What to do if you keep failing the bar exam?

Asked by: Griffin Schaden Sr.  |  Last update: January 14, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (14 votes)

Explore different options to refocus and keep progressing.
  1. Take a Breather and Reflect. Let's face it: everyone hates failing, especially such important exams. ...
  2. Look at Your Score Report. ...
  3. Identify Areas of Improvement and Areas of Weaknesses. ...
  4. Figure Out Your Next Steps.

How to deal with failing the bar exam?

There are a few options available to you. Most notably ~ 1) Re-take the Exam or 2) Find a different type of Law job or 3) Go another route.
  • 1) If you're going try the exam again, that's great.
  • 2) Finding an alternative law job is probably the most difficult option of all to accomplish.

What happens if I fail the bar exam three times?

Each time a candidate takes the bar exam, the result becomes a part of the public record. Though failing the exam multiple times doesn't prohibit someone from practicing law once they pass, it might be something prospective employers consider during the hiring process.

How many times did JFK Jr. fail the bar exam?

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.

Is it normal to think you failed the bar?

A top source of post-bar exam anxiety for many examinees is that they feel like they failed the bar exam. If you share that concern, you are not alone! It is completely normal to feel unsure about how you did and anxious about receiving your score.

What To Do If You Failed The Bar Exam - Advantages Of Being A Repeat Taker

38 related questions found

Which 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.

Where did Joe Biden pass the bar exam?

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".

Who is the youngest person to pass the bar exam in USA?

ROB SCHMITZ, HOST: So what were you doing when you were 17 years and eight months old? Well, Sophia Park was taking the California State Bar exam and breaking a record for the youngest person ever to pass the exam in the state.

What is the easiest bar exam to pass in the US?

Easiest Bar Exams to Pass for First-Time Takers:

Utah: Utah had the highest first-time pass rate in July 2023, with 94% of first-time takers passing the exam. (It's pass rate dipped to 69% in February 2024, but this is still higher than most other jurisdictions.) It also has a low passing score of 260.

How many times did Kim Kardashian take 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!

What are the odds I passed the bar exam?

The bar exam pass rate is typically between 60-80% depending on your bar exam state. That means that 20-40% of people who sit for that bar exam do not pass.

What if I fail the bar twice?

So, how many times can you take the California bar exam? You're in luck! There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California.

Are you a lawyer if you fail 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.

Is barbri free for retakers?

The BARBRI Guarantee allows bar exam takers who do not pass the bar exam a free repeat of the same BARBRI Bar Review course prior to sitting the next exam cycle.

What do you say to someone who failed the bar exam?

  • It's OK to let them be upset! Your first inclination to comfort a friend that failed the bar exam may be to smother them with positivity. ...
  • Let them know you know how tough the bar exam is. ...
  • Remind them they are not starting from scratch. ...
  • Try to assist them in moving forward.

Has anyone passed the bar without going to law school?

A number of historical figures became lawyers without law school, such as John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln.

What is the average age to pass the bar?

Its demographics show the average age of attorneys admitted to the state bar was 31 in 2022.

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 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.

What degree does Jill Biden have?

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.

What states don't require passing the bar exam?

Forty-one jurisdictions have adopted the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE), which is composed entirely of NCBE-created components. In every U.S. jurisdiction except Wisconsin, Oregon, and Washington, all those seeking admission to the bar must pass a bar examination.

Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?

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%.

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.

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.