Can you see who failed the bar?
Asked by: Ethelyn Ryan | Last update: March 12, 2026Score: 4.3/5 (37 votes)
No, you generally cannot see a public list of who failed the bar exam; states usually only publish lists of those who passed, with some states (like Illinois, Nebraska) publishing nothing at all, while others (like New York, California) post pass lists online, sometimes requiring login for specifics, but not failure lists, though pass/fail status is often a private notification.
Can you look up if someone failed the bar?
Applicants who failed the bar exam have their examination numbers, but not their names, listed. Examinees receive a letter in the mail with their score. Bar Exam results are not posted publicly.
Can you look up who passed the bar?
Yes, you can look up if someone passed the bar exam by checking the official state bar association's website, as most publish lists of successful candidates, though results are often released in batches and you'll usually need the person's name and potentially an applicant/file number for specific exam results, while a general license check is available through attorney search directories for licensed lawyers.
Who has failed the bar exam?
Twenty Celebrities Who Failed The Bar Exam
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt. ...
- First Lady Michelle Obama. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Michelle Obama failed the bar exam the first time she sat for it. ...
- John F. ...
- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. ...
- Kathleen Sullivan. ...
- Kamala Harris. ...
- Jerry Brown. ...
- Governor Pete Wilson.
Do most lawyers fail the bar?
The National Conference of Bar Examiners last released overall bar exam pass rate data in 2022. In 2022, 62,951 students took the bar exam and 59% of bar exam takers passed the bar exam.
So You Failed the Bar Exam...
Do smart people fail the bar exam?
The bar exam does not measure intelligence, success or your ability to practice law. There are multiple reasons that perfectly smart, capable and talented lawyers-to-be fail the bar.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What was Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed to have been very high, likely in the 170-175 range, to gain admission to Harvard Law School with a relatively low undergraduate GPA. Analysts suggest he needed a score in the top percentiles (perhaps 94th-98th) to overcome his lower GPA and secure a spot at the prestigious institution, indicating a strong performance near the perfect 180 score.
Did Kim Kardashian pass her bar test?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
Did JFK fail the bar exam?
Kennedy, did not pass the bar exam on his first try. In fact, it wasn't until his third try that he finally passed the New York Bar Exam.
Can ChatGPT pass the bar exam?
Yes, the advanced version, GPT-4, passed the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) with a strong score (around the 90th percentile), demonstrating impressive legal knowledge, but it's considered a powerful tool for lawyers, not a replacement, as it lacks the crucial human elements of judgment, ethical reasoning, and real-world application needed to practice law independently, according to research and legal experts.
Can I call myself a lawyer after passing the bar?
Yes. In most states, calling yourself a “lawyer” requires graduation from an accredited law school, passing a state bar exam, and meeting ethical standards; using the title without meeting these criteria can constitute the unauthorized practice of law.
Are bar scores public?
Public Posting Policies
Some jurisdictions, such as California, New York, and Texas, publicly post the names of those who pass the bar exam, while others, such as Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Massachusetts, do not.
Can you look up who has passed the bar exam?
Yes, you can look up if someone passed the bar exam by checking the official state bar association's website, as most publish lists of successful candidates, though results are often released in batches and you'll usually need the person's name and potentially an applicant/file number for specific exam results, while a general license check is available through attorney search directories for licensed lawyers.
Which state is the hardest to pass the bar exam?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam due to its broad scope testing numerous subjects, stringent grading on essays and performance tests (MPT), and historically low pass rates, with Louisiana and New York also ranking as very challenging exams for different reasons, like Louisiana's unique civil law focus and New York's massive volume and competitive market.
Is 325 a good bar exam score?
Depending on how many people have taken the UBE, a score of 280 is approximately the 73rd percentile. A 300 is in about the 90th percentile, and 330 is in the top 1% of all scores.
How many times can you fail the bar exam?
You can usually fail the bar exam an unlimited number of times, as most states have no cap, but some have limits (e.g., 3-6 attempts) that can sometimes be extended with special permission, while a few have strict "hard limits," so checking your specific jurisdiction's rules is crucial.
How is Kim getting her law degree?
But Kim Kardashian did not graduate from law school. Instead, she endeavored to complete the study requirements of California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP) to be eligible to take the California Bar. This is a process we at Esq. Apprentice call legal apprenticeship.
Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?
As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
Did Michelle Obama pass her bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.
What score did Elle Woods get on her LSAT?
Elle Woods scored a 179 on the LSAT, just one point shy of a perfect 180, after going from a 143 on a practice test to achieving this near-perfect score by studying intensely for Harvard Law School. Her remarkable score, combined with a 4.0 GPA, secured her admission to Harvard Law.
Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?
Yes, Joe Biden earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968 and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969, indicating he passed the bar exam required for practice, despite graduating in the lower half of his class.
Did JFK Jr pass bar?
Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1989. He then failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third try in July 1990. After failing the exam for a second time, Kennedy vowed that he would continue to take it until he was 95 years old or passed.
How many times did Hillary take the bar exam?
Hillary Clinton, the 67th Secretary of State, failed the D.C. bar exam on her first attempt but passed the Arkansas bar.