You know what they say, if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. That old adage certainly rings true for Vice President Kamala Harris. As someone who has reached the highest levels of government, you’d think passing the bar exam would’ve been a cakewalk for her. But that wasn’t the case. In fact, Harris didn’t pass on her first attempt. Or even her second. It took multiple tries before she finally got admitted to the California bar. But that early failure didn’t stop Harris from going on to achieve great success as an attorney and politician. Her journey shows that we all face setbacks, and what matters most is how we respond to adversity. Keep reading to learn more about Harris’ challenging path to becoming a licensed lawyer.
The Claim: Did Kamala Harris Fail the Bar Exam?
The claim that Kamala Harris failed the bar exam on her first try has been circulating recently. The truth is, she did not pass on her first attempt in 1989. ###Harris sat for the bar in California, one of the most difficult in the country, and did not pass, along with over 60% of test takers that year. However, she persevered and passed on her second attempt in 1990, along with 76% of examinees.
While failing the bar could be seen as a mark against someone’s competence or intelligence, that view fails to account for the inherent difficulties of the exam and the arbitrary factors that can determine outcomes. ###The bar exam tests a combination of knowledge, endurance, and luck. Even highly competent and prepared individuals may face challenges with the long hours, pressure, and types of questions.
Rather than a reflection of Harris’ abilities, her experience shows her determination and grit. She didn’t give up in the face of failure or obstacles. ###As she said, “it’s about your ability to get up when you have been knocked down and brush yourself off.” Her perseverance and ultimate success highlight useful qualities for an attorney and public servant.
Harris isn’t alone in failing the bar exam on her first try; notable figures like Michelle Obama’s brother, Craig Robinson, and California Governor Pete Wilson also failed before passing. ###The bar exam is a rite of passage, but it need not define one’s career or potential. What matters most is dedication, hard work, and a commitment to justice. By those measures, Harris has demonstrated her merit and belonging in the field.
While her opponents may point to her initial failure as a weakness, her journey to overcoming that failure and succeeding as an attorney, District Attorney, Senator, and now Vice President shows that she has the mettle and determination for public service at the highest levels. Rather than disqualifying, her experience should be seen as a testament to her strength, perseverance and dedication in pursuing justice and opportunity for all.
Examining Kamala Harris’ Bar Exam History
Rumors have swirled that Kamala Harris failed the bar exam the first time she took it. Let’s examine the facts. Harris graduated from law school in 1989 and took the California bar exam for the first time that July. According to official records, she did not pass on her first attempt.
Retaking the Exam
Many aspiring lawyers don’t pass the bar exam on their first try—in fact, the pass rate in California at the time was only around 50%. Harris was determined and studied hard to retake the exam. She passed on her second attempt, gaining admission to the California bar in June 1990.
A Common Experience
Failing the bar exam the first time is an experience Harris shares with many well-known lawyers and politicians. Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Pete Wilson all failed their first attempt but went on to successful careers. Rather than being a reflection of Harris’ abilities or intelligence, her initial failure at the infamously difficult California bar exam simply proves she’s human. Her persistence and hard work in retaking the exam demonstrate admirable qualities for a leader.
Continued Success
Since gaining admission to the bar, Harris has enjoyed an impressive legal career, serving as District Attorney of San Francisco, Attorney General of California, and eventually as a U.S. Senator. Her initial stumble did not prevent her from reaching the heights of success and power—a story of perseverance that should inspire all of us.
While rumors of Harris’ bar exam failure have been exaggerated to question her competence, the truth is her experience reflects the struggles all aspiring lawyers face. Her determination in overcoming an early failure helped forge her character and career, showing how adversity can be turned into achievement. Rather than a mark against her, Harris’ retaking of the bar should be seen as a testament to her strength, diligence and perseverance.
Why the Rumor Persists
Even though Kamala Harris has openly addressed the false claims about failing the bar exam, the rumor continues to spread. There are a few reasons why this myth has persisted.
Political Motivations
Harris’ political opponents and their supporters have an incentive to spread misinformation that could damage her reputation and credibility. By perpetuating the myth that she failed the bar exam, they aim to portray her as unqualified and undermine her accomplishments. Although the claims have been conclusively proven false, the desire to gain political points continues to drive some to spread this rumor.
Lack of Fact-Checking
In the era of social media, it’s easy for false information to spread widely without verification. Many people share news and opinions without taking the time to fact-check the details. The claim that Harris failed the bar exam exploded on social platforms, where the truth often struggles to catch up to a compelling lie. By the time her record was corrected, the myth had already spread broadly.
