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Lawyers and Lawsuits

Becoming a Lawyer

Can all law school graduates take the bar exam?

Most law school graduates take the bar exam, but there are exceptions. Every bar school applicant must fill out a detailed form. Most state supreme courts have rules that require bar applicants to show that they have the character, fitness, and moral qualifications to practice law. The vast majority of graduates are able to successfully apply to sit for the bar (take the bar exam). However, some graduates—because of past criminal histories, serious credit issues, or character problems—do not receive approval to take the bar exam. For example, if a student commits plagiarism in law school, that may raise a red flag to those who interview the applicant for bar admission—even if the student received punishment in law school and went on to graduate.