New York Reports Record-High Bar Exam Pass Rate, Leading U.S. Jurisdictions in July 2024 Exam
In a promising trend for law graduates and legal employers, New York has joined the list of states seeing improved bar exam pass rates this year. The state reported that 69% of examinees successfully passed the July 2024 bar exam—its highest pass rate since 2013. This achievement reflects a 3% increase from last year's 66%, according to the New York Board of Law Examiners, marking a significant milestone for the largest U.S. bar exam jurisdiction, which saw over 10,000 applicants sit for the July test.
Rising Bar Exam Pass Rates: A Positive National Trend
New York’s improvement aligns with broader national results. Out of 46 states that have reported, 31 showed an increase in their bar exam pass rates over last year, 12 reported decreases, and three states saw no change. Only a handful of states, including California and Ohio, have yet to release their results, though 2024 is shaping up to be an exceptionally strong year nationwide.
Higher pass rates are a boost not only for recent law graduates but also for law schools, which must meet American Bar Association (ABA) accreditation standards that include minimum bar exam pass rates. This trend is also welcome news for legal employers, who rely on a steady pipeline of qualified attorneys to fill various positions.
National Bar Exam Average Scores Hit New Highs
A significant factor in this year’s results is the boost in scores on the national level. The National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) reported a rise in the average score on the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) to 141.8—an increase of 1.3 points from July 2023. This score represents the highest MBE average since 2013, except in 2020 when adjustments were made to the exam due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The NCBE attributed this improvement partly to the large 2021 law school entering class, which had unusually strong academic credentials. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, law school applications surged by 13%, allowing schools to be more selective and admit candidates with higher academic performance. This selective process has translated to stronger performance on the bar exam for the 2024 cohort.
Other States Follow Suit with Notable Increases
Several other large jurisdictions echoed New York’s positive trend. Florida’s pass rate climbed to 65% from last year’s 61%, while Texas experienced an impressive increase from 71% to 75%. Illinois also saw a jump, with its pass rate rising from 70% to 72%. Michigan’s pass rate made an even more significant leap, reaching 64%, up 9% from 2023. Pennsylvania also marked an improvement, achieving a 77% pass rate, up from last year’s 71%.
Most states experiencing declines reported minimal reductions, though Wyoming was a notable exception, with its pass rate dropping to 65%—15% lower than the 80% pass rate recorded last year. Wyoming’s pass rate, however, is based on a relatively small pool of just 52 examinees, which may contribute to the variability in year-to-year results.
Upcoming State Results Expected in November
While many jurisdictions have published results, a few key states are still awaiting announcements. California, the second-largest bar exam jurisdiction in the U.S., will release its results on November 8, while both Ohio and Maryland are expected to publish their results on Friday. Additionally, the District of Columbia will announce its bar exam outcomes by November 5.
With most states reporting strong results this year, the legal education sector can expect sustained momentum, supporting the growth and stability of the profession. For law graduates, the higher success rates on the bar exam could lead to quicker job placements and more robust career opportunities as they enter the legal field.
