How to study for the bar exam and select a bar review course
Before you graduate, your dean of students, a professor, or common sense will tell you that the bar exam is a test not to be taken lightly, that you should take your bar exam preparation seriously. But until you dive into the depths of the sample bar exam essays and practice questions, it’s very hard to really understand just how challenging and absorbing the bar exam can be.
Generally speaking, successfully studying for the MBE and state bar exam is an immersion process; it requires dedication, focus and time management. It involves more than you’re used to in law school, where simply showing up to class (while IMing your classmates or playing a game on Facebook) can still get you an “A.” Attending a daily bar review class or participating in a structured online bar preparation course, memorizing bar review materials, and taking bar practice tests is just a starting point. The hardest part of studying is figuring out the best approach that will allow you to study most effectively and adapting your study habits to retain a lot of information in a short amount of time. You have to balance an increased workload with the need to eat healthy and exercise.
This article will provide upcoming bar exam candidates with constructive tips that other law students have found helpful when studying for the bar exam. The most important thing you can do is honestly assess your study style during law school, build on the positive habits, and be disciplined enough to eliminate the negative ones, before embarking on your marathon study that summer. Remember, you want this to be a one-time deal and it’s never too early to start preparing.
(1) For 1L and 2L: Prepare during Law School
It is never too early to start preparing for the bar exam during your law school career. Many law students regret not taking more law classes during law school. Some law students even actively avoid bar-related classes because they assume they will only learn the necessary subjects during the formal bar review course. What they don’t realize is that it’s not easy to learn topics like wills, trusts, and probate in the one or two day course you’re likely to cover that topic. Your law school probably does not require you to take all of the bar subjects as a graduation requirement, and it is certainly possible to pass the bar exam if you avoid taking these subjects. But studying a bar topic a second time, by definition, makes it more familiar. Bottom line: it will be easier for you when you start studying a subject you already have a foundation with.
We suggest that you consider enrolling in the following classes during law school:
Multi-state subjects:
royal property
contracts
Commercial Sales (UCC Article 2)
Evidence
Constitutional Law I and II (a First Amendment class would be helpful)
Criminal Law (most of the law students we surveyed report that this topic is particularly easy to learn during bar review)
criminal procedure
mistakes
state subjects (varies depending on your state, but will generally cover topics like):
Trust and Estates
State Civil Procedure
State Constitutional Law
family law
State Criminal Procedure
Business Associations | corporations
(2) The overhaul course of the rod
So you’re thinking, “I’m not a 1L or 2L. I’m a 3L about to graduate. I need a plan of attack now!” We believe that taking a Bar Review class is essential to your summer curriculum. Some choose not to, but if you’re reading this article, you’re probably not one of them. There is bar/bri and PMBR (which have been around for a long time and have helped many law students pass the bar exam). But also consider the many competitors to the traditional Bar/Bri and PMBR, which students are finding very useful and effective. MicroMash, Supreme Bar Review, and AdaptiBar are examples of this. Do some research, because everyone learns differently. One course’s methods of teaching bar subjects may be more effective than others.
(2)(a) For those who intend to stick with conventional lecture-style bar review courses (Bar/Bri, PMBR, Kaplan):
If you decide to do Bar/Bri and PMBR, attend all classes and live in the moment. This sounds simple. But many students are tempted to log on to the Internet and check email. Stay focused because literally every minute during the summer is crucial and it is important to maximize your time while in class. Make sure you get to classes on time, because they start sharp at 9:00 am (may differ from city to city) and since they are videotaped, the teacher doesn’t wait for anyone! Note that in larger law schools, there will be a ‘live’ room and everyone else will be forced to go to alternate rooms where you will see the lesson on video. So if you think it’s beneficial to see the bar review teacher in person, rather than on a screen, make sure you get to your class early.
It is strongly recommended that you do not feel embarrassed about using BarBri and PMPR’s “Phone Help Desk” calling features for any important questions you may have regarding the material. Bar review topics get confusing, especially when you start comparing federal law to specific state laws on a given topic (eg, evidence). Also, it’s almost impossible to ask questions during the actual class (or impossible if you attend the video).
