Get in touch: +1 929 252 0226
Reviewed by:
Former Head of Pre-Law Office, Northeastern University, & Admissions Officer, Brown University
Reviewed: 01/27/23
Worried about passing the infamously difficult bar exam? Keep reading for a list of the easiest bar exams by state for those who want to maximize their chances of passing.
The bar exam requires months and months of full-time studying. Many test-takers become drained and burnt out by the intense preparation required. Everyone makes lists about the hardest bar exams, but what about the easiest?
Whether you are worried about passing, don’t have the recommended 400 to 600 hours to dedicate to studying, or just simply want to get the bar over and done with, our list will provide you with options for the easiest bar exam.
According to the most recent bar exam results, the easiest bar exam to pass is in Utah. The overall passing rate for this bar exam is 88%, with the first-timer pass rate at 90%. This is in stark contrast with Vermont, having an overall bar exam pass rate of just 53%.
The bar exam is intimidating for any aspiring lawyer, which is why we compiled a list of the easiest bar exams, along with the overall passing rate and minimum UBE score needed to pass for each state.
The stats in this table reflect the rates for the most recent bar exam results. Please note that these percentages fluctuate annually.
The Table below shows the overall pass rate and first-timer pass rate for every state in the USA.
Interestingly, all of these states have a higher pass rate for first-time test-takers than the overall pass rate.
If you're preparing for the bar exam, UBE tutoring can be an invaluable resource for streamlining your study process. By focusing on key content areas, test strategies, and time management, tutoring can help you approach even the most challenging exams with confidence.
If you find yourself becoming extremely stressed and anxious about failing the bar, you can always retake the exam.
If you are still anxious about taking the bar exam and worried about passing, there are other ways to become a practicing lawyer in the US without taking the bar exam.
Recently, Oregon’s Bar Exam Task Force submitted alternative pathways to becoming a lawyer in the state. These two pathways are:
These new pathways have been approved by the Oregon Supreme Court and are being implemented.
The Blue Ribbon Commission on the Future of the California Bar Exam (BRC) was established to evaluate the state’s attorney licensing process and consider potential reforms.
The commission was tasked with analyzing the California Attorney Practice Analysis (CAPA), the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) studies, and other recent research on bar exam outcomes.
Over nearly two years, the commission met 19 times to explore whether California should develop its own bar exam, modify its testing structure, or adopt alternative pathways to licensure.
After extensive research, consultations, and public input, the commission finalized its recommendations. These included the development of a California-specific exam that aligns with CAPA’s findings, covering nine legal subjects and six key legal skills.
The commission also examined potential reciprocity agreements to allow out-of-state attorneys to practice in California without sitting for the bar exam, though with fair treatment for California attorneys seeking admission elsewhere.
While the commission thoroughly reviewed alternative licensure models used in other jurisdictions, it did not reach a consensus on adopting a non-exam pathway. The Board is now being asked to approve the report, recommend its adoption to the Supreme Court, and recognize the contributions of the commission members.
The Minnesota Board of Law Examiners is looking to provide alternatives to demonstrate an aspiring lawyer’s competency and skills as early as 2026. Alternatives have not been approved by the Supreme Court yet, but it seems like most parties involved are open to having a discussion about different pathways into the profession.
One alternative is building portfolios instead of taking the bar exam, and another one is potentially shadowing and working under a practicing lawyer for a set amount of hours.
While not necessarily providing options to avoid the bar exam, the New York State Bar Association is looking to withdraw from the UBE and start its own admissions test to make the exam more equitable. This may result in the bar exam being more accessible and less demanding for test takers.
Keep in mind that passing the bar exam is still the best option to become a lawyer. While we’ve outlined some potential options to possibly avoid the bar exam, most of these options are still a lot of work and require vast legal skills and knowledge.
Ultimately, the alternative options for the bar exam are fairly limited, and as of now, some aren’t even guaranteed. It is in your best interest to try to take the bar exam. If you still have questions about what is the easiest bar exam and what state has the easiest bar exam, keep reading as we answer frequently asked questions.
According to the most recent bar exam results, the easiest bar exam to pass is in Utah. The overall passing rate for this bar exam is 88%, with the first-timer pass rate at 90%.
Yes, the overall pass rate of 80% indicates that the Missouri bar exam is easy. The minimum score needed to pass the bar exam in Missouri is 260, or 130 on the MBE point scale, compared to the average passing score of 170.
While there are states with notably higher passing rates for their bar exam, you still need to put in a lot of hard work to successfully pass the bar. There are potential alternatives to taking the exam, but those may not be your best option.
