How long is the Ontario bar exam?

Asked by: Josefa Wilkinson  |  Last update: August 15, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (31 votes)

How long is the LSO bar exam? Each exam is approximately 7 hours, broken into two, 3.5 hour time blocks separated by a lunch break.

Is the Ontario bar exam hard?

The Ontario Bar Exams might not have the same notorious reputation as the New York Bar, but they are not easy. However, with some help, some strategizing, and some deep breathing, you can and will pass the rewrite.

What is the fail rate for the Ontario bar exam?

The latest statistics from the LSO indicate that overall, only 71 percent of candidates were successful on their first attempt at the barrister exam, and only 69 percent of candidates were successful on their solicitor exam.

Is the Ontario bar exam curved?

The Law Society does not use a bell curve, and there is no pre-determined rate for the proportion of candidates who will pass a licensing examination.

How many times can you fail the bar in Ontario?

How many times am I permitted to write one or more failed licensing examination(s)? During your licensing term, you may write the barrister and solicitor licensing examinations up to three times each.

Should I use the index when taking the Ontario bar exam? #barexam #law #educational #education

23 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).

How long does it take to study for the Ontario bar?

A single read-through can be achieved in six weeks by reading approximately 38 pages each day until your exam. While that doesn't sound like fun, it is absolutely possible—many candidates actually aim to read 50 pages per day or more.

Which state is the hardest to pass the bar exam?

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.

Is 300 a good bar exam score?

A 300 is approximately the 90th percentile. A 280 is approximately the 73rd percentile. A 270 is approximately the 58th percentile. A 260 is approximately the 44th percentile.

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.

How many questions are on the Ontario bar exam?

Timing the Ontario Bar Exams

Time is of the essence for the Ontario Bar examinations. For in-person exams, you have 3.5 hours in the morning to answer 120 multiple-choice questions and another 3.5 hours in the afternoon to answer the remaining 120 questions.

What is a bad bar exam score?

Those with total scale scores after one reading below 1350 fail the exam. If the applicant's total scale score is at least 1350 but less than 1390 after one reading, their answers are read a second time by a different set of graders.

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

What Makes California One of The Hardest Bar Exams? Part of what makes the California bar exam so difficult is how grueling it can be to complete. Typically, the bar exam is a multi-day event consisting of hundreds of multiple-choice questions and other sections that require open response answers.

Is one month enough to study for the bar exam?

Plan on roughly 400 hours of total study time. We recommend that students studying full-time begin 8-10 weeks (40-50 hours/week) before their exam. Those with extra responsibilities (e.g., job, children, etc.) should start studying as much as 4 months out (16-25 hours/week).

How many people pass the bar in Ontario?

The truth is that students DO fail the Ontario bar . Anecdotally the pass rate is believed to be in the 90% range.

How much is a lawyer in Canada?

Hourly rates of lawyers range from $300-$600 while law clerks charge lower rates from $150 to $250 per hour. Litigation is an expensive undertaking due to the time and effort spent on the case . The more complex the case, the higher the cost.

Is the bar exam multiple choice?

The multiple-choice portion is typically administered on the second day, with 100 questions given in the morning (divided into two morning sessions) and 100 questions given in the afternoon (divided into two afternoon sessions).

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 bar exam harder than law school?

Generally, the bar exam is considered harder than the LSAT. 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.

Can I take the bar without going to law school Ontario?

You must complete a Bachelor of Laws (L.L.B.) program or Juris Doctor (J.D.) program in order to qualify for bar membership in any Canadian province or territory.

How hard is it to pass the bar in Canada?

The bar exam is a comprehensive and highly challenging exam that will require you to study extensively. This article is all about preparing for the bar exam. We will explore the different pathways students may take before writing the bar, and what you can do to be ready to succeed when it is your time to write.

How many practice questions before bar exam?

Although there's no magic number, there is a general range of MBE practice questions you should complete. For most students, this optimal range is between 800-1000 questions. This includes both untimed questions and timed sections.