How long do you need to study for the bar exam?

Asked by: Makayla Lowe  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (35 votes)

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.

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.

How long should you study for the bar exam?

How many hours should I study for the bar exam? A good general goal to set is 400 hours of study time. However, this may be more or less, depending on a few things: How well you did in law school, particularly your first year (the better you performed, the less work you will need to put in to pass)

Is 6 weeks enough to study for the bar exam?

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

Is passing the bar exam difficult?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.

GUIDE: How Long Is The Bar Exam? (+3 Tips For Test Day)

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Did Kim Kardashian pass the bar exam?

Kim Kardashian learned very quickly how hard bar exams can be. The California state bar is one of the most difficult states to pass, with a 40-50% pass rate. The first attempt rate, the second attempt, and after the third time, she finally passed!

Which is harder, CPA or bar?

The CPA Exam. You've heard the horror stories: It's derailed the careers of promising professionals. It's definitely harder than the BAR exam and maybe even some medical board exams. And it's nearly impossible to pass once you're a working professional.

How many times fail bar exam?

You're in luck! There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California.

How hard is the bar exam without going to law school?

The bar exam pass rate of an apprentice is about ⅓ of that of a student who attends an ABA approved law school, according to a study by Priceconomics. With a passing rate of approximately 27% for apprentices, it is clear there are topics that can be missed, that a traditional law school is sure to cover.

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.

Can I take the bar exam for fun?

Most states (not all) require you to have a J.D. to sit for the bar exam (or be sufficiently close in credits to having a J.D.). The exam is not free and no matter how brilliant you are, you're not going to pass without good preparation.

Is the bar exam multiple-choice?

The multiple-choice portion is typically administered on the second day, with 100 questions given in the morning (divided into two morning sessions) and 100 questions given in the afternoon (divided into two afternoon sessions).

How long do people normally study for the bar exam?

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.

How many times can you take the bar exam to become a lawyer?

In California, there is no strict limit to the number of times a candidate can take the bar exam. In other words, if you don't succeed on your first try, you can retake the exam in the subsequent session, and so on.

Should I start bar prep early?

BARBRI Early Start helps you build a solid foundation that will stay with you throughout the bar exam. Simply put, people who start early have a better chance of passing the bar.

What state has the easiest bar exam?

Overall, Utah is the easiest bar exam to pass. This is true whether you are a first-time taker or repeat taker! In July 2023, Utah had a 94% pass rate for first time takers and a 73% pass rate for repeat takers. It also has the lowest UBE cut score of 260.

What is the easiest state to become a lawyer in?

Going by the 2021 bar exam passing rates, Wyoming has the easiest bar exam to pass. However, we don't really get the full picture by just looking at the passing rates. Each state's bar exam can differ in difficulty and content.

What percent of lawyers fail the bar?

This year's 32.5 percent pass rate on the General Bar Exam represents a slight decline, 1.4 percentage points, from the February 2022 pass rate of 33.9 percent.

How many times did JFK 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 times did Kim Kardashian take the bar exam?

After failing the California Baby Bar Exam three times, she unveiled in a lengthy Instagram post that she finally passed. The exam is not an easy task.

What's the hardest license to get?

The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) takes the top spot as the most challenging exam in the US, with an average preparation time ranging from 200 to 400 hours for each of its three steps.

Is the NCLEX harder than the bar exam?

The Bar Exam is typically seen as harder than the NCLEX. This is because the Bar Exam covers many intricate legal topics and has a lower pass rate, around 60% on average. In contrast, the NCLEX focuses on nursing concepts and has a higher pass rate, around 80% on average.

Is CPA harder than MCAT?

The CPA exam is widely regarded as the most challenging professional examination for a few reasons. Its length, number of topics, and technical details covered typically rank it harder than the BAR and MCAT.