The alarming decrease in bar exam pass rates Forum

[AdminMod1]

There is a recent and concerning decline in bar exam pass rates across the US, with many states seeing double-digit drops. This is a worrying trend for law students who have invested so much time and money into their legal education. Any thoughts about this?

[Anonymous User]

Thank you adminmod1 for your concern, a very real account that's definitely not trying to artificially generate engagement

[jamestaylorrecordsas]

Might it be related to Covid?

Is it true that Calif has historically had the hardest Bar Exam? Hardest meaning lowest pass rates.

And what, if anything, accounts for that

Too many want to practice in Calif so they weed more people out? Even though they would easily pass had they taken the Bar in another state?

[Anonymous User]

Might it be related to Covid?

Is it true that Calif has historically had the hardest Bar Exam? Hardest meaning lowest pass rates.

And what, if anything, accounts for that
P
Too many want to practice in Calif so they weed more people out? Even though they would easily pass had they taken the Bar in another state?

CA has low pass rates because of the non ABA schools

[jamestaylorrecordsas]

California is one of four states – along with Virginia, Vermont and Washington – that allow individuals to skip law school altogether and qualify for the bar exam after a traditional legal apprenticeship called “reading the law.” If you can find a lawyer looking for an apprentice, you may save on tuition and follow in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln.

Even if graduates of unaccredited law schools save money in the short term, their postgraduate job prospects may suffer. Their overall rates of bar passage and postgraduate employment are significantly lower than for their peers from low-ranked but accredited law schools. Only 50.1% of test takers passed the July 2019 bar exam in California, including only 14.4% of graduates of unaccredited California law schools.

Yes, the non-ABA schools are at a disadvantage. Many students have jobs and do night law school in Calif, so naturally there will be a lower Bar pass rate.

Keep in mind that Calif is not the only state that allows you to sit for the Bar from a non-ABA law school, or no law school at all

Why Calif Bar pass rate so low? I'd say 80% of the explanation is that everyone wants to practice in Calif. They have to weed people out.

[Anonymous User]

So, California has like 5 of those schools, far more than other states. And they can ONLY take the California bar. And are just not well equipped to pass. You just quoted stats that sub 15% of non ABA school grads pass. It's bound to affect the overall numbers!

Not saying it's the only factor, but it's a big one.

[AdminMod1]

Might it be related to Covid?

Is it true that Calif has historically had the hardest Bar Exam? Hardest meaning lowest pass rates.

And what, if anything, accounts for that

Too many want to practice in Calif so they weed more people out? Even though they would easily pass had they taken the Bar in another state?

The pandemic really made a big impact since a lot of the subjects tested on the exam are taught during the height of pandemic. It was actually New York, Texas, and Florida that had a significant drop in their pass rate from 45% to 40%.