Which State Has the Hardest Bar Exam? 2026-2027 Guide

Choosing where to take the bar exam is one of the most consequential decisions a law graduate can make. The jurisdiction you select may determine the subjects you must master, the score you need to earn, whether your result can be transferred to another state, and how easily you can relocate later in your legal career.

There is no official national ranking identifying one state as having the hardest bar exam. Different examinations are challenging for different reasons. California has historically low pass rates and a demanding state-specific written component. Louisiana requires extensive knowledge of its distinctive legal system. Virginia and Delaware continue to test significant amounts of state law.

The bar examination system is also undergoing its most significant transformation in years. The NextGen Uniform Bar Examination begins its phased rollout in July 2026, with additional jurisdictions adopting it in 2027 and 2028. Applicants therefore need to consider not only the state where they want to practice, but also which version of the bar exam that state will administer.
 

Which State Has the Hardest Bar Exam?

California is generally considered the state with the hardest bar exam for most applicants.

The July 2026 California Bar Examination consists of five one-hour essay questions, one 90-minute performance test, and the 200-question Multistate Bar Examination. Applicants must earn a total scaled score of at least 1,390 out of 2,000 points. Unlike the Uniform Bar Examination, California’s current exam does not produce a portable UBE score.

California is not necessarily the hardest jurisdiction for every candidate. Louisiana may require more specialized preparation because of its civil-law-influenced system and nine-part state examination. Virginia may be particularly challenging for applicants who struggle with essays or have not studied Virginia law.

A more accurate way to compare bar exams is to examine several different forms of difficulty.
 

How Should Bar Exam Difficulty Be Measured?

1. The amount of state-specific law tested

Examinations such as those administered in California, Louisiana, Virginia, and Delaware require applicants to study state-specific rules in addition to generally tested legal principles.

An applicant preparing for a portable UBE score may be able to use a nationally focused commercial course. Someone taking the Louisiana or Virginia examination may need substantial additional preparation devoted to local law.

2. The minimum passing score

Passing scores matter, but only when the examinations use the same scoring scale.

The legacy UBE is scored on a 400-point scale, with jurisdictional passing scores generally ranging from 260 to 270. California uses a 2,000-point scale, Delaware uses a 200-point scale, and Virginia uses its own weighted scoring formula. These numbers cannot be placed into one list and compared directly.

3. Overall and first-time pass rates

A low overall pass rate does not automatically prove that an exam contains more difficult questions. Pass rates are influenced by:

• The percentage of first-time applicants
• The percentage of repeat applicants
• Whether the exam is administered in February or July
• The educational backgrounds of applicants
• The number of foreign-educated candidates
• Changes in exam format or administration
• The jurisdiction’s minimum passing standard

In 2025, the national overall bar-exam pass rate was 63 percent. First-time candidates passed at a rate of 76 percent, while repeat candidates passed at a rate of 34 percent. The February overall rate was 47 percent, compared with 69 percent in July.

This difference illustrates why a February result should not be compared casually with another state’s July pass rate.

4. Score portability

An examination may be difficult but still provide greater long-term value if the resulting score can be transferred to other jurisdictions.

A qualifying legacy UBE or NextGen UBE score may be transferred to another participating jurisdiction, subject to that jurisdiction’s score, timing, character-and-fitness, educational, and local-law requirements.

Attorneys considering relocation should review LawCrossing’s Attorney Mobility in 2026: Navigating Bar Admission and Portability Across States and BCG Attorney Search’s Bar Admission and Portability: The Complete 2026 Guide.

5. The complete admission process

The bar exam is only one part of becoming licensed. Applicants may also need to complete:

• A character-and-fitness investigation
• The Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination
• A jurisdiction-specific course or test
• State-law educational requirements
• Pro bono or experiential requirements
• Foreign-education evaluations
• Admission ceremonies and filing procedures

A jurisdiction with a standardized exam may still have a lengthy or demanding admission process.
 

Hardest Bar Exams by State in 2026-2027

Each of these jurisdictions is challenging for a different reason. A candidate’s educational background, writing ability, professional goals, and familiarity with state law may affect which examination feels most difficult.
 

