What percentage of people get a first in law?
Asked by: Rosalind Schaden | Last update: June 11, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (17 votes)
Getting a first-class degree (70%+) in law is difficult, with percentages varying but generally around 14-23%, lower than many other subjects, but a 2:1 is more common, with over half of law graduates achieving it, making a combined 70%+ in a first or 2:1 common. Law is considered tough for top marks, often requiring deep critical analysis beyond just knowing the material, though statistics differ slightly by country (UK vs. US) and year.
What percentage of people get a first?
Historically, first-class honours were uncommon, but since 2019 a first has been awarded to nearly thirty percent of graduates of British universities.
What percent of law students get an A?
Class rank and GPA not reported
Columbia Law School – 25-30% of 1L class grades are A−'s or higher; 55-65% B+ or higher; 35-45% B or below.
Do most lawyers pass the bar the first time?
Preliminary analyses show that of the 7,362 applicants who completed the July 2025 GBX, 73.9 percent were first-time exam takers; the pass rate for these first-time takers was 69.7 percent. The pass rate for the 26.1 percent of applicants who were repeating the exam was 12.4 percent.
What percentage of lawyers are first gen?
According to the Law School Survey of Student Engagement (LSSSE), 26% of law students nationally identify as first-gen. 13 This percentage is even higher when looking at students of color: 53% of Latinx law students and 36% of Black law students are first-gen.
How to Get a First in Law
Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?
Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially partners at large firms, top corporate lawyers, or specialized trial attorneys, but it's not typical for the average lawyer, whose median salary is much lower, requiring significant experience, specialization (like IP or M&A), and business acumen to reach that high income level.
Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?
Yes, Michelle Obama failed the Illinois bar exam on her first attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School, but she retook it, passed, and was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1989, going on to have a successful legal career. She is one of several prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who initially failed the bar exam before achieving great success.
Is law school harder than med school?
Most sources suggest medical school is generally harder than law school due to its intense memorization, broader foundational science, longer overall training (including residency), and higher-stakes clinical environment, though law school's unique focus on critical reading, analysis, and competitive grading can make it feel equally or even more challenging depending on individual strengths. Med school involves massive factual recall (anatomy, drugs, diseases) and practical skills, while law school emphasizes complex case analysis and argumentation, often with fewer, high-stakes exams.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?
No, Kim Kardashian has not yet passed the full California Bar Exam; she failed the July 2025 exam and publicly shared her results in November 2025, vowing to keep studying, though she previously passed the First-Year Law Students' Examination (Baby Bar) in 2021. She's said she came "so close" and is determined to pass, viewing the setback as motivation for future attempts.
What do the top 1% of lawyers make?
The top 1% of lawyers in the U.S. earn significantly more, often reaching into the high six figures and even millions annually, with top earners in "Big Law" (large firms) making starting salaries well over $200k, and senior partners potentially earning millions, especially in high-demand areas like corporate, IP, or patent law in major cities like New York, D.C., or California, far surpassing the median lawyer salary of around $135k-$140k.
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.
How rare is a 177 on the LSAT?
A 177 LSAT score is extremely rare and exceptional, placing you in the top 0.5% of test-takers, or the 99.5th percentile, meaning you scored better than 99.5% of everyone who took the test. It's a near-perfect score that is considered functionally perfect for admissions, opening doors to virtually any law school, including the most elite ones like Harvard, Stanford, and Yale, especially when paired with a strong GPA.
How common are firsts?
The proportion of top grades awarded to students has risen significantly since 2010-11. In 2010-11, 15.8 per cent of students achieved first class degrees; in 2022-23, that figure is almost double (29.6 per cent).
Is a 2.1 better than a first?
First-Class Honours (70% and above): a first class degree, usually referred to as a 'first' or 1st, is the highest honours degree you can achieve. Upper Second-Class Honours (60-70%): there are two levels of second class degree. An upper second class, known as a 2:1 or two-one, is the higher of the two levels.
Is a first class honour impressive?
First-degree graduates who achieved First Class Honours were more likely than others to be in full-time UK employment 15 months after graduation. In fact, they consistently achieved better outcomes across all measures.
What's the hardest year of law school?
Most law students agree the first year (1L) is the hardest due to the steep learning curve, new Socratic/case-based teaching methods, intense reading/writing demands, and high pressure to learn fundamental legal thinking, but some find 2L (second year) harder because of heavier course loads with more specialized, complex papers and less structure. 1L forces you to learn a new "language," while 2L often involves managing more complex, self-directed research and writing projects alongside doctrinal courses, creating a different kind of challenge.
What pays more, law or medicine?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics gives median salaries for both doctors and lawyers, so it's clear that the doctors' number is higher. But median salaries are the midpoint in a list of salaries for one occupation, meaning that half of the list makes more and half makes less.
Is law school harder than nursing?
A law degree will take longer overall, including the required bachelors degree, which many might consider more difficult.
Did Hillary Clinton pass the bar?
Yes, Hillary Clinton passed the Arkansas bar exam after failing the District of Columbia bar exam on her first attempt, allowing her to begin her legal career at the Rose Law Firm and later serve as a successful public servant. She took both exams around the same time in 1973, passing in Arkansas but not in D.C.
Did Kim Kardashian pass the LSAT?
That said, the question about what the “Kim Kardashian LSAT score” was, or if she even took the LSAT ends in a resounding no. This unconventional choice has sparked conversations about making legal education more accessible and exploring diverse paths in the legal profession.
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.
Who is the most educated president in America?
Woodrow Wilson is the most educated U.S. President, being the only one to earn a Ph.D., which he received in History and Political Science from Johns Hopkins University in 1886. His extensive academic background also included serving as President of Princeton University before his presidency, where he earned his undergraduate degree.