Iowa Bar Exam Statistics


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

All Posts by Steve Goldstein →
Business Formation Expert  |   Fact Checked by Editorial Staff
Last updated: 
LLCBuddy™ offers informative content for educational purposes only, not as a substitute for professional legal or tax advice. We may earn commissions if you use the services we recommend on this site.
At LLCBuddy, we don't just offer information; we provide a curated experience backed by extensive research and expertise. Led by Steve Goldstein, a seasoned expert in the LLC formation sector, our platform is built on years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the nuances involved in establishing and running an LLC. We've navigated the intricacies of the industry, sifted through the complexities, and packaged our knowledge into a comprehensive, user-friendly guide. Our commitment is to empower you with reliable, up-to-date, and actionable insights, ensuring you make informed decisions. With LLCBuddy, you're not just getting a tutorial; you're gaining a trustworthy partner for your entrepreneurial journey.

Iowa Bar Exam Statistics 2023: Facts about Bar Exam in Iowa reflect the current socio-economic condition of the state.

iowa

LLCBuddy editorial team did hours of research, collected all important statistics on Iowa Bar Exam, and shared those on this page. Our editorial team proofread these to make the data as accurate as possible. We believe you don’t need to check any other resources on the web for the same. You should get everything here only 🙂

Are you planning to start an Iowa LLC business in 2023? Maybe for educational purposes, business research, or personal curiosity, whatever it is – it’s always a good idea to gather more information.

How much of an impact will Iowa Bar Exam Statistics have on your day-to-day? or the day-to-day of your LLC Business? How much does it matter directly or indirectly? You should get answers to all your questions here.

Please read the page carefully and don’t miss any words.

Top Iowa Bar Exam Statistics 2023

☰ Use “CTRL+F” to quickly find statistics. There are total 17 Iowa Bar Exam Statistics on this page 🙂

Iowa Bar Exam “Latest” Statistics

  • According to Superior Court rule 304(f), each candidate must pass the written bar examination with a minimum combined score of 70% or higher on the MBE and essay sections, and a minimum scaled score of 75 on the MPRE in order to pass.[2]
  • For instance, 78,900 persons nationwide took state bar examinations in 2011, and 69% of them passed.[3]
  • Since 2010 there’s also been a nationwide decline in the percentage of people who passed state bar exams statistics from the National Conference of bar examiners.[3]
  • Iowa Law ranks 23 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers with a passage rate of 93.2%, and it outperforms by +7.4% the state of Iowa’s overall bar passage rate of 85.8% .[4]
  • In order to pass the Iowa bar exam, an examinee must score at least 266. This is equal to 133, based on the MBE’s 200-point scale.[4]
  • Iowa mandates bar exam applicants to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE”). An examinee must score 80 or higher on the MPRE in order to pass in Iowa.[4]
  • School’s bar passage rate in 2020 was 93.2% while in 2017, it was 90.8%. The Iowa’s overall bar passage rate was 85.8% in 2020.[4]
  • In the July 2022 Iowa bar exam, the overall pass rate was 79% with first time pass rate of 83% and repeater pass rate of 31%. The results were released last September 2, 2022.[2]
  • In the February 2022 Iowa bar exam, the overall pass rate was 64% with first time pass rate of 81% and repeater pass rate of 48%. The results were released last April 8, 2022.[2]
  • In the July 2021 Iowa bar exam, the overall pass rate was 71% with first time pass rate of 77% and repeater pass rate of 28%. The results were released last September 9, 2021.[2]
  • On average 384 people take the Iowa bar exam each year with a 82% average pass rate.[2]

Iowa Bar Exam “Exam” Statistics

  • In Iowa Bar Examination, the overall passage rate was 60% for February 2021 while for July 2021, 144 out of 204 examinees passed with a 70.9% overall passing rate.[2]

Iowa Bar Exam “Test” Statistics

  • The success rates for the Iowa Bar tests across numerous attempts vary from 67% to 93% for all test takers, 79% to 95% for first timers, and 32% to 63% for those who retake the test.[1]
  • The Board of Bar Examiners automatically analyzes and regrades the top 15% of the failed applicants’ essay responses after the tests have been assessed but before the dissemination of the grading results.[2]

Iowa Bar Exam “Other” Statistics

  • Since 2010, enrollment in the more than 200 U.S Law schools that are recognized has decreased by almost 30% , causing some institutions to relax their entry requirements.[3]
  • The majority of people who took the Iowa State Bar Examination in 2017 graduated from Drake and the University of Iowa Law Schools.[3]
  • The Iowa Bar Exam takes place over over 2 days. On average, over 384 people each year take the Iowa Bar Exam, with just over 329 passing.[2]

Also Read

How Useful is Iowa Bar Exam

One criticism of the Iowa Bar Exam is that it may not accurately assess a candidate’s readiness to practice law. The exam consists of a written component, which tests candidates on their knowledge of various legal subjects, as well as a multiple-choice component that evaluates their ability to analyze legal issues and apply legal reasoning. Critics argue that these types of assessments may not fully capture the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills required to practice law effectively.

Additionally, some critics argue that the Iowa Bar Exam may perpetuate inequality within the legal profession. Research has shown that minority and low-income candidates tend to pass the bar exam at lower rates than their white and more affluent counterparts. This disparity has been attributed to various factors, including unequal access to resources, such as bar exam preparation courses, as well as biases within the exam itself. Critics argue that the exam may serve as a barrier to entry for marginalized populations, preventing them from fully participating in the legal profession.

Furthermore, the Iowa Bar Exam has been criticized for its lack of emphasis on practical skills and real-world experience. While passing the bar exam is a necessary step towards becoming a licensed attorney, it may not adequately prepare candidates for the practical challenges they will face in their legal careers. Many law schools have recognized this gap and have begun to incorporate more experiential learning opportunities into their curriculum, such as clinics and internships. However, the Iowa Bar Exam has remained largely focused on theoretical knowledge and analytical skills.

Given these criticisms, some have called for a reevaluation of the Iowa Bar Exam and a shift towards a more competency-based approach to assessing candidates’ readiness to practice law. In recent years, several states have begun to explore alternative pathways to licensure, such as the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), which allows candidates to transfer their scores to multiple jurisdictions. Proponents of these alternative approaches argue that they may better reflect the multi-faceted nature of legal practice and address some of the criticisms of traditional bar exams.

In conclusion, the Iowa Bar Exam serves as an important benchmark for evaluating candidates’ readiness to practice law in the state. However, its usefulness and efficacy may be called into question by its focus on theoretical knowledge over practical skills, as well as its potential to perpetuate inequality within the legal profession. As the legal profession continues to evolve, it may be time to reexamine the role of bar exams in assessing candidates’ competency and explore alternative approaches to licensure that better reflect the skills and qualities needed to succeed as a lawyer.

Reference

  1. ibarexam – https://ibarexam.com/iowa-bar-exam/
  2. jdadvising – https://jdadvising.com/february-2022-bar-exam-results-release-dates-by-state/
  3. desmoinesregister – https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/2017/11/07/2017-iowa-bar-examination-results/814428001/
  4. ilrg – https://www.ilrg.com/rankings/law/view/135
  5. ameribar – https://ameribar.com/iowa-bar-exam/
  6. lawschoolhq – https://lawschoolhq.net/iowa/
  7. iowabar – https://www.iowabar.org/page/IAWeekly04142021
  8. ncbex – https://www.ncbex.org/statistics-and-research/bar-exam-results/

Leave a Comment