How is the improvement rate calculated?

It is the average score change between consecutive attempts: rate = (latestScore − firstScore) / (numberOfAttempts − 1). A positive rate means you are improving each attempt; a flat or negative rate flags a plateau that needs a strategy change.

What are the passing thresholds?

USMLE Step 1 is pass/fail with a minimum passing standard near 196 (historically); Step 2 CK and Step 3 use three-digit scores with passes around 214 and 198. PLAB 1 and PLAB 2 use their own pass marks set per sitting. Enter the threshold that applies to your exam and year.

How many more exams will I need?

The tool divides the remaining gap to your target by your improvement rate to estimate the number of additional practice attempts needed. If your trend is flat or negative, it reports that the target is not reachable at the current rate.

Why enter scores in order?

Trend analysis depends on sequence. Entering attempts oldest-first lets the tool measure whether each successive attempt improved, plateaued, or dropped, which is the signal that predicts real exam readiness.

Is a single high practice score enough?

No. Examiners and advisors look for a consistent upward trend and scores comfortably above the passing line across several recent NBME or mock exams, not one outlier. Use the trend, not a single peak.

Medical Board Exam Score Tracker (USMLE / PLAB)

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Track your medical board exam readiness

Whether you are preparing for USMLE Steps or PLAB, the strongest predictor of passing is a consistent upward trend in dated practice exams sitting comfortably above the passing line. This tracker takes your chronological practice scores and computes your average improvement per attempt, your gap to target, and how many more attempts you need at your current pace.

How it works

The tracker measures the average change between your first and most recent attempt:

rate   = (latest − first) / (attempts − 1)
gap    = target − latest
attemptsNeeded = gap / rate   (only meaningful when rate > 0)

It also compares your latest score against the passing threshold so you can see your current margin. A flat or falling trend is flagged because no number of additional attempts at a zero rate will close the gap.

Tips and notes

Enter at least two dated scores, oldest first, so a trend can be measured.
Look for your latest scores sitting several points above the pass mark, not just touching it — real-exam variance cuts both ways.
If your trend has plateaued, the fix is usually a change in study method (more questions, targeted weak areas) rather than more time alone.