The bar exam differs slightly in each state, but the Multistate Bar Examination is the same no matter what state administers it.
The bar exam is an objective 200 question test that law school students generally take upon completion of a formal law school program. The exam includes 190 test questions on Real Property, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Procedure, Contracts, Evidence, and Torts. There are also 10 pretest questions on the same topics that are not factored into the overall score. All questions on the exam are multiple choice. Compute a bar exam raw score by calculating the total number of questions answered correctly and dividing that number by the total number of questions on the exam.
Instructions
1. Register for and take the bar exam, answering every question on the exam. The questions are multiple choice, and it is important to answer every question. You will be penalized for the questions you do not answer. Your raw score is computed by figuring the number of questions answered correctly from the total number of questions, not just the number of questions answered. Therefore, students are advised to move through the test in an efficient manner answering every question, skipping difficult questions and coming back to them. Do not leave any question unanswered as this may hurt your raw score in the end.
2. Request your scored answer sheet from the examiner that administered your test. You should receive your answers immediately upon completing the exam. You will be given a raw score and a scaled score. The raw score determines how many questions you answered correctly of the questions on the exam. The scaled score represents your performance relative to a particular group of other students called a "reference group". In short, the scaled score will give you your performance in comparison to other students in your performance group. It may state that you are in the upper 25th percentile, which means you did better than 75 percent of candidates that got the same questions correct or incorrect.
3. Divide the number of questions correct by the total number of questions answered. This will give you a percentage. Your number of questions answered correctly is actually your raw score as well, in its numeric form. The average passing raw score has historically been about 64 percent or roughly 124 correct out of 190 questions. Currently, each state sets its acceptance levels differently and has different expectations for a passing raw score.
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