Do smart people fail the bar exam?

Asked by: Susan Goldner  |  Last update: March 29, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (67 votes)

Yes, smart people fail the bar exam frequently because it tests a different skill set than law school (application, speed, structure) rather than just intelligence, often due to overthinking, underestimating the exam's formulaic nature, poor time management, lack of practice with specific exam formats (MBE, MEE, MPT), anxiety, or life issues, rather than a lack of smarts. Famous examples, including Hillary Clinton and FDR, highlight that intelligence isn't enough for this specific test.

How smart do you have to be to pass the bar exam?

In fact, about 40% of bar exam takers will fail the bar exam. The bar exam does NOT measure how smart you are, how hard working you are, or how good of an attorney you will be. Some of the best and brightest attorneys we know have failed the bar exam!

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?

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.
 

How many times did Michelle Obama fail the bar?

After graduating from Harvard Law School, Michelle Obama failed the bar exam the first time she sat for it. Mrs. Obama went on to practice intellectual property law for Sidley & Austin before becoming First Lady!

How high of an IQ do you need to be a lawyer?

The average person's IQ is somewhere between 90 and 109; the mean result for most IQ tests is 100. The average lawyer's IQ is 112, at least 20 points below Mensa membership.

Bar Exam Expert Explains Why Smart Students Fail (and How to Fix It)

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What is Snoop Dogg's IQ?

Snoop Dogg reportedly has an IQ of 147, a score that places him in the "highly gifted" or genius category, according to various sources. He himself expressed surprise at this high score, noting that he was a C-student in school, highlighting the contrast between academic performance and innate intelligence,. 

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
 

How many times has Kim Kardashian failed the bar?

Kim Kardashian failed the California "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) three times before passing it in December 2021, and has failed the main California Bar Exam once as of November 2025, vowing to retake it again in 2026. Her failures, particularly with the baby bar, were public, but she persevered to pass that first hurdle on her fourth attempt. 

Is the bar or CPA harder?

While both are notoriously difficult, many people who've taken both find the CPA exam harder due to its marathon nature (four parts over 18 months) and broad technical scope, compared to the Bar's sprint (one multi-day test) focusing on legal application, though difficulty is subjective and depends on individual strengths in accounting vs. law. The CPA often has lower overall pass rates and requires passing four distinct sections, whereas the Bar tests a single, comprehensive body of legal knowledge, making the CPA feel more like a prolonged, demanding endurance test. 

Did JFK fail the bar exam?

John F.

failed the New York bar exam twice before passing it on his third try.

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.
 

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 did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.

What personality do most lawyers have?

According to a 1993 study conducted by Larry Richard, the most prevalent personality types for lawyers are:

  • ISTJ (17.8 per cent)
  • INTJ (13.1 per cent)
  • ESTJ (10.3 per cent)
  • ENTP (9.7 per cent)
  • INTP (9.4 per cent)
  • ENTJ (9.0 per cent)

Is law school harder than med school?

Medical school is generally considered harder due to its intense, fact-heavy curriculum requiring massive memorization and dealing with life-or-death stakes, while law school focuses more on reading, critical thinking, and analysis, though both are rigorous and demand significant commitment. Med school involves vast scientific knowledge and clinical rotations, whereas law school builds analytical "thinking like a lawyer" through heavy reading, writing, and case application, culminating in high-stakes final exams.
 

Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?

The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao, India's JEE Advanced, and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam, renowned for immense competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences for a small number of successful candidates, often competing with tests like the All Souls Prize, Master Sommelier Diploma, and CFA for top spots. 

Is law school harder than accounting?

Is It Easier to Become a Lawyer or an Accountant? Lawyers and accountants both require a specialized education, but it is easier to become an accountant. A typical lawyer goes through a four year college program, plus three years of law school before they can be admitted to the bar.

What is the hardest licensing exam in the US?

1. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

  • Pass rates vary widely by subject. ...
  • The exams on this list rank as the toughest in the United States because they combine heavy content, strict testing rules, and long-term consequences. ...
  • These exams also carry practical consequences.

What percent of people pass all 4 CPA exams first try?

While there's no official statistic, estimates suggest around 13% to 20% of candidates pass all four CPA exams on their first attempt, with individual section pass rates usually hovering around 40-50% (like FAR at ~40%, REG at ~60%), making consecutive first-time passes challenging. The overall difficulty means most candidates take multiple tries or the full 18-month window to pass all sections, not all at once. 

How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?

Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady. 

Does passing the baby bar make you a lawyer?

No, passing the "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination or FYLSE) in California does not make you a lawyer, but it's a crucial step for non-traditional students to continue their legal education and qualify to take the full California Bar Exam, which, along with character & fitness, is required for licensure. The Baby Bar tests first-year law subjects (Contracts, Criminal Law, Torts), while the main Bar Exam tests a much broader range of law, and passing it is the final hurdle before becoming a licensed attorney. 

Do celebrities have an advantage in law?

Many believe that celebrities who are accused of crimes are more likely to be acquitted or receive lighter sentences than non- celebrity citizens. ' While it is possible that this belief is a myth, there is some truth to this idea.

What is the lowest paid lawyer?

There's no single minimum salary for lawyers, as pay varies wildly by location, firm size, and specialization, but entry-level salaries range from around $50k-$70k in public interest/small firms to over $200k at big corporate firms, with overall averages often near $100k-$120k. The lowest earnings are typically in public service, while high-paying areas include corporate law, IP, and big cities like NYC or D.C. 

How old is the youngest lawyer?

The youngest lawyer is generally considered to be Sophia Park, who passed the California bar exam at 17 years and 8 months old in late 2024, breaking her brother Peter's previous record, though she'll be sworn in and licensed in March 2025 after turning 18, as most jurisdictions require lawyers to be 18. She accelerated her education, starting law school at 13 while in junior high and graduating early.
 

How difficult is law school?

Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.