Bar Exam Passing Scores & Pass Rates by State (2026)

How Bar Exam Scoring Works

UBE scoring: Your raw scores on the MBE (200 multiple-choice questions), MEE (six essays), and MPT (two performance tasks) are scaled and weighted. The MBE accounts for 50% of the UBE score, the MEE 30%, and the MPT 20%. The result is a single scaled score on a 200-400 point scale.

Non-UBE states use their own scoring systems, which is why a California 1390 and a New York 266 aren't comparable. Florida reports on a 0-200 scale. California reports on a 1000-2000 scale. Wisconsin uses a 0-200 scale. Pass rates should be compared instead of raw scores when comparing non-UBE jurisdictions.

The MBE itself is the multiple-choice component common to almost every jurisdiction. Your scaled MBE score is what counts — not your raw correct count. Scaling adjusts for question difficulty across administrations, so a raw 130 in July might scale higher than a raw 130 in February.

New York Bar Exam Passing Score

New York requires a UBE score of 266, adopted in 2016. Score validity is 3 years. Applicants must also pass two additional New York-specific components: the New York Law Course (NYLC, an online course) and the New York Law Exam (NYLE, a 50-question online test on New York law). Recent first-time pass rates for the New York bar run ~75-80%.

California Bar Exam Passing Score

California requires 1390 (scaled) on its own 1000-2000 scale. California is not a UBE jurisdiction. The California Bar Exam covers California-specific subjects (community property, California civil procedure, California evidence) on top of the standard MBE topics. First-time pass rates have been around 50-55% in recent administrations — the lowest among major U.S. jurisdictions.

California lowered its passing score from 1440 to 1390 in 2020, following years of pressure from law schools, applicants, and the state legislature.

Texas Bar Exam Passing Score

Texas requires a UBE score of 270, adopted in 2021. Score validity is 5 years — among the most generous in the country. First-time pass rates run ~68-72%. Texas accepts transferred UBE scores from other jurisdictions for up to 5 years.

Florida Bar Exam Passing Score

Florida requires a scaled score of 136 on its own scale. Florida is not a UBE jurisdiction. The Florida Bar Examination covers Florida-specific subjects including Florida constitutional law, evidence, and civil procedure. First-time pass rates run ~68-72%.

Illinois Bar Exam Passing Score

Illinois requires a UBE score of 266, adopted in 2019. Score validity is 3 years. First-time pass rates run ~72-75%. Illinois accepts transferred UBE scores from any UBE jurisdiction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the bar exam pass rate?

The national first-time pass rate from ABA-accredited law schools hovers around 78%. Top-tier law school graduates pass at 90%+. Repeat-taker pass rates are dramatically lower — typically 30-45% depending on the jurisdiction. Pass rates also vary by state, by administration (July vs February), and by school of origin.

What is a good UBE score?

266 lets you practice in 14 jurisdictions including New York, DC, New Jersey, Illinois, and Maryland. 270 adds 14 more (Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Ohio, Oregon, etc.). Above 270 you unlock the highest-cut jurisdictions (PA 272, AZ 273, CO/RI 276, AK 280). For maximum portability, aim for 280+ — that lets you practice in any UBE jurisdiction.

Do bar exam pass rates include repeat takers?

Headline pass rates usually report first-time takers from ABA-accredited schools, which is the more flattering number. Overall pass rates including repeaters are 8-15 percentage points lower depending on the jurisdiction. NCBE and ABA report both figures separately.