The results of the California bar exam are in, and after years of studying to become a lawyer without going to law school, reality star turned business mogul and actress Kim Kardashian has finally learned her fate.
Did she pass? Unfortunately, not this time, but her announcement about it was refreshingly honest. “Six years into this law journey, and I’m still all in until I pass the bar,” she wrote on Instagram. “No shortcuts, no giving up — just more studying and even more determination.” See her full Instagram post, below.
How Filevine Helps In-House Legal Teams Manage Every Matter With Confidence
AI powers tools for data intake, document management, and drafting contracts.
Kardashian is in good company when it comes to the California bar exam, which is widely regarded as one of the toughest in the nation. According to a press release from the State Bar of California, only 54.8% of those who took the July 2025 test passed. While 69.7% of all first-time takers passed, just 12.4% of repeat takers were able to so do — numbers that underscore just how difficult the exam can be.
But this isn’t a story about celebrity failure. It’s about perseverance, grit, and the willingness to take on something incredibly hard — all while balancing work and family in the court of public opinion. By sharing her results openly, Kardashian showed a kind of vulnerability that made her feel genuinely relatable. “Falling short isn’t failure — it’s fuel,” she said. “I was so close to passing the exam and that only motivates me even more.”
Kardashian began her studies in 2018, officially announcing the following year that she was studying to become a lawyer through the law office study program, which allows aspiring lawyers in California to apprentice under practicing attorneys rather than attend law school. Though the program is typically four years long, the pandemic and her demanding schedule stretched the process a little longer than expected.
Along the way, Kardashian documented her struggles and small victories with unusual candor on social media. The would-be lawyer once admitted she “fucking hate[d]” Constitutional Law, and later confessed she “[couldn’t] deal with all these fucking hearsay exceptions.” For many law students and practicing attorneys, her frustrations felt all too familiar. When she announced in 2021 that — after three prior attempts — she had finally passed the baby bar, social media lit up with congratulations from fans and lawyers alike.
USCIS shift to electronic payments: What immigration firms need to know
As of October 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services requires electronic payments for filing fees. Learn key updates, exemptions, and how firms can prepare.
Today, Kardashian plays a lawyer on Hulu’s legal drama All’s Fair, but she’s still chasing her dream of becoming one in real life. For Kardashian, the law isn’t just a role, it’s a mission — and she’s clearly not done yet.
The next California bar exam is set for February 24-25, 2026. Here’s hoping the future brings us Kim Kardashian, Esq.
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.