Where these numbers come from
The figures below come from the table NCBE publishes of pass rates as reported by each jurisdiction, in the snapshot this site saved on September 23, 2026. The national averages are ours: we weighted each jurisdiction's reported overall rate by its number of examinees, using the rounded rates NCBE lists, so treat them as close estimates, not official national rates.
July 2025: the big summer administration
For July 2025, 52 jurisdictions reported an overall rate, covering about 47,900 examinees, and the weighted average came to about 69 percent. The highest overall rates were Utah at 86 percent, Minnesota at 84, Mississippi and Montana at 83 and Kansas at 82. The lowest were Puerto Rico at 52 percent, Alabama at 54, California at 55, Connecticut at 58 and Nevada at 62.
The largest jurisdictions in July 2025
Size matters, because these states account for a big share of all takers. In July 2025, New York had 9,931 examinees and an overall rate of 70 percent, with 78 for first-timers and 32 for repeaters. California had 7,362 and 55 percent overall, 70 first-time and 12 repeat. Texas had 3,112 and 75, with 84 and 36. Florida had 2,717 and 67, with 78 and 21. Illinois had 2,268 and 74, with 84 and 30. The District of Columbia had 2,212 and 80, with 87 and 33. Pennsylvania had 1,558 and 77, Massachusetts 1,505 and 76, and Georgia 1,198 and 73.
February 2026: why the rate drops
For February 2026, 53 jurisdictions reported, with about 18,200 examinees and a weighted average near 42 percent. California's overall rate was 31 percent on 3,931 examinees, New York's was 41 percent on 3,855, Florida's 44 on 1,107 and Texas's 46 on 1,000. February takers are more often repeaters, so the same exam produces a lower headline rate. The median first-time rate that month was 62 percent and the median repeat rate 34.
July 2026: a partial picture
In the results reported so far, only 20 jurisdictions had reported July 2026 overall rates, about 8,500 examinees, with a weighted average near 68 percent. Utah reported 89 percent, Iowa 84 and North Carolina 76, while Wisconsin reported 53, New Mexico 55 and West Virginia 62. Many large jurisdictions had not reported yet, so do not read these as national results. Florida and Georgia were the two largest reporters, each at 64 percent overall.
First-time versus repeat takers
The gap between first-time and repeat takers is the biggest pattern in the data. In July 2025 the median first-time rate across jurisdictions reporting both was 81 percent and the median repeat rate 34. In February 2026 they were 62 and 34, and in the July 2026 results reported so far, 77 and 24. If you are a first-time taker, the overall rate for your state understates your odds, and if you are a repeater, it overstates them.
Why the hardest state is the wrong question
A state's overall rate reflects who sat: how many repeaters, how many foreign-educated candidates, how many graduates of schools with lower pass records. Small numbers also distort: a jurisdiction with one examinee can report 100 percent. Passing scores also differ, so a lower rate can reflect a higher bar, a different mix of takers, or both. Compare like with like, use first-time rates, and look at the passing score you would need.
How to use this
Look up your jurisdiction's page on this site for its own figures with the examinee counts, the passing score and the release dates. Pair that with a diagnostic to see your own position, since neither a state average nor a national average predicts an individual result.
Common questions
What percentage of people pass the bar exam?+
For July 2025, jurisdictions reporting to NCBE averaged about 69 percent overall by our weighting, and February 2026 averaged about 42 percent. First-time takers pass at much higher rates than repeat takers.
Why are February bar pass rates lower than July?+
February has a larger share of repeat takers, who pass at far lower rates. The median repeat rate was 34 percent in both July 2025 and February 2026, against 81 and 62 percent for first-timers.
Which state has the lowest bar pass rate?+
It changes by administration and depends on who sat. In July 2025 Puerto Rico reported 52 percent, Alabama 54 and California 55, but those rates reflect their candidates as well as the exam.
What to do next
- 1
Open your jurisdiction's page and note the first-time rate, not only the overall rate.
- 2
Compare the passing score you need with your diagnostic results.
- 3
Ignore rates based on very small examinee counts.