Improved Bar Passage Rates in States with Lowered Cut Scores

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Several states that reduced the minimum passing score for the bar exam in 2023 saw improvements in their February 2024 bar passage rates. Here’s a breakdown of the changes and their impact on test-takers:

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Idaho

• Pass Rate Increase: Jumped to 54% from 36% in February 2023.
• Cut Score Reduction: Lowered from 272 to 270.

Pennsylvania

• Pass Rate Increase: Rose to 48% from 44% in February 2024.
• Cut Score Reduction: Decreased from 272 to 270.

Arizona

• Pass Rate Increase: Climbed to 46% from 41% in February 2023.
• Cut Score Reduction: Dropped three points from 273 to 270.

Utah

• Pass Rate Increase: Reached 66% compared to 65% in February 2023.
• Cut Score Reduction: Decreased by 10 points from 270 to 260.

However, Alaska, which also lowered its passing score in February 2023, experienced a decrease in its pass rate from 75% to 42% in February 2024.

  

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Exam Administration Details

• Total Test-Takers: 19,496 in February 2024.
• Top States for Pass Rates: Utah and Virginia led with 66%, followed by North Dakota and Montana with 61% and 60%, respectively.
• Lowest Pass Rates: Alabama had the lowest pass rate at 32%, with Maine, Maryland, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Connecticut following closely.

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National Mean Scores

• Multistate Bar Examination (MBE): Increased to 131.8 from 131.1 in February 2023 but still lower than the February 2020 level of 132.6.
• Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE): Averaged 97.1 in March 2024, up from 94.9 in March 2023.