Fewer take bar exam

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The Missouri Board of Law Examiners released figures on Wednesday for the smallest group of February bar exam takers in recent memory.

However, the percentage of successful takers remained on par with results from previous February tests. In total, 205 of the 269 people who took the test passed, a rate of 76 percent. In February 2008, about 74 percent of takers passed.

“This was pretty consistent with past Februarys,” said Kellie Early, executive director of the Board of Law Examiners.

Missouri Lawyers Weekly, a sister publication, reported in February that the number of test takers this year was expected to be the lowest in at least nine years. At the time, 299 had applied. Early said some applicants either deferred to a later exam date or simply didn’t show up.

In February 2008, 357 people took the exam.

The February exam is usually the smaller of two bar tests given each year. Officials have speculated that the economy might have played a role in the low number of takers this year, but any trends won’t be clear until the main exam is given in July.

Last July’s group was about 5 percent smaller than the previous year’s group. However, Early said applications so far this year seem consistent with last year’s total.

Pass rates are typically higher in July because many of the takers graduated from law school just a few months before sitting for the test. February takers are typically law school students who are graduating early or late, graduates who are retaking the test and lawyers who have passed the bar in other states.

Of those who took the test, 129 were first-time takers, 78 percent of whom were successful. Thirty-six people were on their second try, with a 47 percent success rate; 20 were on their third try, 35 percent of whom passed. Also, 84 takers transferred a score from another jurisdiction, with 95 percent success.

The exam was given on Feb. 24 and 25. The bar enrollment ceremony will be held May 1. For a full list of those who passed, see Monday’s edition of Missouri Lawyers Weekly.