South Carolina Bar Exam Statistics


Steve Goldstein
Steve Goldstein
Business Formation Expert
Steve Goldstein runs LLCBuddy, helping entrepreneurs set up their LLCs easily. He offers clear guides, articles, and FAQs to simplify the process. His team keeps everything accurate and current, focusing on state rules, registered agents, and compliance. Steve’s passion for helping businesses grow makes LLCBuddy a go-to resource for starting and managing an LLC.

All Posts by Steve Goldstein →
Business Formation Expert  |   Fact Checked by Editorial Staff
Last updated: 
LLCBuddy™ offers informative content for educational purposes only, not as a substitute for professional legal or tax advice. We may earn commissions if you use the services we recommend on this site.
At LLCBuddy, we don't just offer information; we provide a curated experience backed by extensive research and expertise. Led by Steve Goldstein, a seasoned expert in the LLC formation sector, our platform is built on years of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of the nuances involved in establishing and running an LLC. We've navigated the intricacies of the industry, sifted through the complexities, and packaged our knowledge into a comprehensive, user-friendly guide. Our commitment is to empower you with reliable, up-to-date, and actionable insights, ensuring you make informed decisions. With LLCBuddy, you're not just getting a tutorial; you're gaining a trustworthy partner for your entrepreneurial journey.

South Carolina Bar Exam Statistics 2023: Facts about Bar Exam in South Carolina reflect the current socio-economic condition of the state.

south-carolina

LLCBuddy editorial team did hours of research, collected all important statistics on South Carolina Bar Exam, and shared those on this page. Our editorial team proofread these to make the data as accurate as possible. We believe you don’t need to check any other resources on the web for the same. You should get everything here only 🙂

Are you planning to start a South Carolina LLC business in 2023? Maybe for educational purposes, business research, or personal curiosity, whatever it is – it’s always a good idea to gather more information.

How much of an impact will South Carolina Bar Exam Statistics have on your day-to-day? or the day-to-day of your LLC Business? How much does it matter directly or indirectly? You should get answers to all your questions here.

Please read the page carefully and don’t miss any words.

Top South Carolina Bar Exam Statistics 2023

☰ Use “CTRL+F” to quickly find statistics. There are total 22 South Carolina Bar Exam Statistics on this page 🙂

South Carolina Bar Exam “Latest” Statistics

  • According to Superior Court Rule 304(f), each candidate must pass the written bar examination with a minimum combined score of 70% or higher on the MBE and essay sections, and a minimum scaled score of 75 on the MPRE in order to pass.[1]
  • According to data issued by the South Carolina Supreme Court, slightly more than 55% of individuals who took the bar test in February passed.[2]
  • 95% of the class of 2017 graduates who took the bar test two years after graduation from the University of South Carolina School of Law passed, placing the law school in the top 50 of all ABA.[3]
  • SC Law ranks 118 in terms of bar passage rate among first-time test takers (76.4%), and it outperforms by +4.6% the state of South Carolina’s overall bar passage rate of 71.8%.[4]
  • Although the overall score fell behind USC and past years, the Charleston School of Law saw about 63% of students pass the bar on the first try.[5]
  • In addition to 81% of the 2019 graduates who took the test, 92% of the 2018 graduates who took the bar exam have already passed.[3]
  • The Office of Bar Admissions published statistics on October 15 showing that over 80% of USC Law students passed the bar compared to around 46% of Charleston school of law students.[5]
  • Typically, during the first year of graduation, more than 90% of all graduates take the bar test.[3]
  • About 54% of Charleston School of Law students passed the bar as recently as February 2021, compared to 57% of USC Law students.[5]
  • In comparison, the February 2020 South Carolina bar exam had a success rate of 62.8% for candidates from other law schools.[6]
  • 162 out of 378 Maryland bar exam test takers in February 2021 had a total pass percentage of 42.9% while South Carolina had a total pass percentage of 62.3%.[1]
  • To pass the South Carolina bar exam, an examinee must score at least 266 on a 400-point scale.[4]
  • South Carolina mandates bar exam applicants to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Exam (“MPRE”). An examinee must score 77 or higher on the MPRE in order to pass in South Carolina.[4]

South Carolina Bar Exam “Exam” Statistics

  • These two results were undoubtedly considerably better than the CSOL test takers’ pitiful pass rates of 43.4% on the July 2018 exam and 34% on the humiliating February 2019 test.[6]
  • Meanwhile, a success percentage of 81.82% was achieved by 72 out of 88 exam participants from other law schools.[6]
  • Inconveniently, that pass percentage was lower than the 48.4% score obtained by CSOL exam participants.[6]
  • The Board of Bar examiners automatically analyzes and regrades the top 15% of the failed applicants’ essay responses after the tests have been assessed but before the dissemination of the grading results.[1]

