What percent is passing on the bar?

Asked by: Mrs. Chloe Hintz  |  Last update: December 13, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (20 votes)

We suggest aiming for at least 60% to be safe. If you are aiming for an MBE score of 136-140 (which is a passing MBE score in jurisdictions that require a 272-280 to pass) you should aim for 62%-65%.

Is a 300 on the bar exam good?

In order to pass the Uniform Bar Exam, examinees must earn a score of at least 260 on the MBE and MEE. However, a score of 280 is generally considered to be a good score, and a score of 300 to 330 (highest score on bar exam) is considered to be excellent.

What percentage of lawyers never pass the bar?

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).

Is 283 a good bar exam score?

Your overall 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.

What is a 266 on the bar?

In most states that grade on a 1–6 scale, a 4 is considered a passing score. Here is the exact number a passing score for each essay: A 3.9 is considered passing in Uniform Bar Exam jurisdictions that require a 260 to pass. A 4.0 is considered passing in Uniform Bar Exam jurisdictions that require a 266 to pass.

Why you shouldn't focus on percentage correct during bar prep. An "A" is irrelevant on the bar exam.

42 related questions found

Is 295 a good bar score?

A 295 is a passing score in EVERY jurisdiction.

What state has the hardest bar exam?

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.

Why do most people fail the bar?

Overstudying, understudying, studying the wrong things, getting sick or panicked on test day…things happen. Just look at all of the famous people who've failed the bar exam! (My personal favorite being Kathleen Sullivan, who failed in California, shortly after stepping down as dean of Stanford Law.

Are you still a lawyer if you don't pass the bar?

Attorneys, lawyers, and counsel have all been educated and trained in law. As explained above, attorneys must pass the bar exam and practice law in court. Lawyers have also taken the bar exam, and may or may not practice law. Counsels provide legal advice, and often work for an organization or corporation.

Has anyone ever gotten 100% on the bar exam?

Has anyone ever gotten a perfect score on the bar exam? Have you ever seen an essay exam answer written during an actual state-administered exam that the CA Bar Examiners scored a perfect 100? We never have either, which is why we're bringing it to your attention.

Why is the bar exam curved?

This adjustment is used to ensure that an applicant's likelihood of passing is not affected by any variation in the difficulty of the written section (includes both the essay and PT questions) across administrations. Almost all United States jurisdictions scale their written scores.

Who has the highest bar score?

Matthew Graham, a University of Baltimore Law School alumnus, smashed the previous bar exam record by scoring 309 out of 400 on his first attempt.

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.

How many people pass the bar first try?

California's General Bar Exam pass rate of 53.8 percent is up from last year's July pass rate of 51.5 percent, and 2022's July pass rate of 52.4 percent. Preliminary statistical analyses show that of the 8,291 applicants who completed the GBX, 67.7 percent were first-time takers.

How much do bar exam graders make?

$11-$27/hr Bar Exam Grader Jobs (NOW HIRING) Jan 2025.

Why do smart people fail the bar?

Some students practice too many questions (that is, they go overboard practicing when they do not know the law — see #2 above). But others practice too few because they are waiting to “perfect” their knowledge of the law before trying out any questions. Both are strategies that may cause failure.

How many times can you fail the bar test?

Unlike some states that impose strict or discretionary limits on the number of attempts, California allows candidates to retake the bar exam as many times as necessary until they pass.

Have people cheated on the bar exam?

Some examinees are likely to continue to attempt to cheat on the bar exam. It is jurisdictions' diligent continued efforts, however, that thwart such behavior. For a successful bar exam administration, all staff and proctors must be well trained in test security and administration procedures.

Is bar exam harder than law school?

The LSAT tests logical reasoning and reading comprehension for law school admission, while the bar exam requires extensive legal knowledge and practical skills to obtain a license to practice law. The bar exam's broader scope and depth of material make it more challenging for most candidates.

What is the hardest exam in the world?

The most difficult exam in the world is Gaokao Exam in China. Gaokao is an annual standardised test in China that is mandatory for admission to all of the country's Higher Educational Institutes. This article will be helpful for you, if you are exploring information about the hardest exam in the world.

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!

Are bar exams curved?

Most bar takers fall right in the middle on the curve, within a few points of each other. The MBE portion of the bar exam is significant to your overall score in almost all U.S. states. Getting just a few additional points can really tip you into the “passing zone.”

What is the lowest passing bar score?

UBE Minimum Passing Scores by State

Each UBE jurisdiction sets a minimum passing score, ranging from 260 to 270. Recently, many jurisdictions have re-evaluated these scores in response to national discussions on bar exam difficulty, candidate performance, and the demand for new lawyers.