How long is the NY bar exam valid for?
Asked by: Dr. Bobby Carroll | Last update: February 9, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (40 votes)
In New York, your passing score for the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is valid for three years from the date you sat for it, but you must file your full admission application within that three-year window; separate requirements include the New York Law Course (NYLC) (completed within one year before or after the UBE) and the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (MPRE) (score valid for four years).
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.
How long are bar exam scores good for?
Some people think that UBE scores are good for forever, but unfortunately that is not the case as of now. They are good for a maximum of five years. The chart above, from the National Conference of Bar Examiners, shows the maximum age of transferred UBE score by jurisdiction.
Is NY the hardest bar exam?
No, the New York Bar Exam isn't universally considered the hardest, but it's consistently ranked among the most challenging due to its high passing score (266/400) on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), dense content, and immense pressure, though states like California and Florida are often cited as tougher due to stricter state-specific elements or lower pass rates. While its UBE format standardizes some aspects, New York's high standards and demanding content make it a formidable test, though some sources suggest it's more manageable with intense preparation compared to its reputation.
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.
GUIDE: How Long Is The Bar Exam? (+3 Tips For Test Day)
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.
Did Hillary Clinton pass the bar?
Hillary Clinton took both the Washington DC and Arkansas bar exams. While she passed the Arkansas Bar Exam, she did not pass the bar exam in Washington DC. That did not stop her, though! She went on to practice in the intellectual property field in Arkansas and has since become a leading political figure.
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.
Can you pass the bar without going to law school in New York?
Meeting the Requirements
To sit for the New York Bar Exam, you must have a qualifying law degree. This typically means a Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved law school.
Is 287 a good bar score?
Uniform Bar Exam states require a score between 260 and 280 to pass the Uniform Bar Exam. So, if your score was above 280, you technically received a score that is considered passing in every Uniform Bar Exam state. Congratulations if that is the case.
Can you tell if someone passed the bar?
Yes, you can look up if someone passed the bar exam by checking the official state bar association's website, as most publish lists of successful candidates, though results are often released in batches and you'll usually need the person's name and potentially an applicant/file number for specific exam results, while a general license check is available through attorney search directories for licensed lawyers.
Who tops the bar exam in 2025?
UP has topped the 2025 Bar Examinations. The Supreme Court released the good news on Jan. 7, citing Jhenroniel Rhey T. Sanchez of the UP College of Law (UP Law), placing first of all Bar passers, with a 92.7% rating.
Is passing the bar for life?
In California, there is no strict limit to the number of times a candidate can take the bar exam. In other words, if you don't succeed on your first try, you can retake the exam in the subsequent session, and so on.
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 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.
How many times has Kim Kardashian taken in the bar?
Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once, in July 2025, and did not pass, but she did pass the "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in late 2021 after failing it three times previously, allowing her to proceed to the main exam. She has plans to retake the main bar exam, with opportunities in February 2026 and beyond, as California law allows multiple attempts.
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.
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.
How much does it cost to take the NY bar?
The application fee for the NYS bar examination is $250. If you choose to file the on-line application the only acceptable form of payment is a credit card (Visa and Master Card only). Debits cards are not accepted.
What is 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.
Are "tough" exams truly valuable?
Tough exams serve as critical gateways to prestigious universities and professional opportunities.
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?
Did Michelle Obama take 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!
Did RFK Jr pass the bar?
Yes, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. passed the New York State bar exam in 1983 and was admitted to the bar after a character and fitness review, which noted he overcame a past addiction problem and showed significant integrity and intellect. He has practiced environmental law for decades, though he resigned from the California bar with disciplinary charges pending (which refers to a different Robert Kennedy Jr. according to this California Bar search result).
Did Michelle Obama become a lawyer?
Career. Following law school, Obama became an associate at the Chicago office of the law firm Sidley & Austin, where she met her future husband. At the firm, she worked on marketing and intellectual-property law.