News Releases

State Bar Board of Trustees recommends three options for California Bar Exam passing score

Today the State Bar Board of Trustees voted to submit three options regarding the California Bar Exam cut score to the California Supreme Court. The Court holds the ultimate authority to set the passing score for the exam. The options for consideration by the Supreme Court are:

• An interim cut score of 1390
• An interim cut score of 1414
• No change in the current score of 1440

In February, at the direction of the Supreme Court, the State Bar embarked on a series of comprehensive studies, including a standard setting study, for purposes of recommending a threshold or pass line for the exam. Additional studies, including a content validity study, are ongoing.

"The State Bar’s process of reviewing potential cut scores has been as thorough, diligent and inclusive as possible, which were implemented to allow for potential application to the July 2017 bar exam. I'd like to thank everyone who provided public comment for this long overdue review of the bar exam passing score," outgoing State Bar President James Fox said.

Additional background information:

• State Bar staff memo with more detail about the three options
• Evaluating the cut score for the California Bar Exam
• Standard Setting Study
• Public Comments – emails
• Public Comments – online
• Public Comments – other sources
• Fact sheet on the bar exam studies

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The State Bar of California’s mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.