Is New York bar easier than California?
Asked by: Renee Batz | Last update: September 27, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (59 votes)
In New York, the state with a legal practice most like California's in scale and complexity, the cut score is 133. Among graduates of ABA-accredited law schools there, 83% passed the state bar exam the first time they took it. In California, though, the comparable rate was 64%.
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.
Which state bar is the easiest?
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.
Is the bar harder in California?
California's bar exam is known for its rigorous content and low pass rates compared to other states. In fact, even though California recently lowered its passing score from 1,440 to 1,390, that is still higher than the 1,350 score required for a passing grade in many other states.
How hard is it to pass New York bar?
On average, the New York Bar exam comes in with a pass rate of 61%.
Is New York the Hardest Bar Exam?
Is NY the hardest bar exam?
However, a majority of states have higher score requirements than New York. This means that the New York bar exam is not one of the most difficult bar exams (at least with respect to the passing score requirement). Nonetheless, the New York Bar Exam still qualifies as a moderately difficult bar exam.
How many hours to study for NY bar?
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).
Why is California's bar passage rate so low?
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. To put this into perspective, in 2017 California had 12,985 applicants who sat for 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.
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.
What state does not require the bar exam?
In every U.S. jurisdiction except Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington, all those seeking admission to the bar must pass a bar examination.
What is the hardest bar subject?
Many aspiring attorneys who have taken or are presently studying for the bar exam, however, appear to agree that the following three topics are the most difficult: Real Property. Contracts. Civil Procedure.
Which state has the easiest bar?
South Dakota has a reputation for being the easiest test in the country, followed by Wisconsin, which allows any graduate of a Wisconsin law school to automatically be admitted to the bar. This policy is known as diploma privilege.
Is the NY bar curved?
The New York bar exam is graded on a curve or scale. The New York bar examiners convert the two written section scores (of the MEE and the MPT) into scaled scores on the MBE scale, before weighing the MEE 30% and the MPT 20% (learn the New York bar exam format).
How many people fail the California bar?
Among the 7,555 people who took California's July 2023 bar exam, 51.5% passed, down from 52.4% the previous year, the State Bar of California said , opens new tab on Thursday.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
Florida and California are the most challenging states to become a lawyer in terms of passing the bar exam. Their bar exams are considered the most difficult to pass. Those two states do not have reciprocity with other states regarding honoring those who have passed the bar exam in other states.
What is the least stressful lawyer field?
What type of lawyer is the least stressful? Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice. Unlike other practice areas, people's lives aren't on the line.
Is the NY bar exam hard?
Take it from someone who took the New York bar exam and passed on their very first try: the New York bar exam is difficult but manageable. It is important to note that how hard the New York bar exam actually is, is based on a number of somewhat unexpected factors.
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%.
Can you waive into California bar?
California doesn't offer reciprocity but offers a shorter bar exam for attorneys who are admitted in other states and who have been in good standing as an attorney in those states for at least four years prior to their application.
Why do bars close at 2 in California?
California currently forbids alcohol from being sold from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., meaning that bars and nightclubs effectively have to close at 2 a.m. State Sen.
How many times can you take the bar exam in NYC?
The good news is that you can take the New York bar exam an unlimited amount of times if you do not pass. New York does not place a limit or a restriction on the number of times you may attempt to pass the bar exam.
How much does BARBRI cost?
At the time of publication, BARBRI is offering the following plans and prices (which sometimes fluctuate): Self Pass: $1,999. Guided Pass: $2,699. Ultimate Pass: $3,999.
What is the bar exam like in New York?
General Bar Examination
The New York bar exam is a two-day format consisting of the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE). Day One: Two 90-minute Multistate Performance Test (MPT) questions in the morning and six 30-minute Multistate Essay Exam (MEE) questions in the afternoon.