Friday, October 30, 2009

Georgia's Bar Exam Results for July 2009 Are Now Out

The results of the July 2009 bar examination for Georgia were released to applicants today. The Board of Law Examiners have posted the individual names on its website.

Congratulations to those who passed from Bar Professors.

South Carolina Releases its Bar Exam Results for July 2009 By Law School

South Carolina has released its bar exam results for July 2009 by law school. Here are the results:

Charleston School of Law: 75.88%

University of South Carolina: 84.81%

Other Schools: 66.01%

Total: 76.28%

Massachusetts Released its Bar Exam Pass Rate Today

Massachusetts released its bar pass rate today.

For first time takers, the bar exam pass rate is 90.4%

For second time takers, the bar exam pass rate is 49%

For third time takers, the bar exam pass rate is 45%

For fourth time takers, the bar exam pass rate is 33.3%

For fifth time or more takers, the bar exam pass rate is 27.3%

The overall bar exam pass rate is 85.7%.

Georgia’s Bar Exam Results Will be Released Today at 4:30 pm

A list of successful applicants from the July 2009 Georgia Bar Examination will be posted at 3:30 pm on Friday, October 30, 2009. Applicant numbers are not needed to access this information.

Nearly 1,000 Applicants Pass July 2009 Ohio Bar Exam

The Supreme Court of Ohio Office of Bar Admissions released the results today of the July 2009 Ohio Bar Exam, which was administered in Columbus July 28 through July 30. Out of the 1,177 applicants who sat for the exam, 957 (81.3 percent) received passing scores; out of 1,046 first-time applicants, 87.8 percent received passing scores.

The successful applicants are listed by name and by law school on its website.

Congratulations to those who passed from Bar Professors.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Massachusetts Bar Exam Results for July 2009 Are Released

The results of the July 2009 bar examination for Massachusetts were released to applicants on Wenesday, October 28, 2009. The results were mailed by United States Postal Service.

Congratulations to those who passed from Bar Professors.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Michigan Bar Exam Results Have Been Released

The results of the July 2009 bar examination for Michigan were released to applicants on Tuesday, October 27, 2009. The results were mailed by United States Postal Service. The Board of Law Examiners will post, on its website, the names of the successful applicants on November 2nd.

Congratulations to those who passed.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Virginia Bar Exam Results for July 2009 Have Been Released

The July 2009 bar exam results for Virginia have been released. The individual applicants are listed by name.

The statistic information is as follows:

Pass Rate:

Overall – approximately 75.4%
First-Time Takers – approximately 80.2%


Congratulations to those who passed.

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Will the New Grading System Affect the Michigan Bar Exam Results for July 2009?

Many applicants are waiting for Michigan’s bar exam results for July 2009. I’m looking forward to seeing the exam results in light of the changes to that bar. I predict the bar exam results will be lower than last year in light of the change to the grading system.

For those not in the know, the Michigan Board of Law Examiners changed the grading system of its bar exam effective to the February 2009 bar exam. In light of the number of takers in July 2009, this bar exam result will be the real test of the grading change.

The Michigan Board of Law Examiners eliminated the practice of not grading the essay answers of applicants obtaining a threshold score on the MBE.

All essay answers in the Michigan bar will now be graded and no applicant will pass the examination solely on the basis of the applicant’s MBE score. The Board of Law Examiners will now scale the essay examination scores to the scoring of the MBE. The combined score still remains at 135.

The Michigan Board of Law Examiners stated that this new grading system will more accurately gauge whether applicants have attained the level of specific competence in Michigan law necessary for the protection of the public. Other reasons include, consistency in the level of difficulty of Michigan bar examination essay questions from one examination another, to more accurately assess whether applicants have attained the level of competence in the law, and conformity to other bar exams.

