com/union-data 🎓 Coaching: Optimize training decisions → course.yousmle.com Connect: Instagram: @alecpalmerton_md Twitter/X: @alec_palmerton LinkedIn: Alec Palmerton, MD #Step2CK #USMLEPrep #MedSchoolTips #NBME #TestTakingStrategy #StudySmart #Step2Success #USMLE2025 #HighYieldMedicine #MedicalStudentLife Chapters: 0:00 Intro 0:32 Using Step 1 strategies on Step 2 2:31 Ignoring test-taking process 4:18 No system for reading questions 7:20 Believing NBME predictions 9:49 Trusting how you feel during the test 12:16 Eliminating answer choices too quickly 14:13 Ignoring real score predictors 15:21 Training like a student, not an athlete 17:20 Spiraling after hard questions 19:58 Not tracking what matters