Is Barbri free if you fail?

Asked by: Mollie Hettinger  |  Last update: July 5, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (73 votes)

Yes, BARBRI offers a "Free Repeat" guarantee if you fail the bar exam, provided you meet certain requirements. You can retake the same course for the same jurisdiction without paying additional tuition, typically within 12 months of your original exam date.

Do you have to pay for BARBRI again if you fail?

No, you generally do not have to pay for the BARBRI Bar Review course again if you fail, provided you meet their specific requirements. Under the BARBRI Guarantee, you can retake the course for the same jurisdiction for free if you do not pass on your first attempt, as long as you completed a set percentage (usually 70-75%) of your Personal Study Plan.

Is BARBRI free for retakers?

The BARBRI Bar Review Guarantee

Repeat your BARBRI Bar Review course for the same jurisdiction without paying additional tuition if you don't pass the bar the first time. With BARBRI Bar Review's Free Repeat Guarantee, you may take a BARBRI Bar Review course the next time the exam is offered.

What happens if I fail the bar test?

Failing the bar exam is a common, difficult experience that often leads to retaking the exam, adjusting to a non-lawyer job role temporarily, and shifting study strategies, but it does not mean your legal career is over. Most states allow unlimited retakes, though job offers at firms are typically withdrawn or converted to law clerk positions.

What is the pass rate for BARBRI?

Roughly 90% of BARBRI students who complete the majority of their assigned bar prep course pass the bar exam. For first-time takers from ABA-accredited law schools who finish at least 80% of the coursework, pass rates often exceed 90%.

Why Barbri and Themis Students Still Fail (And What They Miss)

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Do most people finish BARBRI?

Most people do not finish 100% of the Barbri course. The Barbri study plan is notoriously packed, and completing 75% to 80% of the assigned coursework is widely considered the "sweet spot" for being fully prepared to pass the bar exam.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar exam?

Yes, Michelle Obama passed the bar exam and became a licensed attorney, though she did not pass on her first attempt. The Harvard Law School graduate failed the Illinois bar exam on her first try but passed on her second attempt. She subsequently practiced intellectual property law at Sidley & Austin in Chicago.

Did Kim Kardashian pass or fail the bar?

As of May 2026, Kim Kardashian has not passed the full California bar exam, having failed her July 2025 attempt. Although she passed the preliminary "baby bar" exam on her fourth attempt in 2021, she continues to study for the main bar exam, facing continued challenges in her legal journey.

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, some lawyers make $500,000 a year or more, but it is not typical for the average attorney. Earning this amount usually requires becoming a partner at a large firm, specializing in high-stakes corporate law, or running a successful personal injury practice. While top earners exceed this amount, many lawyers earn far less.

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

John F. Kennedy Jr. failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third attempt in July 1990.

Why is BARBRI so expensive?

Barbri is expensive primarily because it dominates the market as the "gold standard" premium provider, offering comprehensive, long-standing study materials, personalized AI-driven study plans, and extensive expert support that competitors often lack. Its high cost reflects a "more is better" approach designed for maximum content coverage, rather than efficiency or lowest price.

Does BARBRI have a pass guarantee?

If you do not pass the bar exam on your first attempt, you may retake the course for the same state with no additional fees within 12 months of your exam results date. The BARBRI Guarantee does not include any upgrades, including but not limited to, supplemental workshops or a new set of books.

Is 2 months enough to study for the bar?

Yes, two months is enough time to study for the bar exam, but only if you treat it as a rigorous, full-time commitment of 40–50 hours per week. Most standard commercial bar review courses (like Barbri or Kaplan) are designed around an 8 to 10-week timeline.

Is BARBRI harder than the actual bar exam?

Yes, many test-takers and experts find BARBRI practice questions, especially the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) sets, to be more difficult and nuanced than the actual bar exam. While BARBRI simulates a high-difficulty environment to ensure preparedness, the actual exam often features more straightforward questions, allowing students to feel better prepared on test day.

Is it common to fail the baby bar?

If you failed the baby bar exam, you are not alone. The baby bar exam typically has about a 20% pass rate!

Is a 307 a good bar score?

Yes, a score of 307 on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) is an excellent score. It places you in roughly the 90th percentile of all test-takers nationwide.

Is Kim Kardashian a lawyer or attorney?

No, Kim Kardashian is not currently a licensed lawyer or attorney. While she completed a four-year legal apprenticeship program in California in May 2025 and passed the "baby bar" exam in 2021, she did not pass the full California Bar Exam in late 2025.

Is 27 too late for law school?

No, 27 is not too late for law school; it is actually a common age for "non-traditional" students, often seen as an advantage due to maturity and work experience. Many law schools value students with professional experience, and you will likely find many classmates in their late 20s and early 30s.

Who is a billionaire lawyer?

John Morgan is a prominent billionaire lawyer, widely recognized as the founder of Morgan & Morgan, America's largest personal injury law firm. He built his fortune through massive advertising and a high-volume litigation model, with the firm generating around $2 billion in revenue in 2023.

Is the baby bar harder than the real bar?

Objectively, the "baby bar" (the First-Year Law Students' Examination) is not harder than the real bar exam. However, it feels harder because it has notoriously low pass rates (typically under 20-25%), largely because it serves as a strict filter for students lacking traditional law school training.

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.

Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?

As of March 2026, Taylor Swift is richer than Kim Kardashian, with a reported net worth of approximately $2 billion compared to Kardashian's $1.9 billion. Swift's fortune skyrocketed due to the record-breaking success of her Eras Tour and the valuation of her music catalog.

Did Joe Biden pass the bar?

Yes, Joe Biden passed the Delaware bar exam on his first attempt in 1969. Although he graduated near the bottom of his class from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, he was admitted to the bar the following year and practiced briefly as a lawyer before entering politics.

How is Ben Affleck related to Barack Obama?

Ben Affleck and Barack Obama are distant cousins. Genealogists have traced their family trees and determined that the actor and the former U.S. president are 11th cousins.

Did Hillary Clinton ever pass the bar exam?

Yes, Hillary Clinton passed the Arkansas bar exam, although she famously failed the Washington D.C. bar exam on her first attempt. After failing the D.C. exam in the early 1970s, she moved to Arkansas, where she passed the bar and began her career, never retaking the D.C. exam.