It will be interesting to see how, in grading the essays, it will affect the applicants. We’ll know any day now.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Washington, D.C. Bar Exam Results for July 2009 Are Out Today

Washington, D.C. Bar Exam results for July 2009 have come out today. The Board of Bar Examiners have released the individual names of all successful applicants.

155 applicants passed the bar out of a total of 293 applicants.

This represents a 72% pass rate among first-time takers or an overall pass rate of 53%.

Congratulations to all who passed.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The July 2009 Nevada Bar Exam Results Came Out Today

Nevada’s “unofficial” bar exam results came out today.

Nevada's “unofficial” bar pass rate is 63%.

Nevada has listed all the successful individual applicants by name. Successful applicants number approximately 245 applicants.

Congratulations to all who passed.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Repeat Florida Bar Exam Takers: A Structured Plan for Success

As we have analyzed in our previous blogs, Florida repeat bar exam takers should be very concerned with their ability to pass the Florida Bar Exam.

For those students coming from Florida A & M, you should be aware that your dean and the law school, with a first time bar exam rate of 52% over the last two exams, has reported that your school’s bar exam rate is higher than actual numbers. As we have shown through our blogs, the repeat bar exam taker numbers are substantially lower than first time takers. Absent a very structured study bar exam plan, many of the repeat bar exam takers will repeatedly fail the bar until they just give up on their dream of becoming a lawyer. As a law professor, I know too many students in this heart-breaking category. They are devastated with their failure beyond comprehension. They are literally paralyzed with indecision, depression and uncertainty about their career and, more importantly, they question their own ability to pass the bar.

My advice is to start with a very intensive structured plan. Obtain a tutor or enroll in a small bar review course and, more importantly, believe you will pass. Above all else, do not prepare for the exam as you did the first time. You have to change your approach with a structured plan for success.

Please note barprofessors will provide private tutorial for the Florida February 2010bar exam. Please go to barprofessors.com or e-mail barprofessors at pass@barprofessors.com. BarProfessors will also be conducting a seminar in November on how to pass the Florida Bar. The seminar will be held in Orlando and Miami. Seats are limited. Sign up is required.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

July 2009 Bar Exam Results for the States of Washington and Rhode Island Are Out

Rhode Island and Washington have released their bar exam results for July 2009.

Rhode Island has 166 successful applicants and they are listed by individual name on the bar examiners website.

The State of Washington also came out with its bar exam results for July 2009. All applicants bar pass rate is 68.6%; the first time taker bar pass rate is 71.8% and the repeat taker rate is 36.8%.

Congratulations to all who passed.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Bar Exam Round Up: Montana, Vermont, and New Hampshire Bar Exam Results for July 2009 are Out

Montana, Vermont, and New Hampshire, have released their results for the July 2009 bar.
In Montana, 124 examinees sat for the July 2009 bar exam and 111 of those examinees passed for 89.5% bar pass rate.

In Vermont, there were 65 candidates for admission who sat for all or part of the bar examination held on July 28 & 29, 2009 in Montpelier, Vermont. Forty or 62% have succeeded in passing both the essay examination and the Multistate Bar Examination portions. Certain applicants had previously certified essay or MBE scores. These are only reflected in the overall pass rate.

Sixty-three candidates sat for the essay examination given on July 28. Forty-two or 67% passed that examination portion. Fifty-nine candidates sat for the Multistate Bar Examination in Vermont, given on July 29. Thirty-five or 59% passed that examination.

In New Hampshire, the board of bar examiners have posted the successful applicants. 110 applicants passed the New Hampshire bar.

Congratulations to all successful applicants.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Free Florida Bar Exam Seminar in Orlando and Miami

Bar Professors will conduct and sponsor a free Florida Bar Exam Lecture on “How to Pass The Florida Bar Exam.” Law students, graduates, lawyers and repeat takers are encouraged to attend this seminar in mid-November 2009. A question and answer session will be offered.

