Why can't some people pass the bar exam?
Asked by: Alyson Hoeger DDS | Last update: December 29, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (29 votes)
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.
What percentage of people never pass 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).
Why is the bar so hard to pass?
There are intrinsic reasons the bar is hard: the material you are responsible for is extensive, it's not interesting, even for someone otherwise interested in law, and the level of granularity that is tested is pretty fine, especially on the MBE (the multiple choice portion).
What if I can't pass the bar exam?
It is absolutely possible to retake the bar exam and pass on your second try. Many students get caught up in the statistics for repeat bar exam takers. It is true that repeat bar exam takers have a lower pass rate than first-time takers.
How many times can you fail the bar in Canada?
During your licensing term, you may write the barrister and solicitor licensing examinations up to three times each. If you have been authorized pursuant to the Lawyer Licensing Process Policies, you may write the licensing examination(s) up to four times.
Why Do Some People Fail their Bar Exam?
Why do so many fail the bar exam?
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.
How hard is the bar exam in Canada?
The bar exam is a comprehensive and highly challenging exam that will require you to study extensively. This article is all about preparing for the bar exam. We will explore the different pathways students may take before writing the bar, and what you can do to be ready to succeed when it is your time to write.
Can I be a lawyer without passing the bar?
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! Most everyone is “stunned” by this discovery. There are seven (7) states, where attorneys may practice law, and become judges, without graduating from law school.
Is it normal to feel like you failed the bar exam?
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 say when someone doesn't pass the bar?
- 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.
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!
Why do most bars fail?
Even with the best concept, location, and service, your bar will struggle if no one knows about it. Many bars fail due to inadequate marketing efforts or a lack of a cohesive promotional strategy.
What's the easiest bar to pass?
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 many times did JFK Jr. take 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.
Why is the bar pass rate so low?
The Large Candidate Pool. In comparison to other states, California has a large number of applicants. The fact that California's population of exam takers is so large contributes to the overall lower pass rate the state is regularly pumping out.
What happens if you can't pass the bar?
Just like with the LSAT, retaking the bar exam is always an option. If you didn't pass the bar exam, there are several things you can do to regroup and move ahead in preparation for a bar exam retake. Explore different options to refocus and keep progressing.
Why is the bar exam so stressful?
Common Causes of Stress
Time pressure: The bar exam is a time-constrained test, so there is inherent pressure to complete it within the allocated time. The volume of material to cover while studying also necessitates strong time management skills.
Do you lose your job if you fail the bar?
If you are unsuccessful on the bar exam, most employers will give you a second chance. Although this isn't true for every employer, it is true for the majority. If you are unsuccessful on the bar exam, many employers will retain you in a non-lawyer capacity.
How many times can you take the bar?
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.
What is the least stressful lawyer job?
Real estate law, estate planning law, and intellectual property law are commonly cited as the least stressful types of law to practice.
How difficult is law school?
Law school is an academic challenge; most students agree the first year (“1L” year) is the most difficult. In part, this is because law school is taught using methods entirely different than the lecture method used in most college classrooms.
How many people fail the bar in Canada?
The truth is that students DO fail the Ontario bar . Anecdotally the pass rate is believed to be in the 90% range.
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.
Is the bar multiple choice?
Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) Bar Examination
The MCQ portion of the General Bar Examination is an objective six-hour examination containing 200 questions. This portion tests seven subjects: Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law and Procedure, Evidence, Real Property, and Torts.