Note: Kaplan recently began his Bar/Bri Competition Lecture Style Bar Review Course. We have received several reports, since the July 2009 bar exam, that Kaplan’s materials contained errors and that the practice questions were, in her opinion, inadequate. It seems that they are solving the problems. DISCLAIMER: This is not the opinion of the author.
(2)(b) For those who intend to take courses online (Adaptbar, MicroMash, etc.):
Comfort is a double-edged sword. Some law students may not have the discipline to get out of bed early in the morning with the lure of a few more hours of sleep and the knowledge that they can start learning at any time of the day (rather than at night). a certain time every morning). Or you may be tempted to take a day off and double it the next day. If you choose a DVD or internet bar review course, set your alarm clock and get on with the program.
The great benefit of the online bar review is the ability to tackle subcategories of difficult topics head-on. For example, when studying for the law school using a lecture/book style course, you will only see a certain number of evidence questions related to double hearsay and only occasionally. If that particular subcategory of evidence is giving you trouble, the BEST way to handle it is to (a) review the course material and then (b) ask as many practice questions as it takes to get 10 double heard questions. (in a row) correct. Most online courses will pinpoint your particular problem areas for you and provide you with this highly beneficial and, in the author’s opinion, most efficient and least stressful method of making sure you have a firm grasp of each bar topic.
(3) Ask practice questions and sample essays
At the beginning of your bar review, it would not be unusual for the study of the bar to take 10-12 hours per day. As you get closer to your bar exam, you’ll find yourself up numerous nights realizing you’ve been at it for 14 hours, literally studying from sunrise to sunset with short breaks just to eat and, with good luck showering!
Remember, there are so many questions that the bar exam can throw at you. The more you practice (essays and questions), the more you will “learn the formula”.
The practice questions are thought-provoking, but tricky. It is imperative that you ask at least 50 questions thoroughly, daily. Part of being successful on the exam is choosing the “least wrong” answer from the four “wrong” answer choices by using process elimination techniques.
There is something special in writing. A really useful trick is to make sure you don’t neglect rehearsals. Try to do at least 1 rehearsal per night from the first day of study for the bar exam, and increase the number of rehearsals as the bar exam approaches and your study routine improves. Do not passively read the answers to the sample essay answers. Make a running chart, by topic, of frequently tested areas, and then study that chart. This helps both for essays (obviously) and multiple choice questions.
Another source of failure on the bar exam is recent law graduates who work while studying for the bar exam. Personal finances are always a concern. But if possible, the author strongly recommends not working while studying for the bar exam.
While it seems hypocritical, the author also urges you to maintain a certain quality of life. While partying is out of the question for the two months or so he’ll be spending studying in a bar, having a (singular) beer once a week won’t hurt. It is important to limit the consumption of alcohol (and, of course, drugs). Exercising regularly is a must. Taking an hour break to walk, jog, or lift light weights can be invigorating and will definitely help the study process. Sleep is also important. Studies show that his brain needs enough sleep to better process this barrage of information that he will learn, understand and memorize each day.
The Bar Association will be a very stressful time in your law school career. The goal is to make sure it doesn’t become traumatic. It’s hard to understand how mentally, physically and emotionally challenging it is until you actually experience it for yourself. But remember: try to keep the exam in perspective, and if things get worse, you can retake the exam. Look at these powerful and highly successful people who tried the Bar and failed… but have not failed in life: 1) John F. Kennedy (failed 3 times), 2) Florida Governor Charlie Crist ( failed twice), 3) Democrat Kevin A. Callahan (failed 10 times), and 4) New York Senator Hillary Clinton (failed DC bar 1 time).
The author sincerely believes that if you are smart enough to get into law school and graduate, you are smart enough to pass the state bar exam. All it takes is two months of dedication. It really is a hazing process. But, you are not alone and once you pass, you will look at your study time bar with funds, albeit many years later. GOOD LUCK