How many people fail NY bar?

Asked by: scraper  |  Last update: August 20, 2026
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Roughly 30% to 40% of all test-takers fail the New York bar exam, depending on the administration. First-time test-takers generally have a higher success rate.

How many people fail the New York bar?

New Hampshire had the lowest pass percentage for the February 2026 bar exam, at 25%. In New York, where 3,855 test-takers braved a snowstorm to get to the February 2026 exam, 41% passed, up from 39% a year before.

How many times did Michelle Obama fail the bar?

Michelle Obama failed the Illinois bar exam one time. The Harvard Law School graduate did not pass on her first attempt, but successfully passed on her second attempt. She later addressed this in her book Becoming, highlighting that the initial setback did not define her successful legal career.

What percent of people fail the bar?

Nationally, about 30% to 40% of all test-takers fail the bar exam. However, failure rates vary significantly depending on whether it is the applicant's first attempt, the state where they take the test, and their law school's ranking.

How many times did JFK Jr. fail the bar exam?

JFK Jr. failed the bar exam twice before passing on his third attempt. After graduating from NYU Law in 1989, he failed the New York bar in November 1989 and again in February 1990 before finally passing the July 1990 exam.

Here's What Taking the Bar Exam Is Really Like

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Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

While not all attorneys reach the $500K mark, many do by specializing in high-fee practice areas, raising their rates, expanding their law firms, and consistently generating leads.

Who has failed the bar exam the most?

Paulina Bandy. Paulina Bandy has gained some notoriety in the legal world as being the person who perhaps has failed the bar exam more than anyone else. She failed the California bar exam 13 times before passing. She now runs a website dedicated to helping people pass the bar.

Did Kim Kardashian have to take the LSAT?

No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT. She did not attend traditional law school.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is widely considered extremely difficult. It is not an IQ test, but rather a massive operational and memorization test that requires about 8 to 10 weeks of full-time study. The national first-time pass rate hovers around 83% for ABA-accredited law schools, but this drops significantly depending on the state.

Did Joe Biden pass his bar exam?

Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam. He graduated from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968 and was officially admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969.

Did Hillary Clinton ever pass the bar exam?

Hillary Clinton passed the Arkansas bar exam but failed the Washington, D.C. bar exam on her first attempt.

What was Obama's LSAT score?

During his time, the median LSAT scores for Harvard Law were generally between 170 and 175. This suggests that the Obama LSAT scores were within this range, placing him in the top percentiles of test-takers.

Is the NY bar the hardest?

New York has one of the most challenging bar exams in the US, known for its comprehensive scope and the inclusion of state-specific law. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions (MBE), essays, and a performance test.

What famous person failed the bar exam?

John F. Kennedy Jr., failed the NY bar exam twice before he passed on his third try. Hillary Clinton, the 67th Secretary of State, failed the D.C. bar exam on her first attempt but passed the Arkansas bar. Michelle Obama, the current first lady, failed the IL bar exam on her first attempt.

Can I get into a T14 with a 165 LSAT?

A 165 is not high enough to get admitted to a top law school in most cases. However, it is important to remember that half of a law school's entering class is below the median LSAT. At the bottom end of T14 law schools, roughly 25% of the entering class has an LSAT score below 165.

Does passing the baby bar make you a lawyer?

No. Passing the baby bar does not make you a lawyer.

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

Taylor Swift is currently richer than Kim Kardashian, with an estimated net worth of approximately $2 billion compared to Kardashian's $1.7 billion.

Is 167 a bad LSAT score?

An LSAT score of 167 is classified as High, placing you at the 90th percentile based on LSAC normative data. You scored higher than approximately 90% of all LSAT test-takers.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar exam?

The Former First Lady Michelle Obama – (a graduate of Harvard Law School) failed the Illinois bar exam on her first try. Secretary of State and past Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton failed the DC bar exam the first time she took it. She passed the Arkansas bar after that. President Franklin D.

Do most lawyers fail the bar?

In fact, about 40% of bar exam takers will fail the bar exam. The bar exam does NOT measure how smart you are, how hard working you are, or how good of an attorney you will be. Some of the best and brightest attorneys we know have failed the bar exam!

Did JFK Jr. ever pass the bar?

Yes, JFK Jr. eventually passed the bar exam. After graduating from NYU School of Law, he failed the New York bar exam twice before successfully passing on his third attempt in July 1990. He also passed the Connecticut bar exam shortly after.

Who is Elon Musk's lawyer?

Elon Musk’s primary outside attorney and go-to lead trial counsel is Alex Spiro, a partner at the law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.

Who are the Magic 5 lawyers?

The term 'magic circle' was first coined by legal journalists in the late 1990s, and for the past 15 years it has consisted of a distinct group of five: A&O Shearman, Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, and Slaughter and May.

How old is the youngest lawyer?