South Carolina Bar Exam “Test” Statistics

  • According to the most recent data, 67 out of 131 people registered a “scaled score of 266 or higher” on the test – good for a pass rate of 51.15 percent.[6]
  • The American Bar Association’s criteria, which stipulate that at least 75% of graduates pass the test within two years of graduation, were no longer met by the school in 2017.[5]
  • South Carolina fell from no. 87 in 2017 to no. 96 this year in the latest US News & World Report rankings of law schools nationwide.[6]

South Carolina Bar Exam “Other” Statistics

  • Nationally, at least a dozen other states saw their February 2022 pass rates drop from the previous year, including North Carolina with 50 percent compared to 60 percent in 2021.[6]
  • In the July 2022 South Carolina Bar Exam, the overall pass rate was 69% with first time pass rate of 78% and repeater pass rate of 28%. The results were released last October 21, 2022.[3]

Also Read

How Useful is South Carolina Bar Exam

One of the primary benefits of the South Carolina Bar Exam is the comprehensive nature of the examination. Covering a wide range of legal subjects, including constitutional law, evidence, and professional responsibility, the Bar Exam ensures that aspiring lawyers have a strong foundational understanding of the law before entering the field. This not only prepares individuals to handle a diverse array of legal issues but also instills a sense of confidence in both practitioners and the public they serve.

Additionally, the South Carolina Bar Exam serves as a benchmark for professionalism and ethical conduct in the legal profession. By testing candidates on their knowledge of professional responsibilities and ethics, the Bar Exam underscores the importance of integrity and accountability in the practice of law. This commitment to ethics not only assures clients that their interests are protected but also fosters public trust in the legal system as a whole.

Moreover, the South Carolina Bar Exam acts as a rite of passage for aspiring lawyers, symbolizing their dedication to the legal profession and their readiness to assume the responsibilities of an attorney. By successfully passing the Bar Exam, individuals demonstrate their commitment to excellence, their ability to meet challenging requirements, and their willingness to uphold the highest standards of the legal profession. This not only sets the tone for a successful legal career but also lays the groundwork for future professional growth and advancement.

However, some critics argue that the South Carolina Bar Exam may be too burdensome and redundant in light of the evolving legal landscape. With changes in legal education, advancements in technology, and shifting demands in the legal market, some question whether the Bar Exam adequately assesses an individual’s preparedness to practice law in today’s world. Additionally, concerns have been raised about the lack of diversity in the legal profession, with some suggesting that the Bar Exam may serve as a barrier for minority candidates and other underrepresented groups.

In response to these concerns, it is essential to strike a balance between tradition and innovation in the legal field. While the South Carolina Bar Exam plays a critical role in ensuring the proficiency and professionalism of aspiring lawyers, it is equally important to recognize the need for flexibility and inclusivity in legal education and licensure. By embracing new approaches to legal training and assessment, we can strengthen the legal profession, promote diversity and inclusion, and better prepare attorneys to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.

Reference

  1. jdadvising – https://jdadvising.com/february-2022-bar-exam-results-release-dates-by-state/
  2. sclawyersweekly – https://sclawyersweekly.com/news/tag/south-carolina-bar-exam/
  3. sc – https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/law/about/news/2020/UofSC_Law_ranks_in_Top_50_for_ABA_ultimate_bar_passage_rate_.php
  4. ilrg – https://www.ilrg.com/rankings/law/view/163
  5. postandcourier – https://www.postandcourier.com/news/charleston-school-of-laws-bar-exam-results-trail-behind-usc-but-stats-for-first-time/article_2f35da1a-3029-11ec-9f07-afcbdb3cd659.html
  6. fitsnews – https://www.fitsnews.com/2020/10/12/south-carolinas-july-2020-bar-exam-results-are-in/
  7. ca – http://www.calbar.ca.gov/About-Us/News/News-Releases/state-bar-of-california-releases-results-of-february-2022-bar-exam
  8. abovethelaw – https://abovethelaw.com/2017/09/bar-exam-passage-rates-soar-thanks-to-law-schools-closure/
  9. ameribar – https://ameribar.com/south-carolina-bar-exam/
  10. ncbex – https://www.ncbex.org/statistics-and-research/bar-exam-results/

Leave a Comment