Of the 66,000+ aspiring attorneys who sat for the bar exam in 2024, over 4,000 were Florida candidates.
Florida is one of the most popular states for new attorneys to seek admission, but that also means the bar exam here is no easy task. It’s challenging, detail-heavy, and very Florida-specific.
But with the right game plan (and this guide in hand), you’ll know exactly what to expect—and how to prepare.
Whether you’re a current law school student mapping out your next steps or a recent grad gearing up for the test, this is your go-to breakdown of the Florida Bar Exam—format, scoring, pass rates, deadlines, costs, and smart prep strategies included.
Key Takeaways
- Two-Day, Two-Part Exam: The Florida Bar Exam includes a Florida-specific section and the Multistate Bar Exam, each weighted equally.
- Passing Score Is 136: You need a combined scaled score of 136 out of 200 to pass, with each section counting for 50% of your total.
- It’s Florida-Specific: Unlike UBE states, Florida tests its own laws—so don’t rely solely on national materials during prep.
- Deadlines Matter: Missing the timely filing deadline means extra fees, so keep close tabs on your application timeline.
- July Usually Has Higher Pass Rates: While February’s exam sees lower pass rates, July tends to be more favorable for first-time takers.
What Is the Florida Bar Exam?
The Florida Bar Examination is a two-day test required for anyone seeking to practice law in Florida. It’s administered twice a year—once in February and once in July—by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, under the authority of the Florida Supreme Court.
The exam is known for blending national topics (via the Multistate Bar Examination) with Florida-specific law, which adds an extra layer of preparation for test takers.
Exam Format: What You’re Up Against
The Florida Bar Exam consists of two main parts:
📝 Part A – Florida Day
This section is 100% focused on Florida law. It includes:
- 3 essay questions
- 100 multiple-choice questions
You’ll need to show familiarity with both broad legal concepts and very specific state statutes, particularly in areas like civil and criminal procedure, real property, constitutional law, and professional conduct.
The essays are designed to test your ability to spot issues, apply Florida-specific rules, and organize a clear, lawyerly response under pressure.
🧠 Part B – The MBE (Multistate Bar Examination)
This is the standardized national section of the exam, used in most U.S. jurisdictions. You’ll face:
- 200 multiple-choice questions
Topics include contracts, torts, constitutional law, criminal law and procedure, civil procedure, evidence, and real property. It’s fast-paced and designed to test not just what you know—but how well you apply it under tight time constraints.
Subjects to Study
Here’s a quick list of the subjects tested in Part A (the essay and multiple choice day):
- Florida Constitutional Law
- Federal Constitutional Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Civil Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
- Business Entities
- Wills, Trusts, and Estates
- Family Law
- Professional Conduct (Ethics)
It’s a lot—but the good news is many of these overlap with the MBE, so your study time can be used efficiently.
Scoring Breakdown: How to Pass
To pass, you need a combined scaled score of 136 out of 200. Each part—Florida and MBE—counts for 50% of your final score. In other words, doing well on one can help balance out a weaker performance on the other.
Florida uses a scaled score system, which adjusts for exam difficulty and ensures fairness across administrations. This means your raw score (how many questions you got right) is converted into a standardized score.
You’ll also need to pass the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination (MPRE) with a score of 80 or higher, either before or shortly after taking the bar.
When to Take the Florida Bar Exam
The exam is offered in:
- February – Usually the last Tuesday and Wednesday
- July – Same days, at the end of the month
The February exam typically has fewer test takers and lower pass rates, while the July exam draws a larger crowd (mostly May law grads) and often sees slightly higher success rates.
If you’re a planner, aim to register early. Each administration has a timely filing deadline and a late filing deadline (with higher fees). For example:
- February exam: Timely by Nov 15; late by Jan 15
- July exam: Timely by May 1; late by June 15
All applications are submitted through your portal account on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners website.
How Much Does It Cost?
The Florida Bar Exam isn’t cheap. Here’s a general idea of what to expect:
- Application fee: Around $600 for timely filers
- Late fees: Add $325–$500, depending on how late you file
- MPRE registration: $150 (paid separately)
- Bar review course: $1,000–$4,000, depending on the provider
You’ll also want to budget for travel, lodging, meals, and other bar exam-related expenses if you’re not local to the test site.
When Do You Get Results?
Florida bar exam results are usually released about 6–8 weeks after the test.
- February exam results typically come in mid-April
- July exam results tend to land in mid-September
When Florida posts results, they’re listed by file number, not by name. You’ll be able to view your personal status through your portal account.
How Hard Is the Florida Bar?
Like most bar exams, it’s tough. Florida is considered one of the more difficult jurisdictions because it tests both national and state-specific content, and it doesn’t use the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), so your score can’t be transferred out of state.
Pass rates vary, but to give you an idea:
- July first-time takers often see pass rates between 60% and 80%
- February pass rates tend to be lower, around 40–60%
Preparation matters a lot. And how well you did in law school can give you a decent (but not perfect) sense of how you’ll perform.
How to Prepare Like a Pro
You’ve probably heard all the usual advice: take a Florida bar prep course, do practice questions, write essays. And yes, those things matter. But here are some underrated tips that can make a real difference:
- Start early, especially if you’re working or juggling responsibilities
- Don’t skip Florida-specific subjects—they carry real weight
- Practice under timed conditions—both MBE and essays
- Review your mistakes—it’s the fastest way to improve
- Use bar prep tools that work for you, not just the default program
And most importantly, build in time to rest. Burnout is real, and this is a marathon—not a sprint.
Final Thoughts
The Florida Bar Exam is a major challenge—but it’s one you can absolutely conquer with the right tools, timing, and mindset. By understanding the structure, scoring, deadlines, and expectations, you’re already ahead of the game.
Take it seriously, stay consistent, and remember: passing the Florida bar isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being prepared. And now? You are.
FAQs
Yes, it’s considered one of the more challenging bar exams due to its unique mix of Florida-specific law and the national MBE component.
Florida does not offer reciprocity with any other state. If you want to practice law there, you’ll need to sit for the Florida Bar Exam.
Pass rates vary by administration, but July usually sees 65–75% for first-time takers, while February tends to hover around 40–60%.
Florida uses scaled scores rather than raw scores. You’ll need a scaled score of 136 out of 200 to pass.
Timely filing costs around $600, but late applications can run up to $1,000. You’ll also need to budget for the MPRE and a bar prep course.
