Bar exam results for February have painted a mixed picture, with many of the largest states reporting significant declines in their pass rates. Of the 43 states that have disclosed results so far, nearly half (24) saw their pass rates dip compared to last year, while 18 states showed improvement. Oregon’s pass rate remained unchanged.
The drop in pass rates was particularly noticeable in states with large bar exam populations. In New York, which holds the title for the most examinees in the country with roughly 14,000 test-takers, the pass rate dropped from 42% in 2024 to 38% in 2025. Texas saw a small decline, with its rate slipping by a point to 47%, while Illinois saw a notable drop from 44% to 40%. Florida, however, bucked the trend, showing a modest improvement of five percentage points, bringing its pass rate to 46%.
The National Conference of Bar Examiners had already predicted the downturn, pointing to record-low scores on the multiple-choice section of the test. “I think that the lower MBE is the greatest contributor to what we’re seeing with these scores,” explained bar exam tutor Sean Silverman. The conference further attributed the decrease in MBE scores to California’s decision to hold a separate February exam, as well as a decline in performance among repeat test takers, whose scores tend to drag down national averages.
The effects of this downturn were particularly evident in states that reported significant fluctuations. Five states reported changes of 10 or more percentage points—an unusually high margin—though these states tended to have smaller pools of examinees.
While some states experienced improvements, the overall picture remains grim. Of the 43 states that reported, only 14 managed to achieve a pass rate higher than 50%. Silverman described this as “discouraging,” given the already challenging nature of the exam.
February exams traditionally have lower pass rates compared to the July session, primarily due to the higher percentage of repeat test-takers. These individuals, having already failed at least once, tend to have lower success rates than first-time examinees.
California, one of the eight states yet to release results, made headlines earlier this year with the introduction of a hybrid bar exam that included both remote and in-person components, omitting the national portion that has long been part of the state’s test. Unfortunately, test-takers reported multiple issues, including software glitches and disruptions from proctors. The State Bar of California has petitioned the state’s Supreme Court for a score adjustment, a process that has delayed the release of results.
