How long should I study for the CA bar exam?

Asked by: Mr. Hilario Schmitt  |  Last update: November 16, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (10 votes)

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).

How long should you study for a California bar?

Time is of the essence!

In the 10 weeks prior to the bar exam, your bar studies will require the bulk of your time and attention. Most California Law graduates spend at least 50 hours per week studying in May and June and 60 hours per week studying in July.

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 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 total should you study for the bar exam?

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.

How I Passed the Bar Exam: My DETAILED Study Schedule

37 related questions found

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).

How many hours does the average bar study?

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)

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 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.

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.

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 the California bar exam the hardest?

Which State Bar Is Most Difficult? 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 the day 1 of the California bar exam?

The California Bar Exam is a 2-day exam. Day 1 consists of three essay questions in the AM, then two essay questions and one 90-min performance test in the PM. Day 2 is the Multistate Bar Exam (MBE), a 200-question, multiple-choice exam (100 questions in the AM, 100 questions in the PM).

Does California bar exam expire?

State Bar rules set a five-year expiration date on a passing bar exam score by requiring that, within “five years from the last day of administration of the California Bar Examination the applicant passes,” the applicant must meet all requirements for certification to the California Supreme Court for admission and must ...

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.

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.

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.

How to memorize for CA bar exam?

How To Memorize For The California Bar Exam
  1. Take the material in manageable chunks. ...
  2. Know when you have to memorize California law! ...
  3. Take breaks! ...
  4. Know that memorization takes time and repetition! ...
  5. Move on to other methods of studying. ...
  6. Focus on the highly tested law. ...
  7. Utilize assistance!

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 long to study for the California 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.

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 the bar exam stressful?

Common Causes of Stress

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.