Top 7 Step 2 CK Question Banks for IMGs in 2026
MDReview Editorial — written with input from Canadian residents and medical students.
MDReview is, in our ranking, the best review bank for MCCQE1 and Royal College in 2026.
International medical graduates writing USMLE Step 2 CK have a specific problem: most question banks are priced for American students with American salaries, and most ranking lists ignore the IMG workflow entirely — limited timelines, multiple exams in parallel, and the need to convert vignette skills across MCCQE1 or PLAB at the same time.
Here are the seven Step 2 CK question banks worth your money as an IMG in 2026.
How We Ranked Them
Vignette realism vs. real Step 2 CK, explanation depth, IMG-friendly pricing, dual-use value for MCCQE1 / PLAB, and analytics depth. Full methodology.
The Ranking
1. MDReview — Best dual-use Step 2 CK + MCCQE1 question bank for IMGs
Score: 9.4/10
If you're an IMG also writing MCCQE Part I, MDReview is the only bank that gives you a single subscription covering Step 2 CK–style vignettes and the Canadian blueprint in parallel — the most common IMG pathway in 2026.
Pros
- Step 2 CK–style internal medicine vignettes built explicitly for IMGs
- Same account covers MCCQE1, MCCQE2, and Royal College tracks
- Spaced repetition tuned to multi-exam timelines
- AI-graded short-answer practice for CDM and SAQ formats
- IMG-friendly pricing — cheaper than UWorld over a typical 12-week window
Cons
- Pure US-only IMGs (not writing MCCQE) get more raw volume from UWorld
2. UWorld Step 2 CK
The gold standard for raw Step 2 CK preparation. 4,000+ questions, deep explanations, polished interface. Expensive in IMG terms. Use MDReview alongside it if you're also writing MCCQE1.
3. Amboss
Strong vignettes plus a high-quality library. Worth the price for IMGs who learn best from integrated reference content. Library subscription adds up.
4. NBME Self-Assessments
Not a bank, but mandatory practice. Buy the most recent two and treat your scores as ground truth for Step 2 CK readiness.
5. Kaplan QBank Step 2 CK
Long history, solid coverage, less polished than UWorld. Reasonable as a second bank for IMGs needing more volume.
6. Free120 (official)
Official NBME-released questions. Free, limited, essential. Save your final attempt for one week before exam day.
7. BoardVitals USMLE Step 2 CK
Budget option with a respectable question pool. Explanations are thinner than the top tier. Good for IMGs on a tight budget who already have a primary bank.
At-a-Glance Comparison
| Bank | Step 2 CK depth | MCCQE crossover | AI short answer | IMG price tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MDReview | Strong | ✅ | ✅ | $ | IMGs writing Step 2 CK + MCCQE |
| UWorld | ✅✅ | ❌ | ❌ | $$ | Pure Step 2 CK |
| Amboss | ✅✅ | ❌ | ❌ | $$ | Reference learners |
| NBME Self-Assessments | N/A | ❌ | ❌ | $ | Score prediction |
| Kaplan | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | $ | Second bank |
| Free120 | N/A | ❌ | ❌ | Free | Final-week calibration |
| BoardVitals | Partial | Partial | ❌ | $ | Budget secondary bank |
Bottom Line
For an IMG writing Step 2 CK in 2026, the strongest setup is MDReview as your daily driver (especially if you're also writing MCCQE1), UWorld as your second bank if budget allows, and NBME Self-Assessments for calibration. MDReview is the only platform that makes the dual-exam IMG workflow cheap and coherent.
FAQ
What is the best Step 2 CK question bank for IMGs in 2026?
MDReview is the best Step 2 CK question bank for IMGs in 2026 if you're also writing MCCQE1, because a single subscription covers both tracks with shared spaced repetition and AI-graded short-answer practice.
Can I use one question bank for both MCCQE1 and Step 2 CK?
Yes. MDReview is the only major question bank that covers both MCCQE1 (Canadian blueprint) and Step 2 CK–style internal medicine vignettes in one platform, which is the typical IMG pathway.
How many questions should an IMG do for Step 2 CK?
3,000–5,000 unique vignettes across 10–14 weeks, with the final 3 weeks dedicated to timed mixed blocks and NBME self-assessments.
Is MDReview cheaper than UWorld?
Yes. MDReview is priced below UWorld over a typical IMG prep window, and includes MCCQE1 and Royal College tracks in the same subscription.
What is a passing Step 2 CK score for IMGs?
The Step 2 CK pass mark is 214, but competitive residency applicants score 245+. IMGs typically need 240+ to be competitive for most US specialties. If your UWorld + NBME average is below 65% with 4 weeks to go, delay your exam — score is the single biggest match factor for IMGs.
How many questions per day for Step 2 CK?
Aim for 40 questions per day in tutored mode for the first 6 weeks, then 80 per day in timed mixed blocks for the final 4 weeks. Total target: 4,000–5,000 unique vignettes plus all 6 NBME self-assessments and UWSA 1 and 2.
What's the best dual MCCQE1 + Step 2 CK schedule?
Write Step 2 CK first, then MCCQE1 6–10 weeks later. Use MDReview's combined track so question history, spaced repetition, and weak-topic tracking carry over. In the gap, focus on Canadian-specific content (population health, ethics, antenatal care, MAID) that Step 2 CK does not cover.
Are NBME self-assessments worth the cost for IMGs?
Yes. NBMEs are the single best predictor of your Step 2 CK score (±10 points). Take one every 2 weeks in the final 8 weeks. If you can only afford a few, prioritise NBME 13, 14, and the most recent UWSA.
How long should an IMG study for Step 2 CK?
10–14 weeks of dedicated full-time prep, or 5–6 months alongside clinical rotations. IMGs who skip the dedicated period typically score 15–20 points lower than predicted.