How early should I start studying for the bar?

Asked by: Aditya Runte  |  Last update: October 19, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (68 votes)

The typical recommendation is that you spend a total of roughly 400 hours studying for the bar exam. If you can manage full-time study of 40–50 hours per week, you should begin about 10 weeks before the exam date. For July examinees, that means starting in May. For February examinees, it means starting in December.

How early should I start studying for the bar exam?

When should I start studying? You should allow yourself 9 weeks of full-time studying (40-50 hours a week). If you are studying for the bar exam amidst other commitments, you will need to accommodate for less weekly hours by starting earlier (more like 15-20 weeks of studying).

When should I start memorizing for the bar exam?

The two-week mark before the bar exam is usually a good indicator of when you should start emphasizing memorization. The problem is, memorization is actually one of the hardest parts of studying for the bar exam. Not because it's actually that difficult, but because memorizing is boring and tedious.

Is 6 weeks enough to study for the bar?

Suffolk strongly recommends that graduates take a minimum of six weeks (eight is better) to prepare for the bar examination.

How hard is it to study for the bar?

Studying for the bar is like drinking out of a fire hydrant. It feels never-ending. There's always more to know and it comes at you too quickly. The challenge is synthesizing the law into a coherent body so that you can apply the content you've learned to intelligently answer whatever question the exam throws at you.

When Should I Start Studying for the Bar Exam || Is Now Too Early?

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Is 2 months enough to study for the bar?

If you're taking the February bar, usually right after the holidays – either last week of December or the first week of January, depending on when the bar is this year. So, it really depends, but most people study for eight to ten weeks full-time, unless there's a special circumstance.

Is the bar exam hard in Canada?

You'll be surprised at how many intelligent, accomplished people you know and respect had to take the bar exams more than once. The Ontario Bar Exams might not have the same notorious reputation as the New York Bar, but they are not easy.

How long does the average person study for the bar?

How Long Does It Take to Prepare for the Bar Exam? The typical recommendation is that you spend a total of roughly 400 hours studying for the bar exam. If you are studying for the recommended minimum of nine weeks, that means 40 to 50 hours per week.

Can you study for bar in 8 weeks?

While your study time, days and location are extremely flexible, passing the bar exam requires time and commitment. Plan on spending approximately 40 hours per week over 8-10 weeks studying for the bar exam. During the few weeks of bar prep, treat your studies like you would treat a new, important job.

Do most people fail the bar exam the first time?

Notably, the most substantial disparity occurred in July 2022, with 36 percent of CALS graduates successfully passing the bar exam as first-time applicants, while only 13 percent of graduates from unaccredited schools achieved the same outcome.

What time should I wake up for bar exam?

Wake Up Early

Make sure to set your alarm nice and early to avoid a last-minute scramble. For example, if you're taking the California Bar Exam, you'll likely have a 9:00 a.m. start time. That means you should be waking up around 6:30 a.m. depending on how far you have to travel to the testing site.

Can you self study for the bar exam?

Even though it is rarely advised, it is possible to self-study for the bar exam, as long as you have the right resources and proper work ethic. Keeping yourself on schedule will be crucial in order to make sure you've adequately practiced everything. But with a lot of dedication and commitment, you can succeed!

When should I memorize for bar exam?

While there's no bright line rule for everyone, the short answer is: soon. Memorization can be accomplished within just one or two weeks before the bar exam, so don't worry if you haven't started. But the most effective way to memorize for the bar exam is to start three to four weeks before the exam.

Which bar prep course is the best?

Best Bar Review Courses
  • Compare The Top 9 Best Bar Exam Prep Course in January 2025:
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Is the bar exam getting harder?

Recently, California has had some terrifying pass rates. This includes a February 2020 overall pass rate of only 26.8 percent. In years prior, the pass rates were slightly better, but not by much. For example, the February 2018 overall pass rate was 27.3 percent.

Is 295 a good bar score?

In order to pass the Uniform Bar Exam, examinees must earn a score of at least 260 on the MBE and MEE. However, a score of 280 is generally considered to be a good score, and a score of 300 to 330 (highest score on bar exam) is considered to be excellent.

How many people fail the bar in Canada?

The truth is that students DO fail the Ontario bar . Anecdotally the pass rate is believed to be in the 90% range.

How many times did JFK Jr. take the bar exam?

Kennedy earned a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law in 1989. He then failed the New York bar exam twice before passing on his third try in July 1990. After failing the exam for a second time Kennedy vowed that he would continue to take it until he was ninety-five years old or passed.

How many hours a day do law students study?

All in all, however, law students typically spend around 30 – 40 hours per week studying. That may sound like a lot, but a good rule of thumb is that you should be studying at least two hours for every one hour of class time per week.

Is studying for the bar stressful?

Common causes of stress during bar exam preparation include the following. Time pressure: The bar exam is a time-constrained test, so there is inherent pressure to complete it within the allocated time. The volume of material to cover while studying also necessitates strong time management skills.

Is 7 weeks enough to study for the bar exam?

1. You don't need to. Even an exam as intense as the 3-day California bar exam really only requires six or seven weeks to prepare for.

Can you pass the bar without going to law school Canada?

In order to become a lawyer in Canada, you must obtain a law degree. Your law degree must be either from a Canadian law school or from a foreign common law jurisdiction (U.S. or UK etc). A Canadian degree, Juris Doctor (JD), is a three-year-long, full-time, or part-time course.

How many times can you fail a bar exam?

Unlike some states that impose strict or discretionary limits on the number of attempts, California allows candidates to retake the bar exam as many times as necessary until they pass.

Can you study for the bar in a month?

We generally do not recommend that you study for the bar exam in a month. But, life isn't perfect and sometimes it happens. Maybe you were working or had other obligations before (and are finally buckling down now!).