Why Is the California Bar Exam So Difficult?

The California Bar Examination is the most commonly cited answer to the question of which state has the hardest bar exam.

For July 2026, the exam is being administered in person over two days:

• Day one: Five one-hour essays and one 90-minute performance test
• Day two: The 200-question MBE

Applicants need a scaled score of at least 1,390 to pass. The written and multiple-choice portions test both nationally recognized subjects and California-specific law.

California’s difficulty is reinforced by several factors:

• Its overall pass rates have historically been lower than those in many other jurisdictions.
• Applicants must prepare for California-specific distinctions.
• The current examination does not generate a portable UBE score.
• California permits certain graduates of non-ABA-approved and foreign law schools to seek eligibility, producing a broader and more varied applicant population than many jurisdictions.
• A candidate moving from California to another state may still need to pursue admission on motion, transfer an eligible component score, or sit for another examination.

California has announced that it will begin administering the NextGen UBE in July 2028. Applicants taking the bar during 2026 or 2027 should continue preparing for the existing California format rather than assuming the NextGen structure already applies.

Law students preparing for any jurisdiction can review How Law Students Can Prepare for Bar Exam Success and Career Readiness for strategies that connect bar preparation with long-term career planning.
 

Why Is the Louisiana Bar Exam Different?

Its examination consists of nine separate written parts. The five “Code” subjects receive twice the weight of the four “Non-Code” subjects. Applicants must earn a total weighted score of at least 650 out of 900.

The tested areas include:

Code subjects

• Civil Code I
• Civil Code II
• Civil Code III
• Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure
• Torts

Non-Code subjects

• Business Entities and Negotiable Instruments
• Constitutional Law
• Criminal Law and Procedure
• Federal Jurisdiction and Procedure

The July 2026 Louisiana examination is scheduled across three nonconsecutive days—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—rather than the standard consecutive two-day schedule used in most states.

Louisiana can be especially challenging for applicants educated primarily in common-law jurisdictions. Its distinctive substantive law means candidates cannot rely exclusively on a general national bar-preparation program.
 

Why Is the Virginia Bar Exam Challenging?

Virginia retains a substantial state-specific written examination.

The July 2026 exam includes:

• Nine Virginia essay questions
• Ten Virginia multiple-choice questions
• The 200-question MBE

The Virginia written examination represents 60 percent of the combined score, while the MBE represents 40 percent. Applicants using the standard examination option must earn a combined weighted score of at least 140.

Because the Virginia portion carries more weight than the MBE, strong performance on nationally tested multiple-choice subjects may not compensate for weak state-law essays.

Virginia also maintains detailed examination-day rules, including court-appropriate dress requirements. Applicants who fail to comply can face dismissal or disqualification.

Virginia plans to adopt the NextGen UBE in July 2028 but will retain a separate Virginia-law essay component. Its examination will therefore continue to require state-specific preparation even after the national component changes.
 

Why Is the Delaware Bar Exam Difficult?

Delaware administers a two-day state examination.

The July 2026 format includes:

• Two Multistate Performance Tests
• Four Delaware essay questions
• The 200-question MBE

Applicants must earn at least 143 on Delaware’s 200-point examination scale. The state also requires a qualifying MPRE score and additional admission steps.

Delaware’s score should not be compared numerically with California’s 1,390 requirement, Virginia’s 140 or a UBE score of 270. Each is calculated using a different examination and scoring system.

Delaware is scheduled to begin administering the NextGen UBE in February 2028. Applicants sitting during 2026 or 2027 must continue preparing for Delaware’s current state-specific format.
 

Which Legacy UBE States Require the Highest Score?

Jurisdictions set their own passing standards for the legacy Uniform Bar Examination.

As of July 2026, legacy UBE passing scores generally range from 260 to 270. Jurisdictions using 270—the highest legacy UBE threshold—include states such as:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Colorado
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Nebraska
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Some of these jurisdictions are transitioning to the NextGen UBE in 2027 or 2028. Applicants must verify which exam and passing score apply to the specific administration they plan to take.

