How hard is it to pass the NY law bar exam?

Asked by: Laverne Durgan  |  Last update: December 7, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (61 votes)

Nonetheless, the New York Bar Exam still qualifies as a moderately difficult bar exam. An applicant must score 266 on a 400 point scale in order to pass the New York Uniform Bar Exam (UBE).

Which state bar exam is the hardest?

1. California

Law students across the US may be familiar with the famed “impossible” California bar exam. But why is the California bar exam so hard? For starters, the cut score (the score needed to pass the test) of the California bar is 1390 out of 2000, which is 40 points above the national average.

How long do you need to study for the NY law exam?

How long should I study for the NYLE? We recommend studying for the NYLE for at least one month (4 weeks).

What score do I need to pass NY bar exam?

In order to pass the New York Bar Exam, which is the New York Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), a you must achieve a passing score of at least 266 on a 400 point scale. This makes the New York bar exam moderately difficult compared to other states.

Is New York bar exam the hardest?

How Hard is the New York Bar Exam? The New York bar exam cut score or passing mark (266/400) is higher than it is in some other other states. However, a majority of states have higher score requirements than New York.

How I Passed the New York Bar Exam and How You Can Do It Too

43 related questions found

Is the New York Bar exam open book?

After watching all of the videos and completing the NYLC, you will have unlimited access to re- watch the NYLC videos, without the embedded questions, through your BOLE account. 44. What is the New York Law Exam (NYLE)? The NYLE is a 50-item, two-hour, open-book, multiple-choice test administered online.

How many times can you fail the NY bar exam?

The good news is that you can take the New York bar exam an unlimited amount of times if you do not pass. New York does not place a limit or a restriction on the number of times you may attempt to pass the bar exam. This, of course, does not mean that you want to take it numerous times.

What is the most difficult law exam?

8 Toughest Law Entrance Exams
  • 8 Toughest Law Entrance Exams. ...
  • LSAT (Law School Admission Test) - United States. ...
  • AILET (All India Law Entrance Test) - India. ...
  • CLAT (Common Law Admission Test) - India. ...
  • LNAT (Law National Aptitude Test) - United Kingdom. ...
  • LSAT-India. ...
  • DU LLB Entrance Test - India. ...
  • MH CET Entrance Exam: India.

Can you study for the bar in 6 weeks?

Suffolk strongly recommends that graduates take a minimum of six weeks (eight is better) to prepare for the bar examination.

Which state has 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.

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!

Is the New York bar exam multiple choice?

The New York Uniform Bar Exam includes a six-essay multistate essay section, two multistate "performance tests", and a 200-question multistate multiple choice section (the "multistate bar examination").

How many people fail NY bar?

Oct 24 (Reuters) - New York has joined the growing number of states posting a higher pass rate on the July 2024 bar exam, with 69% of examinees passing its attorney licensing exam.

How hard is it to pass the bar in NY?

On a scale of 260-280 of UBE passage rates, New York strikes a happy balance and requires a score of 266 to pass.

How many times did JFK Jr. 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.

Is bar exam harder than law school?

The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law. The bar exam's broader scope and depth of material make it more challenging for most candidates.

What is the hardest law degree to get?

The hardest law school to get into is Yale Law School, with an acceptance rate of 5.5%. Followed by: Stanford Law School: 7% acceptance rate. The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School: 3.8% acceptance rate.

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.

Is NY the hardest bar exam?

No. It's slightly easier to pass the bar examination in New York than it is in most US states. New York is among the 36 US jurisdictions that have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE). Aspiring lawyers who sit for the bar examination in these 36 jurisdictions are given the exact same examination.

How much is the NY bar exam?

The application fee for the NYS bar examination is $250.

How long is NY bar exam good for?

A passing score on the New York Law Examination is valid for three years from the date the applicant received the passing score.

Is the NY 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.

Can you take the bar exam without law school in New York?

Can I Take the Bar Without Going To Law School In New York? In New York, a person must complete a year of law school and three years of study in a law office under New York Bar Admission Rules Section 520.4. Once all that is completed, an applicant can take the bar exam.

Is the bar exam closed book?

Today, we're talking about studying for the bar, the biggest closed book test you'll ever take, when you haven't taken many closed book exams.