Preparing for another bar exam may not have been your plan. If the setback has left you wondering what to do next, know that you are not alone on this journey and you should not let a failed bar exam attempt define your legal career. With a focused plan and quality resources from BARBRI, you can clear this hurdle and achieve your goal of becoming a licensed attorney.
When the time is right for you to retake the bar exam, here are a few tips to help you prepare for a successful outcome.
1. Review Your Exam
While it’s tempting to put the failed exam behind you, understanding what went wrong is crucial. Start by reviewing your score report and, if your jurisdiction allows, request your essays and performance test (MPT) answers. Compare your scores to the grading rubric provided by your jurisdiction. This analysis will help you identify weak areas and focus your study efforts more effectively.
2. Reassess Your Study Plan
Be honest with yourself about your previous preparation. Did you allocate enough time to your studies? Were your study methods effective? Did you use a bar prep course, or did you try a DIY study plan?
If you didn’t use a bar prep course, consider enrolling in one like BARBRI Bar Review, which offers a structured study plan and full-length practice exams. In fact, BARBRI’s adaptive online Personalized Study Plan is the only bar prep that allows you to create a customized study calendar that adjusts to your priorities and performance.
You’ll want to amend your approach to ensure you’re covering all subjects adequately and practicing under real exam conditions. BARBRI AdaptiBar bar prep supplements like MCQ Simulator help you understand bar exam sample questions with clear, detailed explanations and a real-time data dashboard so you know exactly how you are doing. Other AdaptiBar bar prep tools, including our Writing Guide, MBE video lectures and flexible private tutoring, give you an additional edge to achieve a higher bar exam score.
3. Make a Schedule + Stick to It
Because you likely weren’t planning to have to study for the bar exam again, you probably have less time to devote to studying this time around. As you prepare for this exam, you’ll need to be highly efficient with your time. Set out a realistic schedule, and do not let yourself deviate from it.
Many bar prep courses are designed for full-time studying. If this isn’t a commitment you can make, you’ll need to be sure that you give yourself enough of a runway before the exam to complete a full study plan. BARBRI Bar Review offers course options ranging from 8 weeks to 10 months to fit diverse learners and diverse schedules.
Plus, all BARBRI bar prep courses include the BARBRI Guarantee.
4. Manage Stress + Anxiety
Many examinees fail the bar exam not because they were unprepared, but because anxiety got the better of them on test day. Test anxiety can be a significant barrier to success, but you can use your previous experience to your advantage—you now know what to expect on exam day. Incorporate stress-reducing activities like daily exercise into your routine and take multiple practice exams to build confidence and familiarity with the test format.
Here are more wellness tips to help you move past the anxiety.
Be Empowered at Every Step of Your Legal Learning Journey
Retaking the bar exam is challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to learn, grow, and ultimately succeed. With a clear plan, BARBRI resources that empower you, and a commitment to your goals, you can pass the bar and go on to an amazing legal career.
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