What is the pass rate for the NY law school bar exam?
Asked by: Jacquelyn McLaughlin Sr. | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (5 votes)
New York Law School (NYLS) reported an 81.9% first-time bar pass rate for 2024 graduates, while the overall state average for first-time takers from ABA schools in New York for July 2025 was around 82-87% (depending on the specific exam period), showing NYLS generally tracks closely with or slightly below the state average for first-timers. The New York Bar Exam's difficulty can vary, but NYLS's rates show strong performance, with some reports noting higher rates for July 2025 exams compared to prior years.
What is the pass rate for NY bar?
87% bar exam passage rate for all first-time takers.
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.
Is NY the hardest bar exam?
No, the New York Bar Exam isn't universally considered the hardest, but it's consistently ranked among the most challenging due to its high passing score (266/400) on the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), dense content, and immense pressure, though states like California and Florida are often cited as tougher due to stricter state-specific elements or lower pass rates. While its UBE format standardizes some aspects, New York's high standards and demanding content make it a formidable test, though some sources suggest it's more manageable with intense preparation compared to its reputation.
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.
What Are The New York Bar Exam Passage Rates? - Law School Prep Hub
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.
What is a good NY bar exam score?
In order to pass the New York Bar Exam, which is the New York Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), a you must achieve a passing score of at least 266 on a 400 point scale. This makes the New York bar exam moderately difficult compared to other states.
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.
Can you pass the bar without going to law school in New York?
Meeting the Requirements
To sit for the New York Bar Exam, you must have a qualifying law degree. This typically means a Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-approved law school.
Did Hillary Clinton pass the bar?
Hillary Clinton took both the Washington DC and Arkansas bar exams. While she passed the Arkansas Bar Exam, she did not pass the bar exam in Washington DC. That did not stop her, though! She went on to practice in the intellectual property field in Arkansas and has since become a leading political figure.
Did Joe Biden ever pass the bar?
Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com.
How many times has Kim Kardashian taken in the bar?
Kim Kardashian has taken the official California Bar Exam once, in July 2025, and did not pass, but she did pass the "Baby Bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) on her fourth attempt in late 2021 after failing it three times previously, allowing her to proceed to the main exam. She has plans to retake the main bar exam, with opportunities in February 2026 and beyond, as California law allows multiple attempts.
How many times can you fail the bar in NY?
New York does not place a limit or a restriction on the number of times you may attempt to pass the bar exam. This, of course, does not mean that you want to take it numerous times. But it does take pressure off of you if you are afraid you may fail the bar exam.
Is New York Law School a good law school?
New York Law School (NYLS) is considered a solid, reputable law school, especially strong in areas like human rights, family law, IP, and government/criminal law employment, with a good reputation in NYC and high bar passage rates, though its overall national ranking (around 121 by U.S. News in 2024) places it below top-tier schools like NYU or Columbia. It offers strong practical training and career support, making it a good choice for those targeting the NYC legal market, but prospective students should weigh its specific strengths against its national standing and cost.
Is 287 a good bar 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. Congratulations if that is the case.
Who's richer, Taylor Swift or Kim Kardashian?
As of late 2025, Kim Kardashian is generally reported to be richer than Taylor Swift, with her net worth boosted significantly by her SKIMS brand, pushing her fortune to around $1.9 billion, while Swift's wealth is estimated at $1.6 billion, though both are billionaires. Kardashian's business ventures, especially SKIMS' high valuation, have recently placed her ahead, though these figures fluctuate.
How many times are you allowed to take the bar exam?
You can take the bar exam a different number of times depending on the state, with most jurisdictions allowing unlimited attempts, while some have limits (e.g., 3 to 6 attempts) requiring special permission for more, and a few have hard caps. Always check the specific rules for the state where you plan to take the exam, as limits vary widely and even states using the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) set their own attempt policies.
How did Kim lose 16lbs in 3 weeks?
She lost 16 pounds in 3 weeks to fit into her vintage Met Gala gown. How did Kardashian lose weight? She says she cut carbs and ate “just the cleanest veggies and protein.” She also ran on a treadmill and wore a sauna suit twice a day. Kardashian's 3-week weight loss sparked concern over the impact on mental health.
What is the pass rate for the NY bar exam 2025?
The passing rate for the 5,746 Juris Doctor graduates of American Bar Association accredited law schools who took the bar examination for the first time in July 2025 is 89%, an increase of 1% from last year and the highest passing rate for this cohort on a July exam since 2009.
Is a 318 on the bar exam good?
A good score is anything above your state's passing requirement, but a 280 or higher is strong in any UBE state and allows for easy score transfer. What is the average bar exam score? Most MBE scaled scores fall between 130 and 140. Total UBE scores tend to average just below the common passing score of 270.
How many times did Michelle Obama take the bar exam?
Michelle Obama took the Illinois Bar Exam twice, failing the first time but passing on her second attempt, a common experience even for successful lawyers. She initially failed the bar, which was devastating, but she persevered and passed, later working as a lawyer before becoming the First Lady.
Did Joe Biden pass a bar exam?
Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com.
What were John F. Kennedy's last words before he died?
Nellie Connally turned and commented to Kennedy, who was sitting behind her, "Mr. President, they can't make you believe now that there are not some in Dallas who love and appreciate you, can they?" Kennedy's reply – "No, they sure can't" – were his last words.