A higher passing score does not necessarily mean the questions are harder. Legacy UBE jurisdictions administer the same nationally developed components, although local admission requirements and grading procedures can differ.
 

What Is the Easiest Bar Exam?

No traditional bar exam should be described as easy.

A lower minimum score does not guarantee easier questions, favorable grading or a high probability of passing. The better question is which admission route is most manageable for a particular applicant.

The answer may depend on whether the applicant is looking for:

• The lowest legacy UBE passing score
• The most portable score
• The highest first-time pass rate
• The least state-specific content
• Admission without a traditional bar exam
• The best jurisdiction for a foreign legal education
• The strongest employment opportunities after admission

Wisconsin Diploma Privilege

Wisconsin provides one of the best-known alternatives to the traditional bar examination.

Qualifying graduates of the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School may be admitted through diploma privilege if they meet Wisconsin’s curricular, character-and-fitness, and other requirements.

Diploma privilege is not available to every applicant. It applies only to qualifying graduates of Wisconsin’s two law schools.

Beginning in July 2026, Wisconsin also administers the legacy UBE for applicants using the examination route. Wisconsin accepts qualifying transferred UBE scores of at least 260 and requires applicants using the UBE route to complete 21 hours of education in Wisconsin law and practice.

Wisconsin is scheduled to transition to the NextGen UBE in July 2028.
 

Jurisdictions with a 260 Legacy UBE Score

Jurisdictions using a 260 threshold include:

• Alabama
• Iowa
• Minnesota
• Missouri
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• Utah

Iowa’s 260 standard applies to July 2026 and later legacy UBE administrations. Several of these states are transitioning to the NextGen examination in 2026 or 2027.

A 260 requirement does not establish that these states have easier exams. The applicant must still pass the same legacy UBE components, satisfy character-and-fitness requirements, complete any local-law component, and meet all other admission rules.
 

Alternative Paths to Attorney Licensing

Some jurisdictions are developing alternatives to the traditional high-stakes bar examination.

Oregon’s supervised-practice pathway

Oregon offers a Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination pathway through which eligible candidates complete supervised legal work and submit a portfolio demonstrating minimum competence.

This route replaces a two-day examination with an extended period of supervised practice and performance assessment. It may be preferable for candidates who perform better through practical work than through timed standardized testing, but it should not be considered an effortless route.

New Hampshire’s Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program

The Daniel Webster Scholar Honors Program at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law incorporates practice-based assessment throughout law school.

Students who successfully complete the program may become eligible for admission in New Hampshire without taking the conventional two-day bar exam. The program is selective and requires sustained performance rather than preparation for a single examination.

These pathways show that “easiest” is often the wrong label. Alternative admissions programs replace one form of assessment with another.
 

The NextGen UBE Changes Bar Exams in 2026-2027

The NextGen Uniform Bar Examination is scheduled to debut on July 28–29, 2026.

The first jurisdictions administering it are:

• Connecticut
• Guam
• Idaho
• Maryland
• Missouri
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Oregon
• Palau
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Washington

The examination focuses on both foundational legal knowledge and practical lawyering abilities, including:

• Legal research
• Legal writing
• Issue identification and analysis
• Investigation and evaluation
• Client counseling
• Negotiation and dispute resolution
• Client relationship and matter management

In July 2027, additional jurisdictions are scheduled to begin administering the NextGen UBE, including:

• Arizona
• Iowa
• Kentucky
• Minnesota
• Nebraska
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Oklahoma
• South Dakota
• Tennessee
• Vermont
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

Applicants should not assume that every UBE state will transition at the same time. Some jurisdictions will continue administering the legacy UBE until 2028, while others have not announced plans to adopt NextGen.
 

Are NextGen UBE Scores Comparable to Legacy UBE Scores?

The NextGen UBE uses a different scoring scale from the legacy examination.

Legacy UBE scores are reported on a 400-point scale, with common passing standards ranging from 260 to 270.

