USPTO Statistics & Tracked Student Outcomes
Patent Bar Pass Rates: USPTO Statistics and Wysebridge Results
The USPTO reported a 46% overall pass rate for the registration examination in fiscal year 2025. That means 1,048 of the 2,278 examinations administered during the fiscal year resulted in a passing outcome, based on the USPTO's published totals.
Wysebridge separately tracks outcomes reported by students who use its Patent Bar Review program. Across the 2012–2025 period, the current Wysebridge dataset reports an 81% average pass rate. These two percentages should be read as different datasets, not as a controlled head-to-head experiment: the USPTO figure covers all examinations administered, while the Wysebridge figure comes from the program's own student-outcome collection process.
The tables below make that distinction explicit and show the year-by-year record.
- 81%
- Wysebridge reported average
- 2012–2025
- 46%
- USPTO pass rate
- FY2025
- 78%
- Wysebridge reported pass rate
- FY2025
- 2,278
- USPTO exams administered
- FY2025
Official statistics
Latest Patent Bar Pass Rate
The USPTO's 46% FY2025 figure is the current official national statistic available for the examination. Wysebridge's 78% FY2025 figure is an internally tracked program outcome, reported by students rather than published by the USPTO. For a closer look at the latest year, see the 2025 Patent Bar results.
USPTO Patent Bar Pass Rates by Year
The USPTO publishes the number of registration examinations administered and the percentage that passed each fiscal year. Recent results have remained within a fairly narrow range.
| Fiscal Year | Exams Administered | USPTO Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2,278 | 46% |
| 2024 | 2,025 | 49% |
| 2023 | 1,957 | 46% |
| 2022 | 1,768 | 46% |
| 2021 | 2,062 | 45% |
These are official USPTO examination statistics. They are not limited to first-time candidates, Wysebridge users, or candidates using any particular preparation method.
2012–2025
Wysebridge Results by Year
Wysebridge's current published dataset covers 2012 through 2025. Each year's reported Wysebridge pass rate is shown below next to the USPTO overall pass rate for the same year.
Year-by-Year Pass Rate Comparison
Wysebridge reported pass rate vs. USPTO overall pass rate, 2012–2025
| Year | USPTO overall | Wysebridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 54% | 89% | +35 pp |
| 2013 | 47% | 84% | +37 pp |
| 2014 | 43% | 84% | +41 pp |
| 2015 | 48% | 83% | +35 pp |
| 2016 | 47% | 79% | +32 pp |
| 2017 | 43% | 77% | +34 pp |
| 2018 | 47% | 77% | +30 pp |
| 2019 | 45% | 81% | +36 pp |
| 2020 | 49% | 82% | +33 pp |
| 2021 | 45% | 79% | +34 pp |
| 2022 | 46% | 81% | +35 pp |
| 2023 | 46% | 80% | +34 pp |
| 2024 | 49% | 80% | +31 pp |
| 2025 | 46% | 78% | +32 pp |
Full Data Table, 2012–2025
| Year | USPTO | Wysebridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 54% | 89% | +35 pp |
| 2013 | 47% | 84% | +37 pp |
| 2014 | 43% | 84% | +41 pp |
| 2015 | 48% | 83% | +35 pp |
| 2016 | 47% | 79% | +32 pp |
| 2017 | 43% | 77% | +34 pp |
| 2018 | 47% | 77% | +30 pp |
| 2019 | 45% | 81% | +36 pp |
| 2020 | 49% | 82% | +33 pp |
| 2021 | 45% | 79% | +34 pp |
| 2022 | 46% | 81% | +35 pp |
| 2023 | 46% | 80% | +34 pp |
| 2024 | 49% | 80% | +31 pp |
| 2025 | 46% | 78% | +32 pp |
| 2012–2025 average | 47% | 81% | +34 pp |
Differences are shown in percentage points (pp). For example, 81% compared with 47% is a 34-percentage-point difference. It is approximately 72% higher on a relative basis, but that relative calculation is not especially useful here because the populations are not directly comparable.
About these numbers
How Wysebridge Calculates Its Pass Rate
USPTO figures on this page come from the USPTO's published registration examination statistics. Wysebridge pass rates are based on student outcome data collected since 2012. Student outcomes are self-reported at the conclusion of the subscription period, and the figures are internally tracked by Wysebridge.
When you evaluate any prep-course pass rate, including this one, look for answers to these questions:
- Who is included in the denominator: all subscribers, all students who report an outcome, or another defined cohort.
- Whether the rate is first-attempt only, any-attempt, or a mixture.
- How non-responders and students who never schedule the exam are treated.
- The number of reporting students in each year, not only the percentage.
- How duplicate subscriptions or repeat attempts are handled.
- Whether the figures have been independently audited or are internally tracked and self-reported.
Reading the numbers
Can You Compare Wysebridge's 81% Directly With the USPTO's 47%?
Not as a controlled comparison. The USPTO dataset includes all examination administrations in a fiscal year. Wysebridge's dataset reflects a subset of candidates who used the program and whose outcomes were collected under Wysebridge's methodology.
Those groups can differ in prior patent experience, technical background, motivation, study time, first-attempt status, and whether they report their outcome. The comparison is still useful as descriptive context, but it does not prove that using one course caused the difference.
What the data does show is that Wysebridge's reported outcomes have been higher than the USPTO's overall annual pass rate in each year from 2012 through 2025. It does not show that the course creates a specific percentage increase in any individual student's probability of passing. For how other providers present their results, see our Patent Bar prep comparisons.
Why Is the Patent Bar Pass Rate Below 50%?
The pass-rate data shows that the examination is demanding, but the statistics alone do not identify one single cause. The test combines detailed USPTO procedures, a large body of source material, close answer choices, and strict time limits.
The exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions, of which 90 are scored. Candidates must answer 63 of the 90 scored questions correctly. Electronic USPTO reference materials are available during the exam, but source lookup uses the same limited session time as answering questions. The Patent Bar Exam guide covers the format in more detail.
That structure rewards both knowledge and efficient application. For preparation advice, see the Wysebridge study methodology, the Patent Bar study plan, Patent Bar exam questions, and the Patent Bar exam simulator.
What Does a 46% National Pass Rate Mean for You?
It does not mean an individual candidate has exactly a 46% chance of passing. The national rate is an aggregate outcome across candidates with different backgrounds, preparation methods, prior attempts, and levels of experience.
Use the statistic as a measure of exam difficulty and as a reason to prepare deliberately. Your own readiness is better evaluated through current-law practice, source-navigation skill, timed performance, and consistency across full simulated sessions.
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Have questions?
Patent Bar Pass Rate FAQs
The latest official USPTO figure is 46% for fiscal year 2025. The USPTO reported 2,278 examinations administered that year.
You need 63 correct answers out of the 90 scored questions, which is 70% of the scored set. Ten additional questions are unscored.
The USPTO's annual table reports examination administrations and overall percent passing; it is not labeled as a first-time-only rate. Any prep-company first-attempt rate should therefore be presented as a different population.
No. A historical program pass rate describes outcomes in the measured student cohort. It cannot guarantee an individual result, and the exact meaning depends on who was included in the calculation.
The USPTO publishes the annual outcomes but does not attribute each year-to-year change to one specific cause. Avoid treating a three-point movement as proof that the exam became harder or easier without supporting evidence.
Still have questions? Contact us or browse our full FAQ.
See the Study Method Behind the Numbers
Use Why It Works for the Wysebridge methodology, the Patent Bar Study Plan for schedule design, and the Exam Simulator for timed practice. Candidates who want the official national statistics should also consult the USPTO Registration Exam Results and Statistics page directly.