How many hours is the New York bar exam?

Asked by: Dr. Cali Jacobs DDS  |  Last update: July 24, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (16 votes)

New York is one of the states that administers a state-specific test in addition to the 2-day, 12-hour bar exam. Candidates must first complete the New York Law Course (NYLC), which is an on demand, online course of approximately 17 hours of instruction relating specifically to New York law.

How long is the NY bar exam?

The New York Bar Exam is a 2-day exam. On Day 1 you'll have two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions in the morning and six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) questions in the afternoon.

Is the 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 many hours does it take to pass the bar exam?

If you were an average law student, then studying for the bar exam for about 400 hours will likely be sufficient. About 200 hours should be dedicated to learning the law and memorizing your outlines. The other 200 hours should be spent completing practice bar exam questions.

Can you study for the bar in 7 weeks?

While your study time, days and location are extremely flexible, passing the bar exam requires time and commitment. Plan on spending approximately 40 hours per week over 8-10 weeks studying for the bar exam.

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

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How many people fail the bar exam the first time?

Unsurprisingly, California has the lowest passage rate (44.42%) by a wide margin. Take even a great in-state school like UCLA and only 86% percent of students are passing on their first try. That gives you an idea of how hard the CA bar is.

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.

What's the hardest state bar to pass?

Which State Bar Is Most Difficult? 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 the NY bar exam curved?

The New York bar exam is graded on a curve or scale. The New York bar examiners convert the two written section scores (of the MEE and the MPT) into scaled scores on the MBE scale, before weighing the MEE 30% and the MPT 20% (learn the New York bar exam format).

What is the hardest bar subject?

Many aspiring attorneys who have taken or are presently studying for the bar exam, however, appear to agree that the following three topics are the most difficult: Real Property. Contracts. Civil Procedure.

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.

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!

How many people fail the New York Bar exam?

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 many essays are on NY bar?

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 times can you take the bar?

There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California. While it may come as a relief to many students who are planning to take the bar exam in California that there are no limits, California's bar exam is known for being one of the hardest exams in the U.S.

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.

Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?

The Bar Exam is often considered more challenging than the NCLEX due to its comprehensive coverage of intricate legal subjects and a lower average pass rate of around 60%.

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.

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 much is the NY bar exam?

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

What to bring to NY bar exam?

Bar exam applicants should be sure to bring their admissions certification and photo ID, a selection of pens, pencils, and highlighters, along with an eraser and manual pencil sharpener to the bar exam.

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 295 a good bar score?

In order to pass the Uniform Bar Exam, examinees must earn a score of at least 260 on the MBE and MEE. However, a score of 280 is generally considered to be a good score, and a score of 300 to 330 (highest score on bar exam) is considered to be excellent.

What law school has the lowest bar pass rate?

Law Schools with the Lowest Bar-Exam Pass Rate
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law: 25 percent.
  • University of San Francisco: 33 percent.
  • University of La Verne: 34 percent.
  • Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico School of Law: 39 percent.
  • Inter-American: 43 percent.
  • Appalachian School of Law: 44 percent.