Analyzing First-Time Bar Exam Passage on the UBE in New York State

ANALYZING FIRST-TIME BAR EXAM PASSAGE ON THE UBE IN NEW YORK STATE

Foreword

E xe c u t i v e S u m m a r y

Introduction

Methodology

Sample Overview

July 2016 Total

Pass Rate

February 2017 Total

Pass Rate

July 2017 Total

Pass Rate

February 2018 Total

Pass Rate

Average Change in Probability of First-Time Passage

12%

10%

8%

10.4 % 9.1 %

8.2 %

6%

4%

2%

2.3 %

0% <= 25% <= 50% <= 75% <= 100% Original Predicted Probability of Bar Passage

50%

45.0 %

40%

36.2 %

30%

28.3 % 20%

21.5 %

10%

0% 0-19 Hours

20-29 Hours

30-39 Hours

40 or More

Study Hours Per Week in Month of Exam

50% 40%

42.6 %

37.2 %

30% 20%

20.2 %

10% 0% Studied Less

No Change

Studied More

100%

75%

50%

25%

0%

12 % -3

17 % -2

23 %

31 %

40 %

-1 0 1 Average Change in Study Hour Category Categories: 0-19 Hours, 20-29 Hours, 30-39 Hours, 40 or More Hours

49 %

2

Time Management Challenges

Worked n

%

Did Not Work n

%

Total n

%

Identifying Time Management Strategies

Completion Does Not Equal Comprehension

Custom-Fitting Commercial Bar Prep Courses

Strategic and Active Learning

10%

8%

7.7 % 5%

3.9 %

2%

0% Ran out of time on MBE

Ran out of time on MEE

Strategies for Effective Timed Practice

40% First-Time Takers Second-Time Takers

34.5% 31.9%

30%

25.7% 22.9%

20%

19.4%

17.7% 14.2%

12.2%

10%

12.8%

8.6% 0% 0

1

2

Number of Full Practice Exams Taken

3

4 or More

Student Engagement and Satisfaction May Contribute to Bar Success

98.7% 98.6% 90.0% 93.0% 78.0% 74.6% 56.1% 56.6% 51.5% 63.6% 29.9% 42.6% 27.7% 31.0% First-Time Takers

11.2%

Second-Time Takers

14.0% 0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

Percent of Respondents Who Took the Course

100%

A Note on the Impact of Law School Bar Preparation Courses on First-Time Bar Passage

The Right Balance of Financial and Family Assistance Can Support Bar Success

Law School Debt, Finances and Other Life Challenges Can Impede Bar Success

Greatest Challenge

Most Helpful

50% 40% 30%

39.7 % 33.1 % 27.2 %

20% 10% 0% Disagree

Neither Agree or Disagree

Agree

CONCLUSION

R E C O M M E N DAT I O N S F O R S U P P O R T I N G B A R E X A M TA K E R S

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH

Appendix A: AccessLex/NYBOLE Questionnaire

Strongly Agree

Passing the bar is essential to my future career plans.

score high enough to

high enough to be

Agree

Somewhat Agree

Neither Agree Somewhat Strongly Disagree Nor Disagree Disagree Disagree

No Law clinic

Appendix B: Exam Taker and Survey Respondent Comparisons

n

%

n

n

n

%

%

%

n

%

n

%

Appendix C: Bar Passage Model Summaries