Is it normal to fail the bar exam?
Asked by: Virginie Glover V | Last update: December 9, 2025Score: 5/5 (23 votes)
That averages out to two out of every ten people failing the exam the first time they take it. It is also key to remember that the bar exam is just an exam. It does not define your knowledge or capabilities. You may have had a bad day the day of the exam, felt unwell or distracted, or had an ineffective study plan.
Is it normal to fail the bar the first time?
Many students do not pass the bar exam on their first try (and some take multiple tries to pass the bar exam!). Chances are, there is someone at your law school, within your friend group, or at your law firm that did not pass the bar exam on the first try.
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.
Are you a lawyer if you fail 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.
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 I Learned From Three Bar-Exam Failures
Do you lose your job if you fail the bar?
If you are unsuccessful on the bar exam, most employers will give you a second chance. Although this isn't true for every employer, it is true for the majority. If you are unsuccessful on the bar exam, many employers will retain you in a non-lawyer capacity.
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 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.
Is 300 a good bar exam score?
A 300 is approximately the 90th percentile. A 280 is approximately the 73rd percentile. A 270 is approximately the 58th percentile. A 260 is approximately the 44th percentile.
Why do some people not pass the bar?
Overstudying, understudying, studying the wrong things, getting sick or panicked on test day…things happen. Just look at all of the famous people who've failed the bar exam! (My personal favorite being Kathleen Sullivan, who failed in California, shortly after stepping down as dean of Stanford Law.
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.
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.
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.
How to deal with failing the bar?
- Take a Breather and Reflect. Let's face it: everyone hates failing, especially such important exams. ...
- Look at Your Score Report. ...
- Identify Areas of Improvement and Areas of Weaknesses. ...
- Figure Out Your Next Steps.
Is the bar exam the hardest test ever?
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.
Where did Joe Biden pass the bar exam?
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".
Who is the youngest person to pass the bar exam?
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.
What happens if you fail the bar exam 5 times?
Unlike some states that impose strict or discretionary limits on the number of attempts, California allows candidates to retake the bar exam as many times as necessary until they pass.
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 does not require bar exam?
Forty-one jurisdictions have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is composed entirely of NCBE-created components. In every U.S. jurisdiction except Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington, all those seeking admission to the bar must pass a bar examination.
What state bar 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.
Are you still a lawyer if you don't pass the bar?
However, every attorney is a lawyer, but not all lawyers are attorneys. Attorneys must pass the bar exam, a two- or three-day, state-specific test that measures a lawyer's knowledge and competence to practice law.
How many attempts do you get at the bar?
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.
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.