Spaces are extremely limited and advanced registration is required. Please go to BarProfessors.com and fill out the contact sheet designating Orlando or Miami. You can also e-mail us at pass@barprofessors.com.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Bar Exam Round Up: Maine and Arizona Bar Exam Results are Out for July 2009

Maine came out with their bar results today. The Maine Bar Examiners have listed the successful individual applicants. The Bar Examiners have yet to list the overall pass rate.

Arizona is also out. There were 559 applicants, of whom 438 achieved passing scores. The overall pass rate was 78%.

Arizona lists, by name, the highest scorers. They are: Robert Gonzalez; Tucson, Arizona placed first; a 2009 graduate of Stanford Law School. Jennifer Whitney Greenband; Springfield, Missouri placed second; a 2009 graduate of Creighton University School of Law. Aaron Randall Harmon; Lewes, Delaware placed third; a 2009graduate of Duke University School of Law.

Congratulations to all successful applicants.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Repeat Bar Takers: The Myths and Reality of Passing

Most law graduates are under the false impression that the more times you take a state bar exam the greater your changes are to passing This is one Florida law school dean’s marketing tool and position.

In fact, it is just the opposite. The more times you sit for a state bar, you increase your chances of being unsuccessful. This Dean’s position is not only detrimental to his school and its law graduates but a complete fabrication. Statistically, a law school cannot have a 52% first time pass rate and a 77% overall bar pass rate. Instead, if a law school has a 52% first time rate, realistically, that school has a repeat rate of only 25% - 30%.

The statistical proof is clear and convincing that repeat takers continuously do poorer on the bar exam than first time takers. Here are the hard facts:

The Pennsylvania July 2009 bar results indicate that the first time takers passed at an 87%. The average of the second and third time takers were 29.5% and the fourth time takers were 13.41%.

For the California February 2009 bar, results for instate ABA schools first time takers were 53% and all repeat takers were 37%. For the 13 California unaccredited law schools, 24 students took the exam with a 0% bar pass rate and 114 repeat takers sat and only 4 passed for a 4% pass rate.

In Massachusetts, for the February 2009 bar results, first time takers passed at a 69% and all other repeat takers passed at an 18% pass rate.

These statistical repeat taker numbers are a clear representation that repeat takers, on an average, only pass the bar exam at about a 33% rate. Obtaining a tutor should be the number one goal for all repeat takers.

Please note barprofessors will provide private tutorial for the Florida February 2010 bar exam. Please go to barprofessors.com or e-mail barprofessors at pass@barprofessors.com.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Repeat Bar Takers: Why You Should Be Concerned

Contrary to what some law school deans are telling their students about its bar passage rate, the clear reality is that your chances decrease dramatically, in passing any state bar exam, based on the number of times you sit for that bar. In other words, the first time you take the bar is your best chance of passing; your chances decrease the second time you take the bar; and your chances further decrease each and every time you take the bar.

In most jurisdictions, second and third time takers pass at a 33% pass rate. A law school in Florida with a bar pass rate, in recent times, of 52%, tells its law graduates, the public and the ABA that its students pass at a 77% rate after taking the bar exam 2 or 3 times. My law professor colleagues are shocked at this recklessly and untrue marketing machination. The truth is, after your second or third time, your chances of passing are remote. My advice to any repeat taker is to obtain a private tutor immediately after your first failure.

Next time, we will show you the statistical evidence and discuss the repeat takers actual bar numbers from states that publish this information.

Please note barprofessors will provide private tutorial for the Florida February 2010bar exam. Please go to barprofessors.com or e-mail barprofessors at pass@barprofessors.com.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Bar Exam Results Round Up: Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Connecticut Bar Exam Results Are Released

Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota and Connecticut have all released their bar results for the July 2009 bar. Kentucky, Minnesota and Connecticut have released their bar results by individual applicant.

Only Louisiana has released their scores by school:

LSU: 90.9%
LOYOLA: 67.0%
SOUTHERN: 58.3%
TULANE: 75.7%
OTHER: 55.6%
TOTAL: 69.3%


Congratulations to all who passed.

