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Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 2:59 pm
by BobbyBooBoo
I just looked up the historical pass rates between July and February. Anyone know why February almost always seem to have a 5%-10% lower pass rate overall?

I really hope the February exam isn't much harder. Sigh.

Re: Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:16 pm
by rpupkin
BobbyBooBoo wrote:I just looked up the historical pass rates between July and February. Anyone know why February almost always seem to have a 5%-10% lower pass rate overall?

I really hope the February exam isn't much harder. Sigh.
Can you really not figure out why the pass rates for February are lower?

Re: Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 3:38 pm
by Tomego
BobbyBooBoo wrote:I just looked up the historical pass rates between July and February. Anyone know why February almost always seem to have a 5%-10% lower pass rate overall?

I really hope the February exam isn't much harder. Sigh.
I wouldn't say that is much harder or easier. I'd imagine they are fairly in line with each other. I'd guess people taking the February bar fall into 3 main categories, (1) failed the summer bar, (2) graduated off track, or (3) are moving from another state.

The pass rate for not first time takers is significantly lower than first time takers, that probably feeds into that average. I'd say people off track are either people who failed classes, ie likely to do poorly, or worked their butts off to finish earlier, contributing to a higher pass rate, I'd say its a wash for that group. Moving from another state, likely working. This would lead to less study time and less study time would equate to less pass rates. I'd say that 2/3 of the groups contribute to a lower pass rate while the third doesn't make it go too far one way or another.

Re: Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 5:53 pm
by BobbyBooBoo
Tomego wrote:
BobbyBooBoo wrote:I just looked up the historical pass rates between July and February. Anyone know why February almost always seem to have a 5%-10% lower pass rate overall?

I really hope the February exam isn't much harder. Sigh.
I wouldn't say that is much harder or easier. I'd imagine they are fairly in line with each other. I'd guess people taking the February bar fall into 3 main categories, (1) failed the summer bar, (2) graduated off track, or (3) are moving from another state.

The pass rate for not first time takers is significantly lower than first time takers, that probably feeds into that average. I'd say people off track are either people who failed classes, ie likely to do poorly, or worked their butts off to finish earlier, contributing to a higher pass rate, I'd say its a wash for that group. Moving from another state, likely working. This would lead to less study time and less study time would equate to less pass rates. I'd say that 2/3 of the groups contribute to a lower pass rate while the third doesn't make it go too far one way or another.
Thanks, I see there are breakdowns of the percentages now. A bit more relaxed now, stressing out of my mind.

Re: Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 10:41 pm
by aretoodeetoo
anyone secretly hoping this one won't be too crazy because of the backlash from july? i haven't looked at the july test, heard from a co-worker that there was some confusing shit on it

Re: Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2015 11:35 pm
by redblueyellow
aretoodeetoo wrote:anyone secretly hoping this one won't be too crazy because of the backlash from july? i haven't looked at the july test, heard from a co-worker that there was some confusing shit on it
Like the 50 MBE questions on mortgages?

Re: Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2015 2:24 am
by underthirty
.

Re: Is the Feb. CA bar exam harder than the July CA. bar?

Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2015 9:46 pm
by saraea
In a word: yes.

But don't get discouraged...it's still completely doable. They step it up a notch, but not enough that you should be forlorn about it. Don't psyche yourself out.