Hebrew University Tops Israeli Bar Exam Results Amid Overall Low Pass Rates

The Israeli Bar Association released data on the June 23 summer session of the Israeli Bar Exam, revealing a low overall pass rate of just 42.6% among 2,919 candidates. The average score for all test takers was 56.8. First-time candidates, numbering 1,809 law graduates, had a higher pass rate of 60.8% with an average score of 61.2. However, repeat test takers fared much worse: only 21.3% of second-time candidates passed, with an average score of 52.3, and among those taking the exam for the third time or more, the pass rate plummeted to 6.3% with an average score of 47.5.

These results mark a significant decline compared to last year’s summer session, where the overall pass rate was 59.5%, and first-time candidates passed at a rate of 77.8%. Among academic institutions, Hebrew University led with an 89.6% pass rate and an average score of 67.9, followed by Tel Aviv University (82.6%, 67.2) and Bar-Ilan University (76.7%, 64.4). The College of Management ranked fourth with a 74.6% pass rate, and University of Haifa was fifth at 74%. Other institutions such as Peres Academic Center and Sapir College outperformed Reichman University, which had only a 54% pass rate. At the bottom were institutions like the Carmel Academic Center, where none of the 21 candidates passed.

Regarding candidates who studied abroad, the pass rates were notably low: 9.5% for immigrants and 5% for Israelis who studied overseas. The data also showed that candidates interning in state prosecution offices had the highest pass rate at 79%, followed by those in military or police prosecution (54.6%), courts (49.4%), and government offices (48.4%). Private law firm interns, who made up the majority of candidates (2,203), had the lowest pass rate at 37.4%. Additionally, 43 reserve soldier candidates who took a shortened exam format passed at a rate of 58.1% with an average score of 61.4.

Overall, university graduates had a 78.6% pass rate with an average score of 61.2, while college graduates passed at a much lower rate of 35.7% with an average score of 55.4. The results highlight a stark divide between institutions and raise concerns about the preparedness of many candidates for legal practice in Israel.