Preliminary bar passage rate slips again for July 2018 exam

Keywords Bar Exam / Law Schools
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The overall pass rate for the Indiana Bar Exam continued its decline, with the July results showing 62 percent of all the takers successfully completing the test. 

This is a step back from the slight improvement that came with the July 2017 exam results. Overall, the pass rate last year was 66 percent and for July 2016 was 64 percent. However, these are all below the overall passage rates of 74 percent and 72 percent for the July 2015 and 2014 exams, respectively.

The results for the July 2018 exam are pre-appeal numbers. Test takers have the option of asking the Board of Law Examiners to review their exam and reconsider the final score. Usually after the appeals process is complete, the passage rates will increase.

In July 2017, the pre-appeal rate overall was 64 percent and post-appeal climbed to 66 percent. Also, the passage rate for first-time takers rose from 73 percent to 75 percent and the repeat takers improved from 29 percent to 32 percent.

Consequently, the July 2018 outcome could rise a few percentage points. According to the board, the appeals process is expected to be completed by early October, in time for the Oct. 16 admission ceremony.

First-time takers in July 2018 passed at a rate of 72 percent, which is comparable to the previous July results, when 75 percent of first-time takers passed. In July 2016, 72 percent passed the bar. But for July 2015 and 2014, the first-time passage rates hit 80 percent.

Of the repeat takers, only 32 percent passed the July 2018 exam. This mirrors the passage rate for July 2017 and 2015. It is also an improvement from the 30 percent and 28 percent for the July 2016 and 2014 exams, respectively.    

Those who passed the Indiana Bar Exam in July 2018 can be found here.

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