How many times can you fail the bar in the USA?

Asked by: Schuyler Bartell  |  Last update: January 17, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (41 votes)

While the majority of states (around 35) don't have a limit on the number of times you can take the bar exam, the remaining states typically allow candidates between two and four attempts. These remaining states also fall into two groups: those with absolute limits and those with discretionary limits.

How many times can you fail the bar exam in the USA?

Most states allow 2-4 attempts of the bar exam, but about 35 states, including California, New York, and Florida, don't have any limits on the number of times you can take the bar.

How many attempts to pass the bar?

In California, there is no strict limit to the number of times a candidate can take the bar exam. In other words, if you don't succeed on your first try, you can retake the exam in the subsequent session, and so on.

How many times did JFK fail the bar?

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.

Which 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.

How Many Times Can You Take The Bar Exam?

18 related questions found

Which state bar is hardest?

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 bar exam harder than law school?

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. The bar exam's broader scope and depth of material make it more challenging for most candidates.

Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?

His grades were relatively poor, and he graduated 76th in a class of 85. He was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969. Biden clerked at a Wilmington law firm headed by prominent local Republican William Prickett in 1968 and, he later said, "thought of myself as a Republican".

What bar did JFK propose to Jackie?

And local lore has it that Kennedy proposed to Jackie in a booth at the Georgetown restaurant Martin's Tavern in 1953 — a legend that the restaurant has memorialized on a plaque.

Why do people fail the bar multiple times?

Many students fail the bar exam once then think “I just need more time to study” and then fail it again. Or they work full time or take on other obligations while studying for the bar exam again.

How many times did Kim take the bar?

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!

What is the baby bar?

The First-Year Law Students' Examination, or "baby bar," is administered in June and October. The exam is comprised of 100 multiple-choice questions and no longer includes any essay questions. Two exam sessions are available each day, allowing applicants to choose between a morning or afternoon session.

What are the odds I passed the bar exam?

The bar exam pass rate is typically between 60-80% depending on your bar exam state. That means that 20-40% of people who sit for that bar exam do not pass.

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 can you miss on the bar exam?

That means you'll need to get 115 questions correct out of 190 — or that you can miss up to 75 questions and still pass the MBE!

Who is Jackie Kennedy buried with?

She died in 1994 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery alongside President Kennedy and two of their children, one stillborn and one who died shortly after birth.

Did Jackie put her ring on JFK?

' Dr McClelland recalls that moment slightly differently, suggesting that as well as taking her husband's ring, Jackie Kennedy also placed her own ring on his hand. 'She was very self-contained, not crying or hysterical or anything like that.

What was Jackie's profession before marrying JFK?

Jacqueline started her first job in the fall of 1951 as the "Inquiring Camera Girl" for the Washington Times-Herald newspaper. Roving around the city, she took pictures of people she encountered, asked them questions on the issues of the day, and wove their answers into her newspaper column.

What was Joe Biden's GPA?

He earned his bachelor's in 1965 from the University of Delaware, with a double major in history and political science and a minor in English. He had a "C" average overall for his four years, graduating with a class rank of 506 out of 688.

Who is the youngest person to pass the bar exam in USA?

ROB SCHMITZ, HOST: So what were you doing when you were 17 years and eight months old? Well, Sophia Park was taking the California State Bar exam and breaking a record for the youngest person ever to pass the exam in the state.

What is the hardest bar to pass in the US?

While Delaware has a higher cut score than California, California's bar exam is arguably the hardest in the country because more students take and fail the test.

Is bar or CPA harder?

The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.

Can you skip law school and take the bar exam?

It's four years of hard work or maybe more, but it could be the right path for you! In California, qualified applicants can take the bar exam without going to law school.

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%.