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Class of '07 knocks the cover off the bar

USF first-time bar exam takers in the the July '07 exam achieved a 85% pass rate, compared to a 76% pass rate overall for exam takers from CA ABA-approved schools. Data on other schools is not yet available.

In comparison, in July '06, USF had a 74% pass rate, while the CA ABA rate was 73.7%. That year, Boalt was 85%, and Stanford 89%.

Handy comparison chart (stats available here):

Year------CA ABA------- USF--------Boalt--------Hastings
2007..........76%..................85%........... ?.................... ?
2006..........73.7%.............. 74%.......... 85%............. 84%
2005...........70%................ 74%.......... 87%............. 84%
2004.......... 69.4%............. 65%.......... 87%............. 81%
2003.......... 69.5%............. 65%........... 89%............ 78%
2002.......... 72.2%.............. 67%.......... 85%............. 78%
2001........... 79%................. 73%.......... 90%............ 84%
2000........... 74.3%............. 73%........... 94%............ 81%
1999............ 69%................ 72%........... 85%............ 79%
1998............ 72.1%............. 68%............91%............ 82.8%
1997............ 82.4%.............86.5%......... 86.4%........ 85.5%

Statistical anomaly? It's clear that if it is, it's a big one. In 1997, we certainly beat the curve, but it wasn't a huge percentage over the statewide average. The fact that this year we made a huge gain in what was a modest increase statewide, combined with the increases in '05 and '04, suggest that USF is reaping success from doing something a little differently.

But what is it? Is it the instruction, or the incoming LSAT/GPA's?

Full post as published by Traditional Notions on December 07, 2007 (boomark / email).