Are there people who never pass the bar exam?

Yes, many people never pass the bar exam, with tens of thousands failing each year, though most eventually pass on subsequent attempts; however, some individuals, due to various factors like mindset, lack of support, language barriers, or inadequate preparation, struggle repeatedly or give up entirely, highlighting that while many can fail, a persistent few genuinely find it exceptionally difficult to pass, even if they possess the intelligence and talent.

What percent of people never pass the bar?

For the July 2025 Attorneys' Exam, the 43.4 percent passing rate is lower than the July 2024 result (48.9 percent) and the July 2023 result (47.8 percent).

What if I never pass the bar exam?

If you fail the bar exam, you can usually retake it, often with employer support for the first failure, but you're not a lawyer yet, so you'll likely work in a non-lawyer role (like a law clerk) until you pass, requiring a new study strategy, emotional resilience, and potential financial adjustments, with some states having limits on retakes. 

How many times did Michelle Obama fail the bar?

Michelle Obama failed the Illinois bar exam once, on her first attempt, but passed on her second try, a common experience she's shared publicly to encourage others facing setbacks in their careers, demonstrating that failure isn't final and can be a stepping stone to success, leading to a distinguished legal and public service career.
 

Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam to be a lawyer?

No, Kim Kardashian did not pass the California Bar Exam in her most recent attempt (July 2025), though she shared that she came very close and vowed to keep studying, sharing her disappointment and determination to pass in future attempts on her show and social media, as revealed in late 2025. She stated she's "not a lawyer yet" but is dedicated to her law journey, viewing the setback as motivation, per reports from November 2025.
 

The 5 Groups Who Will NEVER Pass the Bar Exam

How many times can you fail the bar exam?

You can usually fail the bar exam an unlimited number of times, as most states have no cap, but some jurisdictions impose limits, ranging from a few (e.g., 4-6) with potential extensions (discretionary) to a few with strict, absolute limits (like Kansas, North Dakota, Vermont), so you must check your specific state's rules. While there's often no official limit, the process is costly and mentally taxing, so many people stop after a few attempts. 

Is the baby bar harder than the bar?

The Baby Bar (First-Year Law Students' Examination) in California often has a lower pass rate than the main Bar Exam, leading some to call it harder, but this reflects the different test-taker pool (often from unaccredited schools or law office study) rather than inherent difficulty; the Baby Bar tests foundational first-year subjects (Contracts, Torts, Criminal Law) in a shorter format, while the full Bar covers more subjects in a longer, two-day format. While many find the Baby Bar challenging due to the fundamental skills tested and lower preparedness of some test-takers, the full Bar Exam is generally considered the ultimate hurdle for licensure, with high stakes and broader scope.
 

Did JFK Jr pass the bar?

Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1989. He then failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third try in July 1990. After failing the exam for a second time, Kennedy vowed that he would continue to take it until he was 95 years old or passed.

Is the bar or CPA harder?

There's no definitive answer, as it's subjective, but many who've taken both find the CPA Exam harder due to its four distinct sections, breadth of technical accounting knowledge, and the need to pass all within 18 months (a marathon), while the Bar Exam is often seen as a more intense, physically demanding sprint over two days testing broad legal concepts. The CPA's difficulty often comes from its multifaceted nature and the challenge of mastering different accounting/tax areas, whereas the Bar's challenge lies in the sheer volume of legal information and mental stamina required over consecutive days. 

What was Obama's LSAT score?

Barack Obama's specific LSAT score has never been officially released, but it's widely believed he scored very highly (likely above 170, potentially near perfect) to gain admission to Harvard Law School despite a lower undergraduate GPA, suggesting he was in the top few percentile of test-takers for his application year. While no official number exists, analyses point to a score in the top tier (e.g., 94th-98th percentile) to overcome his GPA for admission to a top-ranked program like Harvard.
 

Why do most bars fail?

