Determinants of Success on the Bar Exam: One Law School's Experience 2010-2023

Authors

Morris A. Ratner, University of California Law San Francisco
Stephen N. Goggin, San Diego State University
Stefano Moscato, University of California Law San Francisco
Margaret Greer, University of California Law San Francisco
Elizabeth McGriff, University of California Law San Francisco

Document Type

Law Review Article

Publication Date

4-2024

Keywords

bar passage correlates, law school curriculum, academic success programs

Abstract

From 2010-2013, the UC Law SF first-time bar pass rate floated with the average first-time pass rate of graduates of ABA-accredited law schools in California. But suddenly, in the space of three years (2014-2016), the law school’s bar pass rate dropped to a much greater degree than changes in student metrics or statewide variations in pass rates could explain, to a historical low on the July 2016 administration of the California Bar Exam of just 51%. In response, the law school thoroughly revamped its approach to teaching academic and bar success skills. Within three years, the UC Law SF bar pass rate increased by about 30%. This Article uses statistical analysis to assess which of the law school’s academic reforms adopted after 2016 contributed to the law school’s bar pass turnaround.