NextGen scores are reported on a scale of 500 to 750. Announced passing scores currently range from 610 to 620:

• 610: Iowa, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota and Washington
• 612: Guam and Palau
• 614: Indiana
• 615: Oregon for July 2026 and Northern Mariana Islands
• 616: Connecticut, District of Columbia, Idaho, Kentucky, Maryland and U.S. Virgin Islands
• 620: Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Vermont

Oregon’s passing score is scheduled to increase from 615 for July 2026 to 620 for later administrations.

NCBE has published a recommended correspondence between the legacy and NextGen scales, with 260 corresponding to 610 and 270 corresponding to 620. Applicants should still treat the systems as separate and verify the policies of each receiving jurisdiction.
 

Will the NextGen UBE Be Easier?

It is too early to determine whether the NextGen UBE will be easier or harder than the legacy UBE.

The new examination is designed to place greater emphasis on applied legal skills and integrated problem solving. Candidates who perform well on realistic legal tasks may find aspects of the format more intuitive. Others may find integrated questions and performance-based exercises more difficult than memorization-focused testing.

Reliable conclusions will require multiple administrations and official data on:

• Overall pass rates
• First-time pass rates
• Repeater pass rates
• Score distributions
• Candidate preparation
• Jurisdictional passing standards

Until those results are available, claims that the NextGen UBE is easier or harder are speculative.
 

Can a Bar Exam Score Be Transferred to Another State?

A legacy UBE or NextGen UBE score may be transferable, but admission is not automatic.

The receiving jurisdiction may impose:

• A minimum qualifying score
• A deadline for transferring the score
• A jurisdiction-specific examination or course
• Character-and-fitness review
• An MPRE requirement
• Educational or experiential requirements
• Additional filing fees

Applicants should review LawCrossing’s State Bar Reciprocity Guide: How Attorneys Can Practice Across Jurisdictions and The Ultimate Guide to Bar Reciprocity.

Attorneys evaluating admission on motion can also read BCG Attorney Search’s What Is Bar Reciprocity and Which States Allow You to Waive Into the Bar?.

State-specific exams such as California’s, Louisiana’s, Virginia’s and Delaware’s do not produce a transferable UBE score. Attorneys may nevertheless qualify elsewhere through admission on motion, an eligible transferred MBE score, an attorney examination or another jurisdiction-specific route.
 

What Should Foreign-Trained Lawyers Consider?

Foreign-trained lawyers should not select a jurisdiction simply because it has a reputation for being easier.

The first question is whether the applicant is eligible to take the examination.

Requirements may depend on:

• Whether the applicant is admitted in another country
• The length and content of the foreign legal education
• Whether the foreign system is based on English common law
• Whether an additional U.S. LL.M. is required
• Whether the LL.M. must include designated courses
• When the education evaluation must be requested
• Whether the jurisdiction limits the number of attempts

Foreign-educated graduates represented approximately 15 percent of U.S. bar examinees in 2025 and had an overall pass rate of approximately 35 percent.

California and New York remain prominent options for foreign-trained applicants, but their requirements are different. Candidates should obtain an official education evaluation before paying for an LL.M., commercial course or examination application.

For a broader comparison, review BCG Attorney Search’s Foreign LL.M. Bar Exam Eligibility: State-by-State Guide.
 

How Your Bar Admission Affects Your Legal Career

Choosing a bar jurisdiction should be treated as a career decision rather than merely a test-taking decision.

A license can influence:

• The legal markets where you can work
• Whether law firms will consider your application
• Your ability to relocate
• Your access to state-court litigation opportunities
• Your attractiveness to employers with multistate clients
• The information that must appear on your legal resume
• Whether a firm must wait for you to obtain local admission

Law firms often want to know immediately whether a candidate is admitted in the jurisdiction where the position is located. BCG Attorney Search explains how to present this information in Resumes and Bar Admissions.

Attorneys considering another market should also review Why Every Attorney Should Look at Multiple Legal Markets When Doing a Job Search.

Bar portability can create opportunities, but applicants should not collect licenses without a strategic reason. Each admission may carry fees, continuing-education obligations and administrative responsibilities.
 

How to Choose the Best State for Your Bar Exam

Consider the following factors before applying:

1. Where do you want to practice?

Take the examination that supports your most realistic employment plans. A license in a state where you have no professional or personal connection may have limited value.

