How hard is the FYLSX? Can I pass?

The FYLSX or Baby Bar as its also known can be very difficult to pass if you are not prepared.

The California First-Year Law Students’ Examination, commonly known as the “Baby Bar,” is administered twice a year, typically in June and October. The number of passers can vary significantly from one session to another, depending on factors such as the difficulty of the examination and the preparedness of the examinees. The passing rate also fluctuates over time.

Historically, the overall pass rate has fluctuated between 16% and 20%. For example, in June of one year, only 24% of the 323 examinees passed the Baby Bar, marking it as a relatively good outcome compared to previous sessions where the pass rates were within the aforementioned historical range​​.

These rates underscore the challenging nature of the Baby Bar, which is designed to test students primarily from unaccredited law schools or those enrolled in California’s Law Office Study Program. The examination covers fundamental legal subjects such as contracts, criminal law, and torts, assessing students’ readiness to continue their legal education and ultimately pursue a career in law.

These are the exam results from the October 2023 administration for comparison. For more years and information, please visit the CA Bar website.