How many people never pass the bar?
Asked by: Conor McLaughlin | Last update: October 15, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (53 votes)
Wondering how test-takers are doing as a whole? According to the most recent data released by the National Conference of
What percentage of people never pass the bar exam?
The 79.18% pass rate was up slightly from the 78% pass rate earned by first-time bar examinees in 2022, but lower than the 80% pass rate among 2021 takers and the 84% pass rate earned by 2020 examinees.
Is it normal to not pass the bar exam?
Bar exams are difficult tests, and nationwide, about 25% of graduates of ABA-accredited law schools (the vast majority of law schools) will fail to pass on their first try.
What are the odds of passing the bar exam?
The bar exam pass rate is typically between 60-80% depending on your bar exam state.
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.
The 5 Groups Who Will NEVER Pass the Bar 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.
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.
How common is it to 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.
Why is the bar so hard to pass?
The bar exam is timed, which is pressure in itself. But more than that, the majority of students are trying to learn and remember everything they need to pass the bar in only about 10 weeks. And it's this time crunch that contributes to making the bar exam so hard.
What state has the 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.
Are you officially a lawyer when you pass the bar?
Anyone who studies law and passes the bar exam is classified as a lawyer. So, before hiring a lawyer, find out how far their practice extends. A lawyer's career is slightly more limited than an attorney's career.
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.
Why is the bar pass rate so low?
The Large Candidate Pool. In comparison to other states, California has a large number of applicants. The fact that California's population of exam takers is so large contributes to the overall lower pass rate the state is regularly pumping out.
How hard is it to pass the bar without law school?
Pass Rate. The bar exam pass rate of an apprentice is about ⅓ of that of a student who attends an ABA approved law school, according to a study by Priceconomics. With a passing rate of approximately 27% for apprentices, it is clear there are topics that can be missed, that a traditional law school is sure to cover.
How many people pass the bar on their first try?
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.
What law school has the lowest bar 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.
What happens if you can't pass the bar?
Just like with the LSAT, retaking the bar exam is always an option. If you didn't pass the bar exam, there are several things you can do to regroup and move ahead in preparation for a bar exam retake. Explore different options to refocus and keep progressing.
What does bar stand for?
Some people claim the term bar is an acronym for “British Accredited Registry.” Aside from making little sense, this assertion is patently false. In reality, the word “bar” refers to the railing that separates the working area of the court from the spectator area.
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.
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 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 a 266 on the bar?
In most states that grade on a 1–6 scale, a 4 is considered a passing score. Here is the exact number a passing score for each essay: A 3.9 is considered passing in Uniform Bar Exam jurisdictions that require a 260 to pass. A 4.0 is considered passing in Uniform Bar Exam jurisdictions that require a 266 to pass.
Has anyone ever gotten 100% on the bar exam?
Has anyone ever gotten a perfect score on the bar exam? Have you ever seen an essay exam answer written during an actual state-administered exam that the CA Bar Examiners scored a perfect 100? We never have either, which is why we're bringing it to your attention.
Are bar exams curved?
Most bar takers fall right in the middle on the curve, within a few points of each other. The MBE portion of the bar exam is significant to your overall score in almost all U.S. states. Getting just a few additional points can really tip you into the “passing zone.”