DETROIT - Wayne State University Law School's state bar exam passage rate continues to climb, with 81 percent of first-time test-takers who took the exam in July passing.

The rate is before appeals, so it could be higher once decisions on appeals are made. The 81 percent rate is 5 points higher than Wayne Law's July 2013 passage rate of 76 percent (after appeals) for first-time takers and higher than this year's state average of 73 percent.

Wayne Law's overall July passage rate, which includes those retaking the test, was 74 percent, an increase of 2 points over July 2013 and higher than this year's state average of 63 percent.

"I'm encouraged by our students' continued climb in bar passage rates," said Wayne Law Dean Jocelyn Benson. "I'm pleased to see that our commitment to offer extra support to graduates taking the test continues to show results."