Kim Kardashian is on a mission: to become a lawyer. The fashion mogul, reality TV star, and All’s Fair actress has long been passionate about prison reform, and she’s following in the footsteps of her late father, Robert Kardashian Sr., by pursuing a legal career. But despite her determination, the path to passing the California State Bar Exam hasn’t been straightforward.
In November 2025, Kim shared that she had failed the bar exam, surprising some fans who assumed she’d already cleared it. “Well…I’m not a lawyer yet, I just play a very well-dressed one on TV,” she wrote on Instagram Stories. “Six years into this law journey, and I’m still all in until I pass the bar. No shortcuts, no giving up – just more studying and even more determination.”
Kim stayed positive, adding, “Thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged me along the way so far. [Falling] short isn’t failure – it’s fuel. I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivated me even more. Let’s go!”
So, how many times has she actually taken the bar exam?
Kim Has Taken the Bar Exam Once
Although some fans were confused, Kim had only taken the “baby bar” before attempting the official California State Bar Exam. Back in 2021, she shared on X (formerly Twitter) that she had passed the baby bar on her fourth try. “OMFGGGG I PASSED THE BABY BAR EXAM!!!!” she tweeted at the time. “Looking in the mirror, I am really proud of the woman looking back today in the reflection. … For anyone who doesn’t know my law school journey, know this wasn’t easy or handed to me.”
What Is the Baby Bar Exam?
The baby bar, officially called the First-Year Law Students’ Examination (FYLSE), is for first-year law students at unaccredited California schools. Unlike the official bar, it’s a one-day exam with multiple-choice questions and four essays.
The Difference Between the Baby Bar & the Bar Exam
The California State Bar Exam is far more rigorous: it’s a two-day test held every February and July, featuring 200 multiple-choice questions, five essays, and a 90-minute performance test.
When Did Kim Take the Official Bar Exam?
Kim took the official bar exam in July 2025 and failed once. She’ll have another shot in February 2026, and California law doesn’t limit how many times a person can try. Passing requires a score of at least 1390.
Unlike most aspiring lawyers, Kim did not attend a traditional law school. She started an apprenticeship at a San Francisco law firm in 2018 and graduated from her law program in May 2025. She also does not hold a bachelor’s degree, though she briefly attended Pierce College in Los Angeles.
About the Author
