South Dakota 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.

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

south-dakota

LLCBuddy editorial team did hours of research, collected all important statistics on South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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 South Dakota Bar Exam Statistics 2023

☰ Use “CTRL+F” to quickly find statistics. There are total 18 South Dakota Bar Exam Statistics on this page 🙂

South Dakota Bar Exam “Latest” Statistics

  • More than 90% in the previous class had passed the South Dakota bar exam, which determines whether a law school grad can practice law in the state.[1]
  • The overall pass rates for the South Dakota bar exam have ranged between 58% and 97% for all takers, 72% and 100% for first-time takers, and 17% and 78% for repeat takers.[2]
  • 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.[3]
  • USD Law ranks 183 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (51.7%), and it underperforms by -16.5% the state of South Dakota’s overall bar passage rate of 68.2%.[5]
  • 1151 out of 3098 people who took the California bar exam in February 2021 had a passing percentage of 37.2% while South Dakota had a 56% overall passing percentage.[3]
  • The unofficial passing percentage for first time test takers who took the bar in July is closer to 50% .[1]
  • 162 out of 378 Maryland bar exam test takers in February 2021 passed with a total percentage of 42.9% while South Dakota had a 56% overall passing percentage.[3]
  • In order to pass the South Dakota bar exam, an examinee should score a 135 out of 200-point scale.[3]
  • To pass the South Dakota bar exam, an examinee must have a minimum score of 135 on the Multistate Bar Exam (“MBE”) portion and an average score of 75% on the written portion, which is the combined 2 Multistate Performance Test (“MPT”) questions, 5 Multistate Essay Exam (“MEE”) questions, and 1 Indian Law question.[2]
  • In University of Dakota, the 2021 first-time bar passage rate was 72.6%.[2]
  • In February 2022, South Dakota bar exam had an overall passing percentage of 55% with first time pass rate of 81%, and 29% repeater pass rate.[2]
  • In order to pass the South Dakota bar exam, you must score 130 on the MBE’s 200-point scale.[7]
  • The scores of the exam sections are weighted as follows: the written component 50% and MBE 50%. South Dakota makes bar exam results available approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the exam.[7]

South Dakota Bar Exam “Exam” Statistics

  • The South Dakota Bar Exam weights different sections like the MBE, the MEE/Indian Essay, and the MPT require separate scores to pass. The MBE must be 135, the MEE/Indian Essay requires a 75%, and the MPRE requires an 85 to pass the South Dakota Bar exam.[6]
  • An examinee must score 85 or higher on the MPRE in order to pass in South Dakota.[7]
  • 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.[3]

South Dakota Bar Exam “Test” Statistics

  • To pass the test, the candidate must have a scaled score of at least 133 on the MBE and an average of at least 75% on the MEE/MPT/Indian law part.[8]

South Dakota Bar Exam “Other” Statistics

  • South Dakota had a passing percentage of 58.26% (67 out of 115). First time taker had a passing percentage of 68.18% (45 out of 66). The data shows a summary for the 2017 calendar year.[4]

Also Read

How Useful is South Dakota Bar Exam

Proponents of the South Dakota Bar Exam would argue that this test is essential in maintaining high standards within the legal profession. By requiring individuals to pass a comprehensive exam, the state can ensure that lawyers possess the necessary expertise to handle complex legal matters and advocate on behalf of their clients effectively. Furthermore, passing the bar exam demonstrates a level of dedication and commitment to the legal profession, serving as a testament to an individual’s potential as a competent and ethical lawyer.

On the other hand, critics of the South Dakota Bar Exam may question its effectiveness as a measure of a lawyer’s aptitude. Some may argue that the exam places too much emphasis on memorization and rote learning, rather than assessing an individual’s ability to think critically and solve real-world legal problems. In addition, the high stakes nature of the bar exam can create unnecessary stress for test-takers, potentially hindering their performance on the exam.

Another point of contention is the relevance of the South Dakota Bar Exam to the modern legal landscape. As the legal profession continues to evolve, some critics may argue that the content of the bar exam does not adequately reflect the skills and knowledge needed to practice law effectively in today’s society. For example, emerging areas of law such as technology and environmental law may not be adequately covered in the exam, potentially leaving aspiring lawyers ill-equipped to address these issues in their legal practice.

Despite these criticisms, it is important to recognize the value of the South Dakota Bar Exam as a necessary component of the legal profession. While the exam may have its limitations, it still serves as a key tool in ensuring that lawyers meet a certain standard of competence and ethics. By passing the bar exam, individuals demonstrate their readiness to take on the responsibilities of representing clients and upholding the rule of law.

In conclusion, while the South Dakota Bar Exam may not be a perfect measure of a lawyer’s abilities, it still serves a valuable purpose in maintaining high standards within the legal profession. By requiring individuals to pass this comprehensive exam, the state can ensure that lawyers possess the necessary knowledge and skills to provide effective legal representation. As the legal profession continues to evolve, it will be important for the South Dakota Bar Exam to adapt and remain relevant to the demands of the modern legal landscape.

Reference

  1. argusleader – https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/2016/10/01/growing-number-law-school-grads-unable-pass-bar-exam/91271810/
  2. ibarexam – https://ibarexam.com/south-dakota-bar-exam/
  3. jdadvising – https://jdadvising.com/february-2022-bar-exam-results-release-dates-by-state/
  4. lawschooli – https://lawschooli.com/bar-exam-pass-rate-by-state/
  5. ilrg – https://www.ilrg.com/rankings/law/view/164
  6. testmaxprep – https://testmaxprep.com/bar-exam/courses/south-dakota-bar-review
  7. ameribar – https://ameribar.com/south-dakota-bar-exam/
  8. barexam – https://barexam.info/state-bar-info/south-dakota-bar-exam/
  9. adaptibar – https://blog.adaptibar.com/february-2020-bar-exam-results/
  10. ncbex – https://thebarexaminer.ncbex.org/article/summer-fall-2021/from-my-perspective/
  11. lawschooltransparency – https://www.lawschooltransparency.com/schools/southdakota/admissions
  12. ncbex – https://www.ncbex.org/statistics-and-research/bar-exam-results/
  13. ndcourts – https://www.ndcourts.gov/news/north-dakota/north-dakota-supreme-court/general-news/july-2021-bar-examination-results-released

Leave a Comment