North Carolina 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.

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

north-carolina

LLCBuddy editorial team did hours of research, collected all important statistics on North Carolina 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 a North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina Bar Exam Statistics 2023

☰ Use “CTRL+F” to quickly find statistics. There are total 19 North Carolina Bar Exam Statistics on this page 🙂

North Carolina Bar Exam “Latest” Statistics

  • First time test takers performed extremely well with a 97% passage rate for the 110 Carolina Law graduates who took the North Carolina bar exam for the first time.[1]
  • Ninety-six percent (96%) of the 111 Carolina law graduates who took the bar exam in July passed according to results released by the States Board of Law examiners.[1]
  • 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]
  • In order to pass the North Carolina bar exam, you must score at least 270 out of 400. This equates to 135, based on the MBE’s 200-point scale.[4]
  • North Carolina mandates bar exam applicants to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE”). An examinee should score 80 or higher on the MPRE to pass in North Carolina.[4]
  • Campbell Law school saw its highest overall pass rate 93.1% on the July 2020 North Carolina bar exam. Campbell Law had 116 test takers this year, and 108 of them passed, including all of the repeaters.[3]
  • In the North Carolina bar exam pass rates, the overall pass rate was 50% with first time pass rate of 62% and repeat pass rate of 33%.[2]

North Carolina Bar Exam “Exam” Statistics

  • 162 out of 378 Maryland test takers passed in the Maryland Bar exam last February 2021 with a total pass percentage of 42.9% while North Dakota had an overall pass rate of 55%.[2]
  • Overall, 89.6% of first time test takers from the seven law schools in North Carolina passed the exam.[3]
  • First time applicants from North Carolina law schools passed the exam 73.80% of the time in July 2017, compared to 66.82% in July 2016.[4]

North Carolina Bar Exam “Test” Statistics

  • The state’s overall passing percentage for all test takers was 13% lower than the passing rate for all institutions.[1]
  • The test was given on July 28–29 in 24 jurisdictions countrywide, according to the National Conference of Bar Examiners.[5]
  • As a result of state authorities decreasing the passing mark by two points this year in response to technological issues some test takers experienced, North Carolina’s total pass percentage fell to 75% from 83% in July 2020.[6]
  • The school’s passage rate for first time test takers exceeded the overall state passage rate of 88% by 9%.[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]

North Carolina Bar Exam “Other” Statistics

  • The Multistate Performance Test (“MPT”) is weighted 20%, the Multistate Essay Exam (“MEE”) is weighted 30%, and the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE”) is weighted 50%.[4]
  • Nationally, at least a dozen other states saw their February 2022 pass rates drop from the previous year, including North Carolina (50% compared to 60% in 2021).[7]
  • When the Uniform Bar Exam in February 2019 was administered, the pass percentage has significantly increased. In comparison to previous year, when the July pass rate was 72%, 83% was a respectable result.[5]
  • In the Bar Exam results by jurisdiction, North Carolina has a passing percentage of 68% with first time pass rate of 76% and repeater pass rate of 32%. The results were released on September 1, 2022.[5]

Also Read

How Useful is North Carolina Bar Exam

There are certainly arguments to be made for the usefulness of the Bar Exam. It serves as a means of testing the knowledge and skills of individuals seeking to practice law in the state, ensuring that only those who have met a certain standard of competency are able to represent clients in North Carolina. Passing the Bar Exam demonstrates a level of understanding of legal concepts, procedures, and ethics that are vital in the practice of law. It provides assurance to the public that those who have successfully completed the exam have the necessary qualifications to handle legal matters effectively and ethically.

Additionally, the Bar Exam is often seen as a rite of passage for aspiring lawyers, a test of their dedication and commitment to the legal profession. It requires months of preparation, studying, and sacrifice in order to succeed, and those who pass often feel a sense of accomplishment and pride in their achievement. This process can help to instill good habits and a strong work ethic that will serve these individuals well throughout their legal careers.

However, there are also valid criticisms of the North Carolina Bar Exam that call into question its usefulness in today’s legal world. One common critique is that the exam may not adequately reflect the day-to-day tasks and challenges faced by practicing attorneys. The focus on rote memorization of legal rules and concepts, as well as hypothetical scenarios presented in a controlled testing environment, may not necessarily translate to the practical skills needed to effectively represent clients in real-world legal matters.

Critics also argue that the Bar Exam may serve as a barrier to entry for individuals from underrepresented communities in the legal profession. The financial cost of preparing for and taking the exam, as well as the time commitment required, can pose significant obstacles for those who may already be facing economic, social, or educational challenges. This can perpetuate inequalities in access to legal education and the practice of law, limiting diversity and inclusion within the profession.

Another concern is the lack of standardization and consistency in Bar Exam content and format across different jurisdictions. Each state has its own exam, which can vary widely in terms of subject matter, difficulty, and grading criteria. This lack of uniformity can make it difficult for attorneys licensed in one state to practice in another, leading to additional hurdles for those seeking to expand their legal practice beyond state lines.

In conclusion, while the North Carolina Bar Exam certainly serves a purpose in testing the knowledge and skills of aspiring lawyers, there are valid questions about its overall usefulness in today’s legal landscape. It is important to continue to evaluate and reform the Bar Exam to ensure that it remains relevant, equitable, and reflective of the demands and realities of modern legal practice. By addressing these concerns, we can strengthen the integrity and effectiveness of the Bar Exam as a tool for regulating the legal profession in North Carolina.

Reference

  1. unc – https://law.unc.edu/news/2020/09/unc-ranks-no-1-with-96-july-n-c-bar-exam-passage-rate/
  2. jdadvising – https://jdadvising.com/february-2022-bar-exam-results-release-dates-by-state/
  3. campbell – https://news.campbell.edu/articles/campbell-law-graduates-earn-highest-n-c-bar-passage-rate-since-2012/
  4. abovethelaw – https://abovethelaw.com/2017/09/bar-exam-passage-rates-soar-thanks-to-law-schools-closure/
  5. ncbar – https://www.ncbar.org/nc-lawyer/2020-11/ncble-herrick-historic-bar-exam/
  6. reuters – https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/ominous-early-signs-emerge-july-2021-bar-exam-pass-rates-2021-09-15/
  7. ca – https://www.calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/News/News-Releases/state-bar-of-california-releases-results-of-february-2022-bar-exam
  8. ameribar – https://ameribar.com/north-carolina-bar-exam/
  9. crushendo – https://crushendo.com/north-carolina-bar-exam-prep/
  10. ibarexam – https://ibarexam.com/north-carolina-bar-exam/
  11. ncbex – https://www.ncbex.org/statistics-and-research/bar-exam-results/

Leave a Comment