Delaware and Colorado Bar Exam Results for July Are Released

Delaware bar exam results were released by individual applicants. The Board of Bar Examiners have yet to release the bar pass rate for the state or by school.

Colorado bar exam results were also released. Colorado’s bar exam pass rate was 80%. 880 applicants took the bar, while 701 applicants passed.

By School, the pass rates for first time takers are:

University of Colorado: 94%
University of Denver: 89%
National: 100%
Other: 85%

The first time takers rate stands at 89%

By School, the pass rates for repeat takers are:

University of Colorado: 50%
University of Denver: 28%
National: 100%
Other: 26%

The repeat takers rate stands at 29%

(The national schools are: Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Duke, Michigan, Chicago, California Berkeley, Virginia, Texas)

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Pennsylvania Bar Exam Results for July 2009 Are Released

The Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners today announced the results of the bar examination given on July 28th and 29th, 2009.

1997 applicants took the examination of which 1623 passed.

The overall pass rate is 81%

By School, the results are:

Drexel University: 89.84%

Duquesne University School of Law: 83.51%

Pennsylvania State University – Dickinson School of Law: 86.11%

Rutgers University School of Law – Camden: 76.22%

Temple University – James E. Beasley School of Law: 90.45%

University of Pennsylvania Law School: 92.45%

University of Pittsburgh School of Law: 88.02%

Villanova University School of Law: 86.83%

Widener University School of Law – Delaware: 75.88%

Widener University School of Law – Harrisburg: 81.55%

By Attempt:

First Time Takers: 87.29%

Second Time Takers: 34.43%

Third Time Takers: 25%

Fourth or More Time Takers: 13.41%

Congratulations to all those who passed.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Passing the Florida Bar Exam When English is Your Second Language

I have been receiving e-mails from applicants who are having trouble with the bar exam because English is their second language. Also, I have had a multitude of people from foreign cities read this blog.

How should a person prepare for the Florida bar exam when English is their second language.

1. First, and for most, obtain a private tutor to evaluate your essays. Working with a tutor will dramatically improve your chances of passing.

2. Write, write and write some more. An applicant needs to learn to write on the Florida bar subjects to both understand the law and to develop a writing structure.

3. Memorize the law “cold” because you have a built in language barrier. You do not have the time to think about the law, you must know it.

Implementing the above will help you be successful on the Florida Bar.

BarProfessors offer private tutoring for ESL students and lawyers for the Florida bar. Please e-mail us at pass@barprofessors.com

Monday, October 5, 2009

The Illinois Bar Exam Results Are Out for July 2009

The Illinois Bar Exam Results came out on October 1, 2009. Although the examiners tried to avoid the rush for scores, unfortunately, the site crashed, causing many worried applicants a few more hours of agony waiting for the site to be restored. I believe this is not the first time this has happened and all of its best laid plans still do not work. Of course, the board "regrets the inconvenience that anyone may have experienced." Perhaps, next time, a new server would work better. Apparently, the "excess" traffic came from Chicago.

I'm still trying to find the Illinois scores by law school and I will post them as they become available.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Understanding Florida MBE: Scaled v. Raw

Many students have asked me what a scaled score is versus a raw MBE score.

A raw score is the actual score you received on the MBE. For example, you answer 120questions correctly out of 200. Your scaled score are points that are given to your raw scale based on the difficulty of the exam and how your fellow bar takers scored. For example, your raw score is 120. Your scaled score can have 15 points added and your actual score can end up to be 135.

Generally, you will receive between 10 and 18 additional points to your raw scale.

In Florida, my students are coming in with between 20-25 additional points added to their raw score.

Please note barprofessors will provide private tutorial for the Florida February 2010 bar exam. Please go to barprofessors.com or e-mail barprofessors at pass@barprofessors.com