Should I take the July or February bar?

Asked by: Mr. Garrett Mueller  |  Last update: August 8, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (54 votes)

Across the board, the pass rates tend to be higher in July than in February. This is likely because more first-time takers take the exam in July. So just based on that, you may think that the July Uniform Bar Exam is easier than the February exam since a higher percentage of examinees pass the July bar.

Is the February bar exam harder than July?

This may lead many test-takers to panic and ask themselves “is the February bar exam harder than the July exam?” The good news is that the February exam is not harder. In reality, the February bar exam is no harder than the July bar exam, despite the lower pass rates.

When should I start studying for February bar?

Typically, we recommend students start studying in December. This is especially the case: if you work full time or have other full-time obligations.

Which bar exam is the hardest?

Is The California Bar Exam Hard? 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%.

Why is the February bar passage lower?

The biggest reason is simple: Most law graduates traditionally take the bar exam for the first time in July. There are more repeaters taking the bar exam in February (for the same reason as above). Going off the last point, some are simply not serious about the bar exam.

Should you re-take The CA Bar Exam in July 2023 or February 2024?

18 related questions found

Why do more people pass the bar in July?

The main reason for the discrepancy between February and July bar passage is the fact that one of the most significant predictors of bar success is being able to devote extensive time to bar exam preparation. And the cohort of February exam takers tend to have more external demands on their time when studying.

Where did Joe Biden pass the bar?

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".

What's the easiest bar to pass?

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 than the Nclex?

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%.

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 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).

What should I wear on bar exam day?

Dress for comfort

You will be sitting for hours and hours. You don't want to spend those hours in pants that are too tight or a scratchy shirt. What you wear for the bar exam should be comfortable above all else. Make sure what you plan on wearing is comfortable for sitting for hours at a time.

Is barbri early start worth it?

BARBRI Early Start helps you build a solid foundation that will stay with you throughout the bar exam. Simply put, people who start early have a better chance of passing the bar.

When to start bar prep for February bar?

The typical recommendation is that you spend a total of roughly 400 hours studying for the bar exam. If you can manage full-time study of 40–50 hours per week, you should begin about 10 weeks before the exam date. For July examinees, that means starting in May. For February examinees, it means starting in December.

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.

What state is the easiest to pass NCLEX?

1 | New Hampshire

New Hampshire boasts the highest NCLEX pass rate average in the U.S., over eight percentage points higher than the national average.

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.

What is the hardest exam in the world?

Top 10 Toughest Exams in the World
  • Gaokao Exam in China.
  • IIT JEE Advanced.
  • Civil Services Exam (CSE)/UPSC.
  • All Souls Prize Fellowship Exam.
  • USMLE.
  • Master Sommelier Diploma Exam.
  • ICAI CA/ ICMAI Exams.
  • CCIE (Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert)

What is the hardest state 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.

How hard is it to pass the bar without law school?

Pass Rate. The bar exam pass rate of an apprentice is about ⅓ of that of a student who attends an ABA approved law school, according to a study by Priceconomics. With a passing rate of approximately 27% for apprentices, it is clear there are topics that can be missed, that a traditional law school is sure to cover.

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.

What was Joe Biden's GPA?

He earned his bachelor's in 1965 from the University of Delaware, with a double major in history and political science and a minor in English. He had a "C" average overall for his four years, graduating with a class rank of 506 out of 688.

How many times did JFK take the bar?

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.

What is Jill Biden's degree in?

Biden has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Delaware and master's degrees in education and English from West Chester University and Villanova University, and returned to the University of Delaware for a doctoral degree in education.