The passing rate for first-time takers of the February 2015 Georgia bar exam fell to 73 percent, from 80 percent the year before.

The drop echoes results from the July 2014 exam, when Georgia passing rates fell along with national scores.

Only about 500 take the Georgia exam each February, as opposed to 1,300 taking the July test, with many in the February group trying for at least the second time. The repeaters' pass rate fell too, from 39 percent in February 2014 to 36 percent this year.