Bar Exam

In recently released data, ABA parses out bar passage rates by race, ethnicity and gender

According to information released Monday by the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, white candidates who took a bar exam for the first time in 2021 had the highest pass rate, which was 85%. For people of other races or ethnicities, the first-time pass rate ranged from 47% to 84%.

May 2, 2022 10:29 AM CDT

After spike up in 2021, MPRE mean scaled score slightly decreases

The national mean scaled score for the March 2022 Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination is 95.6, compared to 99.0 in 2021, the National Conference of Bar Examiners announced Thursday.

Apr 29, 2022 8:53 AM CDT

If you pass the bar on first attempt and want to be a lawyer, you’re likely to get hired, 2021 grads say

Employment data for 2021 graduates shows a vibrant job market for new lawyers, but it’s too soon to predict the 2022 market, says Aaron Taylor, executive director of the AccessLex Center for Legal Education Excellence. Taylor also thinks law school enrollment will be a significant factor.

Apr 28, 2022 12:37 PM CDT

After 20 tries, law grad passes the bar but is barred from law practice in Massachusetts

A persistent law graduate who passed the bar exam nearly 30 years after his 1985 graduation won’t be able to join the Massachusetts bar as a result of a decision by the state’s top court.

Apr 26, 2022 3:53 PM CDT

Numbers show slight increase in two-year bar pass rates

Based on data for 2019 graduates, the two-year bar passage rate for ABA-accredited law schools has increased to 91.17%.

Apr 26, 2022 11:29 AM CDT

Following a boost in 2021, national average score for February 2022 MBE drops

After increasing to 134 in 2021, the national mean scaled score for the February Multistate Bar Examination has decreased to 132.6 for 2022, which was the same as it was in 2020—just before COVID-19-related quarantines started in many jurisdictions.

Apr 11, 2022 12:09 PM CDT

Is interest in law school waning? ‘This year is not going to be as red-hot off the charts’

Some statistics are pointing to a lessened interest in law school this year.

Mar 10, 2022 11:48 AM CST

Bar examinee not permitted to finish test because of high temperature

When Alaina Arroyo woke up Wednesday morning, her first thought was to get ready for Day Two of the Nebraska bar exam. Then she remembered that wasn’t going to happen because her temperature had registered at 101 degrees on Tuesday, and she was told to leave the testing site.

Feb 24, 2022 11:47 AM CST

Law students in this state would be allowed to take bar exam after five semesters if bill wins approval

The Virginia House of Delegates on Friday passed a bill allowing students at approved law schools to take the bar exam after completing five semesters of full-time study.

Feb 16, 2022 9:34 AM CST

Lactation stations and breastfeeding accommodations are needed for bar exam attendees

Bar admissions authorities, bar associations, law schools and legal employers need to establish clear and consistent policies that provide accommodations to individuals who are lactating, the ABA House of Delegates resolved Monday.

Feb 14, 2022 11:39 AM CST

Which law schools overperformed on the bar exam? Some are unranked by US News

What helps law schools garner better-than-expected bar passage rates? A high ranking by U.S. News & World Report isn't necessarily part of the formula, according to a new study.

Feb 8, 2022 4:31 PM CST

Jurisdictions hope safety plans curb COVID-19 fears for in-person bar exam

In addition to JD certificates and character and fitness responses, many February bar exam candidates preparing for the in-person test are also submitting proof of COVID-19 vaccines or a negative test—and in some cases both.

Jan 26, 2022 2:40 PM CST

While NCBE sticks with in-person February bar exam, one state supreme court greenlights planning for future alternatives

There will be no remote offerings from the National Conference of Bar Examiners for the February bar exam, and in the event that a jurisdiction prohibits large gatherings, makeup dates for an in-person test will be offered in late March, the organization announced Monday.

Jan 11, 2022 10:05 AM CST

Draft version of redesigned bar exam will be shared by NCBE soon

With a target implementation year of 2026 for a redesigned bar exam, the National Conference of Bar Examiners expects to start pilot testing this year.

Jan 7, 2022 12:03 PM CST

2 law schools found to be out of compliance with ABA’s bar passage standard

The Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco and the Western New England University School of Law in Massachusetts recently received notices that they are out of compliance with the ABA’s bar exam passage standard for law schools.

Dec 20, 2021 12:43 PM CST