How to deal with not passing the bar exam?

Asked by: Virgil Brown  |  Last update: January 15, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (7 votes)

What To Do If You Failed The Bar Exam
  1. Take a Breather and Reflect. Let's face it: everyone hates failing, especially such important exams. ...
  2. Look at Your Score Report. ...
  3. Identify Areas of Improvement and Areas of Weaknesses. ...
  4. Figure Out Your Next Steps.

How to cope with failing the bar exam?

How do you get through it? In my experience, take a week or two off before getting back into studying again. Give yourself a minute to breath. Go do something fun. Go on vacation/staycation. Get yourself to a mental place where you are ready to tackle this. It's just another step in your path to becoming an attorney.

Can you still be a lawyer if you don't pass the bar?

Attorneys, lawyers, and counsel have all been educated and trained in law. As explained above, attorneys must pass the bar exam and practice law in court. Lawyers have also taken the bar exam, and may or may not practice law. Counsels provide legal advice, and often work for an organization or corporation.

Is it normal to think you failed the bar?

It is very common to fail the bar, often multiple times. I know a guy who failed seven times first and all anyone thinks of him now is that he's amazing as he's a lawyer. I get your disappointment though. Give yourself a while to feel sorry for yourself, it's normal to take a bit ego hit.

Why do most bars fail?

Even with the best concept, location, and service, your bar will struggle if no one knows about it. Many bars fail due to inadequate marketing efforts or a lack of a cohesive promotional strategy.

What I Learned From Three Bar-Exam Failures

30 related questions found

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 percentage of lawyers never pass the bar?

Wondering how test-takers are doing as a whole? According to the most recent data released by the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE®), in 2021, of the 64,833 total persons taking the bar exam, 39,873 passed, which is an overall pass rate of 60% (down 1%from the previous year).

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.

Do law firms fire you if you don't pass the bar?

In most cases, you will be given a second chance.

Many firms have stated policies that allow new hires who fail the bar to retake the exam the next administration. Although it might not be written into your employment contract, there is generally an understanding that you will get a second attempt.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Why is the bar exam so stressful?

Common Causes of Stress

Time pressure: The bar exam is a time-constrained test, so there is inherent pressure to complete it within the allocated time. The volume of material to cover while studying also necessitates strong time management skills.

What do you say to someone who failed the bar exam?

  • It's OK to let them be upset! Your first inclination to comfort a friend that failed the bar exam may be to smother them with positivity. ...
  • Let them know you know how tough the bar exam is. ...
  • Remind them they are not starting from scratch. ...
  • Try to assist them in moving forward.

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.

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.

How many times can you take the bar exam?

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.

What happens if you can't pass the bar exam?

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.

How hard is law school?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

Do most lawyers never go to court?

When you see legal movies or television shows, they almost always take place in court. This breeds a common misconception that most legal cases require trial. In reality, going to court is only one aspect of litigated cases albeit a very important one. Not every type of lawyer goes to court.

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%.

How do I make sure I pass the bar?

Bar Prep Throughout Law School
  1. It starts your first year. ...
  2. Learn how you learn. ...
  3. “Consistent and constant review” ...
  4. Use memory hacks. ...
  5. Take advantage of academic resources on campus. ...
  6. Get all the legal experience you can. ...
  7. Make it a game. ...
  8. It's not a study routine—it's a lifestyle change.

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!