What is the hardest part of the bar exam?

Asked by: Ms. Brandyn Hagenes PhD  |  Last update: January 21, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (28 votes)

Most people regard the MBE as the hardest portion of the bar exam. The questions are rarely easy or straightforward. They can be tricky and sometimes worded in a way that guides you to the wrong answer.

What is so hard about the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

Is bar exam is the hardest exam in the Philippines?

The Philippine bar is one of the most difficult bar examinations in the world. The passing percentage which is normally at 20% - 30% is a manifestation of the kind of difficulty Bar Exam hopefuls go through every year. We are here to help you navigate through the toughest battle you will ever experience in your life.

Why is the bar exam so stressful?

Preparation Requirements: Most candidates undergo extensive preparation, often spending several months studying. The volume of material and the depth of understanding required can be overwhelming. Overall, the combination of these factors contributes to the bar exam's reputation as a challenging and rigorous test.

Which bar exam 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.

HOW I PASSED THE BAR EXAM *tips + advice* | part 1

43 related questions found

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.

Is bar exam more difficult than CPA?

The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.

What if you fail the bar exam?

Yes, you can try again!

A very common myth those who fail the bar exam start believing is that they failed because they just aren't smart enough. Nothing could be further from the truth. After making it through three years of law school, the odds that you failed because you “just didn't know the law” are low.

What is the hardest professional exam?

1. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.

How do you beat the bar exam?

  1. Don't cram two years' worth of material into the weeks leading up to the bar exam. Instead, revisit your notes from your first- and second-year law school classes on a regular basis.
  2. Train your mind and your body to simulate the test every day you study. ...
  3. The bar exam, much like law school itself, takes grit.

How many times can you take the bar exam in the Philippines?

Candidates who have failed the bar exams for three times are not permitted to take another bar exam until they re-enroll and pass regular fourth-year review classes and attend a pre-bar review course in an approved law school. The Five-Strike Rule was implemented from 2005 and ended in 2014.

What is the hardest course in the Philippines?

In particular, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Medicine are usually seen as demanding due to their rigorous academic requirements and extensive time commitments for practical training.

Which law school has the highest bar pass rate in the Philippines?

Of 13 Law schools with more than 100 first-time Bar examinees candidates, the top five were Ateneo de Manila University, 159 of 165 takers passed (96.36%); University of the Philippines, 202 of 217 (93.08%); San Beda University-Manila, 119 of 130 (91.538%); University of Santo Tomas-Manila, 118 of 133 (88.72%); and ...

What is a bad bar exam score?

Those with total scale scores after one reading below 1350 fail the exam. If the applicant's total scale score is at least 1350 but less than 1390 after one reading, their answers are read a second time by a different set of graders.

Is being a lawyer worth it?

Lucrative career

They make a national average salary of $50,979 per year . Though you may not earn this income as a new lawyer, you can work your way toward this salary with enough hard work and experience. However, finding satisfaction in your specific field may be worth more than your annual salary.

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.

Which is the no. 1 toughest exam?

Here is the list of top 10 the toughest exams in India:
  • UPSC Civil Services exam.
  • JEE Advanced.
  • Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE)
  • IIM CAT.
  • Common Law Admission Test (CLAT)
  • Chartered Accountant (CA) exam.
  • UGC NET.
  • NEET.

How difficult is the bar?

The bar exam is difficult. It's a two-day test with low pass rates, making it a big challenge for those aiming to become lawyers. While some other exams, like the CFA or CPA, might be tough, the bar exam is widely considered one of the hardest. Passing it requires serious studying and dedication.

What is the most difficult board exam in the Philippines?

The Licensure Examination for Certified Public Accountants (LECPA) is recognized as one of the most difficult board exams in the Philippines, with passing rates that are relatively low and showing a declining trend.

What is a passing score on bar exam?

The process is outlined below: If you receive a score at or over 1440, you automatically pass the California bar exam. If, after one reading of your answers, your score is below 1390, you fail the California bar exam.

Do all lawyers pass the bar exam?

In several States, including California and New York, attorneys and judges can practice law without graduating from law school and/or passing the bar exam!

Do most lawyers fail the bar exam?

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).

Who makes more CPA or lawyer?

Key Differences

Overall, lawyers can expect to earn a median salary of about $145,760, according to 2024 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. 5 Half earn more than that, and half earn less. Comparatively, accountants earn a median salary of just $79,880.

What is the passing rate for the CPA Exam in the Philippines 2024?

The overall institutional passing rate stood at 57.14%, reflecting the institution's commitment to academic excellence and professional readiness, and surpassing the national passing rate of 30.17%.

How many hours to study for CPA?

The AICPA recommends that candidates spend between 300-400 hours to study for the entire exam CPA exam. Because we all learn differently, some sections will require more study hours than others due to the volume of material included in a section and how quickly one is able to grasp and retain the study material.