USMLE vs BAR EXAM Which is more difficult?

[DrPunk]

Not for flaming, just curious. I guess the only valid opinions would be from MD/JD. Anyone care to weigh in?

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[NeuroDocDO]

How can you even compare, they are completely different tests, and not to mention that most people on this forum haven't even taken the bar exam.

 

[DrPunk]

You cant compare their subject matter. I mean the amount of time and effort put into studying, difficulty of questions, which has a larger volumunous amount of material to learn, etc. For a lack of better place for this question, I put it up here. Any MD/ JDs or DO/JDs out there?

 

[Tired]

I cannot imagine a question I could possibly care less about.

Maybe you should try pre-allo, they get off on threads like this.

 

[Reaganite]

Not sure about the USMLE vs. Bar comparison, but I do know that when I was in college, I thought the LSAT was more difficult than the MCAT. I can also say that the USMLE isn't hard; it's actually quite easy to pass.

 

[edmadison]

I've taken both. No question in my mind that the multi-state bar exam (day 1 of the bar) is harder than step II and step III. I'd say overall that the bar is harder than step I, but its different. You spend two months studying for the bar exam. Almost everyone takes a prep class. On the other hand, it truly is a pass fail examination so there is a little less pressure.

Ed

 

[Miami_med]

There are different bar exams in different states. Some states don't have a specific bar exam. The Federal Bar isn't required to practice unless you do work in Federal Court, and it is supposed to be easier. There are also no re-cert exams. Atleast that's how I understand it.

 

[edmadison]

There are different bar exams in different states. Some states don't have a specific bar exam. The Federal Bar isn't required to practice unless you do work in Federal Court, and it is supposed to be easier. There are also no re-cert exams. Atleast that's how I understand it.

Indeed, every state does have its own examination, but most, if not all states require the Multi-state Bar examination. If nothing had changed since I took the examination, it is a 200 question multiple choice test. You then have a second day of essays. Some states even have a third day of tests. Really sucked.

Ed

 

[Apollyon]

Indeed, every state does have its own examination, but most, if not all states require the Multi-state Bar examination. If nothing had changed since I took the examination, it is a 200 question multiple choice test. You then have a second day of essays. Some states even have a third day of tests. Really sucked.

Ed

Reminds me of what a guy said about the Texas State Medical Jurisprudence Exam (which can be extrapolated to the bar exam):

"The only thing that sucks worse than taking the exam - is taking it twice!"

 

[Miami_med]

Indeed, every state does have its own examination, but most, if not all states require the Multi-state Bar examination. If nothing had changed since I took the examination, it is a 200 question multiple choice test. You then have a second day of essays. Some states even have a third day of tests. Really sucked.

Ed

OK. I know a number of attorneys, but most of them are older. The rules may be different now. I'm not close with anyone who has taken the bar within the last 15 years. I didn't know there was a multi-state bar exam. Why do you need such a thing when you practice in only one state? Nevermind. I already know the answer to that, and it probably has nothing to do with needing it.

 

[dpmd]

This doesn't really answer the question, but I think the pass rate for the steps is much higher than for the bar (at least first time pass rate). This is just based on the law students I have known, so they might have been overly dramatic. Still, don't nearly all US med students at least pass the steps?