Bar Exam Bounce Back: Scores Climb to Longest High in Over a Decade

September 1, 2025

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Bar Exam Bounce Back: Scores Climb to Longest High in Over a Decade

A Bright Outlook for New Attorneys

The July 2025 bar exam brought a wave of optimism across the legal community, with national scores climbing to their highest level in 12 years. The Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) average rose to 142.4, signaling stronger performance from test-takers and offering a sharp contrast to February’s historic low. For thousands of law graduates, this surge marks a turning point—and a hopeful sign for higher passage rates ahead.

Why It Matters

The MBE, a multiple-choice exam with 200 questions, comprises 50% of the bar exam in most U.S. jurisdictions
NCBE psychometrics lead Bob Schwartz suggests that the increase in average scores likely means a modest bump in overall pass rates compared to last summer
States will begin releasing individual results and pass rate statistics in the coming weeks

Flashback: February’s Low Point

Just months earlier, in February 2025, the MBE average plunged to a record low of 130.8—the lowest since the test’s inception in 1972. This decline was partly driven by California’s temporary shift away from the MBE in favor of its own state-specific exam. However, after technical issues in February, the California Supreme Court has now mandated a return to using the MBE as of July.

Takeaways

This rebound in MBE scores offers an encouraging sign for recent law graduates in impassioned pursuit of licensure. With the July exam reflecting renewed strength and stability—especially with California back in the fold—prospective attorneys have renewed hope for successful passages nationwide.

Gain insights into what these record scores mean for law schools and employers.

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