When Will the October 2020 New York Bar Exam Results be Released?

When the Will October 2020 New York Bar Exam Results be Released?

October 2020 New York Bar Exam results should be released around the last week of November or first week of December. (Our formal guess of the release date is Thursday, December 3, 2020, but it could really be anytime!) Note that results were released on December 16. You can read the press release here.

Of the 5,000 applicants that took the exam, 4,319 passed for an overall passing rate of 84%! This is about half the takers that normally take the exam (see below for total amounts). And the pass rate is about 20% higher, likely due to the fact that New York gave a preference toward first-time bar exam takers and others likely to pass.

UPDATE: the October 2020 New York Bar Exam results were released on December 16, 2020, 4319/5150 (83.9% passed)!

When the Will October 2020 New York Bar Exam Results be Released?

Note that the New York State Board of Law Examiners seems to like releasing results on Tuesday through Friday most of the time (when releasing July results, they seem to like Wednesdays and Fridays, and when releasing February results, they seem to like Tuesday and Thursday). Like many state boards, they tend to avoid releasing results on Mondays, though in July 2017, they released results on Monday afternoon. However, there is no telling what will happen this fall, as the exam is not traditionally administered at this time. We do believe the board will release the pass list to give those who fail ample time to study for the February 2021 bar exam.

Due to COVID-19, it is very unclear when the results will be released this year. Why?

• The bar exam is offered to significantly less takers.
• The bar exam is later so the results release date will be later and probably not follow a standard pattern.
• It is unclear if the Board will have to change their grading process (i.e. how graders grade or who their graders are) due to the pandemic and it is also unclear if the board will want to use a different grading curve given that first-time takers (so far) make up the bulk of test-takers. 

You can judge for yourself when you think New York will release the October 2020 bar exam results. Here are the past July results dates for the New York Bar Exam, including the day of the week (keep in mind that the exam is administered in October this year, so things are much different!):

New York Bar Exam July exam results release dates in the past

• October 2020: Results released on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 (5,150 takers, 83.9% passed) (note this was an online, shortened exam!)
• July 2019: Results released on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 (10,071 takers, 65% passed) 
• July 2018: Results released on Tuesday, October 23, 2018. (9,679 takers, 63% passed)
• July 2017: Results released on Monday, October 22, 2017 (9,932 takers, 68% passed) 
• July 2016: Results released on Friday, October 28, 2016. (10,297 takers, 64% passed)
• July 2015: Results released on Tuesday, October 27, 2015. (10,671 takers, 61% passed)
• July 2014: Results released on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. (There were 11,195 takers)
• July 2013: Results released on Wednesday, October 30, 2013. (There were 11,694 takers)
• July 2012: Results released on Friday, November 2, 2012. (There were 11,734 takers)
• July 2011: Results released on Wednesday, November 2, 2011. (There were 11,182 takers)
• July 2010: Results released on Friday, November 5, 2010. (There were 11,557 takers)
• July 2009: Results released on Wednesday, November 4, 2009. (There were 11,532 takers)
• July 2008: Results released on Thursday, November 13, 2008. (There were 11,176 takers)

Based on the information we receive, results are typically released late (around midnight), though, in July 2017, they were released on Monday afternoon. And, in 2019, results were released around 8 a.m.! So, there is really no telling what time results will be out! You should be emailed from the New York Board of Law Examiners when results are out.

We have an in-depth post on when all states’ results will be released here.

If you want to see the days and dates that February 2020 New York bar exam results were released, check out this post.

I think I failed the New York Bar Exam! Can I reserve a spot for tutoring or a course? 

Yes. We have multiple options for top-notch UBE tutors (who have passed the New York Bar Exam!) and have helped several students pass the UBE. Our spots fill up quickly so we truly recommend early application so that we can reserve your spot if need be! To read more about our New York Bar Exam tutoring click here.

The best deal that we offer for your money is our highly regarded, small group Uniform Bar Exam Course. It also fills up the very quickly as we have very limited spots. So we highly recommend early application or reservation. It is tailored to exactly what is tested on the Uniform Bar exam.  Note: You are not required to use the spot if you temporarily reserve the spot. It will merely be held for you.

You should also check out our myriad additional resources, including our MEE One-Sheets (for sale in our online store), a New York Bar Exam Seminar (which covered a lot of what was tested on the last bar exam!) and our New York MEE Course. We limit the number of students for private tutoring and that can attend our seminar and course.

*Note, just because you reserve a spot (as your plan B!)  does not mean you will jinx yourself! In fact, most of our students who reserve a spot for private tutoring or our other services end up not needing them (even though they are convinced they failed!). Why is this? It is because feelings do not correlate with results! This is is why—even if you are absolutely convinced you failed—you may have indeed passed! Please see this post about how to deal with worrying about bar exam results before they are released!  You are also welcome to contact us if you find you cannot stop worrying!

If you failed the New York Bar Exam, please see this post on what your next steps should be.

Wondering what to do while you wait for October 2020 New York Bar Exam results?

We frequently recommend that people come up with a “Plan A” and a “Plan B” while they are waiting for results. Plan A is what you will do if you pass (e.g., apply for jobs, update your LinkedIn profile, etc.). And plan B is what you will do if you fail. If you want help coming up with your plan B, read this post on what to do if you fail the New York bar exam.

While you wait for your October 2020 New York Bar Exam results, we recommend that you read these two articles:  a note to those who pass the bar exam and a note to those who fail the bar exam. They are both good to read prior to getting results. (Whether you pass and friend fails or vice versa, you will be more prepared to deal with it, or to be a good friend to your friends that fail. And you will be in the right mindset!).

If you are still bored while waiting for October 2020 New York Bar Exam results, please check out these other articles:

If you are waiting for results:

• Plan a nice post-bar exam vacation (or “bar moon” as some call it). Anywhere. Being in an “in-between” stage of your life can be awful in some ways. However, in other ways, it gives you an excuse to take a break!
• Figure out a plan of attack for if you fail and if you pass. We have some stellar ideas on “The Art of Waiting for Bar Exam Results”.
• We have some work-related articles here that discuss how to start your own business, how to start your own law firm, polishing up your Linkedin profile, etc. These are especially useful if you are looking to put themselves in the best position to get a job while waiting for bar exam results.
• Read how to dissect your New York Bar Exam score report here.

If you failed the bar exam:

• If you failed (or are worried you will fail) the New York Bar Exam, please see this post on what the next steps should be.
• Read how to dissect your New York Bar Exam score report here.
• I failed the bar exam. What should I do? Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on what to do!
• Read this post on what to do if you failed the Uniform Bar Exam, as well as this post on what your UBE score report means.
• How to pass the bar exam the second time around: 5 things to do differently.
• I failed the bar exam twice (or three times, or four or more times): Here is a step-by-step guide to getting out of this vicious cycle!
• Should I rewatch lectures if I fail the bar exam? Generally, the answer is no.
• How to tell your boss you failed the bar exam: What to say and what not to say.
• What happens if I work at a big law firm and fail the bar?
• Lastly, check out our very popular note to those who failed the bar exam, quotes for those who failed the bar exam, and a list of famous people that failed the bar exam—you are not alone!
• Read this detailed guide on what to do if you failed the Uniform Bar Exam.

If you passed the bar exam:

• Read our note to those who passed the bar exam. It reminds you how to mind your bar exam manners (and keep your friends) if you passed!
• Read how to dissect your New York Bar Exam score report here.

Good luck waiting for bar exam results!

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