Do most people pass the bar the second time?

Asked by: Mrs. Zelma Cassin MD  |  Last update: June 9, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (43 votes)

For California bar exam results, 22% of repeat takers passed the exam, while 26.8% passed overall. You should not let these statistics scare you into thinking that you will not pass the exam as a repeat taker! JD Advising has helped many repeat takers pass the bar exam on the second, third, fourth, etc. try!

What are the odds of passing the bar the second time?

A first-time taker bar exam passage rate of 72% A repeat taker bar exam passage rate of 35%

Do most people fail the bar the first-time?

The 79.18% pass rate was up slightly from the 78% pass rate earned by first-time bar examinees in 2022, but lower than the 80% pass rate among 2021 takers and the 84% pass rate earned by 2020 examinees.

What is the average number of attempts to pass the bar exam?

Even in notoriously difficult California, the bar passage rate for first-time takers last July was 55%. Every US state has a first-time pass rate of more than 50%. If you define “average” to mean “median,” an average recent graduate will pass the bar exam on the first attempt.

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 I Learned From Three Bar-Exam Failures

29 related questions found

What percentage of lawyers never pass the bar?

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).

Is it normal to think you failed the bar?

A top source of post-bar exam anxiety for many examinees is that they feel like they failed the bar exam. If you share that concern, you are not alone! It is completely normal to feel unsure about how you did and anxious about receiving your score.

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.

How many times did JFK take 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.

How hard is it to pass the bar without law school?

Pass Rate. 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.

What is the hardest state to pass the bar exam in?

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.

What is the youngest person to pass the bar?

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. SOPHIA PARK: Well, we were both 13 years old when we started law school.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar?

No, Kim Kardashian has not passed not the California General Bar exam but successfully passed the baby bar in 2021. She cleared it in her fourth attempt. Her journey illustrates the many challenges and frustrations that she has gone through in order to achieve this career in the legal field.

How to pass the bar exam second time?

5 things to do differently to pass the bar exam your second+ time around:
  1. Stop watching lectures. Please don't retake your course. ...
  2. Practice real MBE questions. ...
  3. If your state has an MPT take it seriously for godssakes! ...
  4. Actually learn the law. ...
  5. Take some time to critically think about what went wrong.

Do most people fail the bar exam the first time?

Notably, the most substantial disparity occurred in July 2022, with 36 percent of CALS graduates successfully passing the bar exam as first-time applicants, while only 13 percent of graduates from unaccredited schools achieved the same outcome.

Does everyone take the same bar exam?

Each state has unique bar exam requirements. Most have adopted the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE®), while others have retained their original format (Non-UBE). Some are now shifting to the NextGen bar exam. Despite the differences, nearly all states have similar educational requirements and application processes.

What happens if you fail the bar exam 5 times?

Unlike some states that impose strict or discretionary limits on the number of attempts, California allows candidates to retake the bar exam as many times as necessary until they pass.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

Did Robert F. Kennedy Jr. pass the bar exam?

In 1982, Kennedy was sworn in as an assistant district attorney for Manhattan. After failing the New York bar exam, he resigned in July 1983.

Which state has the lowest bar exam pass rate?

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.

What states don't require passing the bar exam?

Forty-one jurisdictions have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is composed entirely of NCBE-created components. In every U.S. jurisdiction except Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington, all those seeking admission to the bar must pass a bar examination.

What is the hardest bar exam in the world?

The Toughest Bar Exams in the World
  • The South Korea Bar Exam. Passing Rate: 5% ...
  • The Japanese Bar Exam. Passing Rate: 2% but after 2006 it's at 33% ...
  • The New York State Bar Exam. Passing Rate: 70-75%, 78% in 2013. ...
  • The Philippine Bar Exam. Passing Rate: Between 20 to 30% but in 2012 it dipped to % (2nd lowest all time) ...
  • Insights.

Are you a lawyer if you fail the bar?

Attorneys, lawyers, and counsel have all been educated and trained in law. As explained above, attorneys must pass the bar exam and practice law in court. Lawyers have also taken the bar exam, and may or may not practice law. Counsels provide legal advice, and often work for an organization or corporation.

Is it illegal to cheat on the bar exam?

ABA Model Rule 8.4 states it is professional misconduct to “engage in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.” Cheating demonstrates a propensity to violate the critical duty of honesty and candor expected of lawyers.

Is the bar exam curved?

The bar exam curve is very real, and it can be your ally in passing the exam. By understanding how the curve works and leveraging tools like BARBRI's bar prep courses, you can maximize your chances of landing on the passing side.