Florida A&M University College of Law’s first-time bar passage rate has increased for three consecutive July examinations, rising from 41.7% in July 2023 to 79.7% in July 2026 as the school continues to emphasize academic support and bar preparation.
According to results published by The Florida Bar, 59 of the 74 FAMU test-takers who took the full Florida Bar Examination for the first time in July 2026 passed. The school’s passage rate increased from 76.1% in July 2025 and 67.2% in July 2024.
The July 2026 rate was also 4.5 percentage points above Florida’s statewide first-time passage rate of 75.2%.
Dean Simone Marstiller said the improvement reflects students’ preparation and the law school’s continued efforts to integrate bar related learning throughout students’ entire law school journey.
“It’s not just the quality of students, but also as a group and population, they’re very good students, great students that came prepared to pass the bar,” Marstiller said.
She said the College of Law supports students from their first year through their third year by exposing them to bar-related questions and helping them apply what they learn in class to the real exam.
Faculty members also work with students to strengthen analytical and reading skills while preparing them for the demands of the bar examination.
The College of Law provides additional resources to help graduates prepare for the licensing exam. Marstiller said FAMU has a contract with BARBRI, a commercial bar preparation provider, allowing students to access preparation materials for free, which relieves stress for the students.
Graduates also have the opportunity to participate in the Resources for Increasing Success on Exams, or RISE, program. The program provides individualized coaching and support to help graduates stay on schedule and address challenges during bar preparation.
Eurilynne Anise Williams, director and associate professor of Academic Success and Bar Preparation, said RISE offers more than academic guidance.
Students are assigned mentors who check in with them weekly, help them complete assignments and address academic difficulties. Williams said those relationships can also provide emotional support as students balance studying with other responsibilities.
“We’re truly a family,” Williams said.
Williams described witnessing students move from many different backgrounds and even academic probation to passing the bar examination. Their experiences, she said, demonstrate the work that can happen outside the classroom and behind the scenes before a student earns a passing score.
She also emphasized that the improvement in passage rates has been gradual rather than the result of a single change.
Marstiller said the school uses examination results to identify areas where students may need additional support. If the data indicate that students are struggling with a particular subject, faculty members can adjust preparation efforts to address those weaknesses.
She also noted that February and July results can differ because the groups taking each examination are not identical. Many students graduate in the spring and take the July examination, while other graduates may take the February exam.
Marstiller said the school continues to look for opportunities to improve its preparation efforts, even as results rise.
“I have no doubt about our bar passage rates continuing to rise,” she said. “We will continue to give support, and the right support.”
Williams said the school’s continued progress reflects the importance of maintaining support for students throughout their legal education and bar preparation.
For Marstiller, the priority is ensuring students take advantage of the resources available to them. The school’s continued investment in preparation and individualized guidance, she said, is intended to help more graduates pass the exam and move toward practicing law.
Although the rising passage rate marks progress for the College of Law, both educators emphasized the continued need to prepare students and provide support as they work toward becoming licensed attorneys.
