How long does it take to study for the New York bar exam?
Asked by: Vidal Balistreri MD | Last update: January 24, 2026Score: 4.4/5 (61 votes)
If you were an average law student, then studying for the bar exam for about 400 hours will likely be sufficient. About 200 hours should be dedicated to learning the law and memorizing your outlines. The other 200 hours should be spent completing practice bar exam questions.
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 New York bar exam difficult?
Take it from someone who took the New York bar exam and passed on their very first try: the New York bar exam is difficult but manageable. It is important to note that how hard the New York bar exam actually is, is based on a number of somewhat unexpected factors.
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.
How many hours a day to study for the bar?
If you treat studying like a job, then you should be studying about 8 to 10 hours per day.
How I Passed the New York Bar Exam and How You Can Do It Too
How long to study for the NY bar exam?
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.
Can you study for the bar in 4 weeks?
We recommend that students studying full-time begin 8-10 weeks (40-50 hours/week) before their exam. Those with extra responsibilities (e.g., job, children, etc.) should start studying as much as 4 months out (16-25 hours/week).
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.
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.
How many times can you fail the NY bar exam?
The good news is that you can take the New York bar exam an unlimited amount of times if you do not pass. New York does not place a limit or a restriction on the number of times you may attempt to pass the bar exam. This, of course, does not mean that you want to take it numerous times.
What is the hardest state to become a lawyer?
California is widely considered to have the hardest bar exam, due to its low pass rate and the difficulty of the content and constraints of the exam.
What is a good NY bar exam score?
In order to pass the New York Bar Exam, which is the New York Uniform Bar Exam (UBE), a you must achieve a passing score of at least 266 on a 400 point scale. This makes the New York bar exam moderately difficult compared to other states.
How to study for the bar early?
- Review subjects that you learned during your 1L year. ...
- Take classes that will help you pass the bar exam. ...
- Practice skills that will help you during bar review. ...
- Take a bar review course.
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.
How long does it take to finish the bar exam?
How Long Is the Bar Exam? The bar exam is typically a 12-hour test. It is broken up into two days, with 6 hours of testing on one day and the remaining 6 hours of testing on the second day. However, depending on varying state requirements, your test may have additional components that add more days of testing.
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 part of the bar exam is the hardest?
Most people regard the MBE as the hardest portion of the bar exam. The questions are rarely easy or straightforward. They can be tricky and sometimes worded in a way that guides you to the wrong answer.
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.
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.
What is the New York bar pass rate?
Oct 24 (Reuters) - New York has joined the growing number of states posting a higher pass rate on the July 2024 bar exam, with 69% of examinees passing its attorney licensing exam.
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.
Is 2 months enough to study for the bar exam?
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).
Can I study for the bar myself?
While it is not advised to self-study for the bar exam, it is certainly feasible for certain people. The best prediction of your success on the bar is how you did in your first year of law school. The subjects you took that year form the core of the exam, especially the multiple choice section.
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.