The Top 10 Easiest Bar Exams to Pass
The Top 10 Easiest Bar Exams to Pass – Updated for 2025
Are you curious about which bar exams are the easiest to pass? While statistics don’t tell the full story, they provide valuable insights into jurisdictions with the highest and lowest pass rates for first-time and repeat takers. Below, we break down the data from the July 2024 bar exams to highlight which jurisdictions stand out and what you need to consider.
Easiest Bar Exams to Pass for First-Time Takers
These jurisdictions have the highest first-time pass rates, reflecting where new test-takers found the greatest success. Note that the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and passing score requirements vary by state. You can find the most recent July 2024 data here.
JURISDICTION | FIRST-TIMER PASS RATE | Number of Examinees | Passing Score | UBE |
Utah | 90% | 336 | 260 | Yes |
Minnesota | 88% | 650 | 260 | Yes |
Colorado | 87% | 744 | 270 | Yes |
Iowa | 87% | 189 | 266 | Yes |
District of Columbia | 85% | 2,520 | 266 | Yes |
Missouri | 85% | 640 | 260 | Yes |
Montana | 85% | 100 | 266 | Yes |
Nebraska | 85% | 229 | 270 | Yes |
Oklahoma | 85% | 407 | 260 | Yes |
Massachusetts | 84% | 1,717 | 270 | Yes |
Easiest Bar Exams to Pass for Repeat Takers
Repeat takers often face a more challenging road to success, but these jurisdictions offer the highest repeater pass rates. You can find the most recent July 2024 data here.
JURISDICTION | REPEATER PASS RATE | Number of Examinees | Passing Score | UBE |
Mississippi | 67% | 151 | 132 | No |
Utah | 57% | 336 | 260 | Yes |
New Hampshire | 56% | 115 | 270 | Yes |
North Dakota | 56% | 68 | 260 | Yes |
Oklahoma | 51% | 407 | 260 | Yes |
Iowa | 50% | 189 | 266 | Yes |
Oregon | 48% | 421 | 270 | Yes |
Virginia | 46% | 558 | 140 | No |
Minnesota | 44% | 650 | 260 | Yes |
Montana | 44% | 100 | 266 | Yes |
Should You Take the Bar Exam in a “Easier” Jurisdiction?
While the numbers might tempt you, traveling to a different jurisdiction in hopes of passing can come with challenges:
- Score Transferability: Will your score transfer to the state where you plan to practice? If not, there is no point in taking the bar exam in a different jurisdiction! For example, if you are in a UBE state, don’t take the bar exam in Mississippi even though it has a high repeat taker pass rate.
- Passing Score Differences: A jurisdiction with a 260 passing score won’t help if your home state requires a 270. So keep this in mind! Review the “passing score” column.
- Consistency: Does the jurisdiction consistently have higher pass rates, or is this year an outlier? Look back on data available on the NCBE’s website or the jurisdiction’s webiste.
- Underlying Factors: Higher pass rates might reflect better law school support, not necessarily an easier exam. There are numerous reasons a state may have a higher pass rate–not just because they have an easier bar exam to pass.
Additionally, traveling for the bar can increase expenses, anxiety, and fatigue, potentially canceling out any benefits. Instead of relocating, consider investing in targeted support like tutoring or specialized bar prep programs to improve your chances of success.
By understanding the data and considering the factors above, you can make an informed decision that works best for your bar exam journey.
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