2. Which exam will the state administer?

During the 2026–2028 transition, a jurisdiction may administer the legacy UBE, the NextGen UBE or a state-specific examination. Confirm the format for your specific testing date.

3. Is the resulting score portable?

Applicants who may relocate should compare UBE portability rules, score-age limits and local requirements.

4. Are you eligible?

Confirm educational and filing requirements before investing in preparation.

5. How much state-specific material is tested?

Candidates who choose California, Louisiana, Virginia or Delaware should expect substantial local-law preparation.

6. What is the jurisdiction’s employment market?

Licensing decisions should align with law firm demand, practice-area opportunities, compensation expectations and long-term career goals.

7. Does an alternative pathway apply?

Diploma privilege, supervised practice or a law-school-based assessment program may be available to a limited group of applicants.

8. What happens if you do not pass?

A failed attempt does not end a legal career, but applicants should plan how they will maintain professional momentum. BCG Attorney Search addresses this issue in What’s the Smartest Career Move if You’ve Failed the Bar Exam Multiple Times but Still Want to Be an Attorney?.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is California still the hardest bar exam in 2026?

California remains the strongest single answer because it combines state-specific essays, a performance test, the MBE, historically low pass rates and a nonportable overall score. Louisiana may require more specialized preparation, while Virginia places unusually heavy weight on state-specific written work.

Which state has the easiest bar exam?

There is no universally easiest traditional bar examination. Wisconsin provides diploma privilege to qualifying graduates of its two in-state law schools, while several legacy UBE jurisdictions use the lowest passing threshold of 260.

Which states require the highest legacy UBE score?

The highest legacy UBE passing standard is 270. Several jurisdictions using that score are transitioning to the NextGen UBE in 2027 or 2028, so applicants must confirm the score applicable to their examination date.

Is a 260 UBE jurisdiction easier than a 270 jurisdiction?

Not necessarily. The underlying legacy UBE components are the same. The lower minimum score provides a larger margin for error, but preparation, applicant characteristics and local admission requirements remain important.

Can I use one UBE score to become licensed in several states?

Potentially. Applicants may transfer a qualifying score to other participating jurisdictions, but each jurisdiction sets its own minimum score, score-age limit, local requirements and character-and-fitness process.

Is Louisiana’s bar exam harder than California’s?

The examinations are difficult in different ways. California has historically low pass rates and a demanding two-day format. Louisiana requires highly specialized preparation for nine jurisdiction-drafted examination parts rooted in Louisiana law.

Will the NextGen UBE be easier than the current UBE?

There is not yet enough official performance data to answer that question. The first NextGen examination is scheduled for July 2026, and multiple administrations will be needed before reliable difficulty comparisons can be made.

Which bar exam should a foreign-trained lawyer take?

The best jurisdiction depends on eligibility, education, career goals and location. California and New York have established routes for certain foreign-educated candidates, but applicants must complete the jurisdiction’s formal education-evaluation process.

Does Wisconsin still offer diploma privilege?

Yes. Qualifying graduates of the University of Wisconsin Law School and Marquette University Law School may seek admission through diploma privilege, subject to curricular and character-and-fitness requirements.
 

Final Thoughts

California remains the jurisdiction most frequently identified as having the hardest bar exam, but no single ranking tells the entire story.

Louisiana may require the most specialized legal knowledge. Virginia places substantial weight on state-specific written testing. Delaware combines state essays with performance testing and the MBE. Legacy UBE states with a 270 passing standard provide less margin for error than those using 260.

The arrival of the NextGen UBE in 2026 and its expansion in 2027 make jurisdiction selection more complicated. Applicants must determine which examination applies, how its score is calculated, whether it is portable and whether it supports their legal career goals.

Do not choose a state solely because its exam appears easier. Choose the jurisdiction that gives you the strongest realistic path to admission, employment, mobility and long-term career growth.

Bar-admission rules and examination formats can change. Applicants should always verify current information directly with the relevant jurisdiction’s bar-admissions authority before registering or making educational and career decisions.