How to Pass the Bar Exam

In the midst of bar prep season, I reflect on those who are currently studying for the biggest exam of their law career and my own experiences with this exam.  I started bar prep one week after graduation. (Yes, this dreadful beast called bar prep instantly killed the nostalgia of graduating from law school). During law school, professors called bar prep “The Summer from Hell” (because that is when most students sat for the exam).  That is an understatement.  Bar prep sucks.  You want to give up, cry, and honestly you will cry… a lot. But guess what… YOU CAN AND WILL SURVIVE IT! This time 4 years ago, I was buried in books studying for the February bar exam.  I guess you can say it was the coldest winter ever.

During bar prep, I would study for 14-16 hours a day.  I enrolled in a bar prep course (This is necessary and worth the investment. I suggest locking in your price 1L year). I watched long lectures, made outlines, skinny outlines, and one sheet outlines.  I made flash cards, reviewed advance sheets, and I collected outlines from other attorneys that passed the bar exam. I even bought additional study materials to study for the bar exam.  Those included: Critical Pass Flash Cards https://amzn.to/2FswTAr and Emanuel Strategies & Tactics for the MBE https://amzn.to/2FswTAr.

I would isolate myself so I could focus on my materials.  For weeks I would be in my house waking up, studying, and going to bed. I took the bar exam and felt indifferent afterwards.  A few months later, bar results were posted online and I nervously looked for my name.  I did not see it. I knew the law.  I did all of the work in the course. I had all the right materials, but I failed. How? How could this happen?  I was prepared and put in the work.  After receiving my results, I took some time to reflect on my study strategies for that exam and how to be successful on the next exam. 

When I sat for the July bar exam, I had peace and I felt a lot more prepared than I did the first time.  A few months later on “Bar Results Day”, my best friend called me before I could look at the results.  When I answered, she said “Hello, Esquire!” I immediately started screaming and crying.  We celebrated and I informed my family and friends.  It was an amazing time.

How did I succeed?  I list my top tips below.

Enroll In A Bar Prep Course

I highly suggest enrolling in a bar prep course.  If a particular course did not work for you the first time, most bar prep companies issue refunds.  Feel free to switch to a bar prep course that best serves you.  I stayed with the same bar prep course I used during my first exam (Kaplan) because I was satisfied with the materials.  Choosing a great bar prep course that works for you and your style of learning is instrumental to the success of passing the bar exam.

Study In A Way That Works Best For You

There is no “one way” to study.  The first time, I made the mistake of strictly following my bar prep’s schedule because I thought that was the path success.  I took advice from others and tried to implement their suggestions into my study schedule.  However, I realized I learned differently. Bar prep courses throw a lot of information at you and it is very overwhelming. 

The silver lining was I knew what to expect on the exam.  This time, I refused to spend 14 hours a day studying and watching 3-hour monotone lectures.  Honestly, it was not necessary.  I could study in less time and be more effective.  Do not psych yourself out thinking that if you do not study 12-15 hours a day, you will fail. I opted to skip the lectures and focus on the outlines because the information was the same.  I would also eliminate techniques that did not work for me.

I started studying around 10 AM and finished no later than 5 PM.  I took an hour lunch break and small breaks throughout studying to clear my mind.  At night, I would do a light review of the materials I studied earlier that day while in bed. This time frame worked for me. If you study better at night, study at night.  If you want to treat the bar exam like a job and study from 8-5, then that is okay too. Whatever works best for you is what matters.  I also focused on my weak areas and reviewed my strong areas.  I used some of the same materials that I purchased in addition to the bar prep materials. 

I changed my flash card style as well.  When I studied the first time, I would make flash cards that were all white.  The problem with this is keeping up with what I knew versus what I struggled with.  This time, I decided to color code my flashcards.  I purchased a colored pack of flash cards and color-coded my rules based off what I knew.

Green: I knew the rule (I would review these cards to refresh my memory when needed).

Yellow: I almost knew the rule (I would review these in bed every night).

Orange: I struggled with remembering and applying the rule (I would review these throughout the day).

Pink: I did not know the rule at all (I would spend a lot of time with these cards).

As I became more familiar with each rule, that rule would change to a higher color until the rule was on a green card.  This was a game changer because it really helped me feel more comfortable with my memorization of the rules.  This may not work for everyone, but it was effective during my bar prep.

Join A (Reliable) Study Group

I was determined to have a study group.   The great thing about study groups is that everyone has different perspectives and qualities to bring to the table. Picking your study group can be a challenge.  I was fortunate enough to have a study group that became good friends of mine.  We would pick certain days of the week to meet up at either the law school or the library to study.

We all did not have the same bar prep course, but if materials from another person’s course were helpful, we added it to our study regime.  Do not be afraid to do this because it definitely makes a difference when another bar prep course may explain a certain subject in a way that you can comprehend.  Additionally, we all had different strengths and weaknesses that balanced the group.  My study group had strengths in my weak areas and vice versa.  If the entire group struggled with a certain subject, we would dedicate a significant portion of our time to breaking down that subject. We used visuals, shared helpful tips, and even made sure to laugh often (for our sanity). We also made time to encourage and uplift one another. They were awesome and together we made it through.

Do Not Isolate Yourself

Your family and friends are a support system during bar prep.  They may not first hand understand the intensity of the exam, but more than likely they want to help you get through this process.  I made sure to check in and communicate with my friends that just wanted to make sure I was okay. I made time to go see family.  If I felt stressed and needed to talk, I had people that were there to take my mind off things and provide encouraging words, and they even sent me care packages. I also socialized, went out to dinner, and happy hour with friends. This made a tremendous difference because I realized that I did not have to go through this alone.  My family and friends were willing to go on this journey with me. 

Relax, Breathe, and Find a Hobby

Take time to relax and breathe.  Practicing self-care during bar prep is so important.  I am sure you will hear horror stories of how people did not shower for days and their house was a mess.  It does not have to be that way.  Take time to watch a movie, get a massage, get a manicure, or go to the gym.  Make time for whatever helps you to relax.  Also, if you have a hobby you enjoy, make sure to do that during bar prep.  For example, I love to cook.  Cooking is a stress reliever and it makes me happy.  I would cook meals and my family and friends would ask for pictures of what recipe I made that day. It was relaxing and enjoyable during a very stressful time.

Not everyone passes the bar the first time and that is okay.  Take time to reflect on what you can improve and move towards that goal.  When bar results come out and you see your name on that list, there is no greater feeling.  It is so worth it.  Those of you reading this post feeling there is not a light at the end of tunnel, I promise you there is a bright one.  Trust yourself, you know more than you think you do.  Keep pushing and best of luck to you!  You got this! 

Love and Live Free,

-L