How many people take the baby bar each year?

Asked by: Dr. Amie Mitchell  |  Last update: January 27, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (10 votes)

Around 500 to over 1,000 people take California's "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination) each year, with specific exam numbers fluctuating but generally falling in that range, as it's required for students in unaccredited law schools or Law Office Study Programs to continue their legal studies. For example, the June 2025 exam had 180 takers, while previous exams saw figures like 323 applicants in June 2019.

What percent of people pass the baby bar?

Baby Bar Exam Statistics from June 2025

From the table below, you can tell that the overall pass rate has been between 13.4% and 32.5%. First-time takers have had a pass rate between 15.1% and 35.6%. Repeat takers have had a pass rate between 5.5% and 37.8%.

How many times has Kim Kardashian taken the baby bar?

Although some fans were confused, Kim had only taken the “baby bar” before attempting the official California State Bar Exam. Back in 2021, she shared on X (formerly Twitter) that she had passed the baby bar on her fourth try. “OMFGGGG I PASSED THE BABY BAR EXAM!!!!” she tweeted at the time.

Is the baby bar hard to pass?

The Baby Bar has a historically low pass rate of around 20% — significantly lower than the general bar exam. Repeat test-takers tend to have even lower pass rates, largely because many do not adjust their study habits.

How many times can you fail the baby bar?

Applicants are given three opportunities to pass the baby bar to get credit for law studies (though it can be taken as many times as you need!). If you don't pass the first time, you are eligible to take the exam again. You can try to pass on either of the next two administrations of the baby bar.

How many times can you take the baby bar exam?

41 related questions found

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 old is the youngest barrister?

An 18 year-old has become the youngest person in the history of the English and Welsh legal system to be called to the Bar.

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.
 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the baby bar test?

Yes, Kim Kardashian passed California's "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination) in December 2021, after failing three times previously, marking a significant milestone in her journey to become a lawyer through the state's Law Office Study program. She announced her success on social media, noting it was a difficult, multi-attempt process but a proud achievement. 

Is the baby bar worth taking?

Even for students attending accredited law schools, taking the baby bar can have several benefits. It provides you with an opportunity to assess your knowledge and understanding of basic legal principles and identify areas where additional focus is needed early on in your studies.

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
 

How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?

She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.

Does passing the baby bar make you a lawyer?

No, passing the California "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination or FYLSE) does not make you a lawyer; it's a hurdle for non-traditional law students to continue their studies, allowing them to sit for the actual California Bar Exam, which, along with character and fitness, is required to become a licensed attorney. You must pass the full California Bar Exam, which tests more subjects, and meet other requirements before you can practice law and call yourself a lawyer. 

What happens if you don't pass the baby bar?

You must pass the baby bar within three tries. Otherwise, you will not receive credit for the legal studies you complete beyond your first year.

Is the bar or CPA harder?

While both are notoriously difficult, many people who've taken both find the CPA exam harder due to its marathon nature (four parts over 18 months) and broad technical scope, compared to the Bar's sprint (one multi-day test) focusing on legal application, though difficulty is subjective and depends on individual strengths in accounting vs. law. The CPA often has lower overall pass rates and requires passing four distinct sections, whereas the Bar tests a single, comprehensive body of legal knowledge, making the CPA feel more like a prolonged, demanding endurance test. 

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

California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam due to its broad scope testing numerous subjects, stringent grading on essays and performance tests (MPT), and historically low pass rates, with Louisiana and New York also ranking as very challenging exams for different reasons, like Louisiana's unique civil law focus and New York's massive volume and competitive market.
 

Is the baby bar harder than the real bar?

The Baby Bar (FYLSE) often has a lower pass rate (around 20-25%) than the main California Bar Exam (around 40-50%), leading many to say it feels harder, though the difficulty is debated and often attributed to the different test-taker pool (non-ABA students vs. all law grads) and lack of full law school training, making it a significant hurdle for those on an alternative path like Kim Kardashian. While the main bar tests many subjects over two days, the baby bar is shorter (one day, three subjects) but incredibly challenging due to its low success rate and specific focus on first-year law topics for non-traditional students.
 

Did Kim actually get a law degree?

No, Kim Kardashian did not graduate from a traditional law school; she completed a legal apprenticeship through California's Law Office Study Program (LOSP), a non-traditional route for aspiring lawyers, and while she completed the program requirements in May 2025, she still needs to pass the actual California Bar Exam to become a licensed attorney.
 

Why did Kim fail her bar exam?

Kim Kardashian revealed the emotional moment she found out she failed the California bar exam in the season finale of The Kardashians. In the episode, Kim checks her results alongside Khloé, Kris, and her son Saint, admitting she knew her essays weren't strong enough.

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.

What's the hardest exam for lawyers?

What is the hardest bar exam to pass? California has a notoriously hard bar exam, with only 45% of first-time takers passing the Feb 2024 bar exam, and 24% of repeat takers passing the July 2023 exam. However, there are other states with lower pass rates in July 2023, including Maine, Wyoming, and Maryland.

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 oldest age to go to law school?

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under age 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40. Many older law school graduates build fulfilling second careers that draw on preexisting skills and experiences.

What is the youngest age to be a judge?

The Constitution does not provide any eligibility criteria – such as age, literacy, citizenship, legal education, legal/bar or any professional certification, and legal/judicial experience – for one to be appointed as a federal judge.