Conquering the bar exam requires mastering a ton of legal material. One of the most common questions we hear around this monumental task is: “When should I start my bar prep?” The answer is a classic lawyer response—it depends.
The right time to begin your bar exam preparation depends on your personal circumstances, learning style, and the time you can realistically commit. Let’s explore the optimal timelines for bar review, including what to consider if you’re working, have family obligations, or simply want to get a head start.
When to Start Preparing for the Bar Exam
The consensus among bar prep experts is that you need approximately 400 hours of dedicated study time to be ready for the exam. How you accumulate those hours defines your study schedule. The good news is that with BARBRI, you have options.
Full-Time Study Schedule
If you can treat bar prep like a full-time job, a 10-week schedule is the standard. This approach involves studying 40 to 50 hours per week.
- For the July Bar Exam: You would begin your studies in mid-to-late May.
- For the February Bar Exam: You would start your preparation in mid-to-late December.
This intensive, condensed schedule is effective because it keeps the material fresh and focuses all your energy on a single goal: passing the bar. It allows for deep immersion and consistent practice, which are critical for success.
However, full-time study isn’t for everyone. If you plan on balancing work or family responsibilities alongside bar review, part-time study might be the best option. BARBRI makes it easy to balance life and studies. Course access is available for four months, so you can begin studying even earlier.
Part-Time Study Schedule
Not everyone has the luxury of dedicating ten weeks solely to studying. A part-time schedule extends the preparation period to accommodate a lighter weekly study load. For example, the BARBRI Extended Bar Review part-time schedule spans 6 or 10 months, allowing you to integrate studying into your existing life without becoming overwhelmed.
- For the July Exam: The 6-month, part-time schedule typically begins in January.
- For the February Exam: Preparation starts in September for the 6-month course.
This extended timeline reduces the pressure of cramming and provides more flexibility, making it a powerful option for non-traditional students and non-U.S. law graduates looking to qualify in the U.S.
Should I Consider Early Bar Prep?
Is starting even earlier than the general recommendations a good idea? For some students, engaging in early bar prep provides a significant advantage. It allows you extra time to solidify foundational knowledge and build confidence long before the official course calendar begins.
Starting your bar exam preparation early is particularly beneficial if you:
- Are Facing Unfamiliar Subjects: If your exam tests subjects you never studied in law school, getting a head start may prevent you from feeling overwhelmed later.
- Struggled in Law School: If you found certain law school subjects particularly challenging, extra review time can help you master them.
- Have Known Weaknesses: If you know that multiple-choice questions or legal writing are not your strong suits, early practice can turn those weaknesses into strengths.
However, early bar prep isn’t without its risks. The biggest concerns are burnout and retention. Bar review is a marathon, and starting too early can lead to exhaustion before you even reach the most critical phase of your studies. Furthermore, information learned months in advance may be forgotten if not consistently reinforced.
Effective Methods for Early Bar Prep
If you decide that an early start is right for you, there are several effective strategies you can employ.
1. Start with the Performance Test (PT)
Many jurisdictions, including those that administer the Uniform Bar Exam (UBE) and soon the NextGen UBE, include a performance test task. The PT is designed to simulate a real-world legal assignment. You receive reference materials and are asked to draft a document like a memo, brief, or client letter.
The beauty of practicing the performance test task early is that it requires no outside substantive knowledge. Your success depends on your ability to analyze, organize, and write under pressure. By practicing early, you can develop a rhythm and method that will save you valuable time on exam day.
2. Focus on Multistate Bar Exam (MBE) Subjects
Another powerful strategy is to begin your studies with the MBE subjects:
- Civil Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Contracts
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Evidence
- Real Property
- Torts
These subjects are fundamental. For UBE and NextGen UBE takers, they are tested not only on the multiple-choice section but can also appear in the essay portion and/or integrated question sets. Any time invested in mastering these core areas is time well spent.
The BARBRI Bar Review course offers Foundations Episodes, outlines, expert-led video lectures, and other study aids specifically designed to introduce these key subjects. Paired with frequent knowledge checks, they build a strong foundation and reinforce your learning.
3. Tackle Unfamiliar Subjects First
One of the most common sources of anxiety during bar prep is encountering subjects for the first time. You can ease this stress by using your early prep time to learn the subjects you didn’t take in law school.
Review your jurisdiction's list of testable essay subjects. This could include such topics as Secured Transactions, Business Associations, Family Law, and Conflicts of Law. By familiarizing yourself with these topics before your main bar review schedule begins, you'll be able to focus on nuanced application rather than learning from scratch.
Choose Your Path to Passing the Bar
Ultimately, you know yourself best. Whether you choose a full-time sprint or a part-time marathon, the right study plan is the one that fits your life and learning style. Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and obligations to create a bar review schedule that sets you up for success.
Ready to see how BARBRI can help you prepare with confidence? Sign up for free Bar Prep Preview or NextGen Prep Preview to get an interactive preview of our unique features and functionality. No commitment required.
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