California Refuses to Dumb Down Bar Exam

setting the California bar pass score high ensures consumer protection (Getty Images license)

Last week the California Supreme Court refused to dumb down the bar pass score. It recommended that the current pass score of 1,440 be retained and asked the state bar to further study the factors that may help more candidates to achieve a passing score.

Here is pro tip: study harder!

Many law school deans in California are disappointed by the Court's decision noting that the high pass score required does not necessarily produce good lawyers. However some law professors disagree noting that a high pass score protects consumers. 

According to reports, almost two-thirds of applicants failed the test in February and the state's overall pass rate for 2016 was 40 percent, the lowest it has been in eight years.

The solution to more and more candidates failing the bar exam is not to lower the standards, but require them to study smarter and harder. 

#legalethics