Exactly how the bar exam is scored

Up until a moment ago, I was very confused about exactly how the bar exam is scored.

A very informative PDF is provided by the California Bar. It reveals a very convoluted equation.

So, here’s how it seems to work:

1. First, take your raw MBE score (0-200). Then, scale that score and multiply by 10. This should give you a number between 0 and 2000. This is your MBE scaled score.
2. Next, you’ve got to figure out your writing scaled score. The essays are worth 100 points each. Just leave them as is. Each performance test is worth 200 points. Add that all up and you’ve got your raw writing score (0-1000). Then (and I swear I’m not making this up), multiply that raw score by 3.08, and then subtract 493. This is your scaled writing score.
3. Now that you’ve got your scaled scores, the MBE is worth 35% of your overall score and the writing part is worth 65%. So, multiply your MBE score by 0.35, and your writing score by 0.65, and then add them together – you need to get over about 1440.

If you read this and think it’s wrong, please let me know!