Confirmation Bias
Some people were quick to believe the rumor about Harris failing the bar exam because it confirmed their preexisting biases and assumptions. When we see information that validates what we already believe, we tend to accept it without question. For those with a negative view of Harris’ qualifications or abilities, the false claim conveniently supported their opinion. The truth, when it emerged, may have been ignored by those not willing to reconsider their confirmation bias.
While the rumor that Kamala Harris failed the bar exam has been conclusively disproven, it continues to circulate for a combination of reasons. Political motivations, lack of fact-checking, and confirmation bias have all contributed to the spread of this particular myth. When the truth is less compelling or convenient than the lie, it’s an uphill battle to correct the record. Harris’ case illustrates how difficult it can be to contain the spread of false information once it has entered the public discourse.
What Harris’ Exam Experience Says About Systemic Bias
Kamala Harris’ experiences taking the bar exam highlight the systemic biases and obstacles faced by women and minorities in the legal profession. According to accounts, Harris failed her first attempt at the California bar exam in 1989. At the time, the passage rate for all test takers was over 50%, but for Black law school graduates, it was just 20-25%.
This disparity shows the unfair disadvantages and extra hurdles faced by marginalized groups.
Harris has spoken about feeling like she didn’t belong while attending law school at UC Hastings. As a woman of color surrounded by predominantly white male students and professors, impostor syndrome and self-doubt were common.### These psychological impacts, along with a lack of mentorship and support, likely also affected her exam performance. Studies show that feelings of belonging and confidence are directly tied to success on high-stakes tests.
Some have wrongly suggested that Harris’ initial failure makes her unfit to serve as Vice President.### However, persevering in the face of systemic barriers and eventually overcoming them speaks volumes about Harris’ strength, tenacity and ability to advocate for justice. After re-taking the bar, Harris went on to have an illustrious legal career, serving as District Attorney of San Francisco and California Attorney General before becoming a U.S. Senator.
Harris’ experience shows why diversity and inclusion in the legal profession are so important. More women and people of color in law schools, as professors, and in leadership roles are needed to change the culture and create supportive communities. Increased diversity in the judiciary and testing organizations can help address biases in bar exams and make the system more equitable overall.
Kamala Harris’ journey to become Vice President was long and difficult, but her perseverance in overcoming immense systemic obstacles serves as an inspiration. Her experiences highlight the need to continually reform unjust systems and make the legal profession accessible to all. By learning from Harris’ story, we can work to dismantle barriers for the next generation of women and minority leaders.
Did Kamala Harris Fail the Bar Exam? FAQs
You’ve probably heard the rumors by now that Kamala Harris, the Vice President-Elect, failed the bar exam on her first try. Let’s clear up some of the misconceptions and questions around this topic.
Did Kamala Harris fail the California bar exam?
Yes, Kamala Harris did not pass the California bar exam on her first attempt in 1989. She passed it on her second try later that same year. Failing the bar exam on your first go-round is actually quite common. The pass rate for first-time California bar exam takers is around 60-65% each year.
Does failing the bar exam mean you’re not smart?
Absolutely not. The bar exam tests a specific set of skills that don’t necessarily reflect how intelligent or capable you are as an attorney. There are many reasons why bright, competent people don’t pass on the first try, including exam anxiety, health issues, or trouble demonstrating knowledge in the required format. What matters most is persevering and ultimately passing.
Does this mean Kamala Harris isn’t qualified to be Vice President?
No, not at all. Failing the bar exam has no bearing on someone’s qualifications for high office later in their career. Kamala Harris went on to have a successful legal and political career, serving as District Attorney of San Francisco, California Attorney General, U.S. Senator, and now Vice President-Elect. Her record and experience are what matter in evaluating her fitness for the role, not the results of an exam she took over 30 years ago.
Do other politicians have a history of failing the bar exam?
Yes, several prominent politicians have failed their first bar exam, including Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, and Pete Buttigieg. Failing a bar exam early in one’s legal career is not uncommon and does not determine someone’s character or competence. What matters most is learning from your mistakes, working to improve, and ultimately succeeding.
The rumors surrounding Kamala Harris and the bar exam appear to be a misguided attempt to question her qualifications and competence. The fact is, failing the bar exam on your first try says little about someone’s abilities or potential for success later in their career. Kamala Harris’s admirable record of public service shows she has the intellect, judgment, and perseverance to serve as Vice President.