The top reasons why bars fail (and how to avoid them)

1. Economic challenges and market uncertainty. ...
2. Lack of a clear, differentiated concept. ...
3. Poor staff management and high turnover. ...
4. Insufficient capital and budgeting. ...
5. Intense competition in the bar industry. ...
6. Neglecting marketing and promotion.

How many people fail out of law school?

How race and ethnicity play a role in law school attrition. The 2023 law school attrition rate was 3.8 percent, varying across demographics and institutions.

What to say when someone doesn't pass the bar exam?

Don't say anything, just listen to them.

Sometimes there is nothing you can say to someone who has failed the bar exam. Sometimes the best thing to do is just to listen to how your loved one feels. Encourage them to share what they want to share about how they feel and be attentive to how they are feeling.

How many times has Kim Kardashian failed the bar?

Kim Kardashian failed the "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Exam) three times before passing it on her fourth attempt in December 2021, and she failed the main California Bar Exam once in July 2025, planning to retake it in February 2026.
 

How many people graduate law school but don't pass the bar?

There are probably on the order of 150,000 law school graduates in the United States who have taken but never passed a bar exam; this amounts to one in ten J.D.s and the risk falls disparately on black, Hispanic, and Asian law school graduates.

What is the easiest bar to pass?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker!

What is the hardest licensing exam in the US?

1. USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination)

• Pass rates vary widely by subject. ...
• The exams on this list rank as the toughest in the United States because they combine heavy content, strict testing rules, and long-term consequences. ...
• These exams also carry practical consequences.

Is law school harder than accounting?

Is It Easier to Become a Lawyer or an Accountant? Lawyers and accountants both require a specialized education, but it is easier to become an accountant. A typical lawyer goes through a four year college program, plus three years of law school before they can be admitted to the bar.

What's harder, CFP or bar exam?

The CFP® exam is equally as challenging as the CFA® exams, the CPA® exam, and bar exam. Every year, thousands of candidates go through this rigorous certification testing, but not everyone makes it to the finish line.

Did Michelle Obama pass the bar?

Yes, Michelle Obama did pass the bar exam, but not on her first try; she failed the Illinois bar initially, felt discouraged, but eventually passed on her second attempt after graduating from Harvard Law School and went on to have a successful legal career before becoming First Lady.
 

Did Joe Biden pass a bar exam?

Yes, Joe Biden passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Delaware bar in 1969 after earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Syracuse University College of Law in 1968, despite graduating in the lower portion of his class. He practiced law before entering politics, serving as a lawyer and later becoming the 27th President of the United States, and the first President with a law degree from a non-"T-14" law school in a century, notes Law.com. 

Who is the youngest person to ever pass the bar exam?

A California girl who entered law school at 13 has just passed the state's bar exam at the age of 17, one year after her brother achieved the same goal. Sophia Park was 17 years and 8 months old when she passed the California bar exam on Nov.

Did Kim Kardashian pass the baby bar exam?

Yes, Kim Kardashian passed California's "baby bar" (First-Year Law Students' Examination) in December 2021, after failing three times previously, marking a significant milestone in her journey to become a lawyer through the state's Law Office Study program. She announced her success on social media, noting it was a difficult, multi-attempt process but a proud achievement. 

How hard is the bar actually?

Yes, the bar exam is widely considered very difficult due to the massive volume of law tested, intense time pressure, complex application of knowledge, and significant mental/emotional strain, even though pass rates for first-timers are often surprisingly high (around 80% nationally). It's a tough test of minimum competency, requiring weeks of focused study, and its difficulty is compounded by state-specific variations and high-stakes pressure, especially in jurisdictions like California or Florida. 

What is a bar baby?

The Baby Bar Exam, officially called the First-Year Law Students' Examination (FYLSE), is required in Californiafor students taking a non-traditional path to a legal education. This includes: Students at unaccredited or California-accredited law schools. Those enrolled in correspondence or online programs.