Are you looking for insights about the bar preparation process? It will be one of the biggest challenges of your legal education.
Success on the bar exam isn't about luck. It's about understanding the distinct phases of bar prep and executing a plan that carries you through each one. In this guide, we will break down the timeline of bar exam prep and walk you through critical milestones on your path to passing.
Before Bar Prep: Set the Stage for Success
Bar preparation is intense. You can make the experience less stressful by taking a few simple steps before your bar review course begins:
Communicate Your Unavailability
Have you told your family what to expect? You need to share your plans with the people who matter most. Make sure your friends and family understand that the bar exam is a crucial steppingstone on your path to becoming a licensed attorney. Explain that you’ll be less available while you’re preparing for the exam.
Clear Your Calendar
You won’t want a dentist appointment on your plate during bar prep. As much as you can, handle your life needs before the preparation period begins. Your future self will thank you for removing these distractions from your docket.
Consider Early Preparation
Should you start studying early? Some students benefit immensely from getting a jump on bar prep before their course calendars officially begin. Early bar prep is a smart choice if you need to learn numerous subjects you haven’t studied before, or if you struggle with writing skills, multiple-choice questions, or exam anxiety. Early preparation gives you the cushion you need to build confidence. [Link to Resource Article - Bar Review FAQ: When Should I Start Studying for the Bar Exam? when available]
The Beginning: Learn the Law + Practice
In the beginning phase, bar prep is all about learning the rules tested on the exam. Many bar review courses begin with the topics tested on the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE).
BARBRI Bar Review uses a mix of methods to develop substantive knowledge. You’ll have access to Foundations Episodes and other study aids to get an early introduction to key subjects. During this phase, try these strategies:
Dive into Practice Questions
The most powerful way to prepare for the bar exam is to practice the exam itself. Limiting yourself to passive forms of study—like reviewing material or watching lectures—will stunt your growth. You must dig into practice questions immediately. When you get one wrong, don't just move on. Carefully review the answer explanations to cement your understanding.
Try Open-Book Practice
On exam day, you’ll have no choice but to complete the test closed book and timed. But you aren’t there yet. In this early phase, consider open-book, untimed practice with the goal of getting multiple-choice and essay practice under your belt.
Track the Rules You Don’t Know
The volume of material in bar prep phases is massive. You need a tracking system—a list, tabbed pages, flashcards, or a spreadsheet—that allows you to return to concepts you haven’t yet mastered. Stay aware and engaged with your progress.
The Middle: Reenergize, Memorize + Practice
As you near the midpoint of your bar review course, you’ll notice some changes. Many courses pivot to cover subjects tested on the essay and performance task portions of the exam. For legacy UBE and NextGen UBE takers, this means diving into subjects like Business Associations and Family Law (beginning in 2028 for NextGen).
Don’t Skip Full-Length Practice Exams
Full-length practice exams are worth the time. You’ll scale up your ability to focus and gain valuable insights on which areas you need to master during the remainder of bar review.
BARBRI offers its Simulated Exam to give you a taste of the timing, structure, and intensity of the actual test.
Focus on Memorization
Now is the time to commit rules to memory. Take time to memorize key rule statements for your essays. If memorization feels overwhelming, start small. Master one small topic, like hearsay exceptions, then move to the next.
Start with High-Energy Tasks
Your energy is a finite resource. Reorder your study days to begin with tasks that require the most mental horsepower. Start your day with sets of multiple-choice practice questions or writing essays. Save passive tasks, like reviewing outlines, for when you are tired later in the day.
Be sure to take scheduled breaks when you notice your energy is fleeting.
The End: The Final Push
You have made it to the final weeks of bar review. At this point, your focus shifts to mixed-subject review and simulation.
Take Timed Practice Tests
If you haven’t already, make the transition to timed practice testing. You need to know what it feels like to answer questions under pressure. Simulating exam conditions in the final weeks helps you prepare for the rigors of the real thing.
Submit Essays for Feedback
If you’ve put off submitting essays for feedback, don’t wait any longer. Grader feedback is the key to maximizing essay scores. BARBRI offers personalized feedback from a team of attorney expert graders to help you analyze your weak areas and learn how to structure your answers to maximize points. Review the critiques carefully and apply them to your next attempt.
Visualize Success
It’s common to feel anxious at this point in your studies. But remember: the odds are in your favor. Thousands of students pass this exam. Continue to put in the time and hard work, and you can be one of them. To keep negative emotions at bay, visualize yourself in the exam room answering questions correctly and on pace.
Start Your Bar Prep Journey with Confidence
More students study for the bar each year with BARBRI Bar Review than with all other bar prep programs combined. We’ve helped 1.43+ million law students pass the bar, and we are here to help you too.
By breaking your preparation into manageable bar prep phases, you can navigate what's to come and emerge victorious.
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