Is CA bar difficult?
Asked by: Tyson Mitchell | Last update: October 5, 2025Score: 4.4/5 (55 votes)
Yes, the California bar exam is widely considered to be the most difficult of all state bar exams in the US. The California bar exam has a pass rate of 34%.
Is the California bar hard to pass?
In conclusion, the California bar exam is known for being a difficult and challenging exam. Its broad scope, high pass rate, and focus on legal writing and problem-solving skills make it more challenging than some other state bar exams.
Which US bar exam is the hardest?
Which bar exam is hardest? California is considered by many to be the most difficult bar exam. It has a relatively low pass rate and a relatively high minimum passing score and covers a lot of state law.
How long should you study for California bar?
Time is of the essence!
In the 10 weeks prior to the bar exam, your bar studies will require the bulk of your time and attention. Most California Law graduates spend at least 50 hours per week studying in May and June and 60 hours per week studying in July.
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.
The Bar Exam, Is It Really That Hard?
Who is the youngest person to pass the California bar exam?
Teenage siblings break records passing the California bar exam : NPR. Teenage siblings break records passing the California bar exam Sophia Park has become the youngest person to pass the California bar exam at 17 years, 8 months old.
How many times can you take bar exam in California?
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.
Can you study for the bar in 7 weeks?
While your study time, days and location are extremely flexible, passing the bar exam requires time and commitment. Plan on spending approximately 40 hours per week over 8-10 weeks studying for the bar exam.
What is a good score on the California bar exam?
To determine your average raw written score, divide your Raw Written number by 7 (PT counts twice). Consider a “weak” essay or MBE score to be under 1340 scaled (50 points under passing) and a “strong” score to be over 1440 (50 points over passing).
Is California bar harder than New York?
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.
What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?
Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.
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.
Can you pass the California bar without going to law school?
In California, qualified applicants can take the bar exam without going to law school. Most law schools require a college degree, but some may only ask for equivalent course work, and some law schools focus on your legal interest and life experiences and not on your grades or LSAT scores.
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 bar exam curved?
The bar exam curve is very real, and it can be your ally in passing the exam. By understanding how the curve works and leveraging tools like BARBRI's bar prep courses, you can maximize your chances of landing on the passing side.
Is 2 months enough to study for the bar exam?
You should allow yourself 9 weeks of full-time studying (40-50 hours a week). If you are studying for the bar exam amidst other commitments, you will need to accommodate for less weekly hours by starting earlier (more like 15-20 weeks of studying).
How long after graduating do you take the bar?
Most states offer the bar exam twice a year, in February and July, and the exam generally covers two days. Every summer, law school graduates across the country spend two months after graduation cramming their brains full of legal intricacies in anticipation of the dreaded bar exam.
Has the California bar exam gotten easier?
However, the CA bar exam is being methodically dumbed down. It was reduced from three days to two days, by getting rid of some of the toughest parts, and the passing score has been sharply reduced.
Is the bar multiple choice?
Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Bar Examination
The MCQ portion of the General Bar Examination is an objective six-hour examination containing 200 questions. This portion tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.
Does California bar exam expire?
State Bar rules set a five-year expiration date on a passing bar exam score by requiring that, within “five years from the last day of administration of the California Bar Examination the applicant passes,” the applicant must meet all requirements for certification to the California Supreme Court for admission and must ...
How many people pass the CA bar on their first try?
For California ABA-accredited law schools, the pass rate for first time test-takers was 81%, up 5 percentage points from 2023. The State Bar of California reported today that 53.8 percent of applicants passed the July 2024 General Bar Examination (GBX).
Which state is the hardest to pass the bar exam?
California is universally regarded as the toughest state for taking the bar exam. This notion is not dissuaded by the state's low bar-pass rate. In addition to the performance test, five essay questions, and the Multistate Bar Exam, the California exam takes two days.
Who is the 17 year old lawyer in California?
On Nov. 8, at age 17 years and 8 months, Sophia Park received notification that she had passed the bar, which she took in July. The teen from Orange County is currently a law clerk with the Tulare County District Attorney's Office, where her brother Peter also works.