Do most people fail the bar exam the first time?

Asked by: Miss Ruby Ullrich  |  Last update: March 20, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (64 votes)

According to the American Bar Association, 75.79% of people pass after taking the bar exam for the first time in recent years. That averages out to two out of every ten people failing the exam the first time they take it. It is also key to remember that the bar exam is just an exam.

Is it hard to pass the bar exam on the first try?

Despite its difficulty, many law school graduates who take the bar exam pass the first time, with pass rates often ranging from about 50% to nearly 90%, depending on the jurisdiction.

What are the odds of failing the bar exam?

Wondering how test-takers are doing as a whole? According to the most recent data released by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE®), in 2021, of the 64,833 total persons taking the bar exam, 39,873 passed, which is an overall pass rate of 60% (down 1%from the previous year).

How many times did JFK Jr. fail the bar exam?

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 ninety-five years old or passed.

What state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

I Failed the Bar Exam.

36 related questions found

Where did Joe Biden pass the bar exam?

His grades were relatively poor, and he graduated 76th in a class of 85. He was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969. Biden clerked at a Wilmington law firm headed by prominent local Republican William Prickett in 1968 and, he later said, "thought of myself as a Republican".

Which state is the hardest to pass the bar exam?

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.

Is 295 a good bar score?

In order to pass the Uniform Bar Exam, examinees must earn a score of at least 260 on the MBE and MEE. However, a score of 280 is generally considered to be a good score, and a score of 300 to 330 (highest score on bar exam) is considered to be excellent.

How many people pass the bar on their first try?

Unsurprisingly, California has the lowest passage rate (44.42%) by a wide margin. Take even a great in-state school like UCLA and only 86% percent of students are passing on their first try. That gives you an idea of how hard the CA bar is.

Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?

The Bar Exam is often considered more challenging than the NCLEX due to its comprehensive coverage of intricate legal subjects and a lower average pass rate of around 60%.

Is it OK to fail the bar?

Let's face it: everyone hates failing, especially such important exams. However, it might make you feel better to know you are definitely not alone if you have failed the bar exam. According to the American Bar Association, 75.79% of people pass after taking the bar exam for the first time in recent years.

How hard is the bar exam without going to law school?

The bar exam pass rate of an apprentice is about ⅓ of that of a student who attends an ABA approved law school, according to a study by Priceconomics. With a passing rate of approximately 27% for apprentices, it is clear there are topics that can be missed, that a traditional law school is sure to cover.

How hard is it to pass the bar on the first try?

For first time test takers, the nationwide pass rate for the bar exam recently climbed to 79.64%. Roughly translated on a national basis, that means 1 out of every 5 do not pass the bar exam the first time around. However, that number is buoyed by smaller states with higher pass rates.

Why is the bar pass rate so low?

The Large Candidate Pool. In comparison to other states, California has a large number of applicants. The fact that California's population of exam takers is so large contributes to the overall lower pass rate the state is regularly pumping out.

Why do people fail the bar multiple times?

Many students fail the bar exam once then think “I just need more time to study” and then fail it again. Or they work full time or take on other obligations while studying for the bar exam again.

What is a 266 on the bar?

In most states that grade on a 1–6 scale, a 4 is considered a passing score. Here is the exact number a passing score for each essay: A 3.9 is considered passing in Uniform Bar Exam jurisdictions that require a 260 to pass. A 4.0 is considered passing in Uniform Bar Exam jurisdictions that require a 266 to pass.

How many times can you take the bar exam?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California. While it may come as a relief to many students who are planning to take the bar exam in California that there are no limits, California's bar exam is known for being one of the hardest exams in the U.S.

Which state has easy bar exam?

Wisconsin makes the list of easiest bar exams for a unique reason: if you attend an ABA law school in Wisconsin, you don't have to take the bar! Students who have graduated from these universities can just apply to practice law in the state. No studying, no stressing, no grueling examination period.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?

Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.

What was Joe Biden's GPA?

He earned his bachelor's in 1965 from the University of Delaware, with a double major in history and political science and a minor in English. He had a "C" average overall for his four years, graduating with a class rank of 506 out of 688.

Who is the youngest person to pass the bar exam in USA?

ROB SCHMITZ, HOST: So what were you doing when you were 17 years and eight months old? Well, Sophia Park was taking the California State Bar exam and breaking a record for the youngest person ever to pass the exam in the state.

What degree does Jill Biden have?

Biden has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Delaware and master's degrees in education and English from West Chester University and Villanova University, and returned to the University of Delaware for a doctoral degree in education.