Is the bar exam hand written?
Asked by: Earl Carroll IV | Last update: February 18, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (41 votes)
No, the bar exam is generally computer-based, but most jurisdictions still offer a handwriting option for the essay and performance test sections, though typing is far more common and often recommended due to speed advantages, but handwriting can help with memory and clarity for some. Examinees usually receive questions on paper and type answers into software, but can choose to write on provided answer sheets if preferred, with clarity being crucial for handwriters.
Is the bar exam handwritten or typed?
Candidates do pass the bar exam with handwritten exams, and you can do it too. However, for the majority of candidates, typing is the most effective and efficient choice. If typing is an available option for you, then that is the option we encourage you to choose!
Is the bar exam oral or written?
The State Bar Exam is composed of two parts: a written exam and an oral exam.
Is the bar exam on paper or computer?
Currently, paper materials containing the questions are provided to the examinees, who then type their answers into test-taking software on personal laptops which they bring to this day of the exam.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
Issue Spotting - How to Spot Issues on Bar Exam Essays
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in July 2025, a result she publicly shared in November 2025, vowing to keep studying despite the setback, but she has previously passed the "Baby Bar" exam after multiple attempts and plans to retake the main bar exam. She revealed her failed attempt on her show The Kardashians, showing emotional moments from her preparation and disappointment, and emphasized her determination to pass.
What was Obama's LSAT score?
Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
Can ChatGPT pass the bar exam?
Yes, the advanced version, GPT-4, passed the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) with a strong score (around the 90th percentile), demonstrating impressive legal knowledge, but it's considered a powerful tool for lawyers, not a replacement, as it lacks the crucial human elements of judgment, ethical reasoning, and real-world application needed to practice law independently, according to research and legal experts.
What's the hardest state to pass the bar exam?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam due to its broad scope testing numerous subjects, stringent grading on essays and performance tests (MPT), and historically low pass rates, with Louisiana and New York also ranking as very challenging exams for different reasons, like Louisiana's unique civil law focus and New York's massive volume and competitive market.
Is 300 a good bar exam score?
The lowest possible passing score of 266 will suffice in states like South Carolina, Montana, and some others. Depending on how many people have taken the UBE, a score of 280 is approximately the 73rd percentile. A 300 is in about the 90th percentile, and 330 is in the top 1% of all scores.
Can you work as a lawyer without passing the bar?
Yes! There are many legal careers besides being a lawyer. Some of the highest-paying jobs for J.D.s who do not practice law are compliance officer, corporate counsel, intellectual property manager, risk manager, legal consultant, mediator, or arbitrator.
What are the 7 subjects on the bar exam?
The "7 bar subjects" refer to the core topics on the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) portion of the bar exam: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts. These subjects form the foundation of the U.S. legal system and are tested through 200 multiple-choice questions, with an even distribution across these areas, making them crucial for bar exam success in Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) states.
Why do they call law the bar?
"The Bar" in law comes from the physical railing or barrier in medieval English courtrooms and Inns of Court that separated the public from the judges, lawyers, and court officials; being "called to the bar" meant symbolically crossing this barrier to become a fully qualified lawyer, leading to terms like "bar exam" and "bar association" for the legal community.
Is 283 a good bar exam score?
Uniform Bar Exam states require a score between 260 and 280 to pass the Uniform Bar Exam. So, if your score was above 280, you technically received a score that is considered passing in every Uniform Bar Exam state.
Is the bar exam just memorization?
But don't flip out – if you start early with effective memorization techniques, you can absolutely master enough of the material to pass! All month, we'll be here to help. First, realize that rote memorization alone is not the most effective strategy for the bar exam.
Can you become a lawyer if you hate writing?
Writing is a necessary evil to some and a welcome respite to others. But whether you love it or hate it, lawyers spend much of their time writing, and writing well is important to success as a lawyer.
What state is easiest to become a lawyer?
Wisconsin makes the list of easiest bar exams for a unique reason: if you attend an ABA law school in Wisconsin, you don't have to take the bar! Students who have graduated from these universities can just apply to practice law in the state. No studying, no stressing, no grueling examination period.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the California bar exam?
No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam on her first attempt in July 2025, revealing the results in November 2025, but stated she remains determined to keep studying and retake it, viewing the setback as motivation. She had previously passed the "baby bar," the First-Year Law Students' Exam, in late 2021 after multiple tries, which qualified her to take the main bar exam.
Which is the 3 toughest exam in the world?
The top 3 toughest exams globally consistently include China's Gaokao (college entrance), India's IIT-JEE Advanced (engineering), and India's UPSC Civil Services Exam (government jobs), due to their extreme competition, vast syllabi, and life-altering consequences, though other candidates like the All Souls Prize or Master Sommelier Diploma are also noted for extreme difficulty. These exams demand immense knowledge, analytical skills, and endurance, with failure often meaning significant setbacks, making them notoriously difficult.
How many times did JFK Jr. fail the bar?
John F. Kennedy Jr. failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third attempt in July 1990, after first failing in November 1989 and February 1990. He had to pass on his third try to keep his job as a prosecutor in the Manhattan district attorney's office.
Can you be a lawyer if you fail the bar?
Some law firms allow you to continue working while you wait to retake the bar exam. Other law firms might need you to be licensed in order to keep you on the payroll. Understanding the expectations in advance can be invaluable. Additionally, you'll also have to consider how you would like to proceed.
How much IQ do you need to be a lawyer?
Some professionals, such as lawyers, exhibit high average IQ scores (in the 115-130 range), while at the same time scoring lower than the general population on EI (85-95).
Did Michelle Obama pass her bar exam?
Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the Illinois bar exam, but she failed it on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School before passing it on her second try, later becoming a licensed attorney in Illinois and having a successful legal career before becoming First Lady. She was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1989 and went on to work in intellectual property law at a firm where she met her husband, Barack Obama.
Did Kim Kardashian write the LSAT?
No, Kim Kardashian did not take the LSAT because she pursued a different path to becoming a lawyer, opting for a four-year law apprenticeship in California instead of traditional law school, which doesn't require the LSAT. Instead of LSAT prep, she focused on studying under practicing attorneys and passed California's "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) in 2021 after several attempts, a prerequisite for her apprenticeship program.
What did Ben Affleck get on his SAT?
Ben Affleck reportedly had a "near-perfect" or "almost perfect" SAT score, rumored to be 1600, on the old 1600-point scale, though the exact score isn't officially confirmed, with sources citing sources like the New York Times on his high aptitude despite poor high school attendance.