How hard is the New York bar exam?
Asked by: Domenico Harvey | Last update: February 11, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (44 votes)
The New York Bar Exam is considered difficult due to its comprehensive scope and significant volume of material, testing legal knowledge, communication, and analytical skills across multiple parts (MBE, MEE, MPT). While New York's passing score of 266 is moderate compared to other states, its rigorous standards and high expectations make it a challenging hurdle, with overall pass rates typically around 70% but much lower for first-timers compared to highly successful cohorts, highlighting its demanding nature.
What is the pass rate for the NY bar exam?
The passing rate for the 5,746 Juris Doctor graduates of American Bar Association accredited law schools who took the bar examination for the first time in July 2025 is 89%, an increase of 1% from last year and the highest passing rate for this cohort on a July exam since 2009.
Which US bar exam is the hardest?
Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has an overall pass rate of 54%.
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.
Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?
The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao (college entrance), India's IIT-JEE Advanced (engineering), and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam (government jobs), due to their extreme competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences, though other candidates like the All Souls Prize or Master Sommelier Diploma are also noted for extreme difficulty. These exams demand immense knowledge, analytical skills, and endurance, with failure often meaning significant setbacks, making them notoriously difficult.
How I Passed the New York Bar Exam and How You Can Do It Too
What are the top 5 hardest exams in the US?
The top 5 hardest exams in the U.S. often cited include the USMLE (medical licensing), CFA (finance), Bar Exam (law, especially California's), CPA (accounting), and either the MCAT (medical school entry) or GRE (graduate school), chosen for their rigorous content, low pass rates, extensive preparation, and high stakes in becoming licensed professionals or entering elite graduate programs, notes student accommodation and MastersDegree.net.
What's the easiest exam in the world?
List of Easiest Exams in the World
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
- SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
- National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) Exams.
- Cambridge English: Key (KET)
- SSC Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) Exam.
- IELTS General Training Test.
- Gaokao Mock Test.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
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.
What was Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?
Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com.
What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?
Easiest Bar Exams to Pass for First-Time Takers:
Utah: Utah had the highest first-time pass rate in July 2023, with 94% of first-time takers passing the exam. (It's pass rate dipped to 69% in February 2024, but this is still higher than most other jurisdictions.) It also has a low passing score of 260.
Can you work while studying for the bar?
It is completely possible to have a full-time job and study for the bar exam. But you have to know when to turn it off for the night. Studying for the bar exam is about being honest with yourself on what works for you and what doesn't, what areas you really know, and which ones you need to spend more time on.
What are common bar exam mistakes?
The Mistake:
Reading outlines, highlighting pages, or re-watching lectures without testing your understanding creates the illusion of productivity. Passive learning is easy—but it's not what the bar rewards.
How many times did JFK Jr. fail the bar?
John F. Kennedy Jr. failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third attempt in July 1990, after first failing in November 1989 and February 1990. He had to pass on his third try to keep his job as a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office.
Is it harder to get into NYU or Columbia law?
Both Columbia Law School and NYU Law, as top-tier, highly prestigious law schools, are extremely difficult to get into, but Columbia often edges out NYU as slightly harder by traditional metrics like acceptance rates, though both are very selective, with chances depending heavily on your profile, and some sources suggesting Columbia has a slight edge due to its Ivy League status and Big Law placement strength.
What happens if you fail the NY bar?
Deciding Whether and When to Re-Take the Bar Exam
Once you fully process that you failed the bar exam, you can decide whether you want to retake it, and if so, when. Generally speaking, it is best to take the following bar exam (e.g., if you failed the July bar exam, take the February bar exam), with a few exceptions.
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.
Did Kim Kardashian write the LSAT?
No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT because she pursued a different path to becoming a lawyer, opting for a four-year law apprenticeship in California instead of traditional law school, which doesn't require the LSAT. Instead of LSAT prep, she focused on studying under practicing attorneys and passed California's "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) in 2021 after several attempts, a prerequisite for her apprenticeship program.
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.
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.
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 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.
In which country is education toughest?
Here's a list of contries with the toughest education system. 1-China 2-Russia 3-Korea 4-India 5-Singapore 6-Hongkong 8-Italy 9-Poland 10-Czech Do you think this list is incomplete?
Which is the easiest government job to get?
The easiest government jobs to get are typically entry-level roles with lower barriers to entry, like administrative assistants, clerks, customer service representatives, and certain NAF (Non-Appropriated Fund) positions (e.g., marina attendant, housekeeper), often requiring basic skills or high school diplomas and high turnover rates. For India, SSC MTS (Multi-Tasking Staff) and RRB Group D are considered easier exams for 10th-pass candidates.