Why Being “Average” in Your Bar Prep MC Performance Is Completely Fine

It’s late in the bar prep season, and your multiple-choice practice test scores might have you questioning everything. Perhaps you're seeing “average” percentages pop up on your simulated exams or question sets, and you wonder: Am I behind? Am I in danger of failing?

Take a breath.

Being “average” during bar prep is not a problem—it's actually a healthy sign that you’re on track. Let’s walk through why, so you can refocus your energy on what matters and stop letting a number define your worth.

Photo by SEO Galaxy on Unsplash

1️⃣ First-Time Pass Rates Are High

Most states have first-time pass rates of around 75% or higher on the july administrations, according to statistics released by the National Conference of Bar Examiners. For example, both Ohio and Pennsylvania recorded an 83% first-time pass rate on the July 2024 bar exam. Even New York had a first-time pass rate of 79% on the July 2024 exam.

Think about what that means: Even among those below the median (“average”), many still pass. If half of examinees score below the median, but 75% pass, it means plenty of people below average pass every exam cycle (in fact, other means that half the examinees below average pass the exam). Being in the middle of this group is far from a failure warning—it's where many successful passers stand. You are not supposed to know everything. You just need to know enough to pass, and “average” during bar prep is often exactly that.

2️⃣ Your Practice Group Is Stronger Than You Think

The group of bar takers who are completing practice sets on time and under timed conditions during bar prep is a highly motivated subset. They’re not representative of every person sitting for the bar, many of whom may be behind, underprepared, or skipping practice exams entirely. Being “average” in a group of diligent, on-track bar preppers means you are well ahead of many others in the overall testing pool. If you’re showing up consistently, you’re doing the work that actually moves the needle.

3️⃣ Your Percent Correct Isn’t the Point—Learning Is

It’s easy to obsess over your percentage correct on practice sets, but those numbers don’t capture what bar prep is truly about: learning. Each missed question is a learning opportunity, showing you where your understanding needs reinforcement. Reviewing wrong answers is part of the science of effective study—mistakes build mastery. Remember, practice is practice. You’re here to learn patterns and sharpen your analysis, not to get a perfect score on every set.

4️⃣ The Bar Exam Is Scaled—Not Raw

One of the biggest myths about the MBE is that you need to score in the 80% range to pass. In reality, most passing scaled MBE scores correspond to getting about 65% of questions correct, depending on the scale used for that administration. That’s a solid “average” raw score, not a high-A performance. The bar exam is scaled to reflect overall test-taker performance, meaning you are not striving for perfection. You just need to hit the scaled passing mark, and consistent “average” practice scores often indicate you are on pace to do so.

5️⃣ Progress Matters More Than Perfection

Your scores will fluctuate—sometimes significantly—and that’s normal. What matters is steady progress and building consistency in your practice and review. Bar prep is not about nailing every quiz; it’s about building the muscle memory of reading, analyzing, and applying law under exam conditions. If you’re trending upward or holding steady while reviewing mistakes, you are moving in the right direction. Progress beats perfection every time.

6️⃣ Practice Conditions Are Tougher Than Test Day

Your practice conditions—timed sets, noisy environments, fatigue—are meant to challenge you so that test day feels manageable. Many bar prep question sets are harder than actual bar exam questions. If you are “average” while taking challenging practice sets, that’s good news: it means you’re conditioning yourself for the real test under tougher circumstances. On exam day, adrenaline and focus often give you an edge, and the scaled curve will help you.

7️⃣ MCQs Are Only Part of the Score

Don’t forget that multiple-choice questions are only part of your total bar exam score. Essays and performance tasks also matter significantly. Many students who are “average” in their MBE performance pass comfortably because they write effective essays and performance tasks. The bar exam is a holistic test, and your overall preparation matters far more than your MCQ average alone.

You’re Not Behind. You’re Building.

Being “average” in your MC performance during bar prep is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign that you’re in the arena, doing the hard work it takes to pass. Remember: bar prep is not about perfection; it’s about preparation.

Keep showing up. Keep practicing. Keep reviewing.

Being “average” now means you are building the